Sure, Our 1,000 Sq. Foot Addition Is Principally One Large Kitchen—This is Why

After we determined so as to add 1,000 sq. ft to our Malibu seaside home as a part of the renovation, I initially envisioned dividing it amongst completely different areas—extending the first suite, perhaps including a brand new lavatory and closet, increasing the kitchen. That type of factor. So when our architect, Doug Burdge, introduced his first draft of the renovation plans, I used to be stunned to see all the extra sq. footage allotted to a single house labeled “The Nice Room.“

At first look, I noticed one expansive, open-concept kitchen with a hearth at one finish. My rapid response? Are we positive that’s the perfect use of house? However as I studied Doug’s imaginative and prescient, I noticed he was designing with a distinctly trendy strategy—one which prioritized our wants and private values over conventional expectations.

For our household, creating an environment of connection and making individuals really feel welcome is our prime precedence. And what higher option to foster that sense of togetherness than with a spacious, open room designed for gathering? As I flipped by way of my inspiration pictures and imagined household holidays and dinners with associates on this home, I grew extra excited concerning the house and every thing it could possibly be.

Earlier than we dive into the plans, let’s check out the kitchen because it stands at the moment—so you possibly can see precisely why we’re ranging from scratch.

Right here is the present kitchen:

The present bungalow kitchen is wedged right into a nook of the again of the home. Once I’m cooking or doing dishes, my again is turned to anybody else within the room. Total it has a closed-off feeling that’s not conducive to my fashion of cooking, which is all about casually conversing with Adam or my children whereas I chop.

I’ve a long-held dream of an enormous kitchen window above the sink that floods the room with sunshine.

It’s a design ingredient I’ve by no means had in a home that I’ve lived in, therefore why my “Dream Kitchen” Pinterest board is roofed in large kitchen home windows.

Right here’s the brand new location for our Nice Room / Kitchen:

And right here’s a birds eye view to present context for the way the addition will match into the house:

The Renderings

We labored with Yousee Studio to create 3D visualizations of Doug’s plans. The renderings have been extremely useful in house planning, and it’s additionally helped us visualize how the supplies and colour palette will come collectively.

Initially, there was a built-in banquette on one finish of the room, however after seeing it within the render, we realized that it will make the room really feel a bit too tight. So we eliminated it, and as an alternative positioned a small sitting space close to the fireside that can double as a lounge space and a eating house for two – 4 individuals.

Beneath, I’ve paired every rendering with a selected function of the room as an instance how this house will operate.

Wall of doorways that absolutely open

I feel that each home ought to have one ingredient that makes a serious assertion. It’s the design second that, if visitors keep in mind little else, at the very least they received’t overlook that one particular factor. In our seaside home mission, the 30-foot wall of pocket doorways that open straight to the surface is, definitely, that assertion. Since one of many causes we’re drawn to Southern California is the power to spend 12 months of the 12 months exterior, considered one of our prime priorities is making a pure circulation between the indoors and out. All of our home windows and doorways are coming from Marvin, and I’m actually excited concerning the lovely wood-framed picks we’re going with.

Plus, this seamless transition allows us to show the coated terrace into an outside eating room that can really feel like a part of the nice room house. No, it’s not a standard strategy to a eating room, however for a household that likes to eat as many meals open air as doable, it really works.

Outsized kitchen island

The Nice Room’s focus is a 13-foot kitchen island that in the first place felt nearly too large, however upon additional investigation, is scaled good in context with the scale of this room. This can be a hardworking island that can greater than earn its maintain—not solely will it’s the central gathering place for kitchen prep and informal eating, however it’s going to additionally home the cooktop and predominant sink, plus tons of storage. The inside aspect of the island may have deep drawers the place we’ll maintain every thing from plates and bowls to flatware. The aspect going through outward may have open shelving for cookbooks and show objects on the corners with house for barstools within the heart. Since the remainder of the kitchen has minimal cabinetry, we’re counting on this island to carry a lot.

