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 somewhat extra actual (observe together with real-time updates on my Instagram.)
Right now, we’re diving into an area I’ve been fascinated with since we first started this journey 5 years in the past: We’re calling it the “Media Room” and it’ll function our cozy household room area. This room would be the website 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 related and design-forward.
Vaulted Ceilings for a Extra Spacious Really feel
One of many greatest transformations on this room would be the ceiling. I bear in mind once we first toured the home with our realtor—all of us agreed that its greatest unfavorable was the low ceilings which made your complete area really feel a bit cramped. So, one in every of our first design selections was to vault the ceiling, and the change can be dramatic. If you stroll into the brand new area, it would really feel expansive and ethereal—with no need to extend the sq. footage of the room itself.
The Earlier than—and Our Plans for the After
Constructed-Ins Made to Be Stunning and Useful
The center 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, children!). Our imaginative and prescient for this home is that it fosters a life-style round time spent open air, gathered across the desk, or sharing sluggish mornings collectively—not consistently 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 guide 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 would like the built-ins to really feel refined and built-in into the house’s design, fairly than overly utilitarian. We’ll be incorporating closed cabinetry alongside the decrease half for issues like board video games, additional blankets, and units.
Oak vs. Cane: Selecting the Cupboard Fronts
For the built-in cabinetry, I explored two instructions: stable oak and cane-front panels. Cane brings such stunning texture, and we modeled each choices within the area to match facet by facet. Ultimately, we determined to go along with stable oak for its simplicity and timelessness. The purpose is for this area to really feel heat and welcoming, and I needed to keep away from something too stylish that we’d tire of down the road. Listed here are the visualizations so you may see each choices. Which will get your vote?
Framing the Doorway With an Arch
Initially, the design plans confirmed an ordinary 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 cherished the replace. It’s a small change that provides a lot character. I really 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 would like as a lot indoor-outdoor movement on this room as doable. To realize this, we’re putting in two units of glass pocket doorways from Marvin that can absolutely open to the yard and ocean view. These doorways will permit us to utterly blur the boundaries between indoors and out—after they’re open, it would really feel like one giant indoor-outdoor area.
So as to add softness and filter the pure gentle, we’ll be utilizing Graber’s floor-to-ceiling material. The monitor can be recessed into the ceiling for a seamless look that doesn’t distract from the structure.
Making Area for What Issues
I’ll be trustworthy, at first I used to be nervous that this area 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 closing 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 recollections 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 area come to life—and share the completed outcome with you quickly!
