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

Once we determined so as to add 1,000 sq. toes to our Malibu beach house as a part of the renovation, I initially envisioned dividing it amongst completely different areas—extending the first suite, perhaps including a brand new lavatory 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 shocked to see all the extra sq. footage allotted to a single area labeled “The Nice Room.“

At first look, I noticed one expansive, open-concept kitchen with a hearth at one finish. My quick response? Are we positive that’s the most effective use of area? However as I studied Doug’s imaginative and prescient, I spotted he was designing with a distinctly fashionable method—one which prioritized our wants and private values over conventional expectations.

For our household, creating an environment of connection and making folks 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 way of my inspiration photographs and imagined household holidays and dinners with friends on this home, I grew extra excited concerning the area and all the things it may very well be.

Earlier than we dive into the plans, let’s check out the kitchen because it stands immediately—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. Once 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 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 provide context for the way the addition will match into the area:

The Renderings

We labored with Yousee Studio to create 3D visualizations of Doug’s plans. The renderings have been extremely useful in area planning, and it’s additionally helped us visualize how the supplies and shade 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 an alternative positioned a small sitting space close to the hearth that may double as a lounge space and a eating area for two – 4 folks.

Beneath, I’ve paired every rendering with a selected function of the room for instance how this area will perform.

Wall of doorways that absolutely open

I feel that each home ought to have one aspect that makes a serious assertion. It’s the design second that, if friends keep in mind little else, at the very least they gained’t overlook that one particular factor. In our seaside home undertaking, the 30-foot wall of pocket doorways that open straight to the skin is, for sure, that assertion. Since one of many causes we’re drawn to Southern California is the power to spend 12 months of the yr exterior, one in every of our high 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 concerning the lovely wood-framed alternatives we’re going with.

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

Outsized kitchen island

The Nice Room’s point of interest is a 13-foot kitchen island that initially felt nearly too large, however upon additional investigation, is scaled good in context with the scale 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’ll additionally home the cooktop and important sink, plus tons of storage. The inside facet of the island may have deep drawers the place we’ll preserve all the things from plates and bowls to flatware. The facet going through outward may have open shelving for cookbooks and show objects on the corners with area 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 beloved 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 Beach House materials publish, 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 alternatives, 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 area:

For the partitions: Roman Clay by Portola (shade TBD). I wish 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 appropriate shade (or mixture) and certain pattern just a few 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 needed the sturdiness and performance of Caesarstone porcelain. The shade known as Aluminous is described as “a lightweight, impartial floor that appears like recent cement, porous and barely uneven, contrasted by fine-grey grains and a gentle stony look that add a rocklike texture.”

For the flooring: We’re utilizing Stuga flooring in the shade “Ingrid“. These are engineered hardwood flooring with a really beautiful pure aesthetic. The extensive planks will convey heat and timelessness to the area and I 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 area! 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 Collection.

Hearth to anchor the room

Since we’re not including a chosen “front room” to the home, we’ve carved out one finish of the nice room as the realm the place we’ll cozy up with a glass of wine and an excellent guide. And there’s nothing like a hearth 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 “enjoyable” a part of the room, although they gained’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 children.

Beverage station

I needed to design the extra “lounge-y” facet of the nice room (close to the hearth) in a means that flowed with the kitchen, however didn’t really feel such as you had 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 wanted all the additional storage we might get. So, I designated the wall that runs perpendicular to the hearth as a bar and beverage station. It would maintain sensible objects like wine storage, coffeemaker, mugs, and glassware. And it’ll additionally function 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 area with sunshine. And never solely will our 10-foot extensive x 7-foot excessive window let in tons of pure mild, however it’s also a completely functioning window that opens as much as the again patio. There will likely 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 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 resolution I’m nonetheless considering is what kind 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 ornamental 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 happy to weigh in in on the feedback.