My Houzz: Cool and Coastal Newport Beach Home
A cool color palette, international accessories and sweeping views of the coast grace this modern California home
Tara Bussema
March 3, 2012
Designer Amanda Sandberg and her husband, Blake, purchased their spacious home — located in the upscale coastal community of Newport Beach, California — while it was still under construction. The couple added the finishing touches, including lighting, furniture, paint, flooring, tile and cabinetry. Inspired by the design of Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and the textiles of John Robshaw, Amanda infused color, pattern and international flair into the cool palette of this open, airy home.
Over the years, Amanda and Blake have rescued a total of 11 homes, stamping their signature style on them, then selling them fully furnished. Amanda says, "We've become particularly attached to this home. This one is our favorite, and it will be hard to let it go if the time comes."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Amanda and Blake Sandberg, with children Hailey, Hannah and Will
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 6,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, design studio
That's interesting: A 300-pound stone clock made in 1932 was brought back from France to hang above the fireplace.
Over the years, Amanda and Blake have rescued a total of 11 homes, stamping their signature style on them, then selling them fully furnished. Amanda says, "We've become particularly attached to this home. This one is our favorite, and it will be hard to let it go if the time comes."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Amanda and Blake Sandberg, with children Hailey, Hannah and Will
Location: Newport Beach, California
Size: 6,000 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, design studio
That's interesting: A 300-pound stone clock made in 1932 was brought back from France to hang above the fireplace.
Amanda, owner of On Holiday Design, seamlessly combines budget-friendly items, upscale splurges and flea market finds throughout the home. She's mastered the art of layering bright color into a cool, neutral palette to create an eye-catching, inviting space.
Rugs: Ikea; couch and chair: Restoration Hardware; framed life preservers: Irvine flea market; stool: Design Mix Furniture; wall paint: Baby Seal, Dunn-Edwards
Rugs: Ikea; couch and chair: Restoration Hardware; framed life preservers: Irvine flea market; stool: Design Mix Furniture; wall paint: Baby Seal, Dunn-Edwards
The front of the home combines straight, modern lines with geometric shapes and contrasting colors that reflect the nearby sea and sand. The house sits on the side of a hill, providing an almost unobstructed view of the Pacific Coast Highway and the ocean beyond. Numerous windows welcome abundant sunlight, adding to the bright and airy feel of the home.
Passing through the first gate, you enter the front courtyard. Filled with succulents and native, drought-tolerant plants, it contrasts brilliantly with the mostly white surroundings. Standing alone at the front of the house is a design studio created for the Sandbergs' eldest daughter, Hailey, a student in fashion design. Hailey's work can be seen throughout the home as well as on her website, Hailey Sandberg Designs.
Bertoia look-alike chairs: RoomService
Bertoia look-alike chairs: RoomService
Although detached from the house, the design studio continues the cool gray color scheme seen throughout the home. Amanda prefers to keep the entire house in the same color family so the rooms flow together. She chose blue-gray because it provides a neutral, serene palette that adds to the beachy feel and easily welcomes a variety of colors.
With plenty of shelves to hold objects for inspiration, plus a large work surface, Hailey has the perfect, quiet place to create.
Pendant lamp: Ikea; window treatments: custom; window treatment fabric: Raoul Textiles
With plenty of shelves to hold objects for inspiration, plus a large work surface, Hailey has the perfect, quiet place to create.
Pendant lamp: Ikea; window treatments: custom; window treatment fabric: Raoul Textiles
When all the doors are open, the view from the design studio extends through Hailey's bedroom to the backyard and pool. This not only lends to the open, airy feel of the house but reflects Amanda's desire for an uninterrupted flow. An oversized s next to the front door adds a personal touch to the Sandberg home.
Upon entering the main house, a grand foyer, complete with a spiral staircase extending through the second story, greets guests. It serves as the first taste of the crisp colors, clean lines and large scale of the home.
Immediately to the left of the entry is Hailey's room, a prime example of the beautiful mix of bright colors and patterns in the home. The wood floors and cool gray walls draw the eye to the antique quilt on the bed and bright accessories on the nightstands.
With French doors on both sides of the room and windows flanking each side of the bed, sunlight floods this room with warmth and enhances the bright colors. Mirrored nightstands help reflect the light and color, making the room seem even more open.
Wall paint: Forever Platinum, Dunn-Edwards; nightstands: Z Gallerie; blue stool: Design Mix Furniture
With French doors on both sides of the room and windows flanking each side of the bed, sunlight floods this room with warmth and enhances the bright colors. Mirrored nightstands help reflect the light and color, making the room seem even more open.
Wall paint: Forever Platinum, Dunn-Edwards; nightstands: Z Gallerie; blue stool: Design Mix Furniture
I was surprised to learn that a 22-year-old lives in this room. Everything is impeccably placed, reflecting Amanda's strong distaste for clutter and disorganization.
The attention to detail in the home is amazing, and careful thought is given to each and every accent.
Wall paint: Forever Platinum, Dunn-Edwards; nightstands: Z Gallerie; lamps: Crate and Barrel
The attention to detail in the home is amazing, and careful thought is given to each and every accent.
Wall paint: Forever Platinum, Dunn-Edwards; nightstands: Z Gallerie; lamps: Crate and Barrel
At the end of the hallway on the first floor sits the family room, which captures the feeling of being at the beach. From the shell-laden chandelier to the vintage surfing pictures and ocean-blue textiles, this room brings the outdoors in. The fireplace surround is made of corrugated metal, the same material covering the rear exterior of the home.
