A California Beach Cottage Makeover
Designer Peter Dunham and architect Scott Laidlaw transform a Mediterranean-style stucco house in Newport Beach, California, into a cottage-style clapboard. By bringing in natural elements, skylights, and an open-space plan, Dunham creates an easy and casual home.
Written by David A. Keeps | Photography by Victoria Pearson
Living Room
A window seat in the living room is upholstered in Pacific Blue Lido chenille from Dunham's textile line. Unlined natural woven shades filter the light. The 1950s French wall lamp is by Pierre Guariche.
Living Room
The living room mix: Dunham's contemporary sofa accented with pillows in vintage indigo Japanese textile; a wrought-iron coffee table by Parisian designer Jean Royère; and 1940s Swedish chairs covered in Clarence House's Rigato.
Living Room Fireplace
By the living room fireplace, the seating area is like "a cozy pub" on chilly nights. Ole Wanscher armchairs flank an ottoman covered in antique rug fragments. Jacques Adnet lamp. Christopher Farr rug.
Deck
The deck sports vintage wicker chairs.
Staircase
A David Hicks-inspired banister enlivens the front hall.
Kitchen
The wood kitchen counter continues the modern nautical feel. "And with everything else white and stone, it adds a dimension of warmth," Dunham says. "It's much less cold to lean on."
Dining Room
A 10-foot-long banquette makes the dining area one of the most inviting spots in the house. Above it hang California plein-air paintings from the owners' collection. How to Marry a Millionaire rush chairs from Hollywood at Home. Molador leather hurricanes with brass base from Mecox.
Wall Paneling
"This was a dark room that was a bit stodgy and gloomy," Dunham says. "I thought, 'Let's go more cavelike.' So I paneled it in cerused white oak, inspired by Jean-Michel Frank." Anchoring the seating group is a storage ottoman with a cushion in Edelman leather from Dunham's store, Hollywood at Home. He designed the sectional sofa for the room and added vintage Peter Hvidt lounge chairs as a counterpoint: "You have to mix the notes. With all the solid upholstery, I wanted wooden pieces that were bony and sculptural." Walnut and ebony mirror from Reborn Antiques.
Library
The library's sleek white leather desk is stylishly paired with a sculptural oak Craftsman-style chair.
Master Bedroom
Dunham designed the bed for the master bedroom; he hung Japanese fabric embroidered in butterflies and wisteria from a set of curtains he found at an estate sale. "I love four-poster beds," he says. "They're so come-hither. A mattress and box springs on a metal frame does not say, 'Come lie on me or sit with a friend.'"
Master Bedroom
A 1920s Japanese hand-embroidered curtain panel from a Pasadena estate hangs behind the cane headboard on the four-poster in the master bedroom.
Bathroom
An armchair, a ceramic stool, an aged Persian rug, wallpaper, and Roman shades create a sitting room atmosphere in Susan Croul's bathroom. Dunham's KP Armchair in Carolina Irving Mimosa Vine, from Hollywood at Home. Ralph Lauren herringbone wallpaper.
Guest Room
An Alexander Calder print and Sultan's Suzanni bedding by Martyn Lawrence Bullard inject a fanciful air in the guest room.
Front Door
The Dutch door was added to take advantage of sea breezes. It's painted Benjamin Moore Pacific Ocean Blue, a color that carries through the house.