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One of our biggest goals for our Zuma Beach House renovation is that it’s a place where family and friends can gather—where we’ll spend long weekends, summer breaks, and holidays with the people we love most. And since the finished house will have a relatively modest footprint, it means making efficient use of every inch. I’m designing each room with equal parts beauty and function in mind.
For today’s post, I’m sharing our vision (and the renderings) for a chic, streamlined bunk room—a space that could comfortably sleep an entire family while still feeling cohesive with the Japandi-inspired aesthetic of the rest of the home.
A Soft Landing
This room may be small, but it’s one of the hardest-working spaces in the house. Adam and I designed a simple, low-profile bunk system crafted from white oak, with clean lines and subtle headboards—just enough structure to lean back with a book without feeling bulky or heavy in the space. One set of bunks will be two stacked twins; the other set will have a queen on the bottom, a twin on top, so that the room can sleep five people total. At each bed, a bronze wall sconce adds soft light for reading, and the overall palette stays warm, textural, and natural.
The floors will be Ingrid by Stuga, a neutral oak that feels timeless and adds quiet depth underfoot. Continuing our use of Portola Paints’ Roman Clay in Patagonia keeps the look cohesive with the rest of the house—the soft texture and subtle movement in the finish catch the light beautifully, creating a calm, lived-in feel.
Natural light floods the space through floor-to-ceiling Marvin sliding doors, which open to a small private patio and create a seamless flow between indoors and out. As is the case in any bedroom, light control is key. We’re layering two sets of drapery from Graber—blackout panels for restful sleep and sheer linen curtains for softly filtered light during the day. I’m still in the process of choosing fabrics, but here’s my inspiration so you can get a feel:
Anchoring the center of the room is a woven pendant from Lightology’s Woven collection. It’s a sculptural statement piece that casts a beautiful, organic shadow pattern across the walls. The natural fibers and handwoven texture tie into the coastal palette, adding a touch of artistry while keeping the mood relaxed.
A Minimalist Retreat: The Bunk Bath
Right off the bunk room sits one of the smallest—and most charming—bathrooms in the house. We wanted this room to feel calming, but with a few standout details that make it memorable.
We’re using a Duravit vanity in natural oak and the same ME by Starck wall-mounted toilet we’ve used elsewhere in the house. It’s sleek, modern, and beautifully designed—proof that even the most utilitarian pieces can elevate a space when chosen thoughtfully.
Over the vanity, this seagrass pendant light will introduce texture and warmth, while the Chico Small Arch Mirror adds a refined, sculptural touch. The mirror’s slim antique brass bar suspends a minimalist arch, echoing the house’s modern-meets-natural design language. Throughout, we’re using Kallista fixtures in unlacquered brass—timeless, tactile, and destined to develop a rich patina over time.
The bathtub design began with a very specific vision I had for the tile that would cover the walls inside the tub. I wanted to do a terra cotta pattern with a deep green insert at the center, and the team at CLAY Imports helped me bring it to life with a custom tile pattern in warm, earthy tones. When we visited their studio in San Miguel de Allende, I got to see the tiles being made by hand—a detail that will make this small bathroom feel incredibly special once installed.
Calm, Intentional, and Inviting
These rooms show that even the smallest spaces can feel special when every element is chosen with care. By keeping the design minimal and letting the materials speak for themselves, I hope our bunk room and bath feel like a soft landing for guests—a cozy, light-filled retreat that embodies the Zuma Beach House philosophy: thoughtful design, natural textures, and an effortless sense of calm.
