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After we initially determined so as to add 1,000 sq. toes to our Malibu seashore home as a part of the renovation, I mentally divvied it up into numerous components of the home: extending the first suite, perhaps including on a brand new toilet and closet, increasing the kitchen. That kind of factor. So, once I laid eyes on our architect Doug Burdge’s first draft of our renovation plans, I used to be shocked that he’d put all of our further sq. footage into one house, which he dubbed “The Nice Room.” Upon higher examination, it turned out to be one large open kitchen with a fire on one finish. Huh.
Although my preliminary response was shock (“Are we positive that’s the perfect use of house?”), Doug’s plan revealed what I think about to be a really fashionable method to structure—designing with our wants and private values first, even when that meant throwing out a couple of expectations within the course of.
Since our household’s high precedence is to create an environment for connection and making individuals really feel welcome, what higher strategy to foster that sense of togetherness than by way of one massive open room that’s made for gathering? The extra I regarded by way of my inspiration pictures and envisioned the household holidays and dinners with mates on this home, the extra excited I acquired in regards to the house.
So, let’s begin with a take a look at the home’s present kitchen, to present you an thought of the less-than-ideal situations we’re working with (and why we’re ranging from scratch with it.)
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. Total 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 component I’ve by no means had in a home that I’ve lived in, therefore why my “Dream Kitchen” Pinterest board is roofed in large kitchen home windows.
And now, for the brand new Nice Room addition—I’ll lead with the visuals to present you an thought of what we’re envisioning, after which I’ll clarify. Right here is the inside rendering—notice that colours and finishes aren’t correct but, however this exhibits the house:
I can’t wait till the day once 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.
Listed below are a couple of of the important thing components that we’ve carved out for this house:
Wall of doorways that totally opens
I feel that each home ought to have one component 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 it. In our seashore home venture, the 30-foot wall of pocket doorways that open straight to the surface is, indubitably, that assertion. Since one of many causes we’re drawn to Southern California is the flexibility to spend 12 months of the yr exterior, certainly one of our high priorities is making a pure movement 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 stunning wood-framed alternatives we’re going with.
PHOTO: inspiration picture from our dwelling tour with jodie fried
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 method to a eating room, however for a household that likes to eat as many meals outdoor as potential, it really works.
Outsized kitchen island
The Nice Room’s focus is a 13-foot kitchen island that in the first place felt virtually too massive, however upon additional investigation, is scaled good in context with the dimensions 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 can additionally home the cooktop and foremost sink, plus tons of storage. The inside facet of the island could have deep drawers the place we’ll preserve all the pieces from plates and bowls to flatware. The facet going through outward could 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.
PHOTO: kitchen island inspo from our dwelling tour with Brian and Jessie De Lowe
Fire 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 realm the place we’ll cozy up with a glass of wine and an excellent guide. And there’s nothing like a fire to welcome everybody to kick up their toes —plus it’s a design component that may present clear differentiation between the “cooking” a part of the room and the “enjoyable” a part of the room, though 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 hearth—an inviting spot for a comfortable dinner for 2 or recreation night time with the children.
Beverage station
I wished to design the extra “lounge-y” facet of the good room (close to the hearth) 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 beneath), we wanted all the additional storage we may get. So, I designated the wall that runs perpendicular to the hearth as a bar and beverage station. It can 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 final however not least… I lastly get my massive kitchen window!
As talked about, I’ve lengthy dreamed of a press release kitchen window that floods the house with sunshine. And never solely will our 10-foot vast x 6-foot excessive window let in tons of pure mild, however it’s also a totally functioning slider that opens as much as the again patio. There shall be a counter on the outside facet that’s good for serving drinks and passing meals to throw on the grill.
One design resolution I’m nonetheless considering is what kind of tree to plant simply exterior this window. Because the visible focus 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 decorative olive tree, or a lush citrus tree—simply think about having the ability to open up the window and pluck a ripe orange proper off the branches! It’s onerous to image something dreamier, however I’ll let you realize the place we find yourself.
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