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Our latest issue is here and we”re featuring the winners from the 2026 Sunset Home & Design Awards!

From airy coastal retreats to desert-modern masterpieces and mountain hideaways, the West continues to inspire bold, thoughtful design. For generations, Sunset has celebrated the architects, designers, and makers shaping homes and landscapes that reflect the openness, creativity, and deep connection to this region.

This year’s awards honor the full spectrum of talent—from interiors and kitchens to landscapes, craftsmanship, and the enduring architectural firms whose vision has defined Western living for decades.

Latest issue available now on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

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On The Cover: This Marmol Radziner coastline retreat,located in Santa Barbara County, is delightfully understated. Carved into the slope, with green roofs dotted with cacti and grasses, it disappears into the landscape while framing sweeping vistas of oak groves, citrus orchards, and the Channel Islands. Modernist, thoughtful, and deeply connected to place.

Photo: Thomas J. Story @sunsetphoto

Our latest issue is here and we”re featuring the winners from the 2026 Sunset Home & Design Awards!

From airy coastal retreats to desert-modern masterpieces and mountain hideaways, the West continues to inspire bold, thoughtful design. For generations, Sunset has celebrated the architects, designers, and makers shaping homes and landscapes that reflect the openness, creativity, and deep connection to this region.

This year’s awards honor the full spectrum of talent—from interiors and kitchens to landscapes, craftsmanship, and the enduring architectural firms whose vision has defined Western living for decades.

Latest issue available now on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

__________
On The Cover: This Marmol Radziner coastline retreat,located in Santa Barbara County, is delightfully understated. Carved into the slope, with green roofs dotted with cacti and grasses, it disappears into the landscape while framing sweeping vistas of oak groves, citrus orchards, and the Channel Islands. Modernist, thoughtful, and deeply connected to place.

Photo: Thomas J. Story @sunsetphoto

Paso Robles does a lot in a single day—and somehow, it all works.

Forty thousand acres of vineyards, mornings that start above the fog line, and yes… a cocktail bar where the only way in is ringing a doorbell and knowing you’re in the right place.

This is wine country with a little edge. Think sunrise floating over the vines, a midday tasting-hopping circuit where winemakers, brewers, and chefs share the same stretch of road, and dinners that feel equal parts polished and personal. By sunset, the hills start to glow—literally—and the night winds down somewhere dimly lit, a little hidden, and very worth finding.

Swipe for the full guide, and find more at Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
@riverlodgepaso
@daouvineyards
@tincitycider
@lespetitescanailles_
@sensoriopaso
@1122.cocktail.lounge

—————
Photos:
River Lodge / Karyn Millet (2) Daou Vineyards (3) Tin City Cider (4) Les Petites Canailles / Jesse Cudworth (5) Sensorio Paso Dimensions / Claire Ehartnell (6) Eleven Twenty Two Cocktail Lounge/ Lisa Pretty

Paso Robles does a lot in a single day—and somehow, it all works.

Forty thousand acres of vineyards, mornings that start above the fog line, and yes… a cocktail bar where the only way in is ringing a doorbell and knowing you’re in the right place.

This is wine country with a little edge. Think sunrise floating over the vines, a midday tasting-hopping circuit where winemakers, brewers, and chefs share the same stretch of road, and dinners that feel equal parts polished and personal. By sunset, the hills start to glow—literally—and the night winds down somewhere dimly lit, a little hidden, and very worth finding.

Swipe for the full guide, and find more at Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
@riverlodgepaso
@daouvineyards
@tincitycider
@lespetitescanailles_
@sensoriopaso
@1122.cocktail.lounge

—————
Photos:
River Lodge / Karyn Millet (2) Daou Vineyards (3) Tin City Cider (4) Les Petites Canailles / Jesse Cudworth (5) Sensorio Paso Dimensions / Claire Ehartnell (6) Eleven Twenty Two Cocktail Lounge/ Lisa Pretty

Paso Robles does a lot in a single day—and somehow, it all works.

Forty thousand acres of vineyards, mornings that start above the fog line, and yes… a cocktail bar where the only way in is ringing a doorbell and knowing you’re in the right place.

