Reader OMG! – Brittany’s Modern California Bungalow


Reader OMG! is a series showcasing home tours from my favorite people…The DIY Playbook readers! Every month or so, I highlight the home of someone with some serious design style. I hope that these swoon-worthy spaces will make you say “OMG”…hence the name! It also gives me a chance to feature home styles outside of my own, so you can take away some fresh ideas for your space.

Reader OMG blog series

We have featured so many amazing homes in the series, check them all out here. Here are some of my favorites…

Brittany’s Modern California Bungalow

Dan and Brittany's modern California bungalow
  • Homeowners: Dan, Brittany, and their two sons
  • Location: San Diego, California
  • Home Type: Single-family home with 3 beds, 2 baths. Plus, a detached casita
  • Year Built: 1929
  • Describe your Home Style: Modern California with Spanish style mixed in.
  • Favorite Spot in your House: Our favorite spot has to be our large seven-foot-high arch window in the front of our house. It lets so much light into the living room and kitchen. We had to get it custom-made to fit the original window casing, and it was well worth it. It’s beautiful and unique!
Brittany's modern California bungalow

My assistant, Lindsey, actually went to school with both Brittany and Dan. She saw them post about their newly renovated home and reached out asking if they wanted to be featured in our Reader OMG! series. Luckily, they agreed! And you’ll soon see why we knew this was the perfect home to showcase here on the blog.

Backyard in San Deigo with a pretty deck

Brittany is a real estate agent. Together with her husband, they design, renovate, and manage short-term rentals in San Diego. Originally from the midwest, the duo fell in love with the perfect southern California weather and decided to head west. Britanny says their two sons are little surfer boys already and they spend lots of time at the beach as a family.

A modern kitchen with a marble waterfall countertop

Seeing these photos of their home gives me major California envy. It looks sunny, idyllic, and an ideal place to raise a family with plenty of outdoor time. Let’s take a peek at their digs…

The Backyard

Backyard of a San diego home
Large backyard in the San Diego area
Dining area on a large deck in San Diego
Outdoor living in San Diego

Fire Area Chairs // Firepit // Dining Chairs // Lounge Chairs

The couple added a giant deck to the backyard. It’s over forty feet and has a lounge area, firepit, and dining space. I love that they have room for all of these different zones, plus a grassy backyard space for their boys. They even have citrus trees to pick afternoon oranges (which sounds delightful!). With wonderful year-round weather, I would be out here constantly!

The Living Room

A living room with a textured fireplace in a modern California bungalow in San Diego
A white sectional with fiber art
Side table lamp
A living room in a coastal home

Sofa // Coffee Table // Frame TV // Chairs // Side Table // Rug

Paint Color: Sherwin Williams โ€œBright Whiteโ€ // Sherwin Williams โ€œIron Oreโ€ (trim)

This gorgeous living room has a black and white palette. However, it’s anything but cold and sterile. And that’s because Brittany layered in a warm jute rug, leather chairs, and lots of comfort with unique pillows. Brittany got this sectional with all-down feathers and she said it’s like sitting on a big pillow. Plus, she added an outdoor coffee table for extra durability with her boys. So smart!

The basket wall plates are from a local home boutique as well as many of the handmade pillows. You’ll notice arches all throughout their home (like their front window and the fireplace opening) and repeating this element really makes the home feel cohesive.

The Dining Room

A dining room in a light and bright home
woven baskets to create a unique chandelier
Dining room and kitchen in an open concept space

Light // Table // Chairs

The living room opens into the dining room, which opens to the kitchen. True open concept living here! My favorite part of the dining space is the lighting. Brittany chose multiple rattan pendants to create a showpiece over the driftwood dining table. She said the hardest part was figuring out where to add the electrical for these three lights back when it was just a construction zone. I think she chose the best placement for these! Again, Brittany went with outdoor furniture for the dining chairs to maximize durability with young kids.

The Kitchen

Open shelving next to the hood
An open concept kitchen with black and white
Open concept kitchen with wood shelves
Waterfall island in a kitchen

Bar Stools // Fridge // Oven // Dishwasher

Wow, this kitchen is dreamy! I adore the marble backsplash that goes up the wall and the open shelving next to the hood (very similar to my own kitchen setup). But let’s talk about that marble waterfall on the island. It’s a stunner! Brittany said her son kept running and bumping his head on the corner of the countertops in their last home, so the waterfall island helps with that here.

The Main Bathroom & Bedroom

A main bathroom suite with hanging pendants
Open shower area
Main bathroom off a bedroom
A gorgeous west coast bedroom
Guest bedroom in a California home
Rattan dresser in a west coast home

Vanity Mirrors // Vanity Lights // Shower Glass // Dresser // Desert Print // Bed

These spaces are light, bright, and really drive home that coastal feel. I especially love the main bathroom. It’s like a spa! The vanity adds so much warmth and storage. And I’m a big fan of the faucets on the wall (more counter space!). Now, that shower! Again, you’ll find another Spanish-style arch here along with terracotta natural clay tiles on the bathroom floor.

As for the bedroom, that bed looks so incredibly comfortable and I kinda just want to dive right in! Again, here is a neutral color palette that is anything but boring. I especially like the cane dresser to add warmth and storage to the room. You’ll also notice that Brittany has quite a mix of furniture and decor throughout the home, mixing high and low-end pieces. The art is budget-friendly from Etsy, while the dresser is more of a splurge. She mixes these pieces so well!

The Nursery

A California bungalow with a cute nursery
A west coast sign over a crib

Crib // West Coast Sign // Dresser // Basket

What a cute room for a baby boy. Overall, it’s minimal, but that colorful rug adds so much to the space and there’s plenty of floor space to crawl around and play. The west coast flag over the crib is genius. It’s safe for baby, while filling the wall with something personal.

The Detached Casita

A detached casita in San Diego
The outdoor space of a detached casita
A casita with a sofa couch
Small bar area
Gorgeous guest suite in a California bungalow
California bungalow with a detached casita

Outdoor Chairs // Planters // Boucle Chair // Sofa // Coffee Table // Rug // Bar Stools // Bed

Okay, onto THE BEST PART OF THIS HOME TOUR. Guys, can you even believe that this is a detached casita on their property? Their guests get to enjoy these amazing amenities when they visit. First, the entire unit has accordion doors that open up to the outside for true indoor/outdoor living. Then, you go inside to a living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. The arched backsplash is everything! The family rents out this space when they’re not using it for their own family and friends. You can book it here (currently unavailable to rent) if you ever visit San Diego.

Shop the Look โ€“ Modern California Bungalow

A modern california bungalow

Chair // Couch // Rug // Coffee Table // Pouf // Faux Bird of Paradise // Basket // Art // Rattan Light

Well, I officially have west coast envy after seeing this home tour. What a gorgeous California bungalow they’ve created in San Diego. I, for one, am feeling very inspired after this peek of a stunning home.

Modern california bungalow in San Diego

Submit Your Home Tour

Want to see your home featured on The DIY Playbook? Send an email to [email protected] with the subject line โ€œReader OMG!โ€, including lots of photos and information about your gorgeous home.

Casey

P.S. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opened to everyone today! I did a little try-on session over on Instagram stories. You can see all of my top picks right here.


The Year of Casey

Hey there!

Iโ€™m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY, and maintain your home…by yourself! Learn more about me right here.