From summer trips, their journey would move towards California’s owning a property along its coast-each year finally giving them the best find: a modest mid-century home in an unassuming little neighborhood perched on a cliff overlooking the vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean. “We were drawn to the simplicity and tranquility of the place. It wasn’t about grand gestures, but more about connecting with nature and the space around us,” says Foster, who heads a sustainable tech startup.
The Vision for a Family-Centered Coastal Home
Whereas his city apartment was intended to be the stage for their respective professional lives, the retreat at the coast was envisioned to be an escape-from their busy schedules, a pure hideaway for entertaining family and friends, as well as soaking one up in nature. But, the structure built early in the ’60s would take a major restoration to bring it up to the couple’s idea. “It was a charming house, but it had been left largely untouched for decades,” explains Hartley. “We loved its character, but it was clear that we needed to modernize and open up the space.”
This couple then made their way to Liam Pierce and his extremely talented people at Coastal Lines: a design firm celebrated for managing miracles that take older homes through radical, transformational renovations into brilliant, living spaces all the while leading to-they say-garden vistas. “The challenge here was balancing the desire for contemporary design with the need to respect the home’s coastal heritage,” says Pierce. “Isabella and Daniel wanted, while to create a welcoming and stylish environment, it should feel grounded with the natural beauty of the coast.”
Inspired by the Ocean, Open and Inviting Layout
The previous layout belonged to them, compartmentalized so highly, with walls cutting through all panoramic ocean views. For bringing outdoor activities indoors, Pierce and the team opened up the main living areas by removing several non-structural walls and replacing them with large glass sliding doors that lead out to a spacious deck overlooking the water. “The living area is now one big, open space with a direct line of sight to the ocean. It feels like the house breathes with the surroundings,” says Hartley.
A custom sofa designed by Hartley swathes the open-plan sitting room; it hence lazes around a slick glass-and-wood coffee table that she designed herself. The palette of the room is neutral so that the view comes alive, but it is complemented by rich, warm materials such as velvet cushions and woven rugs. Some antique wooden credenzas might have a carefully curated collection of coastal-inspired art features, with pieces by local artists capturing the serene beauty of the Pacific.
This would be the relaxed and inviting dining area.
Their previous home did not allow space for entertaining and let out an airy breath of only performance space, but the couple made certain finally, their new digs would have space for gatherings. This space joining into the frolicky, open living room would be a sculptural banquette seating arrangement that faces the ocean so guests may view that great scene as they are dining. “We didn’t want a traditional formal dining room,” Foster says, “so the banquette is much more inviting and informal, which fits with the way we entertain-casual, laid-back, but still stylish.”.
The dining table was made of reclaimed wood to connect with the coastal surroundings, giving it an organic, rustic feel. It was an important part of the vision for the home to tenant-mix of modern with natural and balances between elegance and approachability.
An infusion of nature with design comes with Hartley and Foster committing to bringing outside into the house’s design from the very outset. “We have always had very deep appreciation for the sustainable living, therefore when it came to the selection of materials, we made sure to include eco-friendly and locally sourced as much as possible,” Hartley says. There are reclaimed woods for the home’s open kitchen shelving. Recycled glass and stone form the countertops for their kitchen kitchen. “We wanted the materials to reflect the environment where we were-pristine, timeless and simple,” she explains.
The outside spaces flowed easily into the interiors.
This beautifully crafted deck is perfect for eating while relaxing and overlooks the verdant landscape filled with native vegetation. “The whole idea for me was to create a space where we would be able to enjoy the ocean breeze while at the same time being rooted in the ground,” Foster says. “We really wanted the whole house to feel like an extension of the coast.”
Retreat For All Seasons.
The home also has to be a refuge to seek and hide in at any time during the year. The temperature tends to plummet significantly during the winter months, hence, a heated floor-and-wall system radiates heat to ensure that warm, soft, and cozy comfort is experienced, even at the coldest night. It is sure peaceful: floor-to-ceiling windows in the master suite open to the outside world but leave the noise and rubbish behind for such luxury and pampering. A large king-sized bed faces the ocean, and the light airy atmosphere is complemented beautifully by soft linens and neutral tones. Hartley shares, “We wanted the bedroom to feel like a peaceful escape from everything.”
Custom furniture is introduced in the home complementarily with the sculpturesque lounges chair designed by Hartley and a sharp-cut marble coffee table. All of these add a little something to the living space. There is a bit of a little personal touch everywhere, like a few vintage books by the fireplace, scattered handwoven baskets in the corners, and of course, some art that reflects the couple’s passion for living a life by the coast.
A legacy
Now, several years after the renovation works, Hartley and Foster express their satisfaction over how thoughtfully they considered carrying their ideas with Pierce and his team. “This house is exactly how we wanted it,” Foster says. “It is open, airy, and full of light but is very much a home in which we can relax, entertain and spend time with family.”
For Hartley, she’s rather proud that the house blended into the surrounding environment. “This is a place of design and nature, family all coming together,” she remarks. “It’s not about perfection; it’s a warm and inviting place to live.”
Not only does it work as an escaping point for the couple, but it is also an abode that describes love between one another, nature, and the life they built together. “Here is a house meant to live in, not to look at,” says Hartley. “We hope it is a place our family will enjoy for generations to come.”