Houzz Tour: Expansive Ocean Views on the Oregon Coast
This vacation home’s efficient and thoughtful design makes the most of a challenging site
Becky Harris
May 8, 2022
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Perched high above the Oregon coast, this modern home cantilevers over the ground with expansive views of the Pacific. The homeowners, a Portland couple with young children, wanted a small beach retreat that would feature natural materials. Architectural designer Vito Cerelli designed a resilient home around many site restrictions and used the property’s slope to his advantage. At the same time, he made the most of every inch in the 1,200-square-foot home.
Photos by Sally Painter Photography
House at a Glance
Who lives here: This is the vacation home of a couple with young children
Location: Arch Cape, Oregon
Size: 1,200 square feet (111 square meters); two bedrooms, three bathrooms
Designer: Vito Cerelli of O’Brien & Co.
Contractor: Bob Cerelli of Bob Cerelli Construction
This is the street-facing side of the property. The homeowners wanted a compact and efficient house. Nonetheless, the setback requirements and 18-foot height restriction created a challenge for Cerelli. “It was like putting together puzzle pieces due to the setback restraints, height restriction and geological restrictions,” he says.
His strategic design nestled the house into the sloped site, with the main floor cantilevered off a concrete foundation. “We used the topography to our advantage, tucking the house into the hillside to maximize use,” Cerelli says. The concrete lower level contains a bunk room and a full bathroom and has access to a protected covered patio. Together with the concrete base, a steel structural system supports the main level. The house has a curved parapet roof with an internal drain.
Hire a local architect or house designer on Houzz
House at a Glance
Who lives here: This is the vacation home of a couple with young children
Location: Arch Cape, Oregon
Size: 1,200 square feet (111 square meters); two bedrooms, three bathrooms
Designer: Vito Cerelli of O’Brien & Co.
Contractor: Bob Cerelli of Bob Cerelli Construction
This is the street-facing side of the property. The homeowners wanted a compact and efficient house. Nonetheless, the setback requirements and 18-foot height restriction created a challenge for Cerelli. “It was like putting together puzzle pieces due to the setback restraints, height restriction and geological restrictions,” he says.
His strategic design nestled the house into the sloped site, with the main floor cantilevered off a concrete foundation. “We used the topography to our advantage, tucking the house into the hillside to maximize use,” Cerelli says. The concrete lower level contains a bunk room and a full bathroom and has access to a protected covered patio. Together with the concrete base, a steel structural system supports the main level. The house has a curved parapet roof with an internal drain.
Hire a local architect or house designer on Houzz
The parking pad is located to the right of the house, and stairs to the left of it lead up to the main level’s entry. A large salvaged log provides an edge to the parking pad and prevents cars from driving forward onto the septic field area.
“My clients wanted to use as many natural materials as possible,” Cerelli says. These include the concrete, custom-made clear cedar siding and copper details. Cerelli used the copper on the flashing and downspouts and to edge the trio of vertical windows seen here. A large Cor-Ten steel planter plays off the finish of the copper. The windows provide contrast to the strong horizontal lines of the siding and the copper adds dimension to the facade. “The climate of the Oregon coast will weather and patina these natural materials with age,” Cerelli says.
Find planters in the Houzz Shop
“My clients wanted to use as many natural materials as possible,” Cerelli says. These include the concrete, custom-made clear cedar siding and copper details. Cerelli used the copper on the flashing and downspouts and to edge the trio of vertical windows seen here. A large Cor-Ten steel planter plays off the finish of the copper. The windows provide contrast to the strong horizontal lines of the siding and the copper adds dimension to the facade. “The climate of the Oregon coast will weather and patina these natural materials with age,” Cerelli says.
Find planters in the Houzz Shop
On the ocean-facing side, large glass windows and doors take in the views of Falcon Cove. So do two balconies. The balcony on the left is off the open living-dining-kitchen area and the one on the right is off the primary bedroom.
The house sits on land just beyond a cliff above Cove Beach. There’s a public path to the beach about 100 feet down the road.
The house sits on land just beyond a cliff above Cove Beach. There’s a public path to the beach about 100 feet down the road.
“This design is kind of like that of a boat — every square inch of space had to be accounted for,” Cerelli says. He made the most of the space and views by placing the dining area, den and kitchen within an open floor plan. The dining room also serves as a pingpong game room thanks to a double-duty table. The husband’s family owns a furniture store and gifted the playful table to the couple.
The glass doors slide to one side, creating a wide opening to the balcony. The climate on Oregon’s coast can be harsh, so the windows and doors are rated to withstand 100-mph wind gusts.
Doors: LaCantina Doors
The glass doors slide to one side, creating a wide opening to the balcony. The climate on Oregon’s coast can be harsh, so the windows and doors are rated to withstand 100-mph wind gusts.
Doors: LaCantina Doors
The balconies have stainless steel railings and posts as well as cable rails that keep the views as open as possible. The custom molded copper trim details can be seen on the corner of the house in the foreground of this photo and on the soffit over the balcony.
Behind the pingpong-dining area is a small TV den with a gas fireplace and beautiful walnut casework. A half wall behind the sofa adds coziness and seamlessly connects to built-in shelves. Because of the homeowners’ love of natural materials, Cerelli used a variety of wood species throughout the house. All the casework and cabinetry is black walnut, the trim is local Douglas fir, the floors are maple and the ceilings are cedar. Using each wood for a specific repeated element — and balancing the composition with white drywall — makes the different varieties work together in harmony.
Cerelli recessed the TV and hid it behind cabinet doors — the screen is mounted to an articulating arm. A folding teak shelf beneath the fireplace provides extra seating when needed.
