Casual Elegance in a California Beach Home

When interior designer Gail Madison-Goodhue of Madison Interiors and her husband, Richard Goodhue, first walked the steps of the dated standard home, it was”possible at first sight.” It was not ideal, but it was nestled in their perfect location: surrounded by trees and just minutes from the beach in Rio Del Mar, California. Gail says, “I love where I live. I feel like I’ve landed where I want to be forever.”

When Gail remodeled the home, it was crucial to design something suitable to the traditional architecture yet dressed to fit the couple’s everyday life. “The home’s original exterior was artificial blossom in the worst feeling,” she states. They did a complete overhaul, remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms and giving the exterior and flooring a much-needed face-lift. But instead of buying all new furnishings, Gail made the majority of the home’s furniture from scratch. She states,”My home is my lab.”

at a Glance
Who lives here: Gail Madison-Goodhue and Richard Goodhue
Location: Rio Del Mar, California
Size: 2,500 square feet; 1 bedroom, 2 offices, two baths
That’s interesting: The house borders a golf course, which will be just steps away from your front door.

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While the home is just a brief distance away in the Pacific Ocean, it’s also right next to a golf course. The updated landscape of the home complements the well-groomed course. The original exterior did not incorporate any landscaping — no garden, no fence and no lawn. The bamboo siding is a first feature of the home which Gail says is part of”the home’s good bones.”

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Gail admits with her hectic lifestyle, she does not even make it in to her living room some days, but when she does, it’s to relax. Whether she and Richard are sitting by the fire or watching a film, the area functions as a retreat space.

The tree in the corner has been rescued from a wildfire in Bonny Doon, California.

Couch: Restoration Hardware

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As an interior designer, Gail says she often feels just like a psychologist seeking to blend her clients’ personalities with the architecture of their home. She states,”My husband was my client when designing my home. I tried to utilize design elements appropriate to his nature and the architecture.”

Collected seashells sit on the coffee table, which will be one of Gail’s original designs.

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A unique Scalamandre armchair gives a cozy spot by the fireplace.

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The entry hall is home to an 1800s classic coatrack used to hang sunhats.

Coatrack: Antiques & Interiors; wall paint: Liatras White, Donald Kauffman

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Gail and Richard prefer to unwind in their room with their grand piano. “Richard dabbles by ear, and that I play with music, mainly classical,” says Gail.

The group of artwork on the wall features sketches and etchings acquired by the couple over the years. Gail chose mainly white and black bits to keep the calmness of the room and included a subtle dash of colour with two oil paintings; among these she painted in seventh grade, and the other one is a classic gem.

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Gail wanted her decoration to be tasteful without being too formal. Stacks of books are placed regularly on the table to provide the formal room and furnishings a casual sense.

The table is an old English classic, and Gail made the seats.

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The home’s original floor plan was very conventional, with each room isolated and separated. After the few remodeled the home, they struggled to find a way to open it up to create more interacting space. Gail says altering the original structure”just didn’t feel right,” so they reoriented the kitchen, opening it up to allow space for a island and a seating area.

Bar stools: Pottery Barn

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An oversize clock in the old building in Germany makes sure meals are always served punctually. Gail found the clock in one of her favorite home made shops in Sonoma, California.

Wall paint: Monroe Bisque, Benjamin Moore

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Gail added wooden beams to provide the low ceilings depth and contrast. A wood turner built the kitchen island legs. The countertops are soapstone, a material found in similar conventional Cape Cod architecture.

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Gail picked a very simple color palette to the inside, allowing the outside to function as focal feature of the plan. She states,”I wanted the outside to leap in.” This corner seating nook in the kitchen is surrounded by windows, allowing for views of the beautiful landscaping.

Gail made the table, which is made of an old fallen cypress tree from Santa Cruz, California.

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The design of the home feels nestled in the landscape. The living area, kitchen and dining area are slightly elevated from the rest of the home.

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Gail made the beach-inspired guest toilet using elements resembling driftwood. She left the mirror out of pine and sandblasted it to achieve a beachy look.

Sink: St. Thomas Creations; seat: antique

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The master bedroom colour palette reflects Gail’s desire to have a serene environment at home. “My house is a tranquil oasis,” she states,”not where I want to be billed and energized.”

Gail made the bed, and it is one of her favorite pieces in the home.

Shannon Malone

In the master bath, gentle limestone tiling resembles sand. Gail made the unenclosed shower therefore it appears as though it were intended to be outside, giving bathers a tranquil sense of being at the shore. She also designed the chest of drawers.

Shannon Malone

The red door and yellowish chair enliven front patio. After giving the outside a face-lift, Gail decreased the amount of their original columns blocking the views and expanded their scale. She also washed the originally bright red brick siding with paint to give it a slightly worn look. Then she completed the look by replacing the window dividers with bigger ones.

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