This is wine country with a little edge. Think sunrise floating over the vines, a midday tasting-hopping circuit where winemakers, brewers, and chefs share the same stretch of road, and dinners that feel equal parts polished and personal. By sunset, the hills start to glow—literally—and the night winds down somewhere dimly lit, a little hidden, and very worth finding.

Swipe for the full guide, and find more at Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
@riverlodgepaso
@daouvineyards
@tincitycider
@lespetitescanailles_
@sensoriopaso
@1122.cocktail.lounge

—————
Photos:
River Lodge / Karyn Millet (2) Daou Vineyards (3) Tin City Cider (4) Les Petites Canailles / Jesse Cudworth (5) Sensorio Paso Dimensions / Claire Ehartnell (6) Eleven Twenty Two Cocktail Lounge/ Lisa Pretty

Paso Robles does a lot in a single day—and somehow, it all works.

Forty thousand acres of vineyards, mornings that start above the fog line, and yes… a cocktail bar where the only way in is ringing a doorbell and knowing you’re in the right place.

This is wine country with a little edge. Think sunrise floating over the vines, a midday tasting-hopping circuit where winemakers, brewers, and chefs share the same stretch of road, and dinners that feel equal parts polished and personal. By sunset, the hills start to glow—literally—and the night winds down somewhere dimly lit, a little hidden, and very worth finding.

Swipe for the full guide, and find more at Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
@riverlodgepaso
@daouvineyards
@tincitycider
@lespetitescanailles_
@sensoriopaso
@1122.cocktail.lounge

—————
Photos:
River Lodge / Karyn Millet (2) Daou Vineyards (3) Tin City Cider (4) Les Petites Canailles / Jesse Cudworth (5) Sensorio Paso Dimensions / Claire Ehartnell (6) Eleven Twenty Two Cocktail Lounge/ Lisa Pretty

Paso Robles does a lot in a single day—and somehow, it all works.

Forty thousand acres of vineyards, mornings that start above the fog line, and yes… a cocktail bar where the only way in is ringing a doorbell and knowing you’re in the right place.

This is wine country with a little edge. Think sunrise floating over the vines, a midday tasting-hopping circuit where winemakers, brewers, and chefs share the same stretch of road, and dinners that feel equal parts polished and personal. By sunset, the hills start to glow—literally—and the night winds down somewhere dimly lit, a little hidden, and very worth finding.

Swipe for the full guide, and find more at Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
@riverlodgepaso
@daouvineyards
@tincitycider
@lespetitescanailles_
@sensoriopaso
@1122.cocktail.lounge

—————
Photos:
River Lodge / Karyn Millet (2) Daou Vineyards (3) Tin City Cider (4) Les Petites Canailles / Jesse Cudworth (5) Sensorio Paso Dimensions / Claire Ehartnell (6) Eleven Twenty Two Cocktail Lounge/ Lisa Pretty

Paso Robles does a lot in a single day—and somehow, it all works.

Forty thousand acres of vineyards, mornings that start above the fog line, and yes… a cocktail bar where the only way in is ringing a doorbell and knowing you’re in the right place.

This is wine country with a little edge. Think sunrise floating over the vines, a midday tasting-hopping circuit where winemakers, brewers, and chefs share the same stretch of road, and dinners that feel equal parts polished and personal. By sunset, the hills start to glow—literally—and the night winds down somewhere dimly lit, a little hidden, and very worth finding.

Swipe for the full guide, and find more at Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
@riverlodgepaso
@daouvineyards
@tincitycider
@lespetitescanailles_
@sensoriopaso
@1122.cocktail.lounge

—————
Photos:
River Lodge / Karyn Millet (2) Daou Vineyards (3) Tin City Cider (4) Les Petites Canailles / Jesse Cudworth (5) Sensorio Paso Dimensions / Claire Ehartnell (6) Eleven Twenty Two Cocktail Lounge/ Lisa Pretty

Your bedroom paint color sets the mood long before your head hits the pillow.

But according to designers, the most soothing shades aren’t always the obvious ones. Sometimes it’s a moody earth tone, a sun-faded neutral, or a color that simply makes you look and feel your best in the light.

