Working on a home is enough to fill any interior designer’s plate, but Adam Ben Wagner was looking for a challenge. Stretching across a 2,300-acre ranch in Monterey County, California, this project entailed building a family a main home, two guest cabins, and a two-story entertaining barn to serve as their getaway from Los Angeles. “These clients typically lean more towards a bright and airy aesthetic,” says the California-based designer and founder of a.b.w. Interior Design. “But that aesthetic didn’t make sense in this environment.” Assisted by Amanda Plott, Wagner had his work cut out for him. First, the pair had to rework initial floorplans that had been drawn up by a builder, in order to better suit the family in both size—they wanted a place to hold up to 300 of their friends comfortably—and in style. “The contractor designed the buildings as utilitarian shells,” says Wagner. “The layouts required some reworking, and a very high level of added detailing to give each building serious character that was otherwise lacking.”Wagner spent most of his time focusing on the nitty gritty details, like the finishes and millwork, to lay a strong foundation for his laid-back aesthetic. Every single finish, from the limestone floors to the reclaimed oak paneling (which came from old barns), was carefully chosen by Wagner to reflect a ranch aesthetic that was more elevated than farmwork-ready. “We looked at a lot of 19th-century historical precedent to guide our design language, where interiors were often darker and heavier,” he explains. “We then balanced this with more minimalist furniture silhouettes and fixtures to create a Californian blend of rustic traditionalism and minimalism. The project feels textured and layered, yet refined and even, at times, austere.” It’s a mix of tradition and modernity that suits this family perfectly.FAST FACTS:Adam WagnerDesigner: Location: Monterey County, CaliforniaThe Space: Four residential buildings over 2,300 acres including 11 bedrooms, 2 bunkrooms, 15 bathrooms, and 2 kitchens.“When someone says ‘Californian design,’ we often see the same type of bright, beachy, and mid-century design motifs. I wanted to approach this project from a different perspective.”GREAT ROOMA custom wood stain keeps the paneled ceilings modern.Michael CliffordSofa fabric: De Le Cuona linen; Armchair fabric: Mimi London; Coffee tables: custom from Petersen Antiques; Credenza: Custom by Wagner and DUSK; Artwork: Earl Biss; Chandelier: Rose Tarlow; Drapery: Pindler Linen made by Valley Drapery; Fireplace stone: Eco Outdoor; Side table: Rose Uniacke. Wagner designed this living room to be the grand yet casual gathering place of the property, looking out onto thousands of acres filled with protected Coast Live Oaks. The original woodwork, all Douglas Fir, gave off a severe orange tone, one that dated the entire room. To combat the wood’s natural tone without losing its beauty, Wagner worked with the painters to create a custom stain that neutralized the wood, lending it a white oak appearance.LOUNGETight seating arrangements create intimacy.Michael CliffordArmchairs: vintage Nickey Kehoe (leather) and vintage 1950s for Asko Finland; Coffee table: custom, Adam Wagner and DUSK; Rug: Lawrence of LaBrea; Lighting: Urban Electric; Flooring and wall paneling: The Hudson Co.Sprawling nearly 3,000 square feet, the ground floor of the main house was made to entertain large groups of guests. To create a sense of intimacy, Wagner chose to install multiple, smaller seating sections in front of the fully functioning bar. The first group has swivel chairs to allow for a perfect TV view wherever you are. The project was a learning experience for Wagner. “This was my first time using reclaimed oak paneling, and we learned that it’s beneficial to paint the drywall underneath it a dark brown/almost black color,” he explains. “This is because many boards had holes from knots and old nails that exposed the underlying substrate.”Michael CliffordThe back end of the lounge was designed for conversation. A tighter seating arrangement, with stagnant chairs rather than a swivel, keeps guests within arms’ reach of the coffee table for puzzles and games. Always game for impromptu karaoke sessions, the family ensured a guitar was nearby.KITCHEN & DINING NOOKA revamped floor plan leaves room for a warm welcome.Michael CliffordMichael CliffordThe initial mock-up made by the builder broke the kitchen in two, disrupting the flow by placing the pantry doorway roughly where the range is now. “This meant you walked right into a very large and awkward laundry area from the garage, with no real separation from the main living space,” says Wagner. “The location of the pantry door also severely limited the kitchen space.” By closing off the remainder of that wall, Wagner was able to add more storage as well as limit the visual clutter often caused by extremely open floor plans. Michael CliffordPaint color: Plaster based on Portola Paints’ Books; Cabinetry: custom white oak; Countertops: Perla Venata quartzite in a leathered finish from TriStone; Stool fabric: De Le Cuona linen; Chandelier: Cox London; Sconce: Obsolete; Window treatment: Pindler linen, made by Valley Drapery; Flooring: The Hudson Co.; Plumbing fixtures: Waterworks; Cabinet hardware: DeVol. Every oak-leaf light fixture is an homage to the property’s vast amount of oak trees. In the dining room, Wagner set out a much more intimate space than the entertaining barn next door, one better suited to early mornings than late nights. SECONDARY KITCHENLibrary-style storage hides the daily essentials.Michael CliffordCabinetry: custom sandblasted white oak; Countertops: Perla Venata quartzite in a leathered finish from TriStone; Pendant lights: RW Guild; Picture light: Hector Finch; Sconces: