We all have them. The houses that we find in our favorite magazines & fall in love with. I have two and this is one of them. A modest beach house on the shores of the pacific ocean.
A topiary atop a French wheelbarrow greets visitors at the front gate.
Flagstone steps bring you down to a lush courtyard. I love the fretwork on the stair rail and balcony.
A simplified palette of the sun-soaked living room sets the tone for the entire house. Seagrass flooring and French doors keep it California casual.
Walls throughout were painted cream and antiqued with a subtle ochre glaze. No formal dining area here. The curved banquette and trestle table seats ten but is also used for homework by the children.
The small but very pretty kitchen lives large with the family of five. Soft white paint covers the rustic vaulted ceilings and keeps the area light.
Honey-hued oak plank flooring was gouged and scratched on-site for a distressed look. A comfortable sitting area for informal meals opens to the courtyard and is furnished for family time together. I love the birds sitting on the drapery rod.
The designer utilized every inch of the kitchen and tucked a cozy reading or breakfast nook next to the kitchen fireplace. Did I mention that this house has four fireplaces...Perfect for those chilly evenings when the fog rolls in. I miss the fog!
The master suite is upstairs and basks in the sun-streaked palette. Wall-to-wall seagrass, creamy walls, and whitewashed ceilings allow the view of the pacific to be the main focus.
On the opposite side of the suite, another fireplace is flanked by built-ins. One conceals a pop-up television. Roman shades never interfere with the views.
A dressing area appears twice the size thanks to a bank of mirrored closet doors.
What used to be the master bath is now son Charlie's bedroom. Interior lighting and glass-paneled doors make the closet seem like part of the room.
A small carpentry bench is a playful place for extra storage in Charlie's bath.
Cher Stone Beall is the talented interior designer who grabbed a hold of this little 1930's beach house. By redefining rooms, changing windows, and being space-savvy, she turned the original 2,200 square feet into a charming beach beauty that the whole family can enjoy.
Just goes to show that good design never goes out of style.
An original article from Traditional Home July 2001.
All photos by Jon Jensen for Traditional Home
