5 min readHow does one approach the design of a new home when the house they just sold went viral on Instagram for its covetable beauty? That’s what Clara Jung’s clients had to ask themselves when they sold their Bay Area abode for their forever home in San Carlos, California. “The homeowners jokingly said that having now sold that home, they had to make sure their new house outdid their prior one,” the founder of Banner Day Interiors and author of her new book, Storied Homes, out May 12, told House Beautiful.
Jung thankfully had the upper hand, having worked with these clients in the past and therefore being familiar with their style and the way they approach the design process. Their new home sits in an idyllic tree-lined neighborhood in the waterside town, standing only one level tall in the beautiful California Spanish style. “Although the envelope of the home was perfect as is, the interior had gone through several iterations of early aughts remodels that needed a glow up,” Jung explains.
Most spaces needed a full gut renovation, but the kitchen and a pass-through area were the most challenging to approach. “The kitchen sat at the heart of the home, which sounds like an advantage—and structurally, it was—but its size made it feel unwieldy and dim,” she says. As with the rest of the home, her goal here was to thoughtfully peel back those recent design choices and honor the original California Spanish architecture while bringing the abode to the present. With help from the team from Cacci Construction, Jung leaned into the scale of this central space, anchoring it with a strong cabinetry paint color that gave the room a sense of intention and brought in a lively warmth.
The original pass-through space was forgettable—it gave no reason to pause and admire, which simply wouldn’t do for the homeowners. To make it more interesting, Jung brought in extensive, dramatic built-ins reminiscent of a storied library, transforming the “forgettable corridor into a proper room with presence and purpose.”
Character throughout the rest of the home was added with vintage furniture finds and bold colors that pull inspiration from the architectural style without mimicking it completely. Original archways dotted the interior when the homeowners first bought the property, so Jung emphasized this detail by removing heavy rectangular casement pass-throughs and replacing them with softer archways.
Reviving an older home’s original character is challenging enough, but add to that the weight of a previous viral sensation, and there’s a lot of pressure to get everything perfect in a new home. But with trusting clients who are familiar with Jung’s style, the designer was able to create yet another intriguing masterpiece. As she puts it, “It’s the alchemy of the expected and unexpected that makes this house special.”
FAST FACTS
Designer: Clara Jung of Banner Day Interiors
Stylist: Rachel Forslund
Location: San Carlos, California
The Space: A four-bedroom, five-bathroom home in a California Spanish style, covering 3,51 square feet.
KITCHEN
A splurge-worthy light fixture anchors this central space.
While the cabinet color took a little convincing on the clients’ part, this kitchen now basks in the spotlight of the finished project. When Jung’s clients first moved in, it was clear that this space had experienced an early aughts renovation and was in need of a refresh. There aren’t many windows in the room, so the designer had to find a way to ensure it didn’t feel closed off, especially since it plays such a central role.
“The goal was simple: bring it back into the light. We wanted a kitchen that felt bright, considered, and worthy of its place at the heart of the home,” Jung says.
Function comes first in a kitchen, so Jung moved outwards from there. “Pegging down the location of storage and appliances is normally the first step.”
Jung added a millwork archway from the bar looking into the dining nook, leaning into the original architectural details of the home. Though the cabinet color is the star, the stone deserves just as much attention, says Jung, calling it “integral” to the overall design.
DINING NOOK
French doors open to the patio and provide stunning views.
What was once an expanded hallway is now a beautiful place to pause. “With French doors opening onto the patio and fireplace beyond, the views were already exceptional—the space simply needed to be designed around them,” Jung says. To help draw people in, she added custom millwork, which also serves as a way to ground the space. The butterfly wallpaper and chartreuse rug add character, while the deep blue shelves and wooden banquette create warmth, all while functioning as an inviting place to gather and dine.
DINING ROOM
Defined by a barrel ceiling, the architecture sings.
Opposite the large art piece on the wall is an equally large arched window, a signature of the California Spanish style. “We wanted to keep things simple and let the original details shine,” Jung says. “Much of this furniture we brought from their prior home—a testament that solid quality pieces can work in new environments.”
LIVING ROOM
A vaulted ceiling allows for furniture of a larger scale.
Comfort came first in the design of this grand hangout area, so Jung went with an oversized sectional that proportionally fits in the space. Because of the vaulted ceiling and wall of windows, the designer could also fit in a larger fireplace without it looking out of place.
FAMILY ROOM
Vintage armchairs and an old grandfather clock bring an old-world vibe.
After walking through the entry, you come into this inviting family room. “The clients like to do adult entertaining here, so I knew it would be important that the seating be comfortable,” Jung adds. The modern chandelier creates a playful juxtaposition with the vintage chairs.
POWDER ROOM
Curved details emphasize the decorative archway.
The arch relief behind the vanity was already in this jewel box of a powder room, and there’s no way Jung was going to remove it when the curved detail is echoed throughout the entire home. With the darker wallpaper and brass accents, Jung embraced a moody vibe.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Hints of the home’s Spanish roots can be found in this space.
With an abundance of natural light, the designer didn’t hesitate to imbue this primary bedroom with a moodier atmosphere, relying on a rich palette of burgundy and blue to add dimension to the space.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
A simple cosmetic makeover made this ensuite shine.
Jung thankfully didn’t have to gut this primary bathroom, opting for mostly cosmetic changes instead to give it a refresh. She explains that the custom shower curtain is one of her favorite elements, as it “immediately elevates the overall vibe of this bathroom.”
About the Designer
Clara Jung first entered the professional sector in the corporate law industry, but she soon realized that her creative side wasn’t feeling fulfilled and decided to follow her passions to pursue a career in interior design. She opened her studio, Banner Day Interiors, to add color and an elevated whimsy to her clients’ homes through thoughtful details that reflect their lives. Her first book, Storied Homes, is out in May 2026.