From soft coastal neutrals to cocooning hues with a little drama, these are the shades designers swear by for creating a bedroom that feels equal parts restful and personal.

Get all the color inspiration and expert tips at Sunset.com.

_____________
Photos: (1) Design by Peter Dunham; Photo by Victoria Pearson (2) Design by Thecla Glueck; Photo by Vivian Johnson (3) Design by Élan Design House; Photo by Charlotte Lea Photography

Your bedroom paint color sets the mood long before your head hits the pillow.

But according to designers, the most soothing shades aren’t always the obvious ones. Sometimes it’s a moody earth tone, a sun-faded neutral, or a color that simply makes you look and feel your best in the light.

From soft coastal neutrals to cocooning hues with a little drama, these are the shades designers swear by for creating a bedroom that feels equal parts restful and personal.

Get all the color inspiration and expert tips at Sunset.com.

_____________
Photos: (1) Design by Peter Dunham; Photo by Victoria Pearson (2) Design by Thecla Glueck; Photo by Vivian Johnson (3) Design by Élan Design House; Photo by Charlotte Lea Photography

Your bedroom paint color sets the mood long before your head hits the pillow.

But according to designers, the most soothing shades aren’t always the obvious ones. Sometimes it’s a moody earth tone, a sun-faded neutral, or a color that simply makes you look and feel your best in the light.

From soft coastal neutrals to cocooning hues with a little drama, these are the shades designers swear by for creating a bedroom that feels equal parts restful and personal.

Get all the color inspiration and expert tips at Sunset.com.

_____________
Photos: (1) Design by Peter Dunham; Photo by Victoria Pearson (2) Design by Thecla Glueck; Photo by Vivian Johnson (3) Design by Élan Design House; Photo by Charlotte Lea Photography

Some kitchens just need a refresh, others need a full rethink.

In this 1970s A-frame, @andrealackiedesign started from the ground up, reworking a cramped, awkward layout into a space that finally flows. The once-disjointed kitchen (think floating fridge and a stove pushed to the margins) now feels intentional, open, and easy to live in.

The magic is in the balance: improved function, smarter storage, and a layout that makes sense, all layered with warm woods and timeless finishes that echo the home’s original character. Step inside and see the before at Sunset.com.

Design: Andrea Lackie @andrealackiedesign
Photos: Brad Scott Visuals @bradscottvisuals

Some kitchens just need a refresh, others need a full rethink.

In this 1970s A-frame, @andrealackiedesign started from the ground up, reworking a cramped, awkward layout into a space that finally flows. The once-disjointed kitchen (think floating fridge and a stove pushed to the margins) now feels intentional, open, and easy to live in.

The magic is in the balance: improved function, smarter storage, and a layout that makes sense, all layered with warm woods and timeless finishes that echo the home’s original character. Step inside and see the before at Sunset.com.

Design: Andrea Lackie @andrealackiedesign
Photos: Brad Scott Visuals @bradscottvisuals

Some kitchens just need a refresh, others need a full rethink.

In this 1970s A-frame, @andrealackiedesign started from the ground up, reworking a cramped, awkward layout into a space that finally flows. The once-disjointed kitchen (think floating fridge and a stove pushed to the margins) now feels intentional, open, and easy to live in.

The magic is in the balance: improved function, smarter storage, and a layout that makes sense, all layered with warm woods and timeless finishes that echo the home’s original character. Step inside and see the before at Sunset.com.

Design: Andrea Lackie @andrealackiedesign
Photos: Brad Scott Visuals @bradscottvisuals

Ever wonder what the right plant palette is for your outdoor materials? Turns out, it’s less about matching—and more about balance.

The team at @fridaygardens has it down to an art, pairing bold hardscape moments with planting that softens, highlights, and brings everything into rhythm.

Think structured wood fencing layered with airy, textural greenery that moves with the breeze. Or colorful tile patios grounded with low, trailing plants that blur the edges and let the pattern shine. Even sculptural materials—like fluted or slatted wood—come to life when paired with foliage that contrasts in scale but echoes in movement.

