When you buy a weekend home in a picturesque valley in Sonoma, California, you want to spend as much time soaking up the glorious setting as possible. Designer Lauren Nelson and architect Geddes Ulinskas made it happen for the young family of five who live here. Ulinskas opened up the back to frame the mountains and create better indoor-outdoor flow. He also constructed a towering covered deck to maximize time spent lounging, dining, and swimming outdoors. Nelson, who worked with the full of life homeowners on their residence in San Francisco, gave it a stylish and functional aesthetic. Everything has to withstand the beating of many kids and dogs and adults that love to have cocktails and will spill, she says. They love to entertain. They love family chaos.FAST FACTSDESIGNER: Lauren Nelson DesignLOCATION: Sonoma, CaliforniaTHE SPACE: The original house had oppressively low eaves that cropped off the mountains. We decided we needed a space to frame those beautiful peaks, and the trussed roofs perfectly frame the peaks beyond.Geddes UlinskasPOOL DECK & PATIONothing detracts from the view.Michael CliffordChaise longues: RH. Adirondack chairs: McGee & Co. When youre standing at the house looking out at the mountains, that really is the focal point, Nelson says. To keep the spotlight on the pool and beautiful surroundings, the designer went minimal with the decor instead of really decking the space out with furniture. Michael CliffordDining table and chairs: RH.For the statement-making trussed roof, Ulinskas and his team worked with a timber-framing company that used traditional joinery and notched connections. Come summer, when the sun is blazing, the deck is the perfect hangout. The goal was to create some shade and a comfortable area to eat and relax, says Nelson, who worked on space planning with the client and architect. So theres an outdoor kitchen area, a lounge area, a dining area, and then a movie-watching area, she says.Michael CliffordSectional: Gloster. Coffee table: RH.The lounge is outfitted with a projector and screen (which comes down from a beam overhead) for movie nights.ENTRYWAYGlass doors let maximum light in. Michael CliffordWall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore. Rug: vintage, Heirloom Rug Co. Tall glass front doors balance the ones along the entire back side of the house and encourage indoor-outdoor living.LIVING ROOMIt flows out onto the deck.Michael CliffordRug: Armadillo. Sofa: Clad Home. Coffee table: Stahl + Band. Chair: Nickey Kehoe, in Rose Tarlow fabric. Side table: McGee & Co. Pendant: Nickey Kehoe. Expansive floor-to-ceiling glass doors along the length of the great room fully open to the back deck, blurring the lines between indoors and out, Nelson says, which was the main goal of the renovation. We wanted the deck to be accessible throughout the length of the home. The kitchen and primary bedroom open up to the outdoors too.FAMILY ROOMThey call it the snug room.Michael CliffordWall covering: Soane Britain. Sleeper sofa: Clad Home. Ottoman: vintage, in Zak & Fox fabric. Side table: vintage. Rug: Jaipur Living. Lamp: Anyon.Michael CliffordCeiling and trim: Saybrook Sage, Benjamin Moore. Chair: vintage, in Radish Moon fabric. Side table: vintage.Fun patterns mixed with eclectic decor help make it extra cozy space. Its where all of the kids go to play games, watch movies, and be creative, Nelson says. The designer, who also references English country cottages as a design inspiration for the project, chose wallpaper and fabric that play up the garden vibe, while vintage furniture adds charm and nostalgia, she says.KITCHENDeep green connects with the outdoors.Michael CliffordLanterns: Lum'Art. Kitchen island and lower cabinets: Calico Blue, Benjamin Moore. Upper cabinets: Barren Plain, Benjamin Moore.While it didnt need a gut renovation (we were really just trying to put some lipstick on, Nelson says), the designer made some impactful updates that didnt cost a fortune, starting with a bold coat of paint on the previously white cabinets. We felt like it was very much a call to nature and to what you see beyond the windows, she says.Michael CliffordHardware: Devol. Backsplash tile: Cl Tile.Michael CliffordCounter stools: McGee & Co.The layout was working well, so Nelson just interjected personality by updating smaller elements. In addition to painting the cabinets, she added new hardware, a tile backsplash, a faucet, and lighting. And then it felt like an entirely new kitchen, she says.The island legs were one thing Nelson modified. The original legs were huge, oversize country legs, Nelson says. She poked around online for a solution, and found Tablelegs.com. They werent custom, it was very quick and easy, and was such a great fix, she says of the new, slimmer legs.DINING AREAIts an extension of the sophisticated kitchen.Michael CliffordLight fixtures: The Urban Electric Co.Vintage Henning Kjaernulf dining chairs upholstered in durable outdoor McLaurin & Piercy fabric surround the long dining table.POWDER ROOMA mini makeover completely changed it.Michael CliffordBeadboard: Blue Gray, Farrow & Ball. Wallcovering: Jasper.The powder room was begging for a transformation, Nelson says. It previously was a white box lacking any interest. But the vanity was cute and worth saving. With a few simple additionsbeadboard, patterned wallpaper, and a new faucetthe tiny space got a completely new look. GUEST ROOMThe color scheme started with the drapes.Michael CliffordWall Paint: Seaside Sand, Benjamin Moore. Table lamp: vintage.Michael CliffordLove seat: IKEA, in Peter Dunham fabric. Floor lamp: Serena & Lily.I adore this Carolina Irving print, especially in this earthy pale plum color, Nelson says of the fabric she chose for the window treatments. The sophisticated hue was then echoed on the walls and in the bedding. The loveseat is an old Ikea sleeper sofa she completely transformed with indoor-outdoor fabric. GUEST BATHROOMSubtle finishes complete the color palette.Michael CliffordWalls: Hazelwood, Benjamin Moore. Sconces: Allied Maker. Mirrors: Mirror Home. Hardware: Rejuvenation. Tile: Fireclay Tile.Hand-painted tile and a moody paint color give the shared bath a slightly glam feel. Additional details include all new fixtures and finishes and a custom vanity.GUEST ROOMDeep blue walls echo the California sky.Michael CliffordBench: vintage, in Zak+Fox fabric. Drapes: custom, in Les Indiennes fabric.Pattern and color was something we knew would be at the forefront of the design, Nelson says. I think with certain vacation homes, you want it to be very monochromatic and peaceful. And this was the opposite of that. We wanted this house to feel fun and whimsical and happy. KIDS ROOMLayered patterns are pretty and practical.Michael CliffordWalls: Manor Blue, Benjamin Moore. Art: vintage, Elsie Green.Nelson layered stripes, plaids, and florals on the twin beds. The technique isnt just visually striking but livable. Pattern is really effective with vacation homes because it hides the wear and tear a little more, she says. Plus, we were trying to have fun and not shy away from using different color palettes. EXTERIORCalifornia meets the English countryside. Michael CliffordTK caption The home exudes an English cottage charm characterized by its shingled, multi-gabled roofline, Nelson says. To complete the effect, the front yard was transformed by landscape designer Regina Rollin of Rollin Design into a meadow inspired by classic English gardens.About the DesignerLauren Nelson is the founder of Lauren Nelson Design in San Francisco. Shes a member of the House Beautiful Next Wave Class of 2014.Urban Electric Double Arm Beldi $6,807 at urbanelectric.comJaipur Living Leona Rug$5 at jaipurliving.comMcGee & Co. Travertine Side Table$950 at mcgeeandco.comAnyon Design Ernst Table Lamp$565 at anyondesign.comNickey Kehoe Spindle Back Viewing Chair$4,800 at nickeykehoe.comFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.