We’re utilizing kitchen home equipment from Bertazonni, an iconic Italian model that I’ve cherished for years. I can’t wait to lastly have their design-driven items in my residence.

Supplies impressed by nature

As I shared in my Seaside Home supplies put up, we’re utilizing pure parts all through the home—stone, wooden, linen, and clay. These supplies deliver an natural heat that feels each grounding and timeless. As we’ve refined our picks, these parts have guided our selections, illuminating the earthy hues that naturally include them. Listed here are the supplies that can outline the Nice Room house:

For the partitions: Roman Clay by Portola (colour TBD). I need to seize the cloudlike shade and texture seen within the renderings—not too creamy, however not too gray, both. Because it will get nearer, I’ll work with the Portola group to seek out the appropriate colour (or mixture) and certain pattern a number of choices.

For the counter tops: Caesarstone Porcelain in Aluminous. I’ve been drawn to a shade that resembles concrete—I like the interaction with pure wooden. However I wished the sturdiness and performance of Caesarstone porcelain. The shade known as Aluminous is described as “a light, neutral surface that looks like fresh cement, porous and slightly uneven, contrasted by fine-grey grains and a soft stony appearance that add a rocklike texture.”

For the flooring: We’re utilizing Stuga flooring within the shade “Ingrid“. These are engineered hardwood flooring with a very beautiful pure aesthetic. The huge planks will deliver heat and timelessness to the house and I like the matte end of this one.

For the plumbing fixtures: Unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures from Kallista had been one of many first design selections I made for this house! It’s a small element that makes a serious distinction. I like the heat and patina that unlacquered brass brings to a kitchen, and it’ll really feel proper at residence within the wabi sabi, sun-bleached palette I’m envisioning for the home. We’ll have two sinks within the kitchen, and each taps are from the One Assortment.

Fire to anchor the room

Since we’re not including a chosen “living room” to the home, we’ve carved out one finish of the nice room as the world the place we’ll cozy up with a glass of wine and ebook. And there’s nothing like a hearth to welcome everybody to kick up their ft —plus it’s a design ingredient that can present clear differentiation between the “cooking” a part of the room and the “relaxing” a part of the room, regardless that they received’t be separated by an precise wall. We’re planning to place a spherical desk surrounded by low-slung chairs in entrance of the fireplace—an inviting spot for a comfortable dinner for 2 or recreation evening with the children.

Beverage station

I wished to design the extra “lounge-y” aspect of the nice room (close to the fireside) in a means that flowed with the kitchen, however didn’t really feel such as you had been nonetheless in the kitchen. Nonetheless, since we traded in most of our higher cabinetry for an enormous kitchen window (extra on that under), we wanted all the additional storage we might get. So, I designated the wall that runs perpendicular to the fireside as a bar and beverage station. It is going to maintain sensible gadgets like wine storage, coffeemaker, mugs, and glassware. And it’ll additionally function extra design-forward parts, like our classic turntable and sculptural objects on the open shelving, to maintain it from feeling an excessive amount of like a part of the kitchen. 

And Lastly… My Dream Kitchen Window

As talked about, I’ve lengthy dreamed of an announcement kitchen window that floods the house with sunshine. And never solely will our 10-foot huge x 7-foot excessive window let in tons of pure gentle, however it is usually a completely functioning window that opens as much as the again patio. There might be a counter on the outside aspect that’s good for serving drinks and passing meals to throw on the grill.

I can’t wait till the day after I’m prepping for dinner with the music turned up, glass of wine in hand, and ocean breezes blowing in by way of the open doorways!

One design resolution I’m nonetheless considering is what kind of tree to plant simply exterior this window. Because the visible focus to this room, it’s as essential to the design parts as any inside piece of artwork, so I’m approaching it with the identical degree of thoughtfulness. As of now, my prime contenders are both a gnarly, twisting decorative olive tree, or a lush citrus tree—simply think about with the ability to open up the window and pluck a ripe orange proper off the branches! Be happy to weigh in in on the feedback.