We’re officially in the exciting part of our Malibu renovation—concrete has been poured for the addition, framing is done for the original footprint, and we’re currently framing out the new great room/kitchen. Every week, it’s feeling a little more real (follow along with real-time updates on my Instagram.)

Today, we’re diving into a space I’ve been thinking about since we first began this journey five years ago: We’re calling it the “Media Room” and it will serve as our comfy family room space. This room will be the site of movie nights, plus all the relaxing and hanging out together as a family. It’s “Operation: Cozy,” and here’s how we’re designing a space that feels connected and design-forward.

Vaulted Ceilings for a More Spacious Feel

One of the biggest transformations in this room will be the ceiling. I remember when we first toured the house with our realtor—we all agreed that its biggest negative was the low ceilings which made the entire space feel a bit cramped. So, one of our first design decisions was to vault the ceiling, and the change will be dramatic. When you walk into the new space, it will feel expansive and airy—without needing to increase the square footage of the room itself.

The Before—and Our Plans for the After Built-Ins Made to Be Beautiful and Functional

The heart of the room will be a full wall of built-ins—open shelving, drawers for storage, and a Frame TV. This will be the only TV in the house, which is an intentional choice (sorry, kids!). Our vision for this house is that it fosters a lifestyle around time spent outdoors, gathered around the table, or sharing slow mornings together—not constantly on screens. This room will be where we pile on the couch for movie nights, to play board games, or curl up with a book on overcast days.

The open shelves are designed for more than just storage, though we definitely need it. It’s also where we’ll display favorite books, sculptural pieces, vessels, and collected finds. I want the built-ins to feel refined and integrated into the home’s design, rather than overly utilitarian. We’ll be incorporating closed cabinetry along the lower half for things like board games, extra blankets, and devices.

Oak vs. Cane: Choosing the Cabinet Fronts

For the built-in cabinetry, I explored two directions: solid oak and cane-front panels. Cane brings such beautiful texture, and we modeled both options in the space to compare side by side. In the end, we decided to go with solid oak for its simplicity and timelessness. The goal is for this space to feel warm and welcoming, and I wanted to avoid anything too trendy that we might tire of down the line. Here are the visualizations so you can see both options. Which gets your vote?

Framing the Doorway With an Arch

Initially, the design plans showed a standard door opening connecting the Great Room to the Media Room. I instinctively knew it could have more character and architectural interest, so we modeled it with an arch and loved the update. It’s a small change that adds so much character. I love how the curve softens the transition between spaces and brings an elevated, custom feel that nods to the Mediterranean influences throughout the home.

Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out

As in the rest of the house, we want as much indoor-outdoor flow in this room as possible. To achieve this, we’re installing two sets of glass pocket doors from Marvin that will fully open to the backyard and ocean view. These doors will allow us to completely blur the boundaries between indoors and out—when they’re open, it will feel like one large indoor-outdoor space.

To add softness and filter the natural light, we’ll be using Graber’s floor-to-ceiling drapery. The track will be recessed into the ceiling for a seamless look that doesn’t distract from the architecture.

Making Space for What Matters

I’ll be honest, at first I was nervous that this space was going to feel more utilitarian than the rest of the house. I didn’t want it to revolve around the TV or storage needs. I’m so happy with our final designs, which feel just as design-driven as the rest of the plans and fit right into our Japandi Beach House aesthetic. I can already visualize the memories we’ll make in this room—board game tournaments, cozy movie nights, and the simple joy of being together. Every design decision we’ve made, from the vaulted ceilings to the curated built-ins, supports that feeling of comfort and intention.

I can’t wait to see this space come to life—and share the finished result with you soon!

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