Looking at it now, it’s hard to imagine, but until recently, this cool, quiet and relaxed seaside holiday home was outdated and in poor condition.
The original House design Dating back to the 1980s, this is a classic California coastal ranch in an idyllic spot overlooking Butterfly Beach in Montecito. The location couldn’t be better, but the house had to be torn down to the beams to repair the damage from previous leaks, wood rot and lack of insulation.
Undaunted and excited to work with a new canvas, interior designer Jennifer Miller worked with Two Trees Architecture and Unander Construction to remodel, modernize and beautify the home. “The team began by cleaning up the dated architecture and centering door and window openings to bring discipline and cohesion to the home,” says designer Jennifer. “Inspired by the ocean views and native landscape that surrounds the property, we focused on creating a clean, modern design that was true to the spirit and soul of a Montecito beach house.”
Join the tour as Jennifer selects her highlights and explains how she brought this special home back to life.
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
Living room ideas The elements developed for the new look of the space were designed to complement the existing ceiling with its exposed boards of varying widths and represent one of the few original features remaining from the original house.
“This living room is special with the fireplace facing the steel windows,” adds Jennifer. “Stone anchors the space and balances the water experience with the cozy indoor space where the homeowners can enjoy the fire on cooler nights and days.”
The new fireplace surround in the living room is a clean and modern bluish-gray soapstone with a minimally raised edge that echoes the moldings around doors and windows. A seascape painting by Mary Ellen Bartley completes the scene with sconces by Apparatus and a vintage ceiling light from L7 in Los Angeles. The wood block side table is by Rose Unaicke.
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
Almost all rooms have a sea view, so it was important to highlight this and connect the indoor and outdoor areas.
“A big part of the plan was to make the windows and doors as large as possible without losing sight of the architecture,” says Jennifer. “Black steel windows/doors were installed in all public spaces to blur the boundaries between inside and outside.”
Artwork throughout the home explores various aspects of the ocean and water sports. Here, vintage surfing photos from local beaches frame the wall between the living room and kitchen.
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
The planked ceiling with varying widths was replicated in the dining room to connect it to the living room. “In fact, we used wood paneling in all the common areas and painted it white to create a light, beach-like feel,” says designer Jennifer.
“The moldings around doors and windows are straight and simple with a 1/4 inch high edge, similar to a modern picture frame. In the center of the dining room we placed an oversized custom plaster pendant light. The room has tons of natural light as it has windows/doors on three sides and beautiful views of the backyard and ocean.”
The table and console are custom made. The dining chairs are from Crate & Barrel, the wicker chairs are from William Laman Furniture Garden Antiques.
Jennifer Miller Studio is a Los Angeles-based interior design firm led by founder and CEO Jennifer Miller. Jennifer has a deep understanding of how our environments shape our lives. Her mission is to bring beauty and thoughtful design to her clients’ everyday experiences.
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
The beautifully designed compact kitchen contains everything needed in a holiday home, especially one where much of the cooking and eating takes place outdoors.
Kitchen ideas for this interior reflect the coastal colors of the location. “Gray-blue upper cabinets with soft, textured glass fronts and white interiors create visual depth and layers in this smaller space,” says Jennifer. “The dark blue marble countertops have a leather finish that highlights the grain for a textured feel, and a vintage Murano pendant light with modern bronze hardware completes the space.”
The bar stools are from Restoration Hardware, the tiles are from Country Floors and the plumbing is from Watermark.
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
The outdoor spaces were especially important for this home as the owners spend a lot of time outdoors due to the climate, location and views.
“We worked to create plenty of outdoor spaces for relaxing and entertaining, and also repaired some architectural elements,” says Jennifer. “Small pathways, large boulders and steps transformed an awkward and unusable slope, creating balance and a sense of importance. Natural materials such as teak and wicker were chosen for seating to balance the architectural elements of glass and steel.”
The chairs are from Palecek, the garden tables, sofas and chaise longues are from Teak Warehouse.
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
Directly behind the entrance door are these simple Ideas for the entrance Create a tranquil transitional area between the front yard and the heart of the home. A vintage console with an assortment of flowers and greenery sets the tone for the rest of the home, where the furniture is a carefully curated mix of existing pieces from the client’s previous homes and new custom-made pieces. To counterbalance the home’s straight lines and hard angles, the design team wanted to introduce softness and curves.
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
Bedroom ideas for the master bedroom is designed to create a calming sanctuary. Soft grey walls with a touch of pattern in the soft furnishings add interest and texture, but remain understated and sophisticated. A fireplace and elegant new surround add a touch of luxury and deep comfort.
“The team created a sloped roof to replace an odd step that was present in the original design,” says Jennifer.
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
Bathroom ideas The master bathroom is all about contrast. “We chose a bold patterned wallpaper, complemented by a marble vanity and window frames, textured tiles, and high-end fixtures and lighting,” explains designer Jennifer. “The wallpaper adds a beachy, playful accent to the sophisticated fixtures.”
(Photo credit: Michael Clifford)
As you can clearly see from this angle, all of the windows and doors were newly installed, with a deliberate mix of steel and wood. The steel windows accentuate the ocean views and give the home a more modern look, making it almost unrecognizable from the ordinary 1980s home the design team tackled at the start of the two-year transformation. “It really was a case study in how much you can transform a mediocre home and give it new integrity with subtle/meaningful architectural details,” says Jennifer. “We are thrilled with the finished look.”
Interior design: Jennifer Miller Studio
Architecture: Two Trees Architects
Construction: Unander Construction
