Seaside Sanctuary

Author:

Platner & Co.‘s Tessa Platner designs the perfect Malibu beach bungalow. Photographs by Matt Walla.

“We arrived for the photoshoot just Malibu was being evacuated,” remembers Tessa Platner of Platner & Co. of the day these pictures were originally scheduled to be taken. The team left, not knowing if the house — or indeed the community — would survive the fires. Thanks to the heroic measure of the first responders, the firemen and determined neighbors, the house survived intact. “It’s in these moments that people can truly appreciate and find gratitude for what they are so fortunate to call home.”

Certainly the enclave of Paradise Cover is aptly named and this beachside bungalow, while only 2,000 square feet, embraced all the qualities of a perfect Malibu getaway that the client, founder of a busy and successful dance music and experience company, was looking for. “His lifestyle is laid back and full of fun and he’s constantly entertaining,” says Platner, “I embraced this carefree, vibrant spirit and created a comfortable space to be shared with family and friends.”


In the living rom, the rug was found at Marc Phillips, the sofa and ottoman are from Shoppe Amber Interiors

Platner envisioned a welcoming light-filled space punctuated by the cool, soothing blues of the sea. “This place is all about the beach vibes,” she explains. The client is, not surprisingly, an avid surfer; the sport dominates this wave-crazy enclave. “It comes many surfboards!,” Platner laughs, “Finding a home for them that would be aesthetically pleasing yet practical was a big challenge.” Her solution was to incorporate the surfboards into the design of the home. Custom surfboard displays were built out in the family room and in the office. “Here, surfing is serious business!,” she adds.

Directly behind the dining room, a living room opens to a reading nook made even more intimate with the addition of a deep teal wall. “We added the built-in shelves and a window seat, because they are always a good idea,” says Planter, who filled the space with custom pillows and cushions. A round coffee table from Nickey Kehoe and a pair of their comfortable Spindle Back lounge chairs complete an inviting picture. “This entire room made for truly the comfiest family zone,” says Planter.

Platner picks out the kid’s room, above, as one of her favorite rooms in the house. A delicated striped paper by Hermes covers the walls and the bunk beds are draped in Peter Dunham fabric. “I adore the vintage Milo Baughman lounge chair in Peter Dunham Collage fabric. It’s just so inviting and fun!”


In the master bedroom, a custom Platner & Co bed, a rug from Marc Phillips, and bedrside pendants from Shoppe Amber Interiors

In master bedroom, a vibrant throw is a bright spot in the understated room. The sanctuary’s luxury is underscored by a pair of doors that lead directly out to the Jacuzzi. “It’s the perfect place to unwind from a busy week in the city,” says Platner.

The result is a cozy, inviting and relaxed space that pulls all the amenities of a multi-million dollar home into its embrace.