Whether you’re a fan of binge-watching classic episodes of “Flip or Flop” or prefer “Christina on the Coast” and “Christina in the Country,” it’s evident that HGTV star Christina Haack has mastered the art of achieving the California Casual home decor style. Haack seamlessly combines neutral tones, modern elements, and reclaimed wood with bohemian touches, eclectic textiles, and high-tech features, making each space she designs feel uniquely suited to its residents.
Haack often transforms dark, outdated areas into bright, open spaces by adding large, functional windows and doors that bring the outside in. She’s also not shy about introducing bold colors to islands or bar areas or creating interesting textures with accent walls made of stone or unique tiles. To emulate HGTV star Christina Haack’s aesthetic in your home, focus on smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor areas, tactile fabrics, abundant textures from floor to ceiling, and small details that balance and personalize your environment.
Create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces
In both client homes on “Christina on the Coast” and her own luxurious California mansion, Christina Haack expertly merges indoor and outdoor spaces with expansive windows and distinctive glass doors that flood rooms with fresh air and natural light. When updating windows or sliding doors, if your budget allows, choose full lite options to ensure unobstructed views. Avoid heavy drapes or blinds unless necessary for privacy; otherwise, consider semi-sheer curtains like MYSKY Soft Cotton Drapes from Amazon for a breezy feel.
Play with textures in neutral color palettes to add warmth and visual interest
Neutrals are far from dull in Christina Haack’s designs. The HGTV star often maintains a restrained color palette but incorporates diverse textures to create visual interest. This peaceful and calming technique is especially effective in bedrooms. To recreate this look, layer white bedding with throws and pillows in soft taupe, olive, and mustard shades. Include decorative items made of woven grass, rattan, burlap, or nautical-inspired textures, complemented by lighting such as 360 Lighting Natural Rope Net Table Lamps.
Don’t be afraid to go dark when you want to add drama
While many of her designs feature light neutral shades, Christina Haack isn’t hesitant to introduce drama with darker hues, particularly in her projects in Tennessee. The HGTV star incorporates black in several interiors showcased on “Christina in the Country,” from window and door casements to black-on-black finishes in kitchens and bathrooms. Before adding black decor to your home, consider lighting, textures, and maintenance carefully.
Focus on fabrics that feel good to the touch
Selecting the right upholstery fabrics can be particularly challenging when aiming for the coastal cool look that Christina Haack is renowned for. Durability is essential for everyday-use sofas, armchairs, and poufs, while beauty and texture are crucial since you’ll spend considerable time in your preferred seat. Haack uses fabrics that look and feel great throughout Season 2 of “Christina in the Country,” from luxurious velvet on swivel seating and pillows to supple leather strips for side chairs.
Soften stainless appliances with beachy wood tones and ceramic tiles
Christina Haack blends sleek stainless steel with beachy wood tones in many of her designs. Especially in client kitchens, this ‘Coastal Scandifornia’ style merges the minimalist lines of high-end appliances with nature-inspired finishes seen in cabinetry and range hoods to artfully arranged prep surfaces. Achieve the look with small accessories such as the YSTKC Acacia Wood Butcher Block Wooden Trays from Amazon. Enhance the effect by echoing these earthy wood tones with sophisticated backsplash tiles featuring organic shapes.
Get inspired by nature when you want to add a pop of color
Though most of her interior and exterior designs rely on neutral shades like white, cream, wood, and occasionally black, Christina Haack often adds a splash of color in her kitchen designs with bold backsplash tiles or by painting cabinets or the island. Rather than using sandy coastal hues, she often selects deeper ultramarine blues and greens. Recreate the look in your own kitchen with cabinet paint colors like Behr’s Terrarium or Sherwin-Williams Waterloo.
Incorporate high-end, low-profile features
Christina Haack incorporated high-tech features in her $12 million Newport Beach mansion. Her bedroom includes smart curtains that blackout the entire room, a drop-down projection screen for movie nights, and a sleek recessed fireplace. She maintained the same modern yet relaxed conveniences in the home design featured in Season 5, Episode 8 of “Christina on the Coast.” Achieve the look in your home with products like EUHOMY’s Recessed Adjustable Flame Log & Crystal Electric Fireplace or SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades from Amazon.
When in doubt, use white
Classic white is hard to beat when you want to brighten a space, as Christina Haack demonstrated in a simple yet stunning transformation of a young couple’s living room in Season 4 of “Christina on the Coast.” The HGTV star replaced a builder-grade red brick fireplace and bulky mantel with a floor-to-ceiling stone accent wall in neutral tones that subtly contrast with new white walls and furniture upholstery. She also replaced plantation shutters that obstructed the view with breezy white curtains.
Create bohemian vibes with large crystal and ceramic accent pieces
“Our goal is to take a super modern house and incorporate more of an organic, Bali vibe,” Christina Haack explained during a tour of her Newport Beach home. She used bohemian decor elements, like organic striped vases and large crystals, to adorn her space. To design a boho room that captures the hippie chic spirit with a nod to Haack’s indoor-outdoor design philosophy, fill unique stoneware pieces with lush houseplants.
Mix metallic finishes to add glamour to basic spaces
In Season 2, Episode 11 of “Christina on the Coast,” the HGTV star was tasked with updating a mid-century modern house for a pair of empty nesters who wanted a “super sexy” space. Their home was already filled with mirrors, marble, geodes, and crystal—finishes that can easily be integrated into your own space to lend a seductive feel. Haack added a variety of shimmering metallic finishes to refresh the kitchen and dining room, incorporating industrial seating and a Sputnik-style crystal-covered light fixture.
Incorporate an island in your kitchen
“A large island is one of my signature designs that I love to incorporate in any home,” Christina Haack stated as she highlighted the progress on her Newport Beach kitchen. Along with additional storage, a well-designed kitchen island becomes the central hub for cooking, dining, and entertaining. The HGTV star often uses wooden cabinets beneath expansive white countertops, but if custom-built-ins or space is limited, you can achieve her SoCal cool style with a butcher block table like the HLR Rolling Kitchen Island on Wheels.
Don’t forget the little details
In a particularly moving episode of “Christina in the Country,” the HGTV star assisted a family in restoring their fire-damaged home, incorporating cherished memorabilia from their Texas music studio into a dark, moody, rock and roll kitchen. To balance the masculine black cabinet finish, Haack added delicate pulls, commenting that they brought “a little bit of the feminine, a little bit of glam” during the final reveal. Whether you choose a light and airy or dark and rugged aesthetic in your space, pay attention to the smallest details to capture the Christina Haack look.
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