Grab their full listof go-to pairings in our latest issue, on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

Design: Friday Gardens
Photos: (1) @caitlinatkinson_photography (2) @christineciszczon

Ever wonder what the right plant palette is for your outdoor materials? Turns out, it’s less about matching—and more about balance.

The team at @fridaygardens has it down to an art, pairing bold hardscape moments with planting that softens, highlights, and brings everything into rhythm.

Think structured wood fencing layered with airy, textural greenery that moves with the breeze. Or colorful tile patios grounded with low, trailing plants that blur the edges and let the pattern shine. Even sculptural materials—like fluted or slatted wood—come to life when paired with foliage that contrasts in scale but echoes in movement.

Grab their full listof go-to pairings in our latest issue, on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

Design: Friday Gardens
Photos: (1) @caitlinatkinson_photography (2) @christineciszczon

The gift of summer? It fits in your pocket.

Meet your everywhere, do-anything tools from @leathermantools.

A Mother’s Day pick for the host who makes it all look effortless.

The Father’s Day go-to for the fix-it dad who’s always mid-project.

And for the grad already halfway out the door, chasing something new.

These are the tools that keep up. Thoughtful, hardworking, and just the right amount of rugged, each one is designed to go wherever summer leads—backyard dinners, weekend builds, last-minute road trips included. Built in the USA with global materials and backed by a 25-year warranty, they’re made to be used, carried, and counted on for seasons to come.

With a range of colors, customization options, and accessories, it’s easy to make one your own—or craft a gift that feels personal from the start.

Featured tools:
Skeletool CX
ARC
Signal

A tricky hillside might feel like a limitation, but it can be your backyard’s best asset.

For Aimee Kirby of @ferox_studio, the key is to stop fighting the slope and start designing with it. Think less one flat yard, more a series of intentional “outdoor rooms” that unfold as you move through the space.

Terracing, material shifts, and thoughtful pathways can turn a steep, hard-to-use lot into something layered, functional, and deeply livable—spaces to gather, pause, and reset, all shaped by the land itself.

It’s not about fixing the terrain—it’s about letting it lead. Find all 10 tips at Sunset.com.

Landscape Design: Ferox Studio @ferox_studio
Build: Hi Canyon @hi.canyon
Photos: Madeline Tolle @madelinetolle

A tricky hillside might feel like a limitation, but it can be your backyard’s best asset.

For Aimee Kirby of @ferox_studio, the key is to stop fighting the slope and start designing with it. Think less one flat yard, more a series of intentional “outdoor rooms” that unfold as you move through the space.

Terracing, material shifts, and thoughtful pathways can turn a steep, hard-to-use lot into something layered, functional, and deeply livable—spaces to gather, pause, and reset, all shaped by the land itself.

It’s not about fixing the terrain—it’s about letting it lead. Find all 10 tips at Sunset.com.

Landscape Design: Ferox Studio @ferox_studio
Build: Hi Canyon @hi.canyon
Photos: Madeline Tolle @madelinetolle

A tricky hillside might feel like a limitation, but it can be your backyard’s best asset.

For Aimee Kirby of @ferox_studio, the key is to stop fighting the slope and start designing with it. Think less one flat yard, more a series of intentional “outdoor rooms” that unfold as you move through the space.

Terracing, material shifts, and thoughtful pathways can turn a steep, hard-to-use lot into something layered, functional, and deeply livable—spaces to gather, pause, and reset, all shaped by the land itself.

It’s not about fixing the terrain—it’s about letting it lead. Find all 10 tips at Sunset.com.

Landscape Design: Ferox Studio @ferox_studio
Build: Hi Canyon @hi.canyon
Photos: Madeline Tolle @madelinetolle

A tricky hillside might feel like a limitation, but it can be your backyard’s best asset.

For Aimee Kirby of @ferox_studio, the key is to stop fighting the slope and start designing with it. Think less one flat yard, more a series of intentional “outdoor rooms” that unfold as you move through the space.

Terracing, material shifts, and thoughtful pathways can turn a steep, hard-to-use lot into something layered, functional, and deeply livable—spaces to gather, pause, and reset, all shaped by the land itself.

It’s not about fixing the terrain—it’s about letting it lead. Find all 10 tips at Sunset.com.

