The Knolls Makeover

In 2018 Regan began a complete redesign and remodel of the home she shares with her husband and two kids. The couple purchased the mid-century home in 2016—drawn to the tranquility of the Forest Knolls neighborhood and the peaceful, wooded hillsides that surround it.

Despite the small footprint, boxy facade and builder-grade finishes, Regan saw huge potential in the bones of the house and set about using her designer’s perspective to reimagine it. 

RBD Team

Amy McKenzie

SENIOR DESIGNER

Collaborators

Medium Plenty

Consulting Architect

EF McGuinness & Sons

General Contractor

Jay Thayer

Landscape Designer

Townsend Brown

Structural Engineer

Open and Spacious

The first thing Regan did was reinterpret the floor plan. To create a more open and spacious feel, she raised the ceiling on the top floor, lifted the door frames, and converted one of the parking spots within the existing garage into additional, livable square footage.

Spatial Efficiency

Custom millwork throughout the home and inventive storage solutions add another layer of spatial efficiency—she created custom bakeware cubbies in the kitchen, built-in desks in the kids’ bedrooms, and a perfectly-sized alcove for the Steele laundry cart in the guest-bath-meets-laundry-room.

Selected Press

Magnolia Network, Rooms We Love

July 2022 - Season 1, Episode 8 & 9

Dwell

October 2020

Domino

October 2020

In the Details

Throughout the home, the mix of artisanal furniture and finishes communicate a relaxed California feel, drawing on the home's mid-century influences and Regan’s love for contemporary design.

The Forbes and Lomax light switches, slat wall, perforated stair railing, custom bar and lighting throughout speak to her passion for the small details that add essential layering, depth, and personality to the overall style of a home.

The palette is fresh and unexpected, revealing Regan’s love of using color in elevated ways.

Several rooms have a colorful statement piece—like the deep emerald green sofa in the living room, the veg tan tile in the primary bathroom, and the painterly wallpaper in the primary bedroom and kids bathroom—always paired deftly with a palette of light neutrals.

Although the result is an overall harmony of color, each space continues to surprise, delight, and welcome as you walk through the home.

Suzanna Scott Photography

Photographer