Shea McGee opened her company Studio McGee in 2014 to “make life beautiful,” and a decade later, she’s become America’s decor darling. What’s next for a creative who juggles her crafting career with writing books, launching product lines, and launching her own Netflix series? Complete control of the world, starting with a housing project in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This latest home renovation marks McGee’s first design project outside the United States — but we’re willing to bet it won’t be her last.
“The client approached us to take on the construction of their second home because they liked our work and (had) a referral from a previous client,” McGee explains. “They wanted a luxury beach house, but wanted to incorporate the relaxed, organic nature they saw in the previous Studio McGee aesthetic.”
Unlike some of the projects she covers in her programme, Dream of a home makeover, McGee was not constrained by pre-existing structural issues or a meager budget. The 22,852-square-foot residence was new construction from the ground up, a feat she worked on with Brandon Architects and Cabo Development Group for nearly three years. McGee admits that cost concerns were not a major factor. What He was It was important to create an indoor-outdoor oasis that their clients could enjoy with family and friends.
“To make this home suitable for entertaining, we focused on creating spaces where guests could rest and relax, as well as spaces where they could come together,” says McGee. “It takes a lot of intentional design to create new ideas for each space, especially one of this size.”
Much of this intentional design can be seen in carefully selected materials such as wood, plaster, and tile, which are used throughout the space, creating cohesion between the residence’s common areas, 10 bedrooms, and 13 bathrooms. “The main reason clients came to Studio McGee was because they liked the way we prioritized using natural materials in timeless ways,” she says. “All of this goes a long way to crafting a beach vibe that’s relaxed and pretty but not too precious.”
With decor from local shops in Cabo San Lucas and San Miguel de Allende—McGee cites Namuh as a favorite—she was able to give this property a local feel. “The types of wood used in Mexico are a little different from what we are used to, so we had to look at a lot of samples to choose the right one,” she adds. “They know how to do plaster in Mexico, beautiful work!”
While the logistics of this project differed from the rest of her portfolio, McGee says her design process remains the same, no matter the country. “I’m always most inspired by our clients and the surroundings of the home,” she says. “We are known for our ability to design upscale, livable homes, and we applied that perspective in a whole new way.” With her Mexican project, “I loved being able to lean into the juxtaposition of the softness of the salt air and the rugged coastline in a way that felt luxurious and comfortable.”
the kitchen
In this residence in Cabo San Lucas, the kitchen serves as the heart And Home stomach. “To come together, (we created) common spaces with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the beauty of the beach,” McGee says. “The kitchen is divided into two separate rooms so there is plenty of space when preparing large meals.” Although the spacious island may dominate the room, small touches like painted tiles and wood accents throughout provide a warm, homey touch.
Living area
Since this home prioritizes indoor-outdoor living, McGee wanted to create harmony throughout the property. To get the job done with elegance, she intentionally added outdoor textiles to the interior as well Fresh. “The stone on the fireplace is the same that was used on the exterior of the house,” she explains. “The floors are smooth limestone that transitions seamlessly from the courtyard through the main living areas and continues to the back of the house.” By blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor through clever repetition, McGee brings a vacation-like calm to the space, allowing the views to shine.
Primary bedroom
To help showcase the power of hosting for her client, McGee was tasked with creating 10 bedrooms that felt warm and inviting, no matter who was staying there. “When we first started planning the layout of the home, our clients requested a naming convention for each room so guests could walk in and know which room they enjoyed staying in,” she says. “They suggested a color theme that coordinated with the site, and it provided great visual direction and a fun new challenge for our team.” Now the bedrooms are known for the main color of the room such as the pistachio room and the terracotta room.
While most homes feature a consistent wall color—with each bedroom’s palette reflected in the textiles and cabinetry—McGee changed the color of the plaster in a few of the bedrooms. “We wanted the primary bedroom to stand alone,” she says. “The goal was to come in and feel enveloped in aqua blue, so we layered the tone in different mediums of the sofa and artwork.”
Basic bathroom
Even in the bathrooms—which have a large expanse of windows to allow for natural views—McGee drew inspiration from the expanse of the sky and the rugged terrain below to create a thoughtful mix of airy and earthy materials. “The tension created by the juxtaposition creates a harmonious effect throughout the house, especially in the primary bathroom,” she says. “From the elegant steel windows on the stone walls, to the vanity that mixes grasscloth and sawn oak, we achieved this combination by balancing rough and soft textures.” Here, stone tiles and a freestanding bathtub are offset by floor-to-wall windows filled with sunlight. The result: a comfortable and upscale space for its clients to relax.
Outer Space
Given the hotel’s excellent waterfront views, the outdoor space couldn’t have been an afterthought. “We started with a sweeping look at the house and then refined it into more intimate collections,” McGee says. “When the doors are open, it almost becomes an easy path between the front and back of the house, so the color palette and materials needed to be able to pair seamlessly with the interior furniture.”
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