A California remodel, in real time

Products we actually
used and loved

No sponsored fluff. Just honest picks from our ongoing home remodel — things we researched, bought, installed, and kept. Updated as the project evolves.

Shop the remodel
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6
Kitchen
🚿
5
Bathrooms
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4
Flooring & Tile
💡
4
Lighting
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Our picks

19 items
Affiliate disclosure: The product links below are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Style Required earns from qualifying purchases — at no additional cost to you. We only link to products we've actually bought, used, and recommend.
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Kitchen
Fireclay Farmhouse Sink
The single upgrade that transformed our kitchen. Incredibly durable and the matte white finish is timeless.
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Kitchen
Brushed Gold Bridge Faucet
We tried three faucets before landing on this one. The warm gold tone pairs perfectly with our white cabinets.
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Kitchen
Zellige-Style Backsplash Tile
Handmade look without the handmade price. The variation in tone gives it that organic, Moroccan-inspired texture.
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Kitchen
Rattan Counter Stools
Adds warmth and texture to the island. Comfortable, sturdy, and they look much more expensive than they are.
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Kitchen
Unlacquered Brass Hardware
Will patina over time — that's the point. Bought 40 pulls and they've aged beautifully over 6 months.
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Kitchen
Walnut End-Grain Cutting Board
Left out on the counter permanently. It functions as both tool and decor. Easy recommendation.
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Bathrooms
Matte Black Rain Shower Head
The easiest upgrade in the whole remodel. 30-minute install, dramatic result. Get the 10-inch version.
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Bathrooms
Arched Vanity Mirror
The arch shape softens the whole room. We put one in both bathrooms and won't go back to rectangles.
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Bathrooms
Fluted Glass Vanity Sconces
Found these after a long search. The fluted glass casts a warm, diffused glow — no harsh shadows.
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Bathrooms
Freestanding Soaking Tub
The splurge we don't regret. Oval, matte white, surprisingly lightweight. Fits a 5x8 bathroom perfectly.
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Bathrooms
Teak Shower Bench
Brings that spa hotel feel home. Water-resistant, sturdy, and the wood tone warms up our tile floor.
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Flooring & Tile
White Oak Engineered Hardwood
Installed throughout the main floor. Warm, durable, looks stunning in natural California light.
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Flooring & Tile
Large Format Travertine Tile
24x24 in the main bath. Travertine's natural variation means no two floors look alike.
Flooring & Tile
Terracotta Hex Floor Tile
Used in the powder room. Real terracotta, not ceramic. Needs sealing but the result is unbeatable.
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Flooring & Tile
Tadelakt-Style Tile
Porcelain that mimics polished plaster. Easy to maintain, beautiful in the shower surround.
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Lighting
Brushed Brass Pendant — 3-pack
Our kitchen island statement. Hung at staggered heights over the island. Gets the most compliments of anything in the house.
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Lighting
Woven Rattan Chandelier
Dining room centerpiece. The organic texture and warm glow can't be replicated with anything else.
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Lighting
Plug-In Linen Sconce
No electrician needed. We used these in the bedroom. Soft linen shade diffuses light beautifully.
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Lighting
Smart Dimmer Switch
Every light in the house runs through these. Works with Alexa, easy install. Warm-dim mode is life-changing.

From the remodel diary

Long reads on what we picked, what we paid, and what we'd redo
New Close-up of the quartzite slab we chose for our backsplash
Kitchen · Cost breakdown
Slab vs tile backsplash: what it actually cost us
Real quotes for both. The slab option came in at nearly 3× the tile. Here's the line-item breakdown — and the one we picked.
Kitchen before the remodel — Larkspur, CA
Kitchen · The whole project
We bought a house in Larkspur and immediately tore apart the kitchen
A California remodel diary, starting with the room that needed it most. Every product we chose, every link, every cost.
Series 7 parts · 4 live
Surviving the build
The temp kitchen series
Eight weeks without a kitchen. The induction burners, mini fridge, and dish setup that actually got us through — in 7 parts.
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Hi, we're Style Required

Style Required is our running list of products that made the cut — things we researched, bought, installed, and actually recommend from our ongoing California home remodel. We're not interior designers, just homeowners who did a lot of homework. We update this list as the project evolves. Every Amazon link earns us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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New picks added as the remodel progresses. No spam — just honest updates.