In case you’ve been following alongside, you recognize that we’re deep within the course of of reworking a Nineteen Fifties Malibu seashore bungalow into our household’s retreat (get caught up on our Renovation Diaries right here!) After a years-long allowing course of, we’ve lastly begun building. The silver lining is that every one these delays gave us ample time to plan each doable design element.
Immediately we’re diving into one in every of my favourite design subjects: the best way to curate the right mixture of supplies for a house. Learn on for my method—and the supplies we’re utilizing in our Zuma Seashore Home renovation.
Supplies actually matter—right here’s why
You already know that feeling of sinking your ft into a brilliant mushy rug if you climb off the bed within the morning? That cocoon-like state is the precise feeling I need to evoke every time I’m house. Textures and supplies have a profound influence on how an area feels, shaping our on a regular basis experiences and feelings.
For me, materials selections are simply as vital as colour and type. They will create a way of heat, serenity, and even pleasure in an area.
By way of supplies, we are able to improve our every day experiences—whether or not that’s the graceful coolness of stone underfoot, the heat of wooden grain, or the handcrafted irregularities of clay tile.
Outline the Vibe
I began this course of by making a temper board that defines the supplies and colour palette I need to carry all through the seashore home. Whereas some love the thought of utilizing a distinct tile and paint colour in each room, I crave a way of continuity and calm. I want a impartial palette with constant supplies, including depth and curiosity by texture—mixing laborious in opposition to mushy, clean subsequent to tough.
I’m all the time drawn to pure parts—stone, wooden, linen, and clay. These supplies deliver an natural heat that feels each grounding and timeless. As we’ve refined our choices, these parts have guided our choices, illuminating the earthy hues that naturally include them.
Order samples
All through the method, I’ve been ordering as many samples from potential distributors as doable. I’ve began laying them out, facet by facet, to see how every component performs in opposition to the others. Particularly when working inside a impartial palette, it’s these refined textural contrasts that deliver depth to a house, creating the distinction and pressure that invitations the attention to linger, soak up, and discover distinctive magnificence in every area.
The Supplies We’re Utilizing in Our Zuma Seashore Home Renovation
My objective is to let these supplies shine of their pure state—conserving finishes unvarnished wherever doable to permit their uncooked magnificence to take middle stage.
For the Exterior Cladding: Redwood
A few of the most impactful design choices are those you agonize over probably the most—as a result of they’ve the ability to outline a house’s complete aesthetic. Selecting our exterior materials was a kind of moments.
Whereas we’ve all the time liked stucco houses (as evidenced by our present Mediterranean-style house), the soul of this seashore home is rooted in surf shack vibes. A timber-clad exterior felt like the proper strategy to honor that essence. After a lot analysis, we landed on California redwood, sourced from Humboldt Sawmill (one in every of our Sundown Thought Home companions.) Redwood is of course proof against bugs and decay, making it a extremely sturdy alternative. Plus, sustainability is a core worth of this renovation, and Humboldt Sawmill’s operations are licensed by the Forest Stewardship Council.
I really like the nice and cozy tones of redwood much more with age, so we’re working with our builders to deal with the wooden in order that it develops that lovely patina even sooner. Keep tuned.
For the Partitions: Plaster and Sheetrock
Wall finishes have been one in every of our largest debates. Adam and I each love the depth and texture of plaster, but it surely’s an even bigger funding and takes extra time to use (you may examine our journey to plaster partitions in our Austin home.) The choice—clean sheetrock painted in a mushy, semi-matte white—additionally captures the ethereal, beachy really feel we’re going for.
So, we’re doing a mixture: Plaster in key areas like our nice room addition and first bed room, the place we’ll embrace adverse area with subtly textured, earthy partitions. Sheetrock all over the place else—painted in a custom-matched hue so the transition between supplies is seamless.
For our plaster finishes, we’ll be utilizing Roman Clay by Portola—colour TBD. Our sheetrock will probably be painted a coordinating shade of Benjamin Moore paint, which is all the time my go-to for its high-quality and delightful array of colours.
For Exterior Accent Partitions: El Dorado Stone
So as to add dimension and a way of natural magnificence to the outside, we’re incorporating El Dorado Stone in Nation Rubble on choose accent partitions. I’ve all the time liked the depth and character that this manufactured stone brings—it has the genuine, aged look of pure stone whereas being extra light-weight and sustainable. This may tie collectively the pure parts of the redwood siding and provides the house a wealthy, textural attraction.
