Lone Pine: Before & After

Hi there,

This week we're taking you inside one of our favorite transformations yet: a large Mediterranean-style home in Laguna Hills, Orange County, remodeled into a fresh, California coastal retreat. Out front, we removed a few mature trees, added a circular driveway, and swapped the Spanish tile for a raised seam roof — setting the tone for everything that followed in the backyard.

A Warmer, Cleaner Front Entry

Smooth plaster walls now echo the home's architecture, paired with a simple wok-style precast water feature at the center of the circular drive. The homeowner's striking wood-and-onyx front door inspired the palette — we pulled those warm cream and cool stone tones straight into the concrete finishes throughout the project.

A Squared-Off, Updated Pool

The original pool had scalloped corners and a distinctly Mediterranean shape. We reshaped it into clean, linear lines, added turf strips along the edges, and replaced the bullnose coping with a square-edge profile for a more transitional feel. Patios were finished in a 12x24 Italian porcelain tile (R11 anti-slip rated), with a blue mini pebble finish and etched, poured-in-place concrete coping — safe and slip-resistant for kids splashing in and out of the water. A one-by-two glass tile lines the waterline for a subtle shimmer.

Built for Evenings Outside

Raised pergolas add height behind the pool, finished in the same stone as the home. New steps lead up to an elevated patio with a portable fire pit — placed right next to the spa, so anyone who'd rather stay dry can still pull up a seat and join the conversation. The outdoor kitchen keeps things simple: a natural gas walk-up grill, storage, a trash drawer, and a refrigerator, topped with polished concrete to match the home's finishes. Under the covered loggia, a stainless steel fireplace insert with natural stone brings a modern touch to cozy evenings.

Privacy That Grows With You

Lightweight aluminum alloy gates and horizontal fencing keep the transitional style going while staying cost-effective. For privacy from neighbors, we planted screening shrubs like Carolina cherry — started at 5 to 15 gallons and left room to grow up to 15–20 feet, so the height adjusts to whatever privacy the homeowners need over time. Spanish lavender softens the foreground, and a side yard of concrete steppers set into synthetic turf leads the way, lit by modern, low-voltage path lighting.