Remodeling Laguna with Designer Stace King
Stace King is a multi-hyphenate marvel. As a mother of four, designer, home renovator, and interior decorator, she balances it all with the precision and calm focus of an acrobat on a tight wire, stepping with ease as she transitions from one part to the next.
A Californian since she was 13, King is well versed in the beauty of the state, and even more fluently in the stunning, beachy vibes of SoCal’s crown jewel, Laguna Beach. Her approach to design is what she calls “organic modern,” blending elements of nature with hints of modernity that retain character, resulting in a beautiful marriage of indoor and outdoor ingredients. “I love blending bamboo, sea grass, rattan, and reclaimed wood with cement, glass, stone, and metal. And layered rich textiles and plants are a must!” she adds.
Armed with the fact that you absolutely can’t go wrong with the SoCal backdrop, King has made a name for herself around Orange County as the go-to designer who’ll create a home that perfectly compliments your style with one you feel comfortable living in.
“No matter which direction your home faces, if you’re in Laguna there are no bad views,” the designer explains.
“I try to bring the outdoors in with lots of windows — creating outdoor living spaces one would use like a living room.”
Steering clear of a completely modern slate, if you take a look at King’s past, you’ll understand why. “I rarely go into a project with the idea to start fresh. Historical character is something I like to hold onto even if that means knocking down a wall or choosing new flooring.” Her mother and England-born father introduced her to the industry through their involvement in the auction business, regularly bringing over exquisite items from the U.K. to be sold in auction houses in San Bernardino and Vegas. And anything that didn’t sell would find its way into her mother’s globally-renowned furniture store.
This exposure to and appreciation for antiques influenced the young entrepreneur far beyond an interest in design, taking her to London, Athens, and Paris where she was introduced to a variety of styles and sources of creativity.
“I started to see the blending of antiques (my first love) with modern, clean homes,” she remembers. “It really impressed me and is something that still inspires me to this day.”
Upon returning to Laguna, King fell in love with the entire remodeling concept. Her approach to a project begins by solidifying the client’s ideas through their clippings and torn-out magazine pages to get a good feel for the vibe of their new home. “What I don’t like is following the trend. It’s good to change things up and do what feels right to you and the people sharing your space,” offers King. Once the designer has a solid grasp on the vision, she matches the homeowners with a contractor that will best execute their unique style, navigating her time gathering materials, coordinating schedules, and trying to take as much pressure off the client as possible. Upon completion, King utilizes her enviable interior decorating skills: “That’s when I can implement my love for lighting, natural materials, and layered textiles into the homes.”
King feels an immense amount of gratitude when she sees a ripple effect of her work throughout town. “I’ll take a walk and see the way the homes I’ve done have influenced other neighbors to invest their time and love into their own homes. It really has a contagious effect.”
And word about her ingenuity has indeed spread, not only throughout the Laguna Beach community, but also to homes in Crystal Cove and Newport Beach. Professional skater Nyjah Huston recently commissioned King to help develop his incredible abode, which earned her a feature in Architectural Digest. “The project itself was completely modern so it gave me an opportunity to work with lots of glass, metal, concrete, and marble which really solidified my love for modern materials,” shares King.
Where she finds the most joy, however, is in the Laguna Beach landscape and the community’s coastal charms. “My favorite place to work is in a Laguna cottage,” she says. “Keeping the integrity of an older home and approaching it with respect while trying to modernize it always brings a smile to my face.”
Ultimately, she feels indebted to the tight-knit nature of the seaside haven she feels lucky to call home. “Laguna is a very nurturing and encouraging place for local businesses,” King says with gratitude. And no matter what role she plays — be it as a mom or design visionary — she knows her talent, drive, and devotion to each will speak for itself.
To view a full roster of King’s work, visit her site at StaceKing.com.
Charlotte Farrell is an Orange County-native, editor, writer, and editorial content strategist who finds a thrill in telling stories about the marvelous things humans have accomplished, in addition to topics such as wellness, food, climate change, sustainability, clean beauty, fitness, mental health, and travel. She has a particular interest in globe-trotting, finding the best matcha latte in each destination she visits, and petting every dog she meets along the way.
Photos by Madeline Javier.