See How A Traditional Beach House Got a Dose of Whimsy & Glamour
Staying away from coastal clichés but still giving a nod to the ocean with subtle references such as shagreen furniture, mother of pearl and shades of blues, this coastal home is a fresh take on a traditional beach house with undertones of whimsy and glamour.
PROPERTY
When the owners bought this hard-to-come-by modern home in the exclusive private beach community of Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach, CA, they hired Seyie Design to help them transform it into a chic retreat. Just a stone’s throw away from the beach, the 4,900 sq. ft. Shingle Style house originally built in 1936 underwent an extensive remodel and decorating process to fit the style and desires of a successful, global finance entrepreneur, his wife and three daughters.
Working closely with the owners, who had a very clear vision of what they wanted in the design of the home, Seyie designed a comfortable home, great for beach-style entertaining while still elegant. The owner's bold and daring taste, love of colour, drama, antiques and rich textures, were incorporated into the design.
Read Also: Explore A Playful House in Martha's Vineyard
HALLWAY
A multicoloured Vistosi chandelier (from 1stdibs) in the entrance hall sets the tone of the vibe of the house – bold and playful – and foretells the different colour stories that will unfold in the various rooms throughout the home. The door pictured in the hall opens to a cosy den.
Read Also: Explore Sandra Bullock’s Coastal Chic Home
DEN
The laidback den is fresh with a white corner sofa with pops of colour coming from the Christian Lacroix upholstered cushions. A shagreen side table sits between the blue swivel chairs and a gilt antique chair, c. 1880, is used as a desk chair. The owner's grandmother’s china is displayed with Fornasetti plates on the wall while Matthew Studio knobs of clear quartz with brass dress up the white built-in desk.
Read Also:Inside The Obama's Stunning New Home
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
LIVING ROOM
The semi-open entrance hall leads into the living room with lounge seating and a built-in bar. With a flair for entertaining, the husband requested a statement bar in a lounge-like setting in the living room which has an expansive view of the ocean.
Custom sofa and chaise in Sahco fabric accented with pillows and ottomans in Missoni fabric create a lounge area to enjoy the ocean view outside. The 48” square brass cocktail table is hand-hammered and crafted by local artisans in Los Angeles.
The built-in bar is designed to look like a piece of furniture with slate blue lacquer finish, stripe marmara marble countertop, and matching cabinet and appliance pulls in white burnished bronze. Mirrored exposed back reflecting outside view, floating glass shelves and cantilevered racks give a sense of lightness, and display glassware and wine bottles like a retail showcase.
Read Also:Cool and Stylish Home Bar Ideas and Inspiration
DINING ROOM
A rift-oak table with brass-finish base is surrounded by custom benches with tropical Christian Lacroix fabric and Milo Baughman chairs to create a comfortable yet dramatic dining room.
Read Also:Statement Dining Room Lighting
KITCHEN
Keeping the design sleek but balanced with a traditional warmth, white cabinetry is fitted with satin brass hardware from Nest Studio and accented with glass mosaic backsplash.
Read Also:Striking And Stylish White Kitchen Ideas
The adjacent breakfast nook gets an inviting built-in banquet for casual dining. The Milo Baughman dining chairs sit around a Julian Chichester dining table. The breakfast nook chandelier is from Arteriors.
Read Also:35 Strikingly Stylish Kitchen Breakfast Bar Ideas
CLOAKROOM
Continuing the fresh coastal glamour into the cloakroom, the whitewashed oak bath vanity is mixed with unlacquered brass hardware, panels of beveled wall mirror and a pair of Murano sconces.
Read Also:Cloakroom And Powder Room Ideas
MASTER BEDROOM
Layering in visual depth, a navy upholstered bed is flanked by a silver-finish nightstand and a shagreen desk. Table lamps are vintage, gilt desk chair is an antique and re-upholstered with a Rubelli fabric, and wool & bamboo silk rug is Indian.
Read Also:Beautiful bedroom ideas
MASTER BATHROOM
In the master bathroom, a freestanding bathtub sits on dark wood floors surrounded by an accent wall of wave design marble & mother of pearl mosaic. His-and-her custom designed dark lacquer bath vanities are bejeweled with lucite and nickel hardware.
Read Also:Beautiful Bathroom Tile Ideas
All photography is by Joe Schmelzer unless otherwise stated.
Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.
-
How to Make Dying Succulents Thrive Again — 7 Expert Ways to Rescue Your Plants
Whether they're overwatered, under-watered or otherwise unwell, succulents can recover with these simple steps
By Jacky Parker Published
-
What Color Countertop is Best for a Small Kitchen? Experts Recommend These 5 Space-Busting Tones
Your countertop color and material palette is an important decision in any kitchen, but particularly in a small one — here's what the experts say
By Aditi Sharma Maheshwari Published
-
Tour a mid-century house in Philadelphia with a modern take on Mad Men style
This mid-century house in Philadelphia is a modern take on mid-century design and the perfect backdrop for this enviable collection of art and objects
By Livingetc Last updated
-
This modern Edwardian house in Melbourne is small but mighty
It may be small, but thanks to its ingenious design, this Edwardian house in Melbourne makes family living a breeze
By Livingetc Last updated
-
Old meets new in this apartment in New York's East Village - a former community centre built in 1860
The owner of this loft-style apartment in New York's East Village mixes ancient and modern with timeworn pieces, design classics and his own abstract art...
By Livingetc Last updated
-
Explore this super-contemporary coastal house in Cornwall
This coastal house in Cornwall is all about drinking in the uninterrupted views of nature at its most raw, most pure…
By Livingetc Last updated
-
Explore this spacious detached 1900s house in southeast London with stylish modern interiors
Edgy textures, luxe materials and a mix of vintage and bargain buys transformed a blank detached 1900s house in southeast London into a home full of personality.
By Livingetc Last updated
-
This large house in west London is minimal yet playful
A firefighter’s pole in the kitchen and a slide down the stairs? This house in west London proves minimalism can also be fun.
By Livingetc Last updated
-
Inside A Clever Garden Room That Doubles As A Chic Guest House
This striking garden room design incorporates a sleeping area, kitchenette, loo and shower, as well as plenty of storage space, making it ideal as both a self-contained guest house or a restful retreat to escape to.
By Lotte Brouwer Published
-
This light and bright Victorian terrace in west London is relaxed yet stylish
This chic Victorian terrace in west London is full of clever ideas that allow it to evolve.
By Livingetc Last updated