Landscape Design: Ferox Studio @ferox_studio
Build: Hi Canyon @hi.canyon
Photos: Madeline Tolle @madelinetolle

A tricky hillside might feel like a limitation, but it can be your backyard’s best asset.

For Aimee Kirby of @ferox_studio, the key is to stop fighting the slope and start designing with it. Think less one flat yard, more a series of intentional “outdoor rooms” that unfold as you move through the space.

Terracing, material shifts, and thoughtful pathways can turn a steep, hard-to-use lot into something layered, functional, and deeply livable—spaces to gather, pause, and reset, all shaped by the land itself.

It’s not about fixing the terrain—it’s about letting it lead. Find all 10 tips at Sunset.com.

Landscape Design: Ferox Studio @ferox_studio
Build: Hi Canyon @hi.canyon
Photos: Madeline Tolle @madelinetolle

A tricky hillside might feel like a limitation, but it can be your backyard’s best asset.

For Aimee Kirby of @ferox_studio, the key is to stop fighting the slope and start designing with it. Think less one flat yard, more a series of intentional “outdoor rooms” that unfold as you move through the space.

Terracing, material shifts, and thoughtful pathways can turn a steep, hard-to-use lot into something layered, functional, and deeply livable—spaces to gather, pause, and reset, all shaped by the land itself.

It’s not about fixing the terrain—it’s about letting it lead. Find all 10 tips at Sunset.com.

Landscape Design: Ferox Studio @ferox_studio
Build: Hi Canyon @hi.canyon
Photos: Madeline Tolle @madelinetolle

What does 498 square feet look like when it’s working this hard?

In this thoughtfully designed ADU, architect Nicholas Fiore of Flower Architecture proves that small-space living isn’t about sacrificing—it’s about refining. Every inch is considered, from built-in storage to flexible layouts that shift with daily life.

The design stays simple, but intentional: carefully placed windows for privacy, a wraparound deck that extends living space outdoors, and just enough room for everything a family of four actually needs (and nothing they don’t).

It’s less about going small and more about living smart. Take a full tour at Sunset.com.

Design: Flower Architecture @flowerarchitecture
Photos: Daniel Jenkins

What does 498 square feet look like when it’s working this hard?

In this thoughtfully designed ADU, architect Nicholas Fiore of Flower Architecture proves that small-space living isn’t about sacrificing—it’s about refining. Every inch is considered, from built-in storage to flexible layouts that shift with daily life.

The design stays simple, but intentional: carefully placed windows for privacy, a wraparound deck that extends living space outdoors, and just enough room for everything a family of four actually needs (and nothing they don’t).

It’s less about going small and more about living smart. Take a full tour at Sunset.com.

Design: Flower Architecture @flowerarchitecture
Photos: Daniel Jenkins

What does 498 square feet look like when it’s working this hard?

In this thoughtfully designed ADU, architect Nicholas Fiore of Flower Architecture proves that small-space living isn’t about sacrificing—it’s about refining. Every inch is considered, from built-in storage to flexible layouts that shift with daily life.

The design stays simple, but intentional: carefully placed windows for privacy, a wraparound deck that extends living space outdoors, and just enough room for everything a family of four actually needs (and nothing they don’t).

It’s less about going small and more about living smart. Take a full tour at Sunset.com.

Design: Flower Architecture @flowerarchitecture
Photos: Daniel Jenkins

What does 498 square feet look like when it’s working this hard?

In this thoughtfully designed ADU, architect Nicholas Fiore of Flower Architecture proves that small-space living isn’t about sacrificing—it’s about refining. Every inch is considered, from built-in storage to flexible layouts that shift with daily life.

The design stays simple, but intentional: carefully placed windows for privacy, a wraparound deck that extends living space outdoors, and just enough room for everything a family of four actually needs (and nothing they don’t).

It’s less about going small and more about living smart. Take a full tour at Sunset.com.

Design: Flower Architecture @flowerarchitecture
Photos: Daniel Jenkins

What if your next trip felt less like checking in and more like settling in?