Urban Electric Co.; Cabinet hardware: DeVol; Oven: Thermador; Pot filler: Waterworks; Flooring: Limestone from Eco Outdoor.One of the only true open-concept floor plans on the property, this kitchen flows directly into the bar, lounge, and dining room in the entertaining barn. Wagner kept the wood finishes throughout for a seamless look. “I wanted the kitchen to feel incorporated into that space but without sticking out like a typical kitchen,” Wagner says. “I conceived of the cabinetry as full-height bookshelves and storage, reading more like an intimate library space.” Unlike a library, this kitchen is fully equipped with chef-quality finishes and appliances for when the need for a home-cooked meal or midnight snack strikes. Limestone flooring and quartzite countertops are a durable surface solution for such a high-traffic space.DINING AREAFour tables can become one to fit any sized party. Michael CliffordChair fabric: Classic Cloth from Jasper Showroom; Flooring: Eco Outdoor; Pendant lighting: Cox London; Sconces: Urban Electric Co.; Outdoor pendant: RW Guild.What looks like a standard, extra-long dining table (able to sit 18) is actually four separate pieces. “Because the client wanted the flexibility to host gatherings large and small, I designed a large 18-person dining table [in partnership with DUSK] that can be divided into four separate tables when they’re not hosting large groups,” says Wagner. In typical usage, the clients have them separated, which creates a saloon-like atmosphere.” The expansive French doors open out onto the ranch land and an outdoor seating area that allows guests to wander in and out with ease.LAUNDRY ROOMA closed auxiliary space helps create a proper hallway.Michael CliffordPaint colors: French Grey (cabinets) and California Sand (walls, ceiling, and trim) by Farrow & Ball; Countertops: Cardoso Light quartzite from Tristone; Cabinet hardware: DeVol; Sink and faucet: Waterworks; Roman shade: fabric from Thomas Lavin, made by Valley Drapery. This laundry room did not exist in the builder’s original floor plans, but it only made sense to include it as Wagner began to plan the Washington building’s pantry spaces. Once an open section of cabinetry and storage, Wagner enclosed the space, creating a proper hallway to lead through the auxiliary rooms (pantry, laundry, and powder room) into the garage. Beadboard was added to marry this space with the wood paneling in the rest of the home.PRIMARY BEDROOMA serene departure from the wooded common spaces.Michael CliffordMichael CliffordLooking to create a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the ranch, Wagner allowed the bed to pull focus in the primary bedroom. “The bed's fabric is so detailed and intricate, as are the large oak leaf sconces, so we chose to forgo any art above the bed or on the adjacent walls,” he explains. Plaster walls were an airy choice to counteract the heavy wood paneling in the bathroom and elsewhere in the home.BEDROOMThe yellow hue mimics the golden grasses found outside.Michael CliffordBed fabric: Hand-embroidered textile from Chelsea Textiles; Bedding: Parachute Home; Throw pillow: Nickey Kehoe; Armchair: Shoppe Amber Interior; Side table: Vintage, West Haves; Light: vintage Fog & Morup; Rug: Lawrence of LaBrea.Looking to capitalize on the ample natural light on this side of the home, Wagner doused this bedroom in a custom, buttery-yellow plaster. The rest of the room was kept simple to draw the focus to the natural beauty outdoors.PRIMARY BATHROOMSleek marble contrasts the wood paneling.Michael CliffordMichael CliffordWithout abandoning the ranch aesthetic completely, Wagner looked for key ways to elevate the natural beauty of the materials. The Douglas Fir paneling, used throughout the home, was paired with a similarly moody marble. “The polished nickel fixtures (with oak lever handles) act as jewelry to balance out the raw masculinity of the wall paneling and limestone floors,” he says.ADDITIONAL BATHROOMSHand-painted tiles add character to the new-build bathrooms.Michael CliffordCounters: Cardoso Light quartzite (leathered finish) from TriStone; Shower stone: Hand-painted tile from Walker Zanger; Fixtures: Waterworks; Mirror: Rejuvenation; Sconces: Lumfardo; Flooring: limestone from Eco Outdoor.“I love using raw, textured materials in the bathrooms, treating them like utilitarian spaces often found in 18th and 19th-century ranch buildings,” says Wagner. The shower tiles, hand-painted terracotta, felt appropriately rustic for this Californian compound. Michael CliffordA sleek vanity gives a visual break to focus on the textures found elsewhere in the space.About the designerA Los Angeles native, Adam Wagner is greatly influenced by the city’s diverse architecture and landscape. After studying architecture at the University of Michigan, he began his career at a large corporate architecture firm in Seattle before returning to Los Angeles to transition into interior design. Having worked with several noted designers, most recently as a senior designer for Jake Arnold, Adam launched his design studio in 2021, with this ranch project as his first commission. To tackle this expansive ranch project, Adam brought on by Amanda Plott, an interior designer and florist, to assist him. Shown here with Adam, Amanda is also based in California. Adam now focuses on large-scale remodels and ground-up residential construction projects, approaching every project through an architectural lens, and allowing the building’s context and structure to inform the interiors. SHOP THE SPACEParachute Home Linen Sheet Set$319 at Parachute HomeCox London Small Oak Wall Light (Single – Bronzed Iron)Shop at coxlondon.comNickey Kehoe Velvet Pillow in Chocolate$450 at nickeykehoe.comdeVOL deVOL Classic Handles$86 at devolkitchens.com