This architectural sanctuary epitomizes SoCal spirit with chic wooden interiors and oceanic views
You can sleep in this Santa Monica Mountain retreat – and learn a lesson in minimalism above the Pacific


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Few locations combine rustic charm with chic minimalism quite like California. With a combination of Hollywood allure, cacti-kissed mountains, and sunny Pacific shores, the stylish state emits both a fashionable buzz and a rare restorative aura that is unlike any other place worldwide. If one property captures this juxtaposition perfectly, it is Saddle Peak House.
Hidden amongst the verdant Santa Monica Mountains and fringing the Pacific, Saddle Peak House is an alluringly simple wooden maze whose traditional Californian aesthetic will serve as the catalyst for our modern home decor ideas for the rest of the summer.
Architect Michael Sant designed the villa to accentuate its location and place emphasis on its exteriors. Every square inch of the home is built to strengthen your connection to the landscape and showcase Malibu’s unrivaled assets. Though, while the outdoors are ever-so impressive, the interiors are equally noteworthy.
A maze of traditional wooden hues and minimalist decor, Saddle Peak House exhibits a traditional Californian ambiance with a contemporary twist. The expansive sliding doors drench the haven in West Coastal rays and bring the outside into the forefront of the room – thus blurring the lines between the interior and exterior spaces.
Plus, this unique combination of the sea and sky emits a beautiful light blue tone that similarly illuminates the wooden pieces and transports you back to rural SoCal without sacrificing style.
Showcasing an exemplary use of natural materials and a perfectly framed landscape, Saddle Peak House has just transformed our neutral living room ideas – even if we can’t all overlook the Pacific.
The timber hues and minimalist decor scheme continue throughout the four bedrooms and a kitchen – paying homage to the all-wood kitchen trend that is among our favorites of the season. Though, with its timeless aesthetic, this is a style that is unlikely to waver.
Michael describes Saddle Peak House as a transportive property that offers the opportunity to travel back in time, to see the golden state as ‘very few people have’ in the past. ‘The native plants on the property are found throughout the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains, connecting you to that broader context,’ he adds. This is now the setting of our modern home dreams.
Saddle Peak House is located on Monte Nido, 3 miles north of Malibu. Prices begin at $1105 per night via Welcome Beyond.
The Livingetc Newsletter
For style leaders and design lovers.
Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, well-being stories, and celebrity-focused pieces.
Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US whilst studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site.
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