21 Wowza Ways These Homeowners Made Their Coronado, California House Awesome

When Jessica and Kyle Tompane lucked into their dream location for a home — a property in Coronado, California, next door to their best friends — they set out to build a fantasy house to match.

As a designer, Jessica had done her fair share of dreaming. “I had all this pent-up energy, like, I want to use all the pretty things! ” she says. “With a brand-new house, we had the opportunity to make it uniquely us with lots of details.”

Topping her list: graphic tile, creative built-ins and wallpaper put up in unexpected ways. For furniture, she picked simple shapes and cozy textures, then went all in on ooh-where’d-you-get-that accessories, creating a welcoming place to hang out with their daughter and, of course, their nearby pals. In the Tompane house, it really is all about the small stuff. Above, Jessica and Kyle hang garland while German shepherd Turbo plays with Paisley, the couple's daughter.

Pictured: Jessica, Kyle and Paisley, 3 (the couple’s baby is due in December).

1. Chic organizers: Wall-mounted pockets and a tobacco basket, all from Ballard Designs, hold papers, presents and cards. Hung in line with the stairs, they greet visitors in style.

2. A bench seat with edge: Denim blue fabric on top and tan on the sides make
it distinct.

3. Slide-out baskets: Wheeled woven ones come in handy for scarves and Paisley’s backpack; they’re from HomeGoods, as is the pink-and-white rug.

4. A bold backsplash: Cement tiles from Villa & Mission Imports with a large-scale, Spanish-influenced design have a spunky yet classic vibe.

5. A red island: The spicy color plays off the warm tones of the wall tile and energizes the entire space. The counter stools are by Palecek.

6. Extra-high counters: Tall homeowners deserve tall countertops! These are a customized 38 inches high instead of the standard 36.