As we gear up for renovations on our beach house in Malibu, it's a great time to share some "before" images of the home and address a few questions I've received since announcing the project last month. Let's jump right in!
What led us to the Malibu house?
The journey to Zuma Beach House began during the early months of the pandemic while we were confined in Austin. With distractions minimized, we reassessed our life choices. Adam and I had discussed the dream of a beach getaway for years, but it always felt like a distant goal.
However, the pandemic shifted our perspective—work and life could happen anywhere. After selling our downtown studio, we found ourselves questioning why we hadn't taken action on our long-held dream.
Instead of waiting for a vague future, could we start pursuing our dream right now?
Above: images from the MLS listing when we first discovered the house in 2020.
Before we knew it, we were browsing real estate options in Malibu. One particular 1950's bungalow caught our eye on Redfin due to its unique layout. Despite its flaws, it offered stunning sunset views, inviting sea breezes, and a garden filled with citrus and avocado trees. When we learned the seller had reduced the price, we quickly booked flights and visited the property two days later. The rest, as they say, is history—though it did involve some stressful months of negotiations, we ultimately secured the house.
That was back in August 2020, and since then, we've teamed up with architect Doug Burdge to reimagine the layout and create a space that aligns with our vision for family living.
Check out this video tour from our first summer in the house...
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Why did we choose Malibu? Do we have family nearby?
Not really—Adam hails from San Diego, while I'm from Texas. We've both lived in Austin for over 15 years, where our families mostly reside. Yet, even before meeting, we both felt drawn to the West Coast. I remember visiting LA for the first time at 18, instantly feeling at home.
Since marrying, we've visited Malibu more often, deepening our love for the area. The surf culture and nature-centric lifestyle resonate with us. The north part of Malibu is about waves, farms, and trails rather than celebrity sightings. We enjoy cooking at home, gathering with friends, and gazing at the stars, all while relishing the slower pace that contrasts with our busy lives in Austin.
Above: the house in summer 2022 after a simple refresh to get us through the pre-renovation phase.
Where's the Malibu house located?
Our home is situated on the north end of Malibu, just north of Point Dume and across from Zuma Beach. We're lucky to have several beautiful beaches nearby. During our visits, we're at the beach every day—strolling in the mornings, trying to surf, or searching for seashells at low tide. There aren't many restaurants in the area, which suits us just fine as it encourages home-cooked meals and gatherings.
What attracted us to this specific house?
The house is a 1950's ranch-style bungalow. While it has its charming aspects, the property itself is the real draw. Set on just under an acre overlooking Zuma Beach, it boasts tall palm trees and flourishing citrus and avocado trees. Located on a quiet street near a horse farm, the house does have some significant challenges that we had to carefully evaluate before purchasing.
One downside is a large electrical pole obstructing our beach view. While not ideal, we're working with the city to have it buried underground. After nearly two years, we're close to resolving this issue. Another concern is the low ceilings and an awkward floor plan that can leave guests feeling disoriented, despite the house being only 1400 square feet. The first time we visited, we spent the night brainstorming how to make the layout work—only to realize we might need to tear down most of the interior walls.
On the plus side, the house is filled with natural light—every photograph highlights its beauty, despite the outdated features. Inside, you still feel connected to nature, and that's something I want to carry into the renovated space.
What will the renovation entail?
Our talented architect Doug has crafted a plan to maintain the house's original footprint while reworking the interior layout for better functionality. We'll be adding a 1,000 square foot great room that will include a spacious kitchen and living area. Additionally, we'll vault the ceilings to create a more open feel. The existing 600 square foot guest house will maintain its footprint, but we'll completely renovate the interior to create a chic, boutique hotel-style one-bedroom loft.
