Style Guide: The Treehouse Project
When we first visited what we now affectionately call “The Treehouse Project,” we felt an instant connection between the home and its natural surroundings. Nestled among majestic oak trees, this private residence feels like a sanctuary. Its post-and-beam construction offers a hand-crafted, timeless quality, as if each part was carefully placed one by one to harmonize with the landscape, much like a treehouse. Here’s a look at the existing exterior facade of the guest house. Love the roof line from the front walkway.
Our design goal for this project is to enhance that innate sense of retreat, combining rustic charm with modern comforts to create a haven where nature and style converge seamlessly. Here’s a closer look at the style guide we developed for this unique space.
Lex Lee of Lex Lee Interior Design flipping through the pages of her style guide for the Treehouse project inside the Homesteez Showroom in Escondido California 2024
Design Concept Overview
The essence of the Treehouse Project is rooted in the beauty of natural materials and a balanced, elevated aesthetic. The aim is to create a home that feels grounded yet offers a sense of adventure. The spacious main house and guest house are designed to feel both cozy and expansive, honoring the craftsmanship of the post-and-beam structure while providing modern functionality.
We’re also doing a brunt of the conceptual design drawings by hand which is not only charming but mimics the tools of the time.
Image info: images of the existing Guest House, inspiration for the exterior tailoring of the home from here, more inspiration for the interior, an at-a-glance look at the overall spirit of the renovation, hand drawn sketch of the front exterior with new fire rated trex siding and deck, hand drawn sketch of the side exterior.
Image Info: 2”x2” white and deep charcoal tiles set on top of wide oak plank is our pick for a clean upgrade, a look at the style of furniture we will be sourcing through Homesteez.
Key Style Elements
• Materials: Every material choice was inspired by the home’s natural surroundings. Wide plank oak floors pair beautifully with Douglas fir ceilings, bringing warmth and richness to the interior. We added durable quartz countertops and 2”x2” tile for a refined, tactile experience, complemented by wood-face flat panel cabinets that ground each space in simplicity and elegance. To maintain the connection with the outdoors, we chose fire-retardant wood-look exterior siding to echo the wooded landscape around the property.
• Color Palette: The color palette brings together natural hues and carefully selected accent shades. Charcoal and white provide a clean, modern foundation, while the organic tones of the wood lend warmth. We used pops of deep red, burnt orange, forest green, rich blue, and mustard to add visual interest and pay homage to the vibrant colors of mid century modern homes
Guest House Kitchen - Existing
We aren’t re-inventing the footprint, but we will lighten the feel by replacing certain cabinets with open shelving.
• Furniture & Decor: For furniture, we embraced a mix of custom-built pieces and mid-century modern classics that offer both style and comfort. The custom built-ins were designed to feel as if they were a natural extension of the house itself, seamlessly blending into the architecture. This mix of modernist elements with comfortable furnishings invites relaxation, creating an atmosphere that feels thoughtfully curated yet effortlessly inviting.
• Lighting & Atmosphere: Lighting in the Treehouse Project was carefully selected to mimic the softness of natural light filtering through the trees outside. We prioritized warm, ambient lighting to enhance the coziness and tranquility of each room, ensuring that the interior atmosphere harmonizes with the lush greenery and soft light outdoors. Hand thrown ceramic sconces for the walls and all softer, Japanese-esque lighting for all overhead lighting opportunities.
Guest House Bathroom - Existing
An enclosed shower will expand and gain some glass doors and walls with new tile.
Final Touches and Unique Features
One of the unique features we’re thrilled to incorporate is a custom-built sofa designed to fit a distinctive angle in the living room, making the space feel truly one-of-a-kind. This piece will be crafted to balance style and comfort, creating a perfect spot for enjoying the home’s peaceful surroundings.
By dividing the residence into a main house and a guest house, we’re also able to create a cohesive yet versatile design, allowing each space to feel independent but united by the same stylistic elements.
“The Treehouse Project” is a celebration of craftsmanship, natural beauty, and modern design. With each detail thoughtfully curated to enhance the home’s connection to its surroundings, this project is shaping up to be a stunning blend of rustic and contemporary aesthetics.
Image Info: Hand drawn exterior facade of main house which will undergo a more comprehensive style guide next.
We invite you to follow along as we bring this vision to life, and if you’re inspired by the Treehouse Project, reach out to discuss creating a unique space that reflects your style and surroundings.
See you at the shop,
Lex + Seth
P.S. did you notice the different exterior door colors?
Lex Lee Interior Design on Instagram: @lexleeinteriordesign | lex@lexlee.com
Homesteez on Instagram: @homesteez | homesteez@gmail.com