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When the owners of this Culver City new-build set out to create their forever home, they knew one thing for certain: They didn’t want it to feel fresh off the assembly line. The family of four (plus one dog) had spent years refining plans with their architect before bringing in designer Chloe Heath, founder of Heath Interiors, to shape everything from the millwork and cabinetry to the finishes, furnishings, and architectural details. The result is a contemporary interpretation of a Spanish-style house—one that borrows from the warmth and character of older houses without attempting to recreate them outright.
“We weren’t trying to make a 1920s Spanish Colonial,” Heath says. “It is a new construction, so the creative brief was coming up with an architectural style that felt contemporary but referenced those historical details.”
Throughout the structure, Iberian influence shows up in thoughtful ways: hand-finished zellige tile, softly curved cove ceilings, terracotta accents, and custom arches that were refined again and again until they felt just right. But the personality comes from Heath’s playful touch: There’s a monkey-print powder room, cheerful citrus-y bathroom, and fire-engine-red laundry room complete with a dog wash.
Making the interiors feel lived-in required more than decorative flourishes. Vintage lighting and furniture mingle with custom pieces, while marble countertops and handmade tile introduce the kind of texture and patina that usually takes decades to develop. Ahead, Heath let’s us in on how the home got its collected feel.
How did you get connected with the homeowners?
I was connected through a friend who owns an organizing company called Space Camp. She actually organized the house, too, and shared my name with the homeowners.
Were you involved from the beginning of the build?
The architecture was about 85 percent designed when we came on. There was already an architect involved, but we handled everything inside the home—from the millwork and cabinetry to most of the interior architecture, finishes, and furnishings. We also helped refine a few spaces, including the primary bathroom layout.
What were the homeowners’ biggest priorities?
They have two young kids and a dog, so durability was important. Beyond that, they were incredibly trusting. The homeowner was especially excited to invest in the things that would stay with the house forever—tile, lighting, millwork, and architectural details.
What inspired the overall look?
The homeowner shared a Pinterest board early on that was filled with Spanish-style homes. That became our jumping-off point. We leaned into zellige tile, mosaic details, terracotta, color, and pattern. She was really open to bold choices, which made the process so much fun.
There are so many different colors and wallpapers in the house. How did you make everything feel cohesive?
Even though each room has its own personality, there are moments of connection throughout. Colors repeat in subtle ways, and we paid close attention to how spaces relate to one another. Scale matters, too—balancing wallpaper with a small print with larger-format tile, for example. It was all about creating flow as you move through the house.
Was there a particularly challenging moment during the project?
The blue-and-white tile for the guest bathroom took almost a year to arrive. Then when it finally showed up, it was the wrong color. Thankfully the builders caught it before installation, but there was definitely a moment when we worried the homeowners wouldn’t get their certificate of occupancy because we were still waiting on tile.
What’s one design detail guests might overlook?
The arches. Their shape was incredibly specific and took multiple rounds to perfect. They’re not simple half circles—they have a more complex profile that references the exterior architecture and some traditional Spanish precedents. Most people probably wouldn’t notice, but it’s one of my favorite details in the entire house.
Do you have a favorite room?
I love the sitting room. It’s open to the foyer and dining room, so instead of feeling like a formal room nobody uses, it becomes part of everyday life.
The red laundry room is hard to forget.
That space was so much fun. It was my first time designing a dog wash, which was exciting as a dog owner. Utility spaces are often overlooked, but my client was totally game to go bold. The fact that she was willing to make a laundry room feel special made all the difference.
Any favorite finish or pattern?
The citrus wallpaper in the bathroom off the office. It’s a William Morris pattern. The handmade green tile in that room is also one of my favorite materials we used.
What’s your best advice for making a new build feel like it has soul?
Invest in architecture and millwork whenever possible. We spent a lot of time creating an architectural narrative for this house before we ever got into furnishings. Then use materials with texture, patina, and imperfections. The marble countertops, handmade tile, vintage lighting, and vintage furniture all help create character. Those elements make a new house feel like it’s already lived a life.
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