When Talia and Jeff Laplant decided to relocate to the South Bay, they had two communities in mind. “My husband wanted to be in Hermosa, and I wanted to be in Palos Verdes,” Talia says.
Before committing to a home purchase, the couple decided to search for a rental property rather than rush into a decision. Six years later, their temporary residence has transformed into their forever home.
“It’s stunningly beautiful, and the weather is to die for. Sometimes you get cocooned in the fog; it’s so spectacular. I just want to sit here and take it all in.”
Driving through Palos Verdes—not totally familiar with the area or her proximity to the ocean—Talia spotted a “For Rent” sign on a home in the Lunada Bay neighborhood. “I called the guy, and he answered the phone and said, ‘I’m not selling the house. Do not ask me if I’m selling the house.”
Talia assured the owner she was only interested in renting, and soon Talia and her family of four moved in. “That was the beginning of falling in love with the area and the house,” she says.
The home was nestled on a quiet street with ocean views from the main living area. Within a week, Jeff was sold on Palos Verdes. “Some nights you can hear the ocean roaring,” Talia notes. “It’s stunningly beautiful, and the weather is to die for. Sometimes you get cocooned in the fog; it’s so spectacular. I just want to sit here and take it all in.”
After a year, when their lease was up, Talia called the owner again and asked him the question he told her not to ask. “I know you said it’s not for sale, but before we make an offer on another property, here’s our offer for this one.”
It was the right time to ask; the owner was ready to sell. “I think timing is everything in life,” Talia says. The family was thrilled, but while they loved the location of their new home, there was a lot they needed to do to make it their own. “We gutted the entire house down to the studs,” she says.
Guiding them through the process was principal designer and owner of KC Design Group, Kimberly Colletti. “You know, sometimes you just meet someone, and they get you,” Talia says of Kimberly. “She was so into what I wanted. She got my vision, and I got hers. It was just perfect.”
“I can honestly say from the second she opened the door and said ‘hello,’ we just clicked,” Kimberly adds.
The pair worked together for a year. From the beginning, Talia told Kimberly she would be a very involved client. “Talia has such great style,” Kimberly notes. “She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, and it transcends into their family home. She was very conscientious throughout the entire design process, ensuring that each family member had a place that was special for each of them.”
The minute you walk in the home, your focus is pulled to the large windows showcasing ocean views. The outdoor portion off the main area serves as an extension of the living and dining rooms—another seating area for the family and guests to enjoy.
Talia loves to cook and makes eating together as a family a priority—her kitchen reflects that. It’s both stunning and inviting, yet it is also a functional space to chop, dice and even spill a little red wine without worry. This blend of casual warmth and aesthetic beauty is found throughout the entire home.
“I love the overall mood of the house,” Kimberly says. “The second you walk into their home, you feel relaxed and you finally get that deep breath you have been waiting for. It has such a comforting and chic vibe.”
Talia points out how much the light and the overall feel of the home change during different times of the day. The use of various textures and surface areas amplifies this transformation. “The ceiling is warmed by French white oak,” Kimberly notes. “I designed a modern version of an antiqued mirrored wall to create depth. In the evening the house glows with the fireplace reflecting from the mirror.”
“The second you walk into their home, you feel relaxed and you finally get that deep breath you have been waiting for. It has such a comforting and chic vibe.”
Coming from a larger home, it was important that every space of their new Palos Verdes residence was truly lived in—including their outdoor areas. “This is where we spend most of our time,” Talia says as she steps outside. “If the weather’s nice, we’re out here. If the weather’s cold, we grab a blanket and turn the fireplace on.”
Guiding them with their outdoor design was landscape architect Robin Benezra. “A [landscape] architect is completely different than an interior designer,” Talia notes. “There is so much involved with water usage and drainage—it’s not just about making the space pretty; it’s about structure too.”
Off the master suite is a door leading to another outdoor space with resort-like feel. “The kids love the pool; they always have friends over,” Talia notes.
Every inch of this home is utilized and enjoyed by the Laplant family. And for Talia and Kimberly, bringing this project to fruition meant the beginning of a new friendship. “The best part of the project was working with such a wonderful family,” Kimberly says. “I hated to see it all come to an end, but in reality it has not. A beautiful friendship emerged. I think we are soul sisters.”
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