Former Diane Keaton Beach House Transformed Into Dreamy Laguna Retreat Blending Coastal Charm & Quiet Luxury
This 1928 oceanfront gem in Laguna Beach gets a stunning redesign by Morrison Interiors, merging historic soul with modern coastal elegance.
Situated oceanfront on the sandy beaches of Laguna Beach is a historic home that melds fresh design with the soul of its antecedents. Mere steps from the hypnotic swell of the ocean, this home serves as a family retreat for its new owners, reimagined to stylishly host unforgettable memories for years to come.
The home was built in 1928 and was formerly owned by Hollywood star Diane Keaton. Its architecture accommodates the laid-back lifestyle commonly adopted near the coast while also paying homage to California Mission style through unique features such as a white stucco exterior, original terracotta roofing and flooring, mosaic tiles accenting the main staircase, and the hand-painted ceiling in the main dining room.
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The home’s refresh was spearheaded by Rachel Morrison of Morrison Interiors. “It’s an incredible project,” Morrison says of the house. “We were so blessed to be able to work on it.”
The client hired the design firm to breathe individuality back into the home. “The home had gone through a few owners,” Morrison mentions. “The person who owned it before our client had refurbished it in a way that everything matched, which took away from the home’s original charm.”
Through layering multiple textures with unique patterns, Morrison and her team brought personality back to the residence, infusing it with a welcoming warmth while elevating its aesthetic appeal.
“The clients are going to live in this house, and the beds aren’t always going to be made, beach toys are going to be spread throughout, so we didn’t want it to feel like they couldn’t live in the space and enjoy it.”
Inspired by the cove’s color palette, Morrison opted for complementary colors in the main living and dining spaces. This allowed the rooms to be visually intriguing without competing for attention with the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.
Functionality of the house was a key factor in the design decisions. “The clients had an idea of how they wanted it to function,” says Morrison. “The big challenge was to lay things out in a way that was going to feel good while also giving them the usage they were looking for.”
One example of Morrison facing the challenge of marrying excellent design with optimal functionality is in the beach room. “We laid this space out about a dozen times,” Morrison recalls. “They wanted it to be open enough so the kids could pile in with sleeping bags, but also have enough furniture so that it could serve as a lounge. Everything in that room had to be treated as if it were outdoors due to its having direct access to the beach.”
The kitchen underwent a complete refresh, transforming from a dated space that was disjointed from the unique characteristics of the home’s exterior into a warm, Spanish coastal style kitchen that incorporated thoughtful accents reflecting the house’s originality, such as patterned flush-mount lighting. “The lighting has a lot of charm and is an unexpected element,” Morrison says.
Other notable features of the home include a black marble bathtub in the primary bathroom, which had to be craned in due to its weight; the zen-like, seafoam green fitness center, which showcases Morrison’s talent for tastefully incorporating patterns with texture; and the laundry room, which adds a rustic element to the interiors and makes a mundane task feel more relaxing and enjoyable.
“The clients didn’t want their home to feel like it contained all new furniture,” Morrison notes. “They wanted it to feel collected, curated and historical.”
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Morrison describes the home’s overall appeal as quiet luxury with coastal comfort. Her favorite space is a blue jewel-tone lounge room accented by a geometric mosaic backsplash and brass shelving adjacent to the home’s entry. “We wanted it to feel like a San Francisco speakeasy,” Morrison says. “This space to me is like a jewel box. I love it so much.” With uncompromising attention to detail and a deep respect for its storied past, this historic estate. has been transformed into a contemporary sanctuary that celebrates both its rich legacy and the beauty of modern living.
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