"I think it is important to take my first cue from the environment around the house, the house itself, and the architecture," Los Angeles interior designer Tim Clarke says. "No matter what your individual style, making a house the best version of what it is already is going to be more successful." In this Malibu beach house, Clarke leveraged the sturdiness and character of the existing Spanish architecture, but coaxed the rooms out of a dark stupor and into an exotic and refreshing ease that fit the wave-lapped locale.
Out went dark finishes, heavy velvet draperies, and limiting views; in came broader archways with wide-open vistas, a lighter palette, and practical furnishings suited to an active young family of five (sand, spills, flip-flops, and all). Even though I'm a designer and people pay me to make things beautiful, practicality is important," Clarke says. "I would hate to create a room someone wasn't comfortable in."
This living room plan flexes to accommodate a bustle of activities, all with a view of the ocean through the arches behind the sofa. It includes seating for the entire family to huddle around the TV or fire, as well as a game table and an adjacent dining area where smaller groups or individuals can do different activities - read, work a puzzle, play board games, or dine - yet still be together.
Another choice in the living room is the flooring. Jute - a sand-sifting material that is easier to care for than carpet - spreads wall to wall. A softer, decorative rug atop it defines the seating area, yet stays clear of main dirt and wear paths.
Clarke chooses natural fabrics for upholstery and has them stain-treated, rather than using high-tech stain-resisting synthetics. Natural fibers "might stain easier, but the stains come out easier, too," he explains. "But I do stick with colors that are neutral and textured because texture tends to hid more imperfection than a flat, solid fabric."
Perhaps the home's best feature, though, is its ability to look beautiful even when mussed. "The living room still looks great even when the sofa pillows aren't perfect and everything isn't in its place," Clarke says. "It is a family space, and seems to retain its elegance and beauty even when it is at the height of its use filled with the three children and friends and family."
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