My Houzz: Vintage Surf-Inspired Style in California
Color and earthy textures personalize a clothing designer’s 1954 family home
Bob and Kris are seen here with their children, from left, Neve, Shepherd and Sebastian.
The couple are originally from West Virginia and spent the early part of their marriage in Charleston, South Carolina, dreaming about the brand they would eventually create together. Neve & Hawk’s flagship retail store is in nearby San Anselmo.
“Our brand is definitely representative of us and our overall aesthetic as a family and individuals,” Kris says. “It is laid-back with a strong surf lifestyle influence. This translates naturally into our home.”
The couple are originally from West Virginia and spent the early part of their marriage in Charleston, South Carolina, dreaming about the brand they would eventually create together. Neve & Hawk’s flagship retail store is in nearby San Anselmo.
“Our brand is definitely representative of us and our overall aesthetic as a family and individuals,” Kris says. “It is laid-back with a strong surf lifestyle influence. This translates naturally into our home.”
The couple planted cactus in this planter box that divides the living and dining room. “We are incredibly minimal people when it comes to our home,” Kris says. “Most things have to have a function. Either that or a piece speaks to us so loudly we can’t silence it. We are good with waiting for a long time until the perfect item in our budget comes up. I love searching for the perfect feature. The hunt is as fun as the buy.”
The couple bought their green sofa from Michelle Qazi, founder of 6th and Detroit, who had it custom-made for her house in Long Beach, California.
Sheepskin throw: Hide House; cactus: Cactus Jungle
The couple bought their green sofa from Michelle Qazi, founder of 6th and Detroit, who had it custom-made for her house in Long Beach, California.
Sheepskin throw: Hide House; cactus: Cactus Jungle
The sunroom is connected to the living room and faces the pool. “The sunroom is my favorite,” Kris says. “It is open and airy and I can watch my children swim and play while reading a book or working.”
Kris scours Craigslist daily as well as flea markets and estate sales for new pieces to add to their home. The hanging rattan swing is a Serena & Lily piece found on Craigslist. Kris made the accent pillows with vintage African mudcloth.
Kris scours Craigslist daily as well as flea markets and estate sales for new pieces to add to their home. The hanging rattan swing is a Serena & Lily piece found on Craigslist. Kris made the accent pillows with vintage African mudcloth.
This space serves as a guest room for overnight visitors and includes an Ikea daybed. The typography banner by Oxford Pennant is from a local store called Utility Goods. The pendant light came with the house.
Riviera counter stools: Serena & Lily
Riviera counter stools: Serena & Lily
The sailboat painting on the hearth is from the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, a popular flea market in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Bob spends as much free time as he can surfing. In the corner of the living room are two surfboards: the custom yellow-and-white one is from Album in San Clemente, California; the blue one is from Parrot Surf & Skate in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Leaning on the floor under the open wooden shutters is a collection of artwork the couple has slowly acquired. Two of the pieces are Lyle monsters by San Anselmo artist Ralph Lazar.
Leaning on the floor under the open wooden shutters is a collection of artwork the couple has slowly acquired. Two of the pieces are Lyle monsters by San Anselmo artist Ralph Lazar.
“I feel like every moment is significant in this home,” Kris says. “Those moments make up our lives, this life we built together as a family. Our days are full with owning a brand and store, work and school, but when we get home or on the weekends the home is very serene. Music is always playing, candles burning, windows and doors open.”
The collection of candles on top of the dining table includes a reclaimed-redwood votive holder made by friend Kristian Hansen of Hygge Culture.
The collection of candles on top of the dining table includes a reclaimed-redwood votive holder made by friend Kristian Hansen of Hygge Culture.
This view shows the kitchen and a hallway that leads to the entryway.
Vintage desk: Mid Century Humboldt; Riviera backless counter stool: Serena & Lily; ocean picture: Nate Hess
Vintage desk: Mid Century Humboldt; Riviera backless counter stool: Serena & Lily; ocean picture: Nate Hess
The vintage chandelier came with the house. The California Surf Checklist poster is designed by Amy Hood of Odds and Sods.
