This renovation didn’t begin with a grand plan—it began with an off-market deal and lots of patience. From working alongside her dad, to renovating with her own kids underfoot, the process became part of everyday family life. In this interview, Bethany shares how creativity, constraint, and a lot of hands-on effort shaped a house that now feels unmistakably theirs.

Bethany & her family in their Costa Mesa home.

Tell us a little about yourself and the journey that led you to this home renovation.

I’m Bethany Brill, a designer, artist and mother of 3 special girls and I currently live in Costa Mesa, CA, with my husband Jorge, our girls and our dog, Bobo.

We sort of fell into this project a little under a year and a half ago. We were trying to buy a house that we had previously rented, but the inspection came back with pretty much only bad news. Once that deal fell through, our realtor brought up this pocket listing she had. The owners were about to put it on the market and if we acted right away, we could try to get it before it hit the market. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but it was such a good price for the area and had a lot of potential, so we decided to take it on—flea infestation, vines growing through the walls and all.

The Lift Off Coffee Table in Oak/Stainless.

You definitely transformed it and made it special! How do you go about making a space feel truly individual and yours?

I feel like there’s always a combination of minimalism in my designs—like very intentional placement of items. I was watching a doc on the Shakers recently and they talked about how important efficiency was to them. I think that definitely comes into play for me. I feel overwhelmed trying to move around a space where I feel like I’m going to trip over something or if there’s stuff covering every surface. It really makes me feel bogged down.

So yeah, minimalism. I love a good high/low material combination. I would never do “all luxurious” materials, for example. I always need a little grit or super accessible materials in there like plywood or imperfect cement. And yes, I think color is just the most amazing thing and have been so fascinated about the concept of colors having an effect on moods—even contrast level. It is like one of my favorite things in life—playing with color combinations. So something that feels like me would be minimalistic, high/low use of materials and a strong use of color. Past that, it's whatever I’m interested in at the time. Before it was plywood, now it’s stainless steel. Who knows what will be next.

As an artist and designer, how does your art practice inform your interior design style? Or vice versa?

I tend to make art in the middle of my projects, when I feel stuck waiting for materials to arrive or availability. It's a way for me to push something forward. The walls may be blank and we may be cooking on a hot plate for the last year but… I have ART and it says what I’m trying to say and if I just stare at it, I can keep picturing how beautiful it will all be once it comes together. I guess it sort of gives me hope and a little visual self soothing.

What was the most challenging part of the renovation?

No matter what amount of money or time or perspective I have going into a project, I always feel the sting of LIMITATIONS. Nothing happens perfectly, nothing happens at the pace I long for and everything is harder and more expensive for the most part. It’s hard to not get discouraged in the midst of things when you aren’t yet sure if “it’s going to work.” I think the hardest part is all mental. That, and also needing to run a family (and for us, homeschooling) and business all at the same time. Somehow those limitations always produce the most special parts of a project. The compromise you had to make or the material you couldn’t get, ends up forcing more creativity and that's where the magic happens.

You've cultivated such a loyal community of design enthusiasts. What's something they might not know about you or your design process?

I think maybe people would be surprised to know that I really don’t know much design terminology at all. I just use lots of bad sketches and LOTS of gesturing when I try to explain things to my contractors haha. It definitely takes a special type to work with me. I guess the other thing I didn’t really realize wasn’t normal is that I can see the whole thing finished in my mind and like “walk through” and experience the house in my mind’s eye. I’m always so confused when I describe how something is going to be and someone isn’t immediately in love or on board haha—I’m like wait… you don’t see this movie playing in my mind? I’ve had to learn to trust myself and not feel insecure or offended when others can’t picture it the same as me. If you are a designer or artist you probably know what I mean…

I know you and your family did a lot of the renovations yourself. What projects or spaces are you most proud of?

We worked on the glass block window in our bathroom with my Dad one weekend and it was so fun. It’s such a snapshot of my childhood. My Dad built our house when I was a kid and we all moved in when it was half finished. Sanding and staining walls is like peak childhood for me haha. So it was really fun to be alongside my parents and my own children, working on our own project.

That's so special to be able to work alongside your family and tap into that nostalgia. Did your kids have any design choices or opinions?

Oh yeah they do! Haha they like everything nice and neat like I do—not all the time, but they are for sure wired like me. They like everything to have a place and to feel unique.  

I didn’t think they really noticed what I really do, but they have come up and told me how I “make everything more beautiful” and I can’t lie… I MELTED. They are always constantly sketching rooms. And the way they play with their doll houses, which are their favorite toys (all of them) definitely gives “designer”. They are constantly reworking their furniture layouts and explaining to me why they put things where they did and how it will function for their doll family haha. What a blessing. I’m very thankful for my life and that I get to do this alongside my family.

See Bethany's work on her website and on Instagram @bbrill.

Photography by Cody James.