Dune
On an idyllic stretch of Northern California, where the mountains melt into the coastline, Dune blurs the boundary between landscape and interior through considered pattern, colour and layering.
When Meghan Eisenberg, founder of her eponymous Los Angeles design studio, was brought in to balance Dune’s existing architecture with the needs of a vibrant young family, the brief was anchored by four words: cosy, warm, unconventional and lived-in. The bones of the home were strong but serious; a considered cosmetic update, drawing on enduring local design traditions, helped harmonise the architecture with its new owners.
The dwelling’s essential structure was preserved throughout the renovation process. Long, welcoming atrium corridors remain, while a twisted metal staircase builds anticipation on arrival before giving way to light-filled communal spaces. Beautiful cedar siding, used throughout both the interior and exterior, is still the defining feature. This rich saturation of timber is central to the design vernacular of Sea Ranch architecture from the 1960s and ’70s. “We wanted to play with this correlation, researching archival imagery for inspiration,” Eisenberg says. “This helped us break free of the expected beach home decor and move into something more exciting and fun.”
The warmth and richness of the cedar siding helped ground Eisenberg’s material choices. Florals, stripes, plaids and chequerboard may seem like a lot, but together they create a distinct energy in each room. “Honestly, before we installed, I was worried we went overboard,” she confesses. “But once we got the pieces into the space, complemented by the cedar and dappled ocean light, everything felt right and relaxed.”
Rejecting the predictable whites, creams and maritime blues that often associated with seaside homes, Dune is wrapped in earthier tones. The residence’s more sophisticated colour palette draws not only from the rugged coastline but the woodlands behind it. High-quality furniture upholstered in durable fabrics quickly became essential: after crabbing, swimming, hiking or surfing, the occupants needed to be able to “plop down” comfortably.
The first purchase for the project was a custom Pierre Yovanovitch ceramic wall lamp in shades of blue, cream and green, representing ocean, sand and land. This sculptural piece, sitting at the end of the entry hall, became a guide for so many design decisions that followed. Moving into the dining room, there’s another tactile reminder of Dune’s surroundings – the chandelier made of raw materials is inspired by mid-century designer Adrien Audoux, who crafts every piece with rope.
The bedrooms, too, feature bold material choices that resist convention. In the primary suite, a custom floating bed incorporates integrated nightstands and retro striped upholstery. Eisenberg chose custom trundle beds for the children’s rooms to accommodate larger family gatherings. For the girls, poppy-print fabrics bring the surrounding meadows indoors, while the boys’ scheme takes a more nautical, Americana-inspired direction with Les Indiennes bedding.
In its final form, Dune is a wistful weekend retreat: a home that reflects modern taste and a spirit of adventure without losing its connection to the small beachside community in which it stands.
