Our Oceanside Home

A year ago, we were living in a 600sqft apartment, the same one we’d been in through college and covid. It was small, full of memories, and well past its expiration date. But we stayed and held out for something bigger.

In 2023 we started to really take home buying seriously. We got pre-approved for a loan and I got real about manifesting this for us. I made a manifestation board and filled it with images of homes I loved: warm wood tones, mid-century lines, wild gardens. Every morning, I lit a candle with that vision in mind. It might sound a little woo-woo, but I genuinely believe in the power of intention, and I think that energy helped lead us here.

Our budget was small by California standards, but we knew what we were looking for. We were patient (and picky), and looked at many houses before we found this one. Built in 1963 and largely untouched, it had good bones and lots of space for us to put our own spin on it. The home sits on a street of houses built in the 1960s and designed by mid-century architects A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons, known for their work within the mid century modern movement. As people who love design history, that made it even more special. We knew it was the one.

There’s still a lot we haven’t touched, and that’s part of why we love it. We wanted a place with character, something we could grow into and shape over time. A home with a story that we’d get to continue.

So, to celebrate one year of living in this space, I pulled together some before-and-afters. Not much has changed architecturally, but we’ve filled it with things we love and made a few updates (flooring and appliances) to bring it up to today’s standards.And - a heartfelt shoutout to our amazing realtor, Whitney Fields. The real MVP. We truly wouldn’t be here without her. She advocated for us every step of the way and taught us so much throughout the process. If you’re looking for a home in SoCal, I couldn’t recommend her more.

https://whitneyfieldshomes.com

Kitchen and Dining

Collage of the Oceanside kitchen and gallery wall with a kettle, red stools and hanging dried herbs

Oceanside kitchen with a framed blue pattern print, a red toaster and wood cabinets

Oceanside dining room with a framed gallery wall and a round wooden dining table

Living Room

Oceanside sitting area with a table lamp, framed art and a red kitchen stool

Oceanside living room with a white sofa, a pink blanket and a dark coffee table

Collage of an entry console with a plant, candlesticks, a floral painting and a pink pillow

Den/Sunroom

This is our favorite room of the house!

Oceanside living room with a hanging orange fireplace, wood ceiling beams and a plant

Collage of a wood paneled den with a cozy sofa and a table lamp beside framed art

Collage of an orange fireplace corner and a star quilt on a coffee table

Guest Bathroom

Small powder room with brown walls and a framed botanical print

Bathroom with a pedestal sink, a vanity light bar and a tiled shower with brown accent tiles

Main Bedroom

Collage of bedrooms with a macrame wall hanging, green bedding and patterned pillows

Bedroom corner with a yellow lamp, framed art and a woven wall hanging

If you want to know where I got anything, please comment and ask! I love to share. There are still lots we want to do, but we are so happy here. Thanks to everyone who has helped us get here. Feeling so lucky to call this home.

Archive * No. 008: The Home Edit

Our Oceanside Home

Archive * No. 009: Saltbox Style

Archive * No. 007: Facebook Shopping Guide and Memory Quilts