We are officers in the exciting part of our Malibu renewal: the concrete has poured the leg for the addition, the frame is made for the original footprint, and we are currently framing the new large room/kitchen. Every week, it feels a bit more real (follow real -time updates on my Instagram).
Today, we are immersing a space where I have been thinking since we started this trip five years ago: we call it the “Media Room” and serves at the service of the family hall of Famfy. This room will be the site of the movie nights, in addition to everything relaxing and leaving together as a family. It is “operation: cozy”, and this is how we are designing a space that feels connected and design forward.
Vaulted ceilings for a more spacious feeling
One of the greatest transformations in this room will be the roof. I remember when we toured the house for the first time with our real estate agent: we all agree that their greatest negative were the low roofs that made everything feel a bit narrow. Then, one of our first design decisions was to increase the roof, and the change will be dramatic. When you enter the new space, you will feel expansive and airy with the need to increase the square feet of the room itself.
The before – and our plans for the later
Embedded made to be beautiful and Functional
The heart of the room will be a complete wall of open shelves, storage drawers and a paint television. This will be the only television in the house, which is an intentional choice (I’m sorry, children!). Our vision for this house is that it encourages a lifestyle around the time that passes outdoors, gathered around the table or shares slow morning together, not constantly on the screens. This room will be where we accumulate on the couch for cinema nights, to play board games or curl up with a book on cloudy days.
Open shelves are designed for more than storage, we think we definitely need it. It is also where we will exhibit favorite books, sculptural pieces, vessels and collected findings. I want the accumulations to feel refined and integrated in the design of the house, instead of being utilitarian. We will incorporate closed cabinets throughout the lower half for table things, additional blankets and devices.
Oak vs. Cane: choosing the front fronts
For the construction of cabinets, I explored two directions: solid oak and cane panels. Cane brings such a beautiful texture, and we model both options in the space to compare one next to the other. In the end, we decided to go with solid oak for its simplicity and timelessness. The goal is for this space to feel warm and cozy, and wanted to avoid anything too modern that we can tire in the future. Here are the visualizations so you can see both options. Which one does your vote get?
Frame the door with an arc
Initially, the design plans showed a standard when opening the large room connection with the Media Room. He instinctively knew that he could have more interest and architecture, so we model it with an arc and we loved the update. It is a small change that adds so much character. I love how the curve softens the transition between spaces and brings a high and personalized sensation that nods the Mediterranean influences through the home.
Blur the lines between the interior and the outside
As in the rest of the house, we want as much external internal flow in this room. To achieve this, we are installing two marvin glass pocket doors games that will open completely to the backyard and the ocean. These doors will allow us to complete the boundaries between the interior and the outside, which are open, will feel like a large exterior interior space.
To add softness and filter the natural light, we will use the curtains from the floor to the record roof. The track will be embedded on the ceiling for a perfect appearance that does not distract architecture.
Make space for what matters
I will be honest, at first I was nervous that this space would feel more utilitarian than the rest of the house. I didn’t want it to revolve around the needs of TV or storage. I am very happy with our final designs, which feel as driven by the design as the rest of the plans and fit directly into our aesthetics of the Japandi Beach House. I can already visualize the memories that we will do in this room: table games tournaments, cozy film nights and the simple joy of being together. Each design decision we have taken, from the advocated ceilings to the constructs cured, supports that feeling of comfort and intention.
