Once 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, possibly including on a brand new rest room and closet, increasing the kitchen. That kind of factor. So, after I laid eyes on our architect Doug Burdge’s first draft of our renovation plans, I used to be stunned that he’d put all of our extra sq. footage into one area, which he dubbed “The Nice Room.” Upon larger examination, it turned out to be one big open kitchen with a hearth on one finish. Huh.
Although my preliminary response was shock (“Are we positive that’s the very best use of area?”), Doug’s plan revealed what I think about to be a really trendy strategy to structure—designing with our wants and private values first, even when that meant throwing out just a few expectations within the course of.
Since our household’s high precedence is to create an environment for connection and making folks really feel welcome, what higher option to foster that sense of togetherness than by one large open room that’s made for gathering? The extra I appeared by my inspiration photographs and envisioned the household holidays and dinners with pals on this home, the extra excited I acquired concerning the area.
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. General it has a closed-off feeling that’s not conducive to my model of cooking, which is all about casually conversing with Adam or my children whereas I chop.
I’ve a long-held dream of an enormous 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 enormous 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—word that colours and finishes aren’t correct but, however this exhibits the area:
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 the open doorways.
Listed below are just a few of the important thing parts that we’ve carved out for this area:
Wall of doorways that absolutely opens
I feel that each home ought to have one component that makes a significant assertion. It’s the design second that, if visitors bear in mind little else, no less than they gained’t neglect it. In our seashore home venture, the 30-foot wall of pocket doorways that open straight to the surface 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, considered one of our high priorities is making a pure circulate between the indoors and out. All of our home windows and doorways are coming from Marvin, and I’m actually excited concerning the stunning wood-framed alternatives we’re going with.
PHOTO: inspiration picture from our dwelling tour with jodie fried
Plus, this seamless transition permits us to show the coated terrace into an outside eating room that may really feel like a part of the nice room area. No, it’s not a standard strategy to a eating room, however for a household that likes to eat as many meals open air as potential, 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. This can be 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’s going to additionally home the cooktop and predominant sink, plus tons of storage. The inside aspect of the island could have deep drawers the place we’ll preserve all the things from plates and bowls to flatware. The aspect dealing with outward could have open shelving for cookbooks and show objects on the corners with area for barstools within the heart. 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
Hearth to anchor the room
Since we’re not including a chosen “lounge” 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 a great ebook. And there’s nothing like a hearth 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, regardless that 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 comfy dinner for 2 or sport night time with the children.
Beverage station
I wished to design the extra “lounge-y” aspect of the nice room (close to the hearth) in a manner 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 an enormous kitchen window (extra on that under), we would have liked 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’s going to maintain sensible gadgets like wine storage, coffeemaker, mugs, and glassware. And it’ll additionally characteristic extra design-forward parts, 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 large 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 large x 6-foot excessive window let in tons of pure mild, however it’s also a completely functioning slider that opens as much as the again patio. There shall be a counter on the outside aspect that’s good for serving drinks and passing meals to throw on the grill.
One design determination 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 parts 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.
