It's a bold claim, but I think this house is one of the best modern coastal style properties we've ever seen. At least, it's one of the most elegant coastal homes I have ever seen.
In Marin County, in the San Francisco Bay area of California, there are breathtakingly beautiful ocean views from almost every room. It was recently renovated, with the aim of elevating the design and creating a subtle coastal style decor to match the property's picture-perfect setting. However, there were other factors to take into account, besides the location, as interior designer Elizabeth Cooper explains.
'The number one project must-have was that it be a modern, coastal, serene house that’s comfortable and inviting – not cold or sterile,' says Elizabeth, who picked up the brief in 2019. The owners were great friends of hers, having worked together on their previous properties, so there was already an understanding of style and intent, which made the whole process easier.
Based in New York and San Francisco, Elizabeth Cooper offers a high-end, full-service residential design firm, equally at home working on city apartments, East Coast beach houses, and mountain lodges. She’s known for creatively mixing periods, styles, colors, and patterns and feels that houses are a very personal reflection of the people who live there, working closely with her clients to reflect their unique aesthetic sensibility.
In the kitchen, it was the clients who led the design decisions. 'The wife really had the vision and pushed me to go for a truly modern kitchen – and I’m so happy that she did,' says Elizabeth. 'She wanted high gloss kitchen cabinetry with plain fronts and no hardware.'
In fact, this sophisticated, pared-back look is the perfect way to frame the views of the bay.
'The homeowners had a very clear vision for their house – coastal modern. The incredible water views, from almost every room, really determined the color palette,' says Elizabeth.
Behind the pure white kitchen island, a blue-gray La Cornue range and hood provide just a hint of color, while staying within the natural coastal color scheme.
'I love the custom design and overscale size of the Remains Lighting milk-glass pendants, the La Cornue range, and the Soane Britain counter stools juxtaposed with the very modern cabinetry,' adds Elizabeth.
Open plan to the main kitchen, the eat-in kitchen is a place for relaxed family meals and chats.
'I love the relative simplicity of the furnishings in this space with its many windows overlooking the bay and wall of doors that open onto the terrace and pool,' says Elizabeth.
'The crisp white color and shape of the Howe London chairs work well with the beautiful wood, and angled ends, of the dining table from RW Guild. And we selected the Apparatus light fixture because there’s a lot of open space in its design, and it doesn’t block the view.'
Anyone looking for inspiration for a modern coastal living room will find it right here, in this elegant and tranquil space. Besides the absolute gift of an ocean view, designer Elizabeth makes the most of the colors, textures, art, and furniture in the space to achieve the modern coastal aesthetic, mixing antique furnishings, mid-century pieces and contemporary items to perfection.
'The limited, serene coastal color palette resonates with all of the bay views outside – white/ivory greys, all shades of blue,' she says. 'We chose warm but light wood finishes and a beautiful plaster decorative wall finish that I love – it’s like the interior of a shell. We intentionally kept the upholstered furniture low, so as not to block the view at all.'
Pulling the whole scheme together, and an artwork in itself, is a beautiful plaster shell form central light fitting, by Stephen Antonson at Liz O’Brien in NYC.
'The dining room is open to the living room, so we really wanted the two spaces to flow together beautifully,' explains Elizabeth. The specialist plaster decorative wall finish (by Caroline Lizarraga) continues from the living room, helping to unify the two areas. In terms of aesthetic, there's still the coastal feel, but here it's more of a streamlined, elegant look.
'We were quite inspired by townhouses and flats, in London and Paris, that have very traditional exteriors but modern and light interiors,' says designer Elizabeth. 'We were also inspired by the interior coastal color palettes of houses on the eastern end of Long Island and Nantucket. I’ve worked on several projects there, and the wife is originally from Boston, so those New England coastal color palettes really resonated with both of us for this California house.'
In a pared-back room scheme like this, details are all important. Elizabeth partners a mid-century credenza and antique chairs with a Rose Uniacke Draper's Table and a branching bubble light fixture by Lindsey Adelman. The astonishing painting is by Jamie Nares at Kasmin Gallery.
This may be an elegant and beautifully curated home, but first and foremos,t it's a family house designed to suit life with two young children and a dog. 'Our vision was comfortable and cozy yet chic! No sharp edges, and plenty of durable fabrics to withstand family life,' says Elizabeth.
The family living room perfectly sums up that approach, open to the kitchen on one side, and the pool and outdoor eating and sitting space on the other. With the bifold doors open, it's ready to make the most of all that California can offer in terms of indoor-outdoor living.
The sofa and large ottoman are from Verellen.
Look how effectively and stylishly a few well-chosen pieces of furniture can turn an ordinary entryway into a special space full of personality. Whether for a reading nook or simply a quiet resting place away from the busy areas of the home, thinking carefully about this often overlooked space can transform the feel of the whole home. The striking black cabinet is a mid-century cocktail cabinet.
'It’s a relatively simple entry, so we kept it simple,' says Elizabeth. 'The soft grey Holland & Sherry wallpaper draws one in, with direct views into the living room and the bay views outside. The wallpaper is carried down the first hall and up the stairs to the second floor hall.'
When a bedroom has a view this beautiful, it makes sense to keep the furnishing and decor neutral and simple, to allow the ocean to take center stage.
While the colors are soft whites and creams, the shapes here are strong, with a bed from Mitchell Gold, chair from Ralph Pucci, and button table from Howe London. The artwork above the fireplace is by Elliott Puckette, Kasmin Gallery, and that above the chair is by Kinuko Imai Hoffman, Gerald Bland.
'We wanted the bathroom to relate to the beautiful views of the bay and the foothills in the landscape outside,' says designer Elizabeth. 'And to have a spa-like feel.' Well, with a corner window over scenery like that, we predict many long, relaxing baths ahead!
All fixtures and fittings are by Waterworks, with marble from Exquisite Surfaces throughout and sconces from Urban Electric.
Shop the look
On the living room coffee table, a white ceramic bowl fits the calm and sophisticated coastal look. The Adelaide oval platter from Astier de Villatte is a good match.
Throw pillows in the living room reflect the ocean blues outside, with a traditional medallion design on both armchairs. This Laura Ashley embroidered pillow would give a similar look.
When the dining table is not in use for entertaining, the homeowner keeps it looking chic with a collection of sculptural white ceramic vases. This collection, available from Amazon, is similar.
The chairs in the formal dining room are antiques, bought from a nearby dealer, but these Ethyn upholstered chairs, sold as a pair, would create a similar effect.
In keeping with the primary bedroom's restful neutrals and warm white color scheme, the bedside lamp is cream with a highly textured base. This Pooky cordless lamp with a ceramic base is an excellent alternative.
This family are big fans of an accent table, and use them in most of the main rooms. In the primary bedroom, a sculptural drinks table is positioned next to an armchair. This marble table would give a similar look.
Interior design: Elizabeth Cooper Interiors
Photography: Francesco Lagnese, styling Howard Christian
