This New-Build Might Have Been Designed Without a Homeowner in Mind – But The Tiny Details Make It Feel So Personal
With no specific client in mind, Nicole Salceda of Eye for Pretty created a new build designed to feel anything but generic
Designing a home usually starts with a person in mind: how they live, what they love, hate, and how many pairs of shoes they need to hide. This one started with none of that. Created as a design-led spec home, this new-build in Rutherford, California, gave Eye for Pretty founder Nicole Salceda the unusual opportunity to create a house without a specific homeowner, brief, or list of must-haves to guide her. Instead, the goal was to 'design a timeless home with broad appeal,' she explains. 'One that felt elevated, approachable, and immediately welcoming to anyone who walked through the door.'
Her answer was a warm California-inspired palette of natural stone, white oak and brass, softened by linen, old-world details and subtle European influence. It’s a combination that manages to give the brand-new property an unexpected sense of history.
Crisp architectural lines keep things feeling fresh and modern, while checkerboard floors, statement lighting, textured stone, and carefully chosen smaller details stop the house from feeling overly polished or, worse, like a showroom. The result is a home that manages to feel personal without having been designed for anyone in particular.
Living Room: The living area pairs a pale stone fireplace with warm built-ins, soft linen upholstery and layers of relaxed, natural texture. Sofa, Rowe Furniture; Chandelier & Art, Four Hands; Fireplace Stone, Casablanca by El Dorado Stone; Accessories & Tree, Eye for Pretty At Home.
With no existing bones to work around, Nicole was careful to consider how the architecture could support the way the future owners would live, not just how the home would look once decorated.
The project marked Eye for Pretty's third custom collaboration with Barale Builders at West Side Builds, and the aim was to 'create a home that felt timeless and universally inviting while reflecting the Eye for Pretty philosophy of thoughtful, livable design,' says Nicole. 'Because it was a new build, we were able to shape the floor plan from the ground up,' she continues. 'Every space was designed to feel intuitive, functional and appealing to a wide range of homeowners and lifestyles.'
So rather than creating a series of rooms that simply look good in photographs, the layout was designed around the natural flow of everyday life for the future owners, with the kitchen flowing easily into the dining and living areas. 'We wanted the kitchen to feel like the emotional center of the home, a space that naturally draws people in,' Nicole explains.
The same principle extends beyond the great room, where layered textures, soft architectural details and a restrained palette make the more private spaces feel inviting rather than formal. It is a practical approach, certainly, but one that Nicole imagines supports gathering, relaxing and 'creating everyday memories.'
Open-Plan Living, Dining, & Kitchen: An arched opening connects the living and dining spaces, where warm wood, built-in cabinetry, and layered neutral textures create a cohesive, inviting scheme. Paint Color, Shoji White by Sherwin-Williams used throughout.
Visually, the house takes its cues from California, but it isn't the pared-back, ultra-modern version of the look that we're so accustomed to. 'The home is rooted in warm California minimalism with subtle European influence,' Nicole explains of the home's character. The clever part is that its charm doesn't come from one big decorating statement. Instead, they built it up gradually, allowing certain rooms to be moodier or more traditional while keeping a consistent sense of calm throughout. The powder room, for example, embraces a checkerboard floor and darker walls, while the larger living and hosting spaces remain light and understated. It gives the house variety without making it feel like a tour of different interior design trends.
That was intentional. 'We wanted every design decision to feel timeless rather than trend-driven, creating a home that could appeal to many while still feeling distinctive and full of character,' she explains. This is evident in the way the details have been edited. There are statement pieces, sure, like oversized lighting, stone walls, and bold marble, but they're balanced by quieter elements that let the space breathe. Traditional references bring a sense of history to the newness, while contemporary proportions keep it feeling fresh. Even the decorative details are purposeful, from earthenware pottery and curated artwork to the 'transitions between materials' – think scallops and checkerboard, linen and marble, wainscoting and tile. The idea was less about creating a perfectly styled house and more about giving a new build the layers and imperfections that make a home feel as though it has evolved over time.
Entry (Left) & Dining Area (Right): The entry and dining area share the home's signature mix of warm wood, natural stone and sculptural lighting, creating a welcoming transition into the heart of the home
The entry is where everything comes together first. 'The entry sets the tone for the entire home,' says Nicole, and it is easy to see why. Rather than filling the space with bold decorative touches, the design relies on a handful of strong yet subtle architectural moments: a tumbled stone wall, a beamed white oak ceiling, and a simple wood console that lets the materials take center stage.
