Key Elements That We’ve Carved out for This Space So, let’s take a look at the house’s current kitchen, to give you an idea of the less-than-ideal conditions we’re working with (and why we’re basically starting from scratch with it.)ĭoesn’t it feel open and spacious, like a breath of fresh air and an absolute dream for cooking? I can’t wait until the day when I’m prepping for dinner with the music turned up, glass of wine in hand, and ocean breezes blowing in through the open doors. And what better way to foster that sense of togetherness than through one big open room that’s made for entertaining? The more I looked through my inspiration photos and envisioned the family holidays and dinners with friends in this house, the more excited I got about the space. While yes, some people desire a house with many rooms and private spaces, our family’s top priority is to cultivate an atmosphere for connection, gathering, and making others feel welcome. Though my initial response was surprise (“Are we sure that’s the best use of space?”), Doug’s plan revealed what I consider to be a very modern approach to architecture-designing with a client’s needs and personal values first, even if that means throwing out a few expectations and standard ways of doing things in the process. So, when I first saw our architect Doug Burdge’s draft of our renovation plans, I was surprised that he’d put all of our additional square footage into one space, which he dubbed “The Great Room.” Upon greater examination, it turned out to be one giant open kitchen with a fireplace on one end. When I initially heard “1,000 square feet of added space,” I mentally divvied it up into various parts of the house: extending the primary suite, maybe adding on a new bathroom and closet, expanding the kitchen. Not only does this save on budget, but it also simplifies the permitting process (no small matter when you’re building near the California coast.) Plus, maintaining the house’s existing footprint allows us to hold onto the charming surf shack vibes that we fell in love with in the first place. Though the gut renovation of our Malibu beach house is a massive undertaking, we’re actually adding just 1,000 square feet to the existing foundation. It’s all part of our journey to the Sunset 2023 Idea House, a home that displays the latest innovations in Western home design. Join guest editor Camille Styles as she and her family transform a 1950s Malibu beach bungalow into their dream retreat-and in the process, discover a slower, more intentional way of living, rooted in the beauty of the West.
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