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Fit for a Family BY ANDREA NAVERSEN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES FURMAN When working with clients, Harvey has a three-hour "kick off " meeting to get to know them. "I put together a Pinterest board full of images within the clients' desired style but that are meant to test their tolerance for color, pattern, patina, and texture," she says. Harvey also brings samples of fabric, stone, tile, and hardware. "Together we make a pile of things we love, hate, or are ambivalent about." She will even measure the length of her clients' legs to make sure sofas are of the correct depth. "Our mission is to create an elevated yet laid- back living experience for other working parents like ourselves who want their homes to be beautiful but also maximally functional," Harvey says. "My goal is not only to heal the mind via stunning design but also to learn all about the 'pain points' in my clients' lives and come up with ways to mitigate that. More than anything, my designs are about the families that live in them! It's about creating spaces that make people's lives easier so they can go on to pursue their passions in life." Her advice for those tackling a remodel? "Seek out a designer and builder far in advance of actually wanting to start construction. Depending on the scope of your project, it could take three months to a year to design your project and order materials. It's never too early to reach out." She offers a cautionary note based on her own home remodel. "I was designing the home while the demo was taking place, which was chaotic. So, to all my clients out there, please 'do as I say and not do what I do!'" kristynharveyinteriors.com W hen interior designer Kristyn Harvey and her husband moved to Solana Beach, she was drawn to a 1990s-era home — which still had the original 35-year-old carpet. But the former intensive care nurse could envision the possibilities. "We fell in love with it for its location and the light in the home," says Harvey. What followed was a complete remodel that took seven months, resulting in a family- friendly home for the couple and their two young sons, now six and four years old. The 3,300-square-foot house has four bedrooms and three baths, with the kitchen at its heart. Harvey gutted the interior, installing a large steel beam to open up the kitchen to the dining and living room. "Because my husband and I both work, we want to be with the kids as much as we can when we're home, so family togetherness was the goal of our renovation," says Harvey. She added an ingenious end piece on the island to serve as a homework station. It has a drawer for pencils, iPads, and supplies, and below that, an open space for backpacks. " ey can easily do their homework and get the help they need while we simultaneously make dinner," she says. Harvey also turned an adjoining room into a casual playroom rather than a formal sitting room. "Its placement is key because you can easily see the kids from the kitchen," she explains. "We wanted that space to feel comfortable for adults, too, so we created a long window bench seat that provides closed storage for unsightly toys but also creates a spot for parents and guests to sip wine while watching over the kids!" Harvey included a craft table for projects but left lots of open floor space for "imaginative play." Live home design Interior Designer Kristyn Harvey created a family-friendly home in Solana Beach for her husband and two young sons ranchandcoast.com 58 FEBRUARY 2025 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE