Custom Kitchen Case Study
Malibu Beach House Kitchen
Ocean views meet culinary excellence in this beachfront kitchen featuring teak cabinetry and marine-grade hardware designed to thrive just 50 feet from the Pacific.
Project Overview
A 520-square-foot beachfront kitchen engineered from the ground up for coastal durability, featuring sustainably sourced Burmese teak and uncompromised Pacific Ocean views.
Location
Malibu, CA
Style
Coastal Modern
Size
520 sq ft
Duration
7 months
Budget
$240,000
Year
2024
Key Features
Every element engineered for beauty and resilience in the demanding coastal environment.
Custom Teak Cabinetry
Burmese teak with natural golden hue and high oil content providing inherent resistance to moisture, salt, and UV exposure
Marine-Grade Hardware
316-grade stainless steel pulls and hinges engineered for salt-air environments, with a brushed finish that conceals wear
Ocean-View Kitchen Island
Large center island with waterfall marble countertop, integrated storage, and bar seating oriented toward the Pacific panorama
Open Display Shelving
Floating teak shelves replacing upper cabinets to preserve unobstructed ocean views, with marine-grade bracket supports
Challenges & Solutions
Building for the ocean demands materials and methods that go far beyond standard kitchen construction.
Salt-Air Corrosion Resistance
Located just 50 feet from the Pacific Ocean, every material and finish needed to withstand constant salt spray, high humidity, and marine-grade environmental conditions.
Our Solution
Selected Burmese teak for its natural oil content and marine durability, paired with 316-grade stainless steel hardware and a UV-resistant marine spar varnish system tested to withstand 10+ years of coastal exposure.
Ocean View Preservation
The kitchen needed to maximize the panoramic Pacific views while providing adequate storage and workspace—upper cabinets would have blocked the ocean sightlines.
Our Solution
Eliminated upper cabinets entirely in favor of open teak shelving on the window wall, with all primary storage concentrated in a large island and floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinet on the interior wall.
Sand & Moisture Management
Beach sand and moisture are constant in a beachfront home. Cabinet interiors and hardware needed to function flawlessly despite sand infiltration and humidity swings.
Our Solution
Installed sealed drawer boxes with marine-grade gaskets, oversized Blum Tandem slides rated for sandy conditions, and a whole-kitchen dehumidification system integrated into the ventilation design.
Our Process
From coastal environmental analysis to tidal-schedule delivery, this project required a uniquely marine approach.
Coastal Site Assessment
Evaluated environmental conditions including salt exposure levels, humidity patterns, and sun angles to inform material and finish selection.
Deliverables:
- Environmental analysis
- Material testing
- View corridor mapping
- Design concept
Marine-Grade Engineering
Specified all materials, finishes, and hardware for marine-grade coastal performance, including accelerated testing of finish systems.
Deliverables:
- Material specifications
- Finish system testing
- Hardware selection
- Ventilation design
Teak Fabrication
Crafted all cabinetry from sustainably sourced Burmese teak, applying marine spar varnish in controlled conditions for optimal adhesion.
Deliverables:
- Teak cabinetry
- Island construction
- Open shelving
- Marine finish application
Beachfront Installation
Coordinated tidal schedules for delivery access, installed with corrosion-resistant fasteners, and commissioned dehumidification systems.
Deliverables:
- Coastal installation
- Hardware mounting
- System commissioning
- Final inspection
Client Testimonial
Hear what our clients have to say about their beachfront kitchen.
“PineWood Cabinets understood that a beach house kitchen isn't just about aesthetics—it's about engineering for the ocean environment. Two years in, our teak cabinets look even more beautiful than the day they were installed, and everything still works perfectly despite the salt air.”
Amanda & James Porter
Malibu, CA
Ready to Create Your Coastal Dream Kitchen?
Let's discuss your vision and create a kitