Room of the Day: A Relaxed and Stylish Beach-House Living Room
A California couple buy a second home and create a comfortable, no-fuss space to enjoy with their family
Looking for a second home in which to unwind with visiting family, a retired couple, both physicians, set their sights on a fixer-upper across the street from the ocean in Oxnard, California. And because you can’t unwind without a suitable living room, the couple made renovating the home’s closed-off, sunken living room a major focus of the project.
A custom floating cabinet with a bleached walnut front in a cubist pattern stores surround-sound equipment. “Having the cabinet float lets the room flow,” Fain says.
Behind the sofa, custom fruit wood screens separate the living room and entry. “I wanted the living room to be somewhat divided, but also part of the rest of the house,” Fain says. “I also designed them to be an architectural detail in the room.”
Floating cabinet: custom, ModShop; screens: custom, JF Interiors; console table behind sectional sofa: Crate & Barrel; lamps on console table: Arteriors Home; large framed photograph on wall: homeowners’ own
Behind the sofa, custom fruit wood screens separate the living room and entry. “I wanted the living room to be somewhat divided, but also part of the rest of the house,” Fain says. “I also designed them to be an architectural detail in the room.”
Floating cabinet: custom, ModShop; screens: custom, JF Interiors; console table behind sectional sofa: Crate & Barrel; lamps on console table: Arteriors Home; large framed photograph on wall: homeowners’ own
The couple splurged on the Spanish beechwood LED light fixture, which brings a bit of intimacy to the 15-foot-high space.
A light blue accent wall provides contrast, reinforces the beachy look of the space, gives the room more depth and highlights the angle of the ceiling.
Ceiling light fixture: LZF Lamps; wall paint by Benjamin Moore: Cloudy Sky 2122-30 (accent wall) and Dove Wing OC-18 (other walls)
A light blue accent wall provides contrast, reinforces the beachy look of the space, gives the room more depth and highlights the angle of the ceiling.
Ceiling light fixture: LZF Lamps; wall paint by Benjamin Moore: Cloudy Sky 2122-30 (accent wall) and Dove Wing OC-18 (other walls)
The sectional features a durable, light blue natural linen fabric that when viewed up close offers a weave of colors that add cozy texture and depth. An assortment of throw pillows in muted solid colors and stripes add comfort.
The rustic chic tray on the coffee table is made of oak and Alpaca metal, and was manufactured in Argentina.
Throw pillows: custom, JF Interiors, with Rogers & Goffigon fabric; tray: TableArt
The rustic chic tray on the coffee table is made of oak and Alpaca metal, and was manufactured in Argentina.
Throw pillows: custom, JF Interiors, with Rogers & Goffigon fabric; tray: TableArt
The cream-colored coffee table measures 48 by 52 inches and features an iron base with a box wrapped in linen.
Coffee table: custom, JF Interiors
Coffee table: custom, JF Interiors
A tall vase made of light blue glass and a shorter dark blue glass vase manufactured in Germany sit on top of the floating cabinet, adding texture and a bit of glow. “They reminded me of the sea glass that you see at the shore,” Fain says.
Tall vase: Accessory Preview; shorter vase: TableArt
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Tall vase: Accessory Preview; shorter vase: TableArt
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Living Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple, both physicians
Location: Oxnard, California
Size: About 300 square feet (27.8 square meters)
The couple hired designer Janie Fain of JF Interiors to remove walls, soffits and pony walls and raise the floor to create a more welcoming space. A handmade wool Tibetan-style area rug anchors the room, adding warmth to the new easy-care, authentic-looking oak laminate floor. The rug was the inspiration for the room’s soothing color palette, which reflects the beach and ocean located across the street.
A comfortable sectional sofa allows plenty of room for the whole family — including their grown children and grandchildren — to gather for movies or sporting events. Fain reupholstered a store-bought swivel chair in a steel blue sheared faux fur for additional seating.
Area rug: Deco Rug Imports; flooring: BuildDirect; sectional sofa: custom by JF Interiors; accent chair: West Elm, reupholstered in Pindler & Pindler fabric