Hi Everyone!
Today is one of the most exciting moments of my career: I am beyond excited to share a dream project— the Gray Malin Getaway House! Soon you can book a stay and step into an immersive Gray Malin vacation experience.
THE BACKSTORY
You may remember my Lake Michigan house renovation project where I shared our journey renovating a 100-year-old home in a private community for our family. It was such a joy to design this special summer house and I have been dreaming of doing it again ever since.
During the pandemic, Jeff and I were anxious to leave Los Angeles for safety, and booked a last minute home rental in Montecito– only 90 minutes north of the city. The house was tired and outdated, but the location was absolutely mind-blowing and we fell in love with it instantly. Located steps away from the most famous beach in Santa Barbara, Butterfly Beach, and walking distance to the main street, Coast Village Road, we joked about how lucky we were to be able to rent the house on short notice in such a spectacular location with wonderful privacy.
Last summer I was in Montecito for a project and fatefully discovered the property was on the market. I instantly called my husband and we both knew in our hearts that this was the house we had long dreamt of turning into a Gray Malin Getaway rental home. Ever since working on our private family home on Lake Michigan, I've always wanted to create a similar holiday home accessible to everyone, merging my passion of art, design, and hospitality into a true Gray Malin experience.
However, this dream is certainly not turnkey!
THE RENOVATION PLAN
The home was built in 1965 and has not been updated in several decades. However, it sits on a large lot for its location and spans 4,000 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. Though it needs a lot of work, we felt that the home had excellent bones and that we could successfully complete a full scale renovation project to bring it into modern times, offering a true 5-star experience for our guests.
The goal for the renovation is to make the house incredibly comfortable while reflecting beautiful coastal design. We want each room to be picture-perfect, but functional and representative of my own taste and style. A few of the most impactful updates include all new hardwood flooring, an entirely new kitchen, a grand living room, all new bathrooms, and of course, swoon-worthy bedrooms that appeal to both adults and kids so the whole family can enjoy their stay.
Below you can see some of the progress from a few weeks ago, stripping the floors and demo-ing the home! As of today, the house is nearly down to the studs as we prepare for extensive renovations.
THE OUTDOOR SPACE
As we are fully renovating the interior, we are also completely redesigning the outdoor space. The home has a substantial outdoor yard, and given its proximity to the beach we know that outdoor living is a key experience for the enjoyment of our guests. We want this space to be the ultimate backdrop for entertaining, playing games, and making memories for all. I can’t wait to share more about this part of the renovation soon!
THE LOCATION
Montecito is known as the heart of the ‘American Riviera’ because the climate and topography are similar to the South of France and the Italian Riviera. Just a short walk from the home are many world-class restaurants and upscale shops, including the beloved Montecito Country Mart. Similar to Aspen or Nantucket, it’s truly uncanny how many incredible amenities there are in such a small community. Also, given its spectacular quality of life, the area has become a celebrity haven for everyone from Oprah to Prince Harry to Gwyneth Paltrow calling it home.
When we decided to do this project in Montecito, I wanted to bring a sense of accessibility with a warm home setting to the property, located in a luxury destination. Nearby resorts can cost a small fortune, especially for a larger family who needs more space.
For me personally, to vacation here is the ultimate getaway and an ideal location to spend time with my own kids. Just an hour and a half from Los Angeles, it's very convenient, accessible, and the perfect place to getaway with friends or family.
We have just begun the house renovation process and there is so much more to come. See here for the second update, including more about the interiors, decor, and our designer, Madison, of Madison Nicole Design.
Stay tuned as we document the full refresh of the outdoor space and landscaping. Look out for the big unveiling later this year, where you can learn how to book a stay in the Gray Malin Getaway House in the idyllic seaside hamlet of Montecito.
xx Gray