A Sneak Peek of the Plans for Our Malibu Seashore Home Kitchen

After we determined so as to add 1,000 sq. ft 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 form of factor. So when our architect, Doug Burdge, offered his first draft of the renovation plans, I used to be shocked 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 quick 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 prime precedence. And what higher strategy to foster that sense of togetherness than with a spacious, open room designed for gathering? As I flipped by way of my inspiration photographs and imagined household holidays and dinners with associates on this home, I grew extra excited in regards to the house and every little thing it may very well be.

Earlier than we dive into the plans, let’s check out the kitchen because it stands at this time—so you’ll be able to see precisely why we’re ranging from scratch.

Right here is the present kitchen:

The present bungalow kitchen is wedged right into a nook of the again of the home. After I’m cooking or doing dishes, my again is turned to anybody else within the room. General it has a closed-off feeling that’s not conducive to my type of cooking, which is all about casually conversing with Adam or my youngsters whereas I chop.

I’ve a long-held dream of a large kitchen window above the sink that floods the room with sunshine.

It’s a design factor I’ve by no means had in a home that I’ve lived in, therefore why my “Dream Kitchen” Pinterest board is roofed in big kitchen home windows.

Right here’s the brand new location for our Nice Room / Kitchen:

And right here’s a birds eye view to present context for a 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 could 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 fireside that may double as a lounge space and a eating house for two – 4 individuals.

Beneath, I’ve paired every rendering with a particular function of the room as an example how this house will operate.

Wall of doorways that absolutely open

I feel that each home ought to have one factor that makes a serious assertion. It’s the design second that, if friends keep in mind little else, at the least they received’t neglect that one particular factor. In our seaside home venture, the 30-foot wall of pocket doorways that open straight to the skin is, unquestionably, that assertion. Since one of many causes we’re drawn to Southern California is the flexibility to spend 12 months of the 12 months outdoors, considered one of our prime priorities is making a pure stream between the indoors and out. All of our home windows and doorways are coming from Marvin, and I’m actually excited in regards to the lovely wood-framed alternatives we’re going with.

Plus, this seamless transition allows us to show the coated terrace into an out of doors eating room that may really feel like a part of the good room house. No, it’s not a traditional strategy to a eating room, however for a household that likes to eat as many meals open air as potential, it really works.

Outsized kitchen island

The Nice Room’s point of interest is a 13-foot kitchen island that at the beginning felt nearly too large, however upon additional investigation, is scaled excellent in context with the dimensions of this room. It is a hardworking island that may greater than earn its preserve—not solely will it’s the central gathering place for kitchen prep and informal eating, however it can additionally home the cooktop and predominant sink, plus tons of storage. The inside aspect of the island can have deep drawers the place we’ll preserve every little thing from plates and bowls to flatware. The aspect 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 a lot.

We’re utilizing kitchen home equipment from Bertazonni, an iconic Italian model that I’ve cherished for years. I can’t wait to lastly have their design-driven items in my dwelling.

Supplies impressed by nature

As I shared in my Seashore Home supplies put up, we’re utilizing pure parts all through the home—stone, wooden, linen, and clay. These supplies carry an natural heat that feels each grounding and timeless. As we’ve refined our alternatives, these parts have guided our selections, illuminating the earthy hues that naturally include them. Listed below 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 workforce to search out the proper 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 like the interaction with pure wooden. However I wished the sturdiness and performance of Caesarstone porcelain. The shade known as Aluminous is described as “a light-weight, impartial floor that appears like contemporary cement, porous and barely uneven, contrasted by fine-grey grains and a delicate stony look 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 beautiful pure aesthetic. The large planks will carry heat and timelessness to the house and I like the matte end of this one.

For the plumbing fixtures: Unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures from Kallista have been one of many first design selections I made for this house! It’s a small element that makes a serious distinction. I like the heat and patina that unlacquered brass brings to a kitchen, and it’ll really feel proper at dwelling 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 delegated “front 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 great guide. And there’s nothing like a fire to welcome everybody to kick up their ft —plus it’s a design factor that may present clear differentiation between the “cooking” a part of the room and the “stress-free” a part of the room, though 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 evening with the youngsters.

Beverage station

I wished to design the extra “lounge-y” aspect of the good room (close to the fireside) in a approach that flowed with the kitchen, however didn’t really feel such as you have been nonetheless in the kitchen. Nonetheless, since we traded in most of our higher cabinetry for a large 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 fireside as a bar and beverage station. It should maintain sensible objects like wine storage, coffeemaker, mugs, and glassware. And it’ll additionally function extra design-forward parts, 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 totally functioning window that opens as much as the again patio. There might be a counter on the outside aspect that’s excellent for serving drinks and passing meals to throw on the grill.

I can’t wait till the day after I’m prepping for dinner with the music turned up, glass of wine in hand, and ocean breezes blowing in by way of the open doorways!

One design choice I’m nonetheless considering is what kind of tree to plant simply outdoors this window. Because the visible point of interest to this room, it’s as essential to the design parts as any inside piece of artwork, so I’m approaching it with the identical stage of thoughtfulness. As of now, my prime contenders are both a gnarly, twisting decorative olive tree, or a lush citrus tree—simply think about with 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.