A Calming Home With Pacific Ocean Views

After 12 years in a Brentwood, CA, condo, Nili and Gary Ovsiowitz decided to beachify their lives. Eager for ocean views and salty breezes, they purchased a ’60s-era home in the Malibu hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, on a cul-de-sac down the street from Gary’s parents and a couple of blocks from his brother. The family-friendly location was perfect, but the dated interiors, with original wood paneling and a throwback brick fireplace wall, felt out of sync with the seaside address.

Wanting a more laid-back look — “like a Cape Cod cottage,” says Nili — the couple embarked on a major facelift of the 3,160-square-foot space. Topping the reno list: stripping out the mid-century details, laying wide-plank oak floors and removing a wall between the dining and family rooms. Working with interior designer Tracy Gilmore, they chose unfussy furnishings and coastal-inspired art that reflect the kick-off-your-shoes ease of being just a mile and a half from the waves. The final result is “totally chill,” says Nili. “How could we not feel calm living here?” 

A cool blue, green and cream palette sets a relaxed tone in the living room, which includes a sink-into-it Lee Industries sofa with super-stuffed cushions and chairs with graphic Tuvalu Home pillows. When a new glass top gave the white-lacquered coffee table a greenish tinge, Nili went all in with the color and had the table relacquered in Hazy Skies by Benjamin Moore. Drapes sewn from ticking-stripe linen by Fabricut continue the easygoing vibe. The wool-blend rug is from NW Rugs. 

A console lacquered in orange (Rust by Benjamin Moore), with matching linen-covered drawer fronts and leather handles, adds 7 ½ feet of storage — and a major pop of one of Nili’s favorite colors — to the entry. Set in a silver frame, the photo of a leaf-strewn pier echoes the console’s vibrant hue.

The rustic table, made from reclaimed Douglas fir, keeps the dining room casual. So does the mix-and-match seating: The blue chairs are covered in wipe-clean Duralee faux leather, and the Restoration Hardware wingback chairs are slipcovered in machine-washable linen. The distressed iron chandelier is from Mecox, and the linen drapes with a batik-style print are Katie Leede & Company.