Cerelli recessed the TV and hid it behind cabinet doors — the screen is mounted to an articulating arm. A folding teak shelf beneath the fireplace provides extra seating when needed.
The kitchen is seamless, symmetrical and pleasing to the eye. A skylight helps brighten the space. The glass door on the left is the main entry door and the hallway leads to the main floor’s two bedrooms and bathrooms. Cerelli tucked a laundry room behind the kitchen.
On the left is one of the many puzzle pieces Cerelli had to work into the home’s design. He needed to create a wall where the homeowners could hang an 8-by-8-foot seascape featuring a sea goddess. “These homeowners had a lot of great artwork and knew ahead of time which pieces they wanted to place in this house,” he says.
Shop for pendant lights
On the left is one of the many puzzle pieces Cerelli had to work into the home’s design. He needed to create a wall where the homeowners could hang an 8-by-8-foot seascape featuring a sea goddess. “These homeowners had a lot of great artwork and knew ahead of time which pieces they wanted to place in this house,” he says.
Shop for pendant lights
A stunning granite waterfall countertop bookends the seating at the island. “It also provides a nice solid edge along the hallway,” Cerelli says. The island contains the sink, the dishwasher and storage.
The kitchen is efficient and fully integrated, thanks to beautiful walnut cabinetry. “Local cabinetmaker Jason Banks of JB Custom Woodworks did a phenomenal job,” Cerelli says. The panel-front appliances give it a seamless look, while the granite backsplash in the range alcove creates a beautiful focal point. The range hood is hidden behind more walnut. And the husband wanted to lock away his favorite appliance, a steam oven. “He knows it’s tricky to use — he didn’t want people who were borrowing or renting the house to mess it up. So we placed it behind the cabinet above the wall oven, and it locks,” Cerelli says.
Find a local cabinet pro
The kitchen is efficient and fully integrated, thanks to beautiful walnut cabinetry. “Local cabinetmaker Jason Banks of JB Custom Woodworks did a phenomenal job,” Cerelli says. The panel-front appliances give it a seamless look, while the granite backsplash in the range alcove creates a beautiful focal point. The range hood is hidden behind more walnut. And the husband wanted to lock away his favorite appliance, a steam oven. “He knows it’s tricky to use — he didn’t want people who were borrowing or renting the house to mess it up. So we placed it behind the cabinet above the wall oven, and it locks,” Cerelli says.
Find a local cabinet pro
This photo of the primary bedroom shows the way the doors slide and stack to one side. It also shows the spectacular ocean views this entire side of the house enjoys.
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
To save on the budget and create continuity throughout the house, Cerelli used the same slab of granite he’d used in the kitchen on the countertops of all three bathrooms. In the primary bath, the walnut vanity also creates a connection to other rooms in the house. The shower has a teak flip-down bench that saves space inside the stall.
Pushing the lower level and its patio partially into the ground was the key to meeting the 18-foot height restriction for the house. “The bunk room is kind of like a bunker meets a sauna,” Cerelli says. He wrapped the walls, ceiling and staircase in cedar to cozy up the semi-subterranean space. The concrete floors have radiant heat. Clerestory windows let in natural light and so does the glass door that leads to the patio. This level also has its own full bathroom.
The house cantilevers over the lower level’s patio, providing cover from wind and sun.
The glass door leads directly into the bunk room. The faucet on the left has hot and cold water for rinsing off sandy feet.
More on Houzz
Tour more modern homes
Hire a local design pro
Shop for your home
The glass door leads directly into the bunk room. The faucet on the left has hot and cold water for rinsing off sandy feet.
More on Houzz
Tour more modern homes
Hire a local design pro
Shop for your home
Related Stories
Guesthouses
Houzz Tour: Light-Filled 704-Square-Foot Modern Cottage
By Becky Harris
An architect and a designer create a light and airy feel, cozied up by layers of textures
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: New Home Gets a Midcentury Modern Makeover
By Julie Sheer
A designer in Boston reworks the kitchen and primary suite and adds style with furnishings, lighting and more
Full Story
Homes Around the World
Houzz Tour: Family Says No to Relocating in Favor of Remodeling
An architect helps a family in Rome bring light, color and natural materials into their apartment
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Modern Home With Awesome Views in Big Sky Country
A home overlooking the Missoula Valley is designed for both family time and large gatherings
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Modern Mountain Home in the Cascades
By Becky Harris
A designer and an architect mix clean lines with natural colors and materials to create a warm and inviting home
Full Story
Rustic Style
Houzz Tour: Rugged Modern Style on a Montana Lake
By Becky Harris
Architects design a home, a guesthouse and outdoor areas that capture the site’s magic and stunning views
Full Story
Vacation Homes
Houzz Tour: California Wine Country Retreat for Family and Guests
By Julie Sheer
Architects found on Houzz design a multigenerational vacation home and ADU with vineyard views
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Architects Bring Order to an 1,100-Square-Foot House
By Becky Harris
A remodel and new addition improve a Toronto home’s flow while adding storage and maximizing natural light
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Japanese Calm on the Outside, Drama on the Inside
By Becky Harris
An architect infuses a midcentury home in San Francisco with dramatic and otherworldly moments
Full Story
Vacation Homes
Houzz Tour: Modern Design Meets Local Character on Lake Champlain
Clean lines, a claw-foot tub, a sunken living room and a fresh palette mix it up in a lakefront home in Vermont
Full Story
You have done an amazing job with the space and products used. Absolutely beautiful.
This would be great for retiring, but I would want mine in the mountains. Thank you for sharing.
Love it! Not an inch of unused space!
Do you have the overall floor plan for this house?