For a brand-new home, there is remarkably little here that feels too new. An oversized mirror, suspended from a leather strap, adds a softer, more relaxed note while bouncing light around the space. It is a small detail, but an effective one. 'The quieter details are often the most meaningful,' she continues. 'They're not meant to stand out on their own, but together they're what make the home feel timeless and deeply considered.' She explains how every detail, from the stone to the ceiling, was intentionally chosen to create a warm, welcoming first impression. Those same materials are then echoed in the rooms beyond, creating connections as you move throughout the property.
Kitchen: Warm wood, veined stone and brass bring depth to the light-filled kitchen, where oversized lanterns hang beneath exposed beams. Lanterns, Visual Comfort; Viola Monet Marble Counters & Backsplash; Counter Stools, Four Hands; Range, Ilve Majestic.
The kitchen is very much the showstopper of the home, as Nicole intended. A warm wood island sits beneath a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, while oversized lantern pendants draw the eye upward and give the open space a more intimate feel. At the back, a dramatic veined stone backsplash brings color and movement to the otherwise restrained palette, balanced by creamy cabinetry and brass hardware, while a hidden niche and pot filler give the cooking zone some vintage charm.
'We designed it to be equal parts functional and beautiful, with an oversized island that encourages gathering, layered lighting that creates warmth throughout the day, and timeless materials that feel both elevated and approachable,' she adds. The connection to the dining and living zones makes the whole space feel welcoming – whether that's encouraging a slow morning coffee or a house full of people.
Pantry & Back Kitchen: The kitchen's prep and storage spaces combine practical cabinetry with textured finishes, brass hardware and open shelving. Wall Tile, Cle Tile, Cabinet Color, Accessible Beige by Sherwin-Williams; Pendant, Savoy House.
The kitchen's supporting spaces are just as considered as the great room. Tucked behind the main entertaining area, a quieter prep zone – or back kitchen – pairs light cabinetry with textured tile, dark countertops and warm brass hardware, while glass-fronted cupboards and open shelving keep everyday ingredients and serving pieces within easy reach. A separate pantry run of deep drawers and shelving provides even more practical storage without sacrificing the polished look. It's a good example of Nicole's wider approach: the less glamorous side of kitchen design (where to put the food, appliances, and assorted things you don't necessarily want on display) has been given just as much attention as the parts designed to impress.
Primary Bedroom: Natural textures, linen drapery and layered neutrals give the primary bedroom a calm, collected feel. Wall Color, Alabaster by Sherwin Williams; Furniture, Four Hands; Chandelier, Currey and Company.
The primary bedroom takes the home's palette and softens it further, with a textural upholstered bed layered with soft linen bedding, striped and patterned cushions, and a deep brown throw. A vintage-inspired rug, wood dresser, and woven planters bring warmth and the outdoors in, while full-height linen drapes soften the large windows and keep the room further connected to the surrounding landscape. 'Layered textures, soft architectural details and a restrained palette create spaces that encourage people to slow down, relax and stay awhile,' Nicole advises.
Primary Bathroom (Left) & Powder Room (Right): The primary bath keeps things serene with marble, cafe curtains and brass, while the powder room turns moodier with dark paneling, scalloped stone and checkerboard flooring. Primary Bath Pendant, Etsy. Powder Bath Wall Color, Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams.
The bathrooms offer two different takes on the home's aesthetic. In the primary bath, a marble-clad tub takes center stage, framed by a large window dressed with delicate café curtains that soften the look while keeping everything light and bright. Warm brass fixtures, a whisper-soft pendant and a simple wooden stool add just enough contrast to the pale palette, creating a space designed for slowing down. The powder room takes the mood in a richer direction, wrapping the walls in sludgy brown paneling and pairing it with a wood vanity, scalloped marble backsplash, and more classic brass fittings. Underfoot, a checkerboard floor adds an unexpected moment of playfulness.
Home Office (Left) & Laundry Room (Right): A warm office and thoughtfully designed laundry room prove that the home's practical spaces were given just as much consideration as its showstopping rooms. Office Wall Color, Antique Pewter by Benjamin Moore; Desk & Chair, Four Hands; Rug, Loloi; Pendant, Savoy House. Laundry Cabinet Color, Pewter Green by Sherwin-Williams; Pendant, Visual Comfort.
A similar dose of color moves through into the home's more practical spaces. In the office, built-in cabinetry provides plenty of storage while a substantial wood desk, patterned rug and woven chandelier give the room a sense of warmth and personality. The laundry room is equally considered, with muted green cabinetry painted in Porpoise by Sherwin-Williams, a brick backsplash, and woven baskets turning everyday utility into something much more inviting.
Shop the Look
For a house designed without a particular homeowner in mind, this Rutherford property feels surprisingly personal. That is perhaps the cleverest thing about it. Rather than relying on trend-led finishes or a specific decorating style, Eye for Pretty built its character through proportion, texture, natural materials and small moments of old-world charm. The result is a new build with the warmth of somewhere that feels as though it has already been lived in.
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