Once we determined so as to add 1,000 sq. toes to our Malibu seaside home as a part of the renovation, I initially envisioned dividing it amongst totally different areas—extending the first suite, perhaps including a brand new rest room and closet, increasing the kitchen. That kind of factor. So when our architect, Doug Burdge, introduced his first draft of the renovation plans, I used to be stunned to see all the extra sq. footage allotted to a single house labeled “The Nice Room.“
At first look, I noticed one expansive, open-concept kitchen with a fire at one finish. My instant response? Are we positive that’s the very best use of house? However as I studied Doug’s imaginative and prescient, I noticed he was designing with a distinctly fashionable strategy—one which prioritized our wants and private values over conventional expectations.
For our household, creating an environment of connection and making individuals really feel welcome is our high precedence. And what higher solution to foster that sense of togetherness than with a spacious, open room designed for gathering? As I flipped by my inspiration photographs and imagined household holidays and dinners with associates on this home, I grew extra excited concerning the house and all the things it might be.
Earlier than we dive into the plans, let’s check out the kitchen because it stands in the present day—so you possibly can see precisely why we’re ranging from scratch.
Right here is the present kitchen:
The kitchen “before”. Our up to date kitchen shall be utterly relocated to the brand new addition.
The present bungalow kitchen is wedged right into a nook of the again of the home. Once I’m cooking or doing dishes, my again is turned to anybody else within the room. Total it has a closed-off feeling that’s not conducive to my fashion of cooking, which is all about casually conversing with Adam or my youngsters whereas I chop.
I’ve a long-held dream of an enormous kitchen window above the sink that floods the room with sunshine.
It’s a design aspect I’ve by no means had in a home that I’ve lived in, therefore why my “Dream Kitchen” Pinterest board is roofed in enormous kitchen home windows.
Right here’s the brand new location for our Nice Room / Kitchen:
And right here’s a birds eye view to offer context for the way the addition will match into the house:
The Renderings
We labored with Yousee Studio to create 3D visualizations of Doug’s plans. The renderings have been extremely useful in house planning, and it’s additionally helped us visualize how the supplies and colour palette will come collectively.
Initially, there was a built-in banquette on one finish of the room, however after seeing it within the render, we realized that it might make the room really feel a bit too tight. So we eliminated it, and as a substitute positioned a small sitting space close to the hearth that may double as a lounge space and a eating house for two – 4 individuals.
Beneath, I’ve paired every rendering with a particular characteristic of the room as an example how this house will operate.
Wall of doorways that totally open
I believe that each home ought to have one aspect that makes a serious assertion. It’s the design second that, if visitors keep in mind little else, not less than they received’t neglect that one particular factor. In our seaside home mission, the 30-foot wall of pocket doorways that open straight to the surface is, surely, that assertion. Since one of many causes we’re drawn to Southern California is the power to spend 12 months of the 12 months exterior, one in all our high priorities is making a pure move between the indoors and out. All of our home windows and doorways are coming from Marvin, and I’m actually excited concerning the stunning wood-framed picks we’re going with.
Plus, this seamless transition allows us to show the coated terrace into an outside eating room that may really feel like a part of the good room house. No, it’s not a standard strategy to a eating room, however for a household that likes to eat as many meals outside as attainable, it really works.
Outsized kitchen island
The Nice Room’s point of interest is a 13-foot kitchen island that initially felt virtually too massive, however upon additional investigation, is scaled good in context with the dimensions of this room. It is a hardworking island that may greater than earn its preserve—not solely will or not it’s the central gathering place for kitchen prep and informal eating, however it is going to additionally home the cooktop and principal sink, plus tons of storage. The inside facet of the island can have deep drawers the place we’ll preserve all the things from plates and bowls to flatware. The facet dealing with outward can have open shelving for cookbooks and show objects on the corners with house for barstools within the middle. Since the remainder of the kitchen has minimal cabinetry, we’re counting on this island to carry rather a lot.