House swapping is having a moment, and for good reason. According to Sierra Hudson of @homeexchangecollection, trading homes opens the door to a more personal kind of travel—one rooted in real neighborhoods, lived-in spaces, and the kind of details you won’t find at a front desk.

It’s less about hotel polish, more about thoughtful exchange: a well-loved kitchen, a stack of local recommendations, maybe even a few small touches that make you feel instantly at home.

The result? A trip that feels generous, immersive, and entirely your own.

Start planning your summer getaway and grab all the swapping tips in our latest issue on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

Photos: Courtesy of HomeExchange Collection

What if your next trip felt less like checking in and more like settling in?

House swapping is having a moment, and for good reason. According to Sierra Hudson of @homeexchangecollection, trading homes opens the door to a more personal kind of travel—one rooted in real neighborhoods, lived-in spaces, and the kind of details you won’t find at a front desk.

It’s less about hotel polish, more about thoughtful exchange: a well-loved kitchen, a stack of local recommendations, maybe even a few small touches that make you feel instantly at home.

The result? A trip that feels generous, immersive, and entirely your own.

Start planning your summer getaway and grab all the swapping tips in our latest issue on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

Photos: Courtesy of HomeExchange Collection

What if your next trip felt less like checking in and more like settling in?

House swapping is having a moment, and for good reason. According to Sierra Hudson of @homeexchangecollection, trading homes opens the door to a more personal kind of travel—one rooted in real neighborhoods, lived-in spaces, and the kind of details you won’t find at a front desk.

It’s less about hotel polish, more about thoughtful exchange: a well-loved kitchen, a stack of local recommendations, maybe even a few small touches that make you feel instantly at home.

The result? A trip that feels generous, immersive, and entirely your own.

Start planning your summer getaway and grab all the swapping tips in our latest issue on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

Photos: Courtesy of HomeExchange Collection

There’s a new kind of diner taking shape across California … and it’s not your average counter seat.

Think nostalgic comfort food, reworked with a little more intention: better ingredients, chef-driven menus, and spaces that feel equal parts retro and right-now. The coffee’s still hot, the booths still inviting—but now you might find natural wine on the menu, locally sourced everything, and a design-forward take on classic Americana.

It’s familiar, just… dialed in.

Find the full list in our latest issue, now on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
Super Mensch. San Fransico, CA.
@supermensch_sf

There’s a new kind of diner taking shape across California … and it’s not your average counter seat.

Think nostalgic comfort food, reworked with a little more intention: better ingredients, chef-driven menus, and spaces that feel equal parts retro and right-now. The coffee’s still hot, the booths still inviting—but now you might find natural wine on the menu, locally sourced everything, and a design-forward take on classic Americana.

It’s familiar, just… dialed in.

Find the full list in our latest issue, now on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
Super Mensch. San Fransico, CA.
@supermensch_sf

There’s a new kind of diner taking shape across California … and it’s not your average counter seat.

Think nostalgic comfort food, reworked with a little more intention: better ingredients, chef-driven menus, and spaces that feel equal parts retro and right-now. The coffee’s still hot, the booths still inviting—but now you might find natural wine on the menu, locally sourced everything, and a design-forward take on classic Americana.

It’s familiar, just… dialed in.

Find the full list in our latest issue, now on newsstands, Apple+, and Sunset.com.

📍Featured:
Super Mensch. San Fransico, CA.
@supermensch_sf

In this Carlsbad home, the kitchen wasn’t just updated—it was reimagined as the true heart of the house.

Designed by Katie Betyar of @solsticeinteriors, the original space felt undersized and disconnected from the rest of the home. The transformation kept the existing footprint intact, but completely shifted how it functions day to day by maximizing storage with custom cabinetry to the ceiling, expanding counter space, and carving out a more generous island and pantry for real-life use.

What makes it feel special, though, are the details: soft arched moments subtly integrated into the millwork, and a custom tiled dining table in the breakfast nook that brings pattern, texture, and a sense of play to the space.

The result is a kitchen that finally matches the rhythm of the family inside it—practical, personal, and designed to be lived in.

See the before and take a full tour at Sunset.com.

Photos: Charlotte Lea @charlotteleaphotography

In this Carlsbad home, the kitchen wasn’t just updated—it was reimagined as the true heart of the house.

