As families evolve, their needs and preferences shift. Leigh Jendrusina, principal designer of Socal-based firm Salthouse Collective is an expert in designing adaptable family homes with thoughtful space planning, durable materials, and strategic design choices that allow for easy updates and modifications.
As a mother, her understanding of the practical realities of family life help her to strike a balance between timeless aesthetics and functional adaptability. Our discussion with Jendrusina offers a wealth of practical advice for how to invest in the design of a home that will grow with the family inhabiting it.
DNN: How do you approach designing spaces that can adapt to a family’s changing needs over time?
Leigh Jendrusina: Flexibility is key in family homes – one minute you need a ton of storage for kids toys and the next you need desk space for homework. Family homes are constantly evolving so I’m always trying to be cognizant of that for my clients.
I try to ensure I’m not putting overly expensive furniture in kid rooms or even in open living room spaces. One minute they might need bunks, but then the next, they need queen sized beds. It’s nice to avoid overly built out rooms (built-in bunks or built-in cabinetry walls in bedrooms) so a kids’ space can evolve over time.
When it comes to finishes, I try to use rugs and furniture that can hold up to kid-life as well. You want your home to be lived-in, and make sure everyone can feel comfortable in the space.
DNN: Can you share an example of a design element you’ve incorporated that allows for flexibility as children grow or family dynamics shift?
Leigh Jendrusina: I’ve created “pop” in desk space in a living room built in for a family (with little kids at the time) so that as their kids grew, they would have a place to “plop” and do homework.
DNN: How do you balance creating a “distinctly relaxed coastal feel” with the need for functionality in a growing family’s home?
Leigh Jendrusina: A relaxed coastal feel is all about the textures, color tones and styling. I love to use lighter-toned rugs (sometimes I use indoor/outdoor ones!), lighter toned upholstery but in performance fabrics or fabrics that have mixed light tones so they hide wear over time.
Weaving in rattans or woven lighting brings in a coastal/textured aesthetic and using beachy or coastal art (surf flags, beach photography, etc) helps to bring that laid-back vibe to a space.
DNN: In what ways do you consider future needs when designing for young families?
Leigh Jendrusina: I try to think a few years out for a family. I weave in flexible seating where I can; future desk space for kids to work off of, etc.
DNN: How does your experience as a mother influence your approach to creating adaptable living spaces?
Leigh Jendrusina: Kids are HARD on spaces – and everyone parents their kids indoors differently. A whiter rug and lighter sofa works for some families because they are more strict about where kids eat/how they play in a living room; whereas others do better with darker sofas and indoor/outdoor rugs so it’s low-maintenance.
I try to listen to cues about how the family lives and design based on that.
DNN: How do you incorporate storage solutions that can evolve with a family’s changing needs?
Leigh Jendrusina: Built-in cabinetry is great in living rooms – i can work as oy storage for little kids, but evolve to storage for board games as they age.
DNN: How do you ensure that your designs remain timeless while still feeling current?
Leigh Jendrusina: I believe that trends come and go and someone’s personal style stays relatively the same through the years. I have clients invest in neutrals (whether dark or light) for big items and do more “trendy” things with pillows and affordable art and accessories. Then in 5-7 years, they can switch those out if their tastes evolve.
DNN: Can you discuss how you balance trendy design elements with more classic choices that will stand the test of time?
Leigh Jendrusina: If you want a home that can “last forever”, then I steer clients towards more neutrals in their tile, cabinetry and counters; but layer in funky lighting or art or accessories to fit the style they want now.
DNN: What advice do you have for homeowners who want to invest in design elements that will grow with them?
Leigh Jendrusina: Space planning is key – so if you’re building, ensure you have a well-laid out space. Then focus on quality materials and textures.
You can easily switch out lighting down the line; but tile/cabinetry are more costly. So if you want a space to look good “forever”, then pick materials and colors that are more neutral and then “spice” them up with accessories.
