Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Yacht-Inspired California Beach House
A couple transforms their drab dwelling into a bright, efficient family home using nautical style and design
When Suzie and Bob Mecay bought their home in the charming fishing town of Summerland, California, it was a "shabby old beach shack," says Suzie. Yet despite its dark interior and low ceilings, Bob and Suzie claim it was still love at first sight. The reason? Its location, right on a beautiful piece of land overlooking Summerland Beach.
Due to the small size of the home, it was a challenge for the Mecays to remodel it to suit their family of five. WIth this dilemma in mind, they designed the house as if it were a yacht, using every inch efficiently. The couple brought beach chic to a whole new level by combining this nautical theme with their love of the shore and its natural beauty.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Suzie and Bob Mecay; children Brook and Grady; dog Burton
Location: Summerland, California
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an office, a loft
That's interesting: The Mecays repaint their home a few times a year to keep the white at its brightest.
Due to the small size of the home, it was a challenge for the Mecays to remodel it to suit their family of five. WIth this dilemma in mind, they designed the house as if it were a yacht, using every inch efficiently. The couple brought beach chic to a whole new level by combining this nautical theme with their love of the shore and its natural beauty.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Suzie and Bob Mecay; children Brook and Grady; dog Burton
Location: Summerland, California
Size: 2,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an office, a loft
That's interesting: The Mecays repaint their home a few times a year to keep the white at its brightest.
Suzie's design philosophy is simple: "Keep it white," she says. When the Mecays originally remodeled their home, they attempted to use more color in the design, but it didn't mesh with the ocean and beach environment. With the shoreline as their main source of inspiration, the Mecays simplified the palette and used only natural materials such as driftwood, cotton and linens.
Wall and ceiling paint: White, Benjamin Moore
Wall and ceiling paint: White, Benjamin Moore
All of the furnishings and decorative accents in the Mecays' home were purchased in the Santa Barbara area. Suzie's favorite local store, Botanik, is right around the corner from their house. It's a wonderful source of unique home and garden décor inspired by the ocean's natural beauty.
Orchids and living room accessories: Botanik
Orchids and living room accessories: Botanik
The charming entryway captures the essence of the home's design, with its use of white mixed with natural elements and sun hats begging to be taken to the beach.
Suzie's favorite spot is the kitchen. "That's where I hang out the most," she says. It has the best views, and I love to cook." Like many features of the home, the kitchen was designed as if it were on a yacht. It is small and compact and resembles a boat galley. The kitchen is slightly elevated from the dining and living rooms, providing beautiful views of the Pacific.
Suzie has big plans for her small kitchen. She says, "It's not white enough! I want to put in new white countertops, and I want to fit in a new Sub-Zero refrigerator — that is mandatory."
Antique wine jugs: William Laman
Suzie has big plans for her small kitchen. She says, "It's not white enough! I want to put in new white countertops, and I want to fit in a new Sub-Zero refrigerator — that is mandatory."
Antique wine jugs: William Laman
With their yacht-inspired design scheme in mind, the Mecays found this compact dining room table in an antiques store in downtown Santa Barbara. The table folds out to accomodate additional guests.
Dining chairs: Barefoot Elegance (now closed)
Dining chairs: Barefoot Elegance (now closed)
To maximize space, the couple raised all the ceilings to the roofline. With this added vertical area, they designed the exterior of the master bedroom to serve multiple purposes. It provides storage for their entertainment center and also functions as a loft for sleeping and additional storage. The ladder leading up to the loft is an antique find from an old sailboat.
The compact master bedroom is nestled behind the living room. Suzie managed to make it feel open and airy by using white walls, mirrors, large windows and a French door leading to the outdoor living area.
Browse more small master bedrooms
Browse more small master bedrooms
Windows surround the house, allowing sunlight to flood the interior and lend a soft, serene feeling.
Eager to pose for every picture, the family's dog, Burton, blends in perfectly with the interior of the home.
Bed textiles: Botanik
Bed textiles: Botanik
The hallway walls are lined with built-in bookshelves that serve as storage space for books and CDs, as well as display space for family photographs.
Chair: William Laman
Chair: William Laman
With the entire home being white and full of sunshine, Suzie wanted to design a getaway space. The office, which doubles as an entertainment room, was the perfect place to create a darker yet still warm and inviting space. The couple painted accent walls a deep chocolate brown to contrast with the white tones and natural materials.
Chairs and couch: Barefoot Elegance (now closed); rug: Maison K
Chairs and couch: Barefoot Elegance (now closed); rug: Maison K
Functionality and design intertwine beautifully in the home office. Bob and Suzie used every inch efficiently by creating a storage space that also functions as an entertainment center. The space has an understated beauty and combines the nautical and beach themes found throughout the house.
The home's two bathrooms contain natural and nautical elements combined with beautifully crafted fixtures, such as this Waterworks sink.
To maximize space, the Mecay family extended their living area to the outdoors. The home is surrounded by decks and seating areas such as this outdoor living room, designed with the same natural elements as the rest of the home. The outdoor space is fully equipped with an entertainment center, fireplace and beverage cart.
Outdoor furniture, plants and accessories: Botanik
Outdoor furniture, plants and accessories: Botanik
Suzie wanted the simplicity of the interior to translate to the landscaping as well. She replaced the flowers in the yard with green grass for a fresh, low-maintenance look. The yard overlooks Summerland Beach, and Botanik designed it using mainly grass and boxwoods.
More Houzz Tours:
Contemporary Farm-Style Charm
Ocean-Inspired Home for Two in Newport Beach
Making 'Normal' Beautiful for Less
More Houzz Tours:
Contemporary Farm-Style Charm
Ocean-Inspired Home for Two in Newport Beach
Making 'Normal' Beautiful for Less
Living room furniture: Barefoot Elegance (now closed); pillows and accessories, Botanik in Summerland and Pottery Barn