Coastal Contemporary

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Hawk + Co and Brandon Architects curate a modern beach retreat in Dana Point

In the entry, custom windows by Jeld-wen allow the light to flood in. Photos by Chad Mellon.

“As the CEO and principal of Hawk & Co., my design philosophy is a captivating synthesis of aesthetics and psychology in the context of the built environment. I am dedicated to my design sensibilities: contrasting light and shadow, exquisitely meticulous attention to detail, and deference to the natural environment,” says Summer Jensen, founder and principal designer at Hawk + Co. about how she approaches each project.

Genova Construction worked with the Brandon and Hawk teams on the ground up build. Photos by Chad Mellon.
Photos by Chad Mellon.

Inside this 8,100-square-foot beach home located in Dana Point, Jensen worked with Brandon Architects to realize a farmhouse style residence with a modern twist for clients who wanted “something crisp and clean against the natural colors of the ocean that felt elevated,” she notes. “We also began with a concept of the lower floor being more casual (sand on the feet, playing pool with the bbq roasting in the background) and from floor to floor, we became more sophisticated so by the Primary Suite, the design was more stylized yet using the same material palette throughout.”

The stone countertops are from MSI. The faucet is from Brizo. Photos by Chad Mellon.
Euroline doors open the kitchen to a terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Photos by Chad Mellon.

The Hawk team made the expansive home feel warm and intimate by installing textured finishes and patterns. “A three-story, custom 3-D grey brick geometric pattern connects each floor with a breezy, refined vibe,” says Jensen. “Large floor-to-ceiling window walls and sliding doors open to the Headlands to foster the indoor/outdoor living that defines Southern California.”

The gray tile in the family room is Ann Sacks. Photos by Chad Mellon.
Photos by Chad Mellon.

With any contemporary home that has floor to ceiling windows, there is always tension between expansive views that still provide a layer of seclusion. “There is a fine line that I like to walk between privacy and voyeurism,” says Jensen. “Obviously, shading devices always work but then you lose the million-dollar view so we had to get a little creative. Having both the primary bedroom and bathroom on the windows meant that we needed to understand the elevations from the back of the tub, from standing at the shower, from changing in the closet, and being at the vanity. Obviously, shading devices always work but then you lose the million-dollar view so we had to get a little creative.”

The faucets in the primary bathroom are by Brizo, the stone is from Stoneland USA. Photos by Chad Mellon.
Photos by Chad Mellon.

“I feel mother nature is the greatest artist and my firm pays homage to my Hawaiian family roots. Hawk & Co. is named after ka‘io, Hawaii’s native hawk whose radiance inspired the ali’i, or chiefs, to adopt it as a royal symbol,” she notes. This beautiful contemporary coastal retreat showcases Hawk’s ability to effortlessly blend styles while still remaining true to their core design values.