For the Counter tops: Caesarstone
I’m endlessly fascinated by the varied kinds of stone—there’s one thing romantic and nearly mysterious a few dramatic vein working by a slab of marble, or a timeless piece of moody soapstone. However when it got here to picking a gorgeous and sturdy stone for our counter tops and backsplashes, I actually didn’t take into account something in addition to Caesarstone, which I’ve used and liked on the final three main design tasks I’ve tackled. My present kitchen counter tops have stood as much as huge put on and tear with out a lot as a scratch or a stain.
Since I’m incorporating it in each the kitchen and baths (at the same time as slabs on the ground and partitions within the major tub!), I’m mixing a couple of totally different colours:
Aluminous – “Concrete meets porcelain in a light, neutral surface that looks like fresh cement, porous and slightly uneven, contrasted by fine-grey grains and a soft stony appearance that add a rocklike texture.”
Mirabel – “An ivory base mixed with washed clay in a bold and complex metamorphic structure…the opaque depth of hard marble with the soft translucency of alabaster.”
Marenstone – “A dry neutral base infused with ivory and beige granules, like fine particles of sand and crushed shells that morphed into an ancient stone over millennia. Mottled highlights and brown scuffs evoke the rugged appearance of a humble sedimentary rock.”
Pure Wooden Flooring and Cabinetry
All through the home, we’re utilizing Stuga flooring within the shade “Ingrid“. Made in Europe, Stuga’s engineered hardwood flooring have a shocking pure aesthetic, with extensive planks that deliver heat and timelessness to the area. Their matte end and lightweight, impartial tones will completely complement our beachy, ethereal design aesthetic.
We’ll even be doing {custom} cabinetry in White Oak, which is one in every of our increased ticket investments on this renovation. Each design undertaking has taught me slightly extra about the place to save lots of and the place to speculate, and for me, cabinetry is a kind of areas the place it’s value it to go together with a really well-built high-quality possibility.
Terra Cotta Tiles
I’m obsessive about the terra cotta tiles from Clay Imports that we’re incorporating into a pair key areas. These beautiful tiles are handcrafted in Mexico and so particular. Within the outside kitchen, these tiles will add a heat, earthy texture that makes the area really feel like a real outside room. We’re additionally contemplating utilizing them within the bunk room rest room, including a country distinction that enlivens what’s at present a extra impartial area.
Clay Zellige Tiles
Each renovation wants a component that offers you butterflies, and for me, that’s clay zellige tiles. Not like overly ornamental tile, zellige is all about natural texture, bringing heat and dimension to an area.
These Moroccan tiles are handcrafted utilizing centuries-old methods. Their sun-dried, hand-glazed floor means no two are alike—giving them a wabi-sabi imperfection that I really like.
Ours are coming from Zia Tile, and I’ll be utilizing the next choices in varied loos, in addition to the visitor home kitchen:
Though I’m in love with this materials, tile nonetheless scares me a bit! There are such a lot of components to think about: horizontal versus vertical, stacked versus staggered versus herringbone lay… after which there’s the grout! I’m reminding myself that, typically, you’ve simply bought to do the analysis after which take a leap.
For {Hardware}: Unlacquered Brass
Plumbing fixtures and {hardware} might look like small particulars, however they’ve a huge effect. Unlacquered brass has been on my dream record for years, and this seashore home is lastly the right place to make use of it. The heat and softness that unlacquered brass brings to a kitchen or tub would really feel proper at house within the informal, sun-bleached palette I’m envisioning for the home.
I’ve heard many cautionary tales about utilizing unlacquered brass (also referred to as a “living finish”). There’s upkeep—it’s important to use a particular cleaner, and most consultants suggest putting in a water softener. You additionally must embrace the patina and the age that occurs over time—form of like the choice to make use of marble, it’s important to be prepared for it to look “imperfect” with use. I see charming character, whereas others may see flaws.
In my analysis, I’ve discovered that it takes a few yr for unlacquered brass to age naturally. Nevertheless, if you wish to velocity up the growing old course of (like I do), you should utilize vinegar, salt, or a brass growing old product. After taking a look at a lot of totally different choices, I’ve settled on Kallista’s unlacquered brass fixtures, primarily from the beautiful One assortment.
Extra to Come…
Designing a house from the bottom up means there’s all the time extra to determine—however that’s what makes it thrilling. As we finalize further supplies, I’ll share updates right here, so keep tuned for extra behind-the-scenes particulars on our Zuma Seashore Home renovation.