We’re utilizing kitchen home equipment from Bertazonni, an iconic Italian model that I’ve beloved for years. I can’t wait to lastly have their design-driven items in my house.
Supplies impressed by nature
As I shared in my Seaside Home supplies put up, we’re utilizing pure components all through the home—stone, wooden, linen, and clay. These supplies convey an natural heat that feels each grounding and timeless. As we’ve refined our picks, these components have guided our selections, illuminating the earthy hues that naturally include them. Listed here are the supplies that may outline the Nice Room house:
For the partitions: Roman Clay by Portola (colour TBD). I need to seize the cloudlike shade and texture seen within the renderings—not too creamy, however not too gray, both. Because it will get nearer, I’ll work with the Portola staff to seek out the precise colour (or mixture) and certain pattern a number of choices.
For the counter tops: Caesarstone Porcelain in Aluminous. I’ve been drawn to a shade that resembles concrete—I really like the interaction with pure wooden. However I wished the sturdiness and performance of Caesarstone porcelain. The shade referred to as Aluminous is described as “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.”
For the flooring: We’re utilizing Stuga flooring within the shade “Ingrid“. These are engineered hardwood flooring with a very attractive pure aesthetic. The large planks will convey heat and timelessness to the house and I really like the matte end of this one.
For the plumbing fixtures: Unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures from Kallista had been one of many first design selections I made for this house! It’s a small element that makes a serious distinction. I really like the heat and patina that unlacquered brass brings to a kitchen, and it’ll really feel proper at house within the wabi sabi, sun-bleached palette I’m envisioning for the home. We’ll have two sinks within the kitchen, and each taps are from the One Assortment.
Hearth to anchor the room
Since we’re not including a chosen “living room” to the home, we’ve carved out one finish of the good room as the world the place we’ll cozy up with a glass of wine and a superb e book. And there’s nothing like a fire to welcome everybody to kick up their toes —plus it’s a design aspect that may present clear differentiation between the “cooking” a part of the room and the “relaxing” a part of the room, despite the fact that they received’t be separated by an precise wall. We’re planning to place a spherical desk surrounded by low-slung chairs in entrance of the fireplace—an inviting spot for a comfortable dinner for 2 or recreation night time with the youngsters.
Beverage station
I wished to design the extra “lounge-y” facet of the good room (close to the hearth) in a approach that flowed with the kitchen, however didn’t really feel such as you had been nonetheless within the kitchen. Nonetheless, since we traded in most of our higher cabinetry for an enormous kitchen window (extra on that under), we would have liked all the additional storage we may get. So, I designated the wall that runs perpendicular to the hearth as a bar and beverage station. It’ll maintain sensible objects like wine storage, coffeemaker, mugs, and glassware. And it’ll additionally characteristic extra design-forward components, like our classic turntable and sculptural objects on the open shelving, to maintain it from feeling an excessive amount of like a part of the kitchen.
And Lastly… My Dream Kitchen Window
As talked about, I’ve lengthy dreamed of an announcement kitchen window that floods the house with sunshine. And never solely will our 10-foot large x 7-foot excessive window let in tons of pure gentle, however it’s also a completely functioning window that opens as much as the again patio. There shall be a counter on the outside facet that’s excellent for serving drinks and passing meals to throw on the grill.
I can’t wait till the day once I’m prepping for dinner with the music turned up, glass of wine in hand, and ocean breezes blowing in by the open doorways!
One design choice I’m nonetheless considering is what sort of tree to plant simply exterior this window. Because the visible point of interest to this room, it’s as essential to the design components as any inside piece of artwork, so I’m approaching it with the identical stage of thoughtfulness. As of now, my high contenders are both a gnarly, twisting decorative olive tree, or a lush citrus tree—simply think about having the ability to open up the window and pluck a ripe orange proper off the branches! Be at liberty to weigh in in on the feedback.