Designed by Katie Betyar of @solsticeinteriors, the original space felt undersized and disconnected from the rest of the home. The transformation kept the existing footprint intact, but completely shifted how it functions day to day by maximizing storage with custom cabinetry to the ceiling, expanding counter space, and carving out a more generous island and pantry for real-life use.

What makes it feel special, though, are the details: soft arched moments subtly integrated into the millwork, and a custom tiled dining table in the breakfast nook that brings pattern, texture, and a sense of play to the space.

The result is a kitchen that finally matches the rhythm of the family inside it—practical, personal, and designed to be lived in.

See the before and take a full tour at Sunset.com.

Photos: Charlotte Lea @charlotteleaphotography

In this Carlsbad home, the kitchen wasn’t just updated—it was reimagined as the true heart of the house.

Designed by Katie Betyar of @solsticeinteriors, the original space felt undersized and disconnected from the rest of the home. The transformation kept the existing footprint intact, but completely shifted how it functions day to day by maximizing storage with custom cabinetry to the ceiling, expanding counter space, and carving out a more generous island and pantry for real-life use.

What makes it feel special, though, are the details: soft arched moments subtly integrated into the millwork, and a custom tiled dining table in the breakfast nook that brings pattern, texture, and a sense of play to the space.

The result is a kitchen that finally matches the rhythm of the family inside it—practical, personal, and designed to be lived in.

See the before and take a full tour at Sunset.com.

Photos: Charlotte Lea @charlotteleaphotography

Earth Day is a good reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated—it can start with something as simple as what you grow in.

Instead of single-use plastic, try swapping in compostable pots, reclaimed wood, terracotta, or even everyday materials like egg cartons for your seedlings. It’s a small shift that reduces waste and brings a little more intention to your garden practice.

For a more hands-on approach, build simple wooden seed trays using durable, natural materials like redwood. Designed to be reused season after season, they’re a practical way to start seedlings while keeping plastic out of the garden entirely.

Get @halfwaywild ‘s full DIY plus more garden tips in our latest issue—on newsstands, Apple+ and Sunset.com.

Photos: Thomas J. Story @sunsetphoto

Earth Day is a good reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated—it can start with something as simple as what you grow in.

Instead of single-use plastic, try swapping in compostable pots, reclaimed wood, terracotta, or even everyday materials like egg cartons for your seedlings. It’s a small shift that reduces waste and brings a little more intention to your garden practice.

For a more hands-on approach, build simple wooden seed trays using durable, natural materials like redwood. Designed to be reused season after season, they’re a practical way to start seedlings while keeping plastic out of the garden entirely.

Get @halfwaywild ‘s full DIY plus more garden tips in our latest issue—on newsstands, Apple+ and Sunset.com.

Photos: Thomas J. Story @sunsetphoto

Earth Day is a good reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated—it can start with something as simple as what you grow in.

Instead of single-use plastic, try swapping in compostable pots, reclaimed wood, terracotta, or even everyday materials like egg cartons for your seedlings. It’s a small shift that reduces waste and brings a little more intention to your garden practice.

For a more hands-on approach, build simple wooden seed trays using durable, natural materials like redwood. Designed to be reused season after season, they’re a practical way to start seedlings while keeping plastic out of the garden entirely.

Get @halfwaywild ‘s full DIY plus more garden tips in our latest issue—on newsstands, Apple+ and Sunset.com.

Photos: Thomas J. Story @sunsetphoto

Earth Day is a good reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated—it can start with something as simple as what you grow in.

Instead of single-use plastic, try swapping in compostable pots, reclaimed wood, terracotta, or even everyday materials like egg cartons for your seedlings. It’s a small shift that reduces waste and brings a little more intention to your garden practice.

For a more hands-on approach, build simple wooden seed trays using durable, natural materials like redwood. Designed to be reused season after season, they’re a practical way to start seedlings while keeping plastic out of the garden entirely.

Get @halfwaywild ‘s full DIY plus more garden tips in our latest issue—on newsstands, Apple+ and Sunset.com.

Photos: Thomas J. Story @sunsetphoto