After we first started creating the plans for Zuma Seaside Home, certainly one of our greatest desires was that it could be a spot that brings individuals collectively. A house the place household and mates might collect, share gradual meals round an outside desk, and collect across the firepit because the solar goes down. I need it to really feel like a delicate touchdown—a spot the place everybody’s tempo slows down the second they stroll within the door.
That’s the method we’ve taken as we’ve designed the indoor-outdoor nice room and media room, nevertheless it’s additionally for the personal corners of the house—just like the visitor room and bathtub—the place hospitality actually shines. An area the place visitors can get up with the solar or linger in mattress awhile longer, make a cup of espresso or curl up with a good ebook. The place they really feel cared for and at residence.
First, My Design Inspiration:

Designing a Retreat in a Small Area
The problem is twofold: the visitor room is small, and there’s no closet. Not even a sliver of storage. And whereas having a cabinet-maker design a {custom} built-in was tempting, the quotes got here in nicely over what we’d budgeted for the area. Nonetheless, I didn’t wish to compromise on the sensation, and knew that I needed visitors to have the ability to unpack their baggage and have a clear surroundings. I saved coming again to boutique lodge rooms we’ve stayed in by way of the years: although compact, the perfect accommodations are fantastically designed with every thing you want.
The reply got here within the type of a semi-custom resolution. We’ll be shopping for the IKEA PAX wardrobe system, paired with {custom} walnut doorways from Fronteriors. We’re taking the unit all the best way to the ceiling for a real built-in look. And to make it extra than simply storage, we’re constructing on a easy, walnut desk tucked into the aspect: a 39-inch desktop and a aspect panel in the identical end, so it looks like one cohesive piece of furnishings. This fashion, visitors could have a small workspace or espresso spot proper within the privateness of their room.
That is what I really like in regards to the design course of—discovering artistic, attainable options that don’t sacrifice magnificence or perform.

Open to the Outside
The complete design character of Zuma Seaside Home is constructed round a seamless circulation between the indoors and outside. Within the visitor room, a sliding glass door opens to a personal patio enclosed in heat wooden fencing. My hope is that visitors will step outdoors within the morning with their espresso, or take a second within the afternoon to put within the hammock and nod off.
To supply texture and privateness, we’re layering two units of curtains from Graber— one light-blocking, one sheer—mounted on a flush observe within the ceiling so the {hardware} disappears. It’s these seemingly small particulars that actually make an area really feel architecturally-driven and actually serene.

To Vault or To not Vault
Our greatest funding on this room was the choice to vault the ceilings. The earlier area had low, flat ceilings that made it really feel a bit darkish and cramped. Thought it meant stretching the finances, we finally determined that creating the sense of area and airiness was price it. In a small room, openness is every thing—it turns a easy bed room into a extremely particular area.
Within the middle, we’re hanging this outsized, statement-making fixture: the Samsara Chandelier by Currey & Firm from Lightology. Crafted from thick bent rattan, it’s each sculptural and natural. Although some would possibly shrink back from such a big piece in a small area, I really like utilizing this distinction in scale to create a stupendous, textural point of interest.

A Loungey Tackle Bedside Lighting
Relating to creating temper, lighting actually is every thing. I knew I needed to make use of the Dax Wall Sconces in Brass from Lightology on both aspect of the mattress, however when my builder requested for mounting peak, I hesitated. Customary recommendation often says to mount sconces above the headboard (round 55″–60″ from the ground.) However I saved picturing a decrease, extra relaxed glow to match the low-profile mattress. In the long run, I went with my intestine and set them at 38–40 inches from the ground. It’s a small riot in opposition to the design rulebook, however I believe it’s going to make the area really feel extra relaxed and loungy.
A Small however Soulful Lavatory
Just like the bed room, the visitor bathtub has a small footprint and must ship on each perform and feeling. To maintain it from feeling overly utilitarian, I went all in with my design dream to cowl the flooring and the bathe partitions on this attractive unglazed pure zellige tile from Zia tile. The heat and texture of this tile will rework the area right into a Moroccan spa, and I can’t wait to see the way it comes collectively.
Our plumbing fixtures are unlacquered brass from Kallista’s one assortment—I really like the “residing” end that may proceed to develop character and patina over time. And sure, it’s potential to be obsessive about a bathroom: our ME by Starck Wall Mounted Bathroom from Duravit is so purposeful and beautifully-designed. Modern, minimal, and comfy—it’s the type of small luxurious that elevates on a regular basis routines in the easiest way.
Over the vainness, I’m hanging the Kasbah Rattan Pendant by Woven from Lightology. It’s timeless and charming made from pure supplies.

Partitions Like a Cloud
All through each rooms, we’re utilizing Patagonia Roman Clay by Portola Paints. It’s heat and lightweight with simply sufficient motion to offer the partitions a textural, cloud-like softness. In a house outlined by heat minimalism and Japandi influences, the partitions play as huge a job because the furnishings—they set the temper earlier than you discover a single piece of decor.
Design for How You Need to Really feel
In the long run, this visitor suite isn’t only a bed room and toilet—it’s an area to decelerate and benefit from the second. I’ve shared earlier than that my design ethos begins from defining the way you wish to really feel, and that’s very true for this venture. Each selection, from the hammock outdoors to the patinaed brass within the bathe, is supposed to really feel like a deep breath and an invite to attach with nature and the individuals round us.
As a result of the actual dream for Zuma Seaside Home isn’t simply lovely areas—it’s the recollections we’ll make with individuals who fill them.