Plants and coral-colored decor bring ocean life into the home

Beach Abode
The coastal cliffs and high bluffs of Leucadia commonly keep the ocean at a great distance from the homes situated along the shoreline. While the enveloping views from beachfront property nothing to complain about, the benefit of actually being able to walk from one’s backyard directly to the water’s edge is a luxury rarely afforded to the residences off Neptune, making the site of this newly completed beach house ideal.

Fitting quietly into its context, the architecture is neither brazen nor bashful. Described as a beach style contemporary, the use of vertical and horizontal wood siding applications, demonstrated on the frontage off of Neptune, speaks directly to the retro 1970s beach bungalow vernacular that constitutes the site’s immediate surrounds. The natural earth-worn stone laid in dominant horizontal courses is woven around the wood façade in the front, the smooth stucco exterior in the back, and raises with the chimney, high above all three stories.

As hinted on the exterior, the surface treatments inside combine a mixture of elements from polished river rock and mosaic tiles to large limestone tile flooring used in the main living areas. The 1970s are echoed in the interior with a yellow monotone palette that washes over the walls and patterned carpet of varying pile densities, selected for its ability to handle a heavy load of indoor/outdoor foot traffic and sandy toes while bringing a softer texture to the bedrooms and master suite.

Fireplaces are used as focal points throughout. A dual-sided fireplace opens to both the bath and bedroom side of the master suite where views of the ocean can be seen from the shower and Jacuzzi tub. That is not to say that the outdoor hot tub won’t get plenty of use, located at the far end of the outside travertine decks that terrace out above the ocean. Just beyond, stairs descend directly to the ocean below.

The first and second floors open onto decks with large sliding glass doors that span 20 feet of ocean views. Designed with entertaining in mind, a featured firepit and various seating areas occupy the outside, fusing the mixture of polished concrete, carefully selected landscaping, and glass details. The lower level terrace connects to a completely self-sufficient floor that can act as a guest house, having its own kitchen and laundry facilities, complete with a bed and bath, and large room with enough open square feet to hold any number of indoor leisure activities.

As with many oceanfront streets, houses off of Neptune are relatively close together. As a solution to privacy, the side windows that open to neighbors have been specified with a patterned glass that allows natural light in but obscures the sense of living so close to others. Specific design solutions were carried out to limit the need for traditional hallways; the utility room, for example, is located in the pantry, behind a hidden door.

Details such as this allow the main room to remain tidy and open while sharing the functions of kitchen, living room, dining room, and fireplace, ensuring that the focus truly is on the view.

The house was completed in 2006 and is currently listed on the market with Kramer & Martin Real Estate. (858/756-2398, www.ranchandcoastproperty.com) — Lauren Bender, photography by Vincent Knakal

Fireplaces, like the one that opens to both the bath and bedroom, are used as focal points