We’re formally within the thrilling a part of our Malibu renovation—concrete has been poured for the addition, framing is completed for the unique footprint, and we’re at the moment framing out the brand new nice room/kitchen. Each week, it’s feeling just a little extra actual (observe together with real-time updates on my Instagram.)
Immediately, we’re diving into an area I’ve been serious about since we first started this journey 5 years in the past: We’re calling it the “Media Room” and it’ll function our comfortable household room house. This room would be the web site of film nights, plus all of the enjoyable and hanging out collectively as a household. It’s “Operation: Cozy,” and right here’s how we’re designing an area that feels linked and design-forward.
Vaulted Ceilings for a Extra Spacious Really feel
One of many greatest transformations on this room would be the ceiling. I keep in mind after we first toured the home with our realtor—all of us agreed that its greatest destructive was the low ceilings which made the complete house really feel a bit cramped. So, considered one of our first design choices was to vault the ceiling, and the change can be dramatic. Once you stroll into the brand new house, it’ll really feel expansive and ethereal—without having to extend the sq. footage of the room itself.
The Earlier than—and Our Plans for the After
Constructed-Ins Made to Be Lovely and Purposeful
The guts of the room can be a full wall of built-ins—open shelving, drawers for storage, and a Body TV. This would be the solely TV in the home, which is an intentional alternative (sorry, youngsters!). Our imaginative and prescient for this home is that it fosters a life-style round time spent outside, gathered across the desk, or sharing sluggish mornings collectively—not always on screens. This room can be the place we pile on the sofa for film nights, to play board video games, or curl up with a ebook on overcast days.
The open cabinets are designed for extra than simply storage, although we positively want it. It’s additionally the place we’ll show favourite books, sculptural items, vessels, and picked up finds. I need the built-ins to really feel refined and built-in into the house’s design, moderately than overly utilitarian. We’ll be incorporating closed cabinetry alongside the decrease half for issues like board video games, further blankets, and gadgets.
Oak vs. Cane: Selecting the Cupboard Fronts
For the built-in cabinetry, I explored two instructions: strong oak and cane-front panels. Cane brings such stunning texture, and we modeled each choices within the house to match facet by facet. In the long run, we determined to go together with strong oak for its simplicity and timelessness. The purpose is for this house to really feel heat and welcoming, and I needed to keep away from something too fashionable that we would tire of down the road. Listed here are the visualizations so you possibly can see each choices. Which will get your vote?
Framing the Doorway With an Arch
Initially, the design plans confirmed a typical door opening connecting the Nice Room to the Media Room. I instinctively knew it may have extra character and architectural curiosity, so we modeled it with an arch and liked the replace. It’s a small change that provides a lot character. I like how the curve softens the transition between areas and brings an elevated, customized really feel that nods to the Mediterranean influences all through the house.
Blurring the Strains Between Indoors and Out
As in the remainder of the home, we wish as a lot indoor-outdoor movement on this room as potential. To realize this, we’re putting in two units of glass pocket doorways from Marvin that may absolutely open to the yard and ocean view. These doorways will enable us to utterly blur the boundaries between indoors and out—once they’re open, it’ll really feel like one giant indoor-outdoor house.
So as to add softness and filter the pure mild, we’ll be utilizing Graber’s floor-to-ceiling material. The observe can be recessed into the ceiling for a seamless look that doesn’t distract from the structure.
Making House for What Issues
I’ll be trustworthy, at first I used to be nervous that this house was going to really feel extra utilitarian than the remainder of the home. I didn’t need it to revolve across the TV or storage wants. I’m so pleased with our last designs, which really feel simply as design-driven as the remainder of the plans and match proper into our Japandi Seaside Home aesthetic. I can already visualize the reminiscences we’ll make on this room—board recreation tournaments, cozy film nights, and the easy pleasure of being collectively. Each design choice we’ve made, from the vaulted ceilings to the curated built-ins, helps that feeling of consolation and intention.
I can’t wait to see this house come to life—and share the completed end result with you quickly!
