Bohemian Meets Beachy in California
This time of year when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, I daydream about packing up our family and running away to California. Sunshine, salt water and fresh air seem like the magic ingredients for a happy life and floral designer Julie Martin has them all at her home, along with her wonderful husband, J.T. and their dog, Roscoe. A year ago Julie and J.T. discovered this home in Capitola, California and quickly renovated and decorated until it felt like their own. Julie’s eclectic bohemian style married perfectly with J.T.’s love of all things beachy, creating a space that both hosts friends and family and houses Julie’s business. The couple now has a place where they can relax and work, as well as welcome their neighbors and loved ones for great parties and get-togethers. On a cold Brooklyn day like today, it’s a real treat to take a virtual tour through a space so filled with sun and happiness. Thanks to Julie, J.T. and Roscoe for sharing their home with us. xo, grace
Photographs by Molly Watson
Images above: The top image is the door to Julie and J.T.’s home. J.T. found the buoys washed up on the beach during a run. The second picture highlights the family’s colorful fireplace. Julie didn’t love all the white in the home, so she immediately painted the fireplace a bright turquoise. The third picture above is one of Julie’s stunning floral creations.
Click through for the rest of Julie’s sneak peek after the jump!
Image above: Julie designed and built the dining table herself. She used a salvaged window that serves as both a chic dining surface and a display box.
Image above: This small office nook in the living room was created using a desk that Julie’s mother gave her after moving back to her native France.
Image above: Julie loves to cook and spends a lot of time in the kitchen. A friend of Julie and J.T.’s built the custom chopping block table as a wedding gift.
Image above: The bathroom was the biggest challenge for J.T. and Julie. The previous pink and gray linoleum wasn’t working for them so they decided to remodel the entire space and use a salvaged redwood slab as the new countertop. The terrariums hanging next to the counter were created for one of Julie’s clients and spent some time in the bathroom for a while where the steamy air helped them start growing.
Image above: The bathroom’s copper tub was a Craigslist score and, once it was safe in her online shopping cart, inspired the renovation of the entire bathroom that very day.
Image above: Julie and J.T. love all the natural light in their bedroom that accents their stunning brass bed. Julie found the bed frame sitting in a pile of plywood at a horse ranch and the owner said, “That headboard is a classic! An antique! It’s worth a lot of money. But if you can haul it, you can have it!” Julie brought it back home and it’s been the focal point of their bedroom ever since.
Image above: When Julie first met her husband J.T., he had a collection of suitcases mounted on the wall in his bedroom to serve as shelves. She loved the look so much that they decided to recreate the look in their bedroom.
Image above: Julie uses the home’s garage as her work studio. She loves that it stays cool on hot days and has plenty of room (including a loft storage space) for flower arranging and a huge rolling barn door that makes moving arrangements in and out a breeze.
This place is wonderful! So calm and peaceful.
I need to stop teasing myself and looking at beautiful places like this. One day! I love this laidback but still put together style.
This was lovely to view on my nook.
Totally me. Creativity, ingenuity and a great sense of style. Love it!
That… TUB!
Awesome! So cute :)
Love this home tour. Any idea what brand/color the blue paint in the bathroom is? Thanks!
I moved from NYC to Cali 10 years ago & haven’t looked back. If everyone knew how good it is here the continent would tip to the west. Come on out while there is still room…the weather is fine ( and all else!)
I’d love to know the color for the fireplace….it’s gorgeous!
The headboard is rad, but I think it shouldn’t be in front of the windows like that. Am I alone?
Hi Molly! The color of the fireplace is Marine Aqua from Benjamin Moore and Rachel A. the bathroom is Kely-Moore paint Willow Blue. It’s a beautiful color that changes with the light :)
Whoa, that tub is ridiculously awesome. I wonder what the upkeep is like to maintain that finish, since copper reacts strongly to any little bit of water? So beautiful…what a score!
That bathroom counter! Works so well with the navy. Beautiful home!
Theresa
i’d love to know about the bird? pillows on the burgundy chair in front of the fireplace…what, where, how?
Those dining room room chairs are PERFECTION! Lovely home.
Yay! We spy a DENY Designs Duvet Cover! (Louis Armstrong Told Us So by Bianca Green) We’re so honored to be a part of this perfectly boho home.
Marni, I drew the birds myself and screen printed them on a pillow in white paint, then hand colored them in with fabric markers :)
It is a style that I enjoy. I have tried to present that same look in my own home…Yours is fantastic !
The bathroom is marvelous! I especially love the salvaged redwood slab as the new countertop and the terrariums. The artwork hanging above the bathtub looks like a one of a kind piece – beautiful!