September 18, 2026

A dream-home detour became an opportunity for adaptation and reinvention of a family’s furnishings and collections.

Words
Susan Cannon
@susancannon1

Photos
Craig Keene
@craigkeenephotography

Designer
Lisa Schmitz Interior Design
@lisaschmitzinteriors

ivots are a part of life. Lisa Schmitz Interior Design skillfully redirected a household of furnishings after her clients found their true dream home six months after completing their Georgian Manor in Mission Hills. The new style: Mediterranean Villa.

The stylistic shift presented an opportunity for Lisa Schmitz and team to approach familiar furnishings in an entirely new way. For starters, the new home has more generously scaled rooms.

“We were originally tasked with determining how to use their existing furniture, much of which we had supplied for the previous house,” Schmitz says. “Scale, style, and function were all considered, but the new proportions called for a complete reimagining.”

The goal was to create a light, layered California-Mediterranean aesthetic infused with patina—an environment that would feel both modern and comfortably lived-in.

The villa possessed architectural charm that, in some ways, changed the game for the designers stylistically. The inclusion of European antiques proved that blending old with new creates the most interesting spaces. Outfitting a few rooms with patterned window treatments—not usually the norm for LSID, but oh so well done—showcased the designers’ range and nuanced eye.

The existing light fixtures were heavy, calling for all-new lighting throughout. A full refresh took place. In the dining room, a very fine, larger-scale Apparatus fixture now hangs over a new, custom-length table with elegant ebony turned legs. New lighting was also added to the bar, along the stairs, and throughout the halls, quietly but powerfully shifting the home’s energy.

“These new fixtures introduced a fresher, lighter feel, allowing each room to breathe and connect,” Schmitz says.

The redesign also provided an opportunity to reimagine the presentation of the clients’ contemporary art collection and to incorporate newly acquired works. Contemporary photography and mixed-media pieces are juxtaposed with antiques and artisan-made objects, creating sophisticated vignettes throughout the home. A trio of bronze sculptures by Tom Corbin adds a playful modern note to the dining table, while an existing wine cellar serves as a unique backdrop.

In the living room, a Vee Speers photograph hangs above an antique table with barley-twist legs. The sconce is designed by Jessica Helgerson, from Roll & Hill.

The large entryway is anchored by a classic Steinway & Sons grand piano. The unique light sculpture and Cooper Gorfer artwork, which merge photography with painting and collage, show a sophisticated balance.

The Mediterranean charm of the arched windows, dark beams, and original stone floors in the hallway leading to the home office is enhanced by a large-scale Kelly Porter painting from Blue Gallery, a Moroccan runner, and Calacatta marble sconces. The blue Jackie Bergère armchair is from Frigerio.

In the dining room, a wine cellar behind glass with a stone surround existed, so the designers chose to make it a special, if not convenient, focal point of the space. To the right is a photograph by Julie Blackmon. The ceiling light fixture by Apparatus hangs over a trio of Tom Corbin sculptures, adding a playful note to the elegant turned-leg table by Alfonso Marina, with 18th-century Portuguese influence.

In the living room, an Elizabeth Huey painting, procured through art advisor Toma Wolff, hangs above the fireplace, with shelving replacing the low cabinets on either side. The designers appropriately scaled up objects for the taller shelves, using woven baskets, antiqued and patinated pieces, and contrasting dark glazed pottery. Some sourced through In Residence and Good Weather. All the furniture is from the former home LSID designed prior, though custom ottomans were added, as was the burl-wood vintage Milo Baughman coffee table from Blackbird Collection. The crewel-embroidered fabric of the new curtains is by Jane Churchill from KDR Designer Showrooms, adding a nice contrast that feels fresh with the contemporary aesthetic.

The lower-level bedroom is as relaxed and cohesive in design as the rest of the home. The upholstered bed has a fringed llama fiber throw from Pampa by Argentinian artisan weavers. A bedside chest from The Citizenry has a small Eve Krahn stoneware vase with handcrafted glaze. The artwork above the bed is by Kelly Porter.

On the lower level, which once felt cold and industrial, the designers injected cozy warmth. They replaced the black fireplace with Clay Imports’ handmade terra cotta tiles and added a custom veined marble hearth by Carthage Stoneworks. Following the neutrals and blues that run throughout the home, the addition of textures and patterns creates a relaxed family room with plenty of character. The throw pillows are custom-made with Elitis fabrics, and the curtain fabric is Clarence House from KDR Designer Showrooms. The ceiling was clad in wood from Acme Floor Company, installed by McQuaid Brothers.

The home’s sense of authenticity is immediately apparent upon entry. Stone floors and arched windows lend timeless character to the expansive foyer and hallway. Unexpected combinations reveal unique character. Guests are greeted by a classic Steinway piano positioned beneath a large contemporary mixed-media work by artistic duo Cooper Gorfer. Nearby, a handcrafted sculptural floor lamp with modular paper shades and a carved wooden base reinforces the home’s curated, gallery-like atmosphere.

The lofted ceiling of the living room, with its large windows and glowing natural light, highlights the deftly mixed design references within. A large mid-century burl-wood Milo Baughman coffee table mingles with crewelwork-embroidered drapes in a new relationship. The window textiles echo back to a contemporary painting by Brooklyn-based artist Elizabeth Huey, whose surreal interpretation of a 19th-century domestic scene lends an unexpected edge.

Because the new home’s scale far exceeds that of the clients’ previous residence, shelving and accessories were thoughtfully expanded. Woven baskets, patinated decorative objects, and richly glazed pottery contribute texture and depth, creating an atmosphere that feels collected organically over time rather than designed all at once.

The lower level received equal attention. Warm, soothing colors and tactile finishes bring cohesion to the casual gathering spaces, making them equally suited for family time and entertaining younger guests. A fireplace resurfaced in earthy terracotta tones, paired with a dramatically veined marble hearth, serves as a focal point that feels both contemporary and inviting.

A custom wood ceiling installation, facilitated by McQuaid Brothers using materials from Acme Floor Company, further enhances the home’s warmth. The ceiling’s grain and stain match the flooring throughout the residence, creating visual continuity and reinforcing the home’s cohesive design language.

What began as an exercise in adapting existing furnishings ultimately evolved into a complete reinvention. The result is a home that feels at once familiar and fresh—a sophisticated retreat where thoughtful layering, cherished art, and carefully curated furnishings come together in perfect harmony.

“This villa is a home that feels familiar yet fresh, playful yet composed,” Schmitz says. “It celebrates generosity of scale, thoughtful layering, and the joyful transformation of cherished furnishings and art. Every element, old or new, works in concert to create a cohesive, light-filled, and fully realized family retreat.”