For a couple with two children who value art and family, love to cook large Italian meals, and frequently entertain, their Rancho Santa Fe home was limiting and uninspiring.

The wife is a retired ballet dancer who appreciates both classic form and modern artistry. The clients wanted a more cohesive floor plan with much more natural light. They hoped for a space both elegant and welcoming, in keeping with their artistic, yet relaxed and unpretentious personalities. The primary architectural design decisions were to relocate the kitchen to maximize the appreciation of the amazing natural vista, define the kitchen as a central gathering space, and integrate the other living spaces for a more open flow. In the kitchen, 11′ high windows and French doors in striking black allow abundant natural light to flow in.

The breakfast area is now one of the family’s favorite places to spend time, surrounded by beautiful, panoramic views. The family room, once barely used because of its position in the home, is now a welcoming retreat. Previously a cramped space with rooms inexplicably positioned to ignore its incredible natural surroundings, this magnificent home now balances striking classical and contemporary elements in an expression of graceful chic that fully embraces the outdoors.