This room is the epitome of eclectic style and combinines three different styles of furniture, including modern chairs, a traditional tufted sofa and a tropical-style bamboo chest of drawers.
Dining table: Juxtaposition Home; original surf art: On Holiday Design; couches: Restoration Hardware; wall paint: Baby Seal, Dunn-Edwards
This room is the epitome of eclectic style and combinines three different styles of furniture, including modern chairs, a traditional tufted sofa and a tropical-style bamboo chest of drawers.
Dining table: Juxtaposition Home; original surf art: On Holiday Design; couches: Restoration Hardware; wall paint: Baby Seal, Dunn-Edwards
Giving a nod to midcentury California design, the line between indoors and outdoors is erased as disappearing doors roll back to reveal a gorgeous view of the California coast.
Beyond the family room lies a backyard with an impressive view. The marriage of blues in the sky, home exterior, ocean and pool inspire feelings of instant relaxation.
Corrugated metal, a cement fire pit and low-profile metal pendant lamps lend an industrial, modern feel, softened and balanced by the wooden columns, greenery and cheery yellow seating area.
Outdoor fabrics and pillows: Trina Turk
Corrugated metal, a cement fire pit and low-profile metal pendant lamps lend an industrial, modern feel, softened and balanced by the wooden columns, greenery and cheery yellow seating area.
Outdoor fabrics and pillows: Trina Turk
Reinforcing the eclectic vibe, the rear exterior of the home is modern, covered in corrugated metal with straight, unobstructed lines. It's an unexpected twist when combined with the intricate woodwork and trim on the rest of the home. The verticality of the corrugated metal adds to the home's grandeur, while the horizontal orientation on the fence creates a relaxed, low-profile border that doesn't compete with the view. The Sandbergs' home illustrates how to combine multiple styles seamlessly.
Playing off the cool blue tones in the rest of the home, 11-year-old Will's room is the tidiest boy's room I've ever seen. The horizontal stripes on the bed and the vertical stripes on the carpet emphasize the length and width of the room, drawing the eye to the view through windows on both sides. Ocean-inspired elements come from surf artwork, boat oars and waves on a throw pillow. The almost transparent lamp on the nightstand doesn't distract from the view beyond.
Bed: Room & Board; bedding: West Elm: wall paint: Forever Platinum, Dunn-Edwards
Bed: Room & Board; bedding: West Elm: wall paint: Forever Platinum, Dunn-Edwards
The upstairs master bathroom features flooring placed in a checkerboard pattern. Cool gray walls, natural window coverings and greenery lend a feeling of relaxation. The curving stand-alone tub is a focal point and adds to the clean, serene feeling of the room.
Amanda's biggest design dilemma was the upstairs great room. The large, open space was a blank canvas with lots of potential and many options for furniture placement. Amanda eventually solved the dilemma by focusing the seating area around the fireplace and keeping the dining table parallel with the kitchen.
This room is another great example of elevating budget-friendly pieces to a level of elegance. Amanda combined two black chairs from Ikea with higher-end textiles and a custom-made zebra ottoman. The cool blues and greens play well with the bold, contrasting black and white patterns.
This room is another great example of elevating budget-friendly pieces to a level of elegance. Amanda combined two black chairs from Ikea with higher-end textiles and a custom-made zebra ottoman. The cool blues and greens play well with the bold, contrasting black and white patterns.
Amanda and Blake love traveling the world and seeking unique pieces for their home. Their favorite place to shop is Australia's Eumundi Market. Amanda's favorite piece is the stone clock above the fireplace, from a trip to France. It weighs around 300 pounds and was made in 1932.
The stone clock and fireplace serve as focal points in the room and draw attention away from the flat-screen TV.
Black chairs: Ikea; couches and zebra ottoman: custom, On Holiday Design; curtains: custom; curtain fabric: Lee Jofa
The stone clock and fireplace serve as focal points in the room and draw attention away from the flat-screen TV.
Black chairs: Ikea; couches and zebra ottoman: custom, On Holiday Design; curtains: custom; curtain fabric: Lee Jofa
Amanda's favorite space is the kitchen. French doors line the exterior wall of the great room, creating floor-to-ceiling windows. According to Amanda, being in her kitchen at sunset is nothing short of magical.
The bright white kitchen reinforces the feeling of cleanliness and order. Nothing competes with the majesty of the evening sunset taking place right outside.
Painting: original by Hailey Sandberg; black and white posters: Z Gallerie; pendant lamps: Restoration Hardware
The bright white kitchen reinforces the feeling of cleanliness and order. Nothing competes with the majesty of the evening sunset taking place right outside.
Painting: original by Hailey Sandberg; black and white posters: Z Gallerie; pendant lamps: Restoration Hardware
Every square foot in the Sandbergs' home is thoughtfully designed. Bright accessories make the home lively, while the cool color palette invites calm.
Couches: custom, On Holiday Design; curtains: custom; curtain fabric: Lee Jofa; chevron throw: Ornate Home
More:
Houzz Tour: Joyous and Cozy Netherlands Nest
Houzz Tour: California Beach House
My Houzz: Colorful Cape Cod
Couches: custom, On Holiday Design; curtains: custom; curtain fabric: Lee Jofa; chevron throw: Ornate Home
More:
Houzz Tour: Joyous and Cozy Netherlands Nest
Houzz Tour: California Beach House
My Houzz: Colorful Cape Cod
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