The Elevated Surf Shack: Indoor-Outdoor Living in Corona del Mar

Minimalist Curb Appeal with Aquafir™ Hazelnut Cedar

As featured in Luxe Interiors + Design, this Corona del Mar custom home required strategic design and material selection. Navigating strict height restrictions while fulfilling the homeowner’s request for a highly functional layout, the design utilizes a minimal, single-story footprint. By specifying Montana Timber Products’ Aquafir™ Cedar siding in Hazelnut and running it continuously from the exterior facade to the interior walls, the project maximizes spatial perception, seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor environments, and delivers a durable coastal retreat.

PROJECT DETAILS

Location
Corona del Mar, CA

Architect
Eric Olsen Design

Interior Design
Raili CA Design

Builder
Devco Homes

Landscape
Garden Studio Design

Photographer
Karyn Millet

PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS

Product Line
Aquafir™

Color
Hazelnut

Species & Grade
STK Cedar

The Material Palette: Blurring the Lines

To maximize the footprint of the home and create a powerful indoor-outdoor experience, the design team utilized the exact same Smooth Aquafir™ Hazelnut Cedar on both the outside of the home and the interior walls.

Exterior

Interior

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

Overcoming Height Restrictions – Vertical Cedar Siding Envelope

Strict building parameters designed to protect surrounding view corridors required the structure to maintain a low profile. To counter the compressed feeling of a single-story horizontal layout, the architect applied the 1×4 Cedar shiplap vertically. These vertical lines draw the eye upward, creating an illusion of height and establishing a strong architectural presence.

Maximizing Square Footage with Indoor to Outdoor Living

Lot size constraints demand creative spatial planning. The architect placed a central courtyard within the floorplan, utilizing pocketing glass doors to open the main living areas to the exterior. Installing the exact same Aquafir™ Hazelnut Cedar on both the exterior facade and interior walls visually erases the barrier between the rooms and the courtyard, dramatically expanding the perceived footprint.

The Warmth of Hazelnut

Minimalist exteriors risk feeling sterile, especially when utilizing pale limestone and smooth concrete. To ground the home and ensure inviting curb appeal, the design relies on the organic warmth of our Aquafir™ Hazelnut finish. The rich, deep brown Cedar softens the strong architectural lines, creating a sophisticated and welcoming entrance.

The Art of Concealment: The Hidden Garage Door

As noted in Luxe Interiors + Design, the client required a garage large enough for an adventure van. Because a standard oversized door would disrupt the contemporary facade, the builder integrated a concealed garage door. Running the vertical Cedar siding flush across the front elevation and directly over the mechanics conceals the functional storage space behind a seamless wood exterior.

Specifying Prefinished Wood for Pacific Coastal Environments

Coastal construction demands exterior materials capable of withstanding moisture and salt air. All materials for this project arrived at the job site kiln-dried and completely prefinished. Coated with our ultra-low VOC, water based stain Seal-Once, the Cedar siding provided immediate climate protection and eliminated the need for on-site finishing. The smooth texture and Hazelnut finish provide a durable, masculine aesthetic that complements the steel windows and limestone hardscaping, creating a resort-like ambiance.

THE RESULT

Executing a specialized build requires precise alignment between the architect, interior designer, and contractor. The successful installation of continuous material transitions and hidden exterior elements demonstrates a highly effective partnership between Eric Olsen Design, Raili CA Design, and Devco Homes. The result is a highly functional, climate-ready residence proudly featured on the 2024 CDM Home Tour.

GALLERY