Zuma Beach House Chronicles: A New Chapter Begins

After years of anticipation, it's finally time to unveil our renovation journey. In 2020, we took the plunge to remodel a beach house in Malibu that captured our hearts. Nestled on an acre overlooking Zuma Beach, it boasts stunning views of a nearby horse farm and gardens filled with wild roses and olive trees. The air is fragrant with salt and jasmine, and sunsets paint the horizon where the ocean meets the mountains. It truly was love at first sight.

A few months later, we received the keys and began our adventure. We enlisted Doug Burdg, our talented architect from Malibu, to redesign the layout and expand the house by 1,000 square feet. We meticulously prepared and submitted our plans to the city, only to embark on a lengthy wait as we navigated the permitting process in Malibu. Little did we know that this dream would test our patience and resolve, but we remained committed to our vision.

Starting Fresh in Malibu

In my latest post, I delve deeper into our personal story, the lessons we've learned, and the emotions tied to building in an area recently impacted by tragedy. Today marks the kickoff of our Renovation Diaries series as we officially begin construction!

This will be the central hub for all updates on our Zuma Beach House project. My hope is that it will serve as a resource for fellow design enthusiasts and inspire others on their renovation journeys. We'll discuss the nitty-gritty of design decisions, from our kitchen island layout to the materials we've chosen. And yes, I'll be reaching out for your input as well.

To start, let's take a bird's-eye view of the transformation ahead: what we're keeping, what we're changing, and the design inspirations guiding us.

Before: The Current State

Current house highlights:

1950s ranch-style bungalow—charming, but focused on the property.
1,400 square feet featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
A 600-square-foot guest house above the garage.
Just under an acre overlooking Zuma Beach, adorned with tall palm trees and flourishing citrus and avocado trees.

Current house challenges:

Obtrusive electrical pole blocking our beach view. After two years, we finally had it removed and the lines buried—a costly but worthwhile investment.
No distinct front entrance. Though there's a nominal front door, it's been entirely unused since we acquired the property. The driveway leads directly to the back door, leaving guests confused about entry.
Space constraints. The current layout is snug for our family of four, making it difficult to host guests comfortably. Our work-from-home situation is also cramped, often forcing us to take calls in the bedroom while the other works at the kitchen table.
Closed-off rooms. We prefer open layouts, and the current configuration feels restrictive. We're eager to create a more spacious atmosphere.
Low ceilings. Low ceilings can create a claustrophobic feel, so raising them was essential when we considered this purchase. We'll address this in our renovations.
Isolated kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of our home, yet its cramped corner location with outdated features has to go first in our renovation.

For a full tour of the old house and additional insights, check out my detailed overview.

doug burdge malibu architect_zuma beach house plans

Renovation Vision

Expanding the space: We'll create a 1,000-square-foot great room featuring a spacious kitchen and living area. Doug is expertly redesigning the non-load-bearing walls to completely transform the layout.
Defining a front entrance. We want guests to clearly understand how to enter the home, creating a welcoming path and eliminating confusion about parking and entry.
Open concept living. Our family's shared spaces will be wide-open, ideally connecting to the outdoors. Discover how the addition will create a seamless flow.
Vaulted ceilings. Raising the ceilings will enhance the sense of space and illuminate the interiors with natural light.
Guest accommodations. Anticipating family visits, we'll add a guest suite and a bunk room to comfortably host four to five additional guests.
Spacious kitchen for gatherings. My ideal kitchen will be designed for cooking, entertaining, and hosting friends and family, moving away from the previous cramped layout.
Enhancing natural light. We plan to increase the number of windows and doors to flood the space with sunlight.

Design Aesthetic: Japandi Modern Beach House

We're embracing a Japandi Modern Beach House style, blending Scandinavian minimalism with Japanese craftsmanship. Our focus centers on simplicity and harmony, ensuring a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. We aim for a serene sanctuary, emphasizing natural materials and neutral hues.

(For more on Japandi design, check out this article about creating it in your own home.)

Visualizing Our Future

Collaborating with the team at YouSee Studio has allowed us to create 3D renderings of our vision. This has been invaluable for making informed architectural decisions and exploring various materials and layouts, potentially saving us from regrettable choices.

Stay tuned as we share visualizations of each space throughout the design process. We'll analyze different design options together as we finalize our plans.

This overview illustrates the new exterior design, featuring the great room addition and outdoor terrace on the left, while the existing house on the right comprises the bedrooms, bathrooms, and media room.

Key Features of Our Japandi Modern Beach House:

Adam and I prioritize design elements that blend beauty with practicality. Here are some guiding decisions:

Exterior Design:

Redwood cladding inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics, sourced from Humboldt Sawmill Company.
Expansive windows and doors to merge indoor and outdoor environments.
Contemporary corrugated metal roofing for a modern touch.

Interior Materials:

Natural wood flooring and cabinetry introduce warmth and texture, sourced from Stuga.
Stone accent walls ground the space and echo the surrounding landscape, featuring stunning selections from Eldorado Stone.
Simple layouts to maximize light and space functionality.

Design Philosophy:

Incorporating natural elements like olive trees, agave, and local grasses into our landscaping.
A calming neutral color scheme using black, wood, creamy plaster, concrete, and stone.
Emphasizing craftsmanship and durable materials throughout.

Atmosphere:

Combining Scandinavian coziness with Japanese appreciation for imperfection.
Designing spaces that promote tranquility, relaxation, and a connection to nature.