Wood dining chairs: Elsie Green; wire dining chairs and dining table: Roost; mirror: Ikea; find more rectangular mirrors
Wood dining chairs: Elsie Green; wire dining chairs and dining table: Roost; mirror: Ikea; find more rectangular mirrors
The mostly white kitchen features a striking copper hood. “That tile competes for the attention with the hood, which is super sad to me,” Kris says. “Something super minimal and white would allow the hood to be the center of attention, where it should be.”
Kris found this vintage Burke kitchen table and chair set at a church sale, and she calls it the “score of my life.” This chandelier also came with the house.
The master bedroom looks out onto the back deck and pool. Windows on both sides of the room let in plenty of natural light, giving it an airy feel.
Nightstand: estate sale; rug: Hide House; bedding: Anthropologie, Target and West Elm
Nightstand: estate sale; rug: Hide House; bedding: Anthropologie, Target and West Elm
Opposite the bed is a dresser the couple found at an estate sale. Above it is a colorful painting by Charleston, South Carolina, artist Raven Roxanne.
The master bath features a colorful red rug from the Alameda flea market.
Hand towel: Cost Plus World Market
Hand towel: Cost Plus World Market
Out by the pool is a space that Kris uses as a home office.
Xander convertible love seat in slate gray: Cost Plus World Market; pillows: Anthropologie and Target; hats: Brixton; Menlo glass globe desk lamp: Target; vintage ottoman: Alameda Point Antiques Faire; African mudcloth textile: vintage
Xander convertible love seat in slate gray: Cost Plus World Market; pillows: Anthropologie and Target; hats: Brixton; Menlo glass globe desk lamp: Target; vintage ottoman: Alameda Point Antiques Faire; African mudcloth textile: vintage
This bohemian-style woven planter is from 6th and Detroit and is in the entryway. Hanging on the wall is another of Bob’s surfboards.
This wooden piece, a Craigslist find, holds the family’s bags and hats.
Leather bag: Caroline Echols; hat: West Perro
It Can Work: No Entry Hall
Leather bag: Caroline Echols; hat: West Perro
It Can Work: No Entry Hall
The family spends a lot of time in the backyard hanging out by the pool. The couple bought the hammock in Mexico and Kris hand-dyed it with indigo.
The white wire chairs are from a favorite local store in nearby Fairfax called Beach House Style.
The family enjoys relaxing in the lounge areas throughout the year and taking full advantage of the home’s indoor-outdoor feel.
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The family enjoys relaxing in the lounge areas throughout the year and taking full advantage of the home’s indoor-outdoor feel.
See more of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: Kris and Bob Galmarini; their daughter, Neve, 10; sons Shepherd, 7, and Sebastian, 1; and cocker spaniel, Frankie
Location: San Rafael, California
Size: 2,050 square feet (190 square meters); two bedrooms, three bathrooms
Year built: 1954
Kris and Bob Galmarini love that most of the interior finishes in their 1954 rental house in San Rafael, California, are original. “The grasscloth walls, the copper hood, the textured bathroom wallpaper with the insanely dated but incredible green wall tiles, the planter in the middle of the living room, the fireplace in the middle of the sunroom, the original light fixtures throughout” — these are what Kris lists as some of her favorite features.
“Would we change things if we bought this place? Most definitely. But we also would keep a lot like it is because that is what makes this place shine,” she says. “This house is full of magic.” When the couple visited the house a year ago and considered moving in, Kris says, “we could instantly see ourselves in this home’s story. It is quirky, with amazing bones and incredible lines.”
The couple are owners of a clothing and home goods store, Neve & Hawk, and they decorated their home with a personalized bohemian twist: a mix of surfer, vintage and minimalist midcentury modern-inspired style.
“Most of what we have is vintage or handcrafted,” Kris says. “We love the history behind pieces, knowing they have lived another life somewhere, possibly many lives.”
End table: Craigslist; rattan chair: Alameda Point Antiques Faire; rug: Roost