A vintage-style country house just steps from the ocean and the California beaches loved by surfers

By Sonia S. Braga

For the inhabitants of Hawaii, surfing had been a daily practice since the 16th century. It certainly wasn’t a “sport” in the modern sense we use today. Riding the waves on a papa-he-nalu—a wooden board carved from a tree trunk—was a display of superiority, a way to highlight one’s social rank, something very close to an initiation ritual.

When, in 1898, the islands were formally annexed by the United States, many tribal traditions were lost. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that Hawaiian surfer George Frith accepted an invitation from Alexander Hume and Jack London, becoming the first person to surf in California.

But it was through the feats of Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku that surfing became a popular sport. Considered the father of modern surfing, Duke’s appearances on California beaches marked the beginning of the American surfing era and helped turn the Golden State into one of the world’s paradises for lovers of the sport.

Just steps from the Ocean

Still in California, in the 1950s, Jack O'Neill invented one of the most iconic tools for surfers: the wetsuit. O'Neill—born among the natural beauty and beaches of Santa Cruz—still bears his name.

Because Santa Cruz is Lighthouse Point, Pleasure Point, and Steamer Lane—some of the best surf spots in the United States. In this “Surf City,” Suna Lock, designer at Stripe Design Services, chose to live with her husband Josh Fischer and their two children.

Their home sits in the hills above Santa Cruz, just steps from Branciforte Creek, a tributary of the San Lorenzo River. It is a farmhouse built in 1910 and expanded over the years. The front of the house remains charmingly symmetrical, while the rear required significant renovation. The project could only begin here: the back half of the home—where the kitchen is located—needed to be modernized and connected to the original early-20th-century structure.

Starting from scratch…

Rather than renovating what was already there, Suna Lock decided to tear it down and start over. With the help of Bill Kempf of William C. Kempf Architects, she designed a modern black barn set perpendicular to the original white house.

The new structure simplifies the rooflines and enhances the farmhouse’s traditional wooden cladding by using dark vertical paneling. This new wing houses the kitchen and dining area and is flanked by two large glass walls, allowing the entire space to open up to the surrounding landscape, which can be enjoyed almost year-round.

The result is striking: “I wanted to embrace the sense of modernity that large glass elements bring to architecture, while at the same time honoring the era and style of the original house,” the designer explains. “The floor is made of oak planks, while the ceiling features a delicate concentric texture. These elements tie together seamlessly, making the interior feel like one cohesive home.”

Vintage style and modernity

There are many signature touches that define this home. The kitchen island, for example, was salvaged from a 1930s bakery, while the kitchen pendant lights—echoing the Thonet Bentwood dining chairs—come from an old school in Ohio. The strength of the project lies in its carefully balanced mix of antique pieces and a contemporary setting.

“The rest of the kitchen features quartzite countertops, while the original worn wooden surface has been preserved,” the designer continues. “All the major appliances are fully integrated to remain discreet. The refrigerator and dishwasher are by Fisher & Paykel, the sink faucet and pot filler are by Rohl, and the range is by Dacor.”

Suna Lock and Josh Fischer closely followed every phase of the work, which lasted about twelve months, living in a geodesic dome they owned throughout the renovation. They held weekly meetings with the contractor, and many decisions were made along the way—each the result of a shared vision and a harmony that clearly emerges in the final result.

“That’s also why there wasn’t a single ‘big reveal’ or unexpected ‘wow moment,’” Suna concludes. “I won’t deny that the excitement grew as moving day approached—we all couldn’t wait to settle into this new space in Santa Cruz. Even our pets, our beloved dogs Charlie and Lola, seemed to share in the excitement.”

Amid the wonders of this “Surf City”—with its parks, beaches, redwood forests, and eucalyptus groves where monarch butterflies spend the winter…