It all started with a ship captain in the 1920’s. He translated his passion for the seafaring life into a nautical-inspired Arts and Crafts home. Wood planks from the deck of his boat became flooring, a porthole became a window, and ceramic tiles, souvenirs from his many ports of call, became embellishment for a stone fireplace.
Each successive owner has added his own touch of handicraft and clever design. A cabinet-maker and sailor maximized space with built-ins, and in a nod to Craftsman-style architecture and life below deck, added transom windows to allow light to pour into the living room from above. In the 1970‘s, a greenhouse adjoining the original home was converted into a front entry and corridor, linking to a new wing consisting of three bedrooms and what is now an office. The last owner, a home builder, infused the property with an Asian vibe with the addition of open decking and a privacy wall of bamboo, cautiously contained within a 6-ft.-deep layer of poured cement.
What started as a simple home and greenhouse nearly a century ago has bloomed into an expansive ranch-style bungalow rooted in a legacy of craftsmanship. Current owners Monica, founder of The Revelation Project, and Austin, a web marketer and digital strategist for a large financial company and founder of blocs.tv, built a creatively designed reading nook they call the “treehouse” for the kids. The space, converted from attic storage and brightly lit by a skylight, is accessed only by a wooden ladder that is stored horizontally on the wall in the hallway below it.
Monica and Austin were charmed by the home’s simplicity, attention to detail, and layout, which creates a natural separation between private and public spaces. The house feels bright, open and airy; standing in one place, it is possible to see into multiple rooms at the same time. Despite this, there are numerous cozy spots with comfortable seating just begging for someone curl up and be lulled into a cat nap by the warmth of the sun. The original artwork, family photographs, cheerful fabrics, and bright colors that fill each room add an authenticity befitting of this gem of a home. If the ship captain could see what has become of his creation, he would be proud.
You can see the full house tour and read more about Monica and Austin's unique home on Apartment Therapy.
Photos and text by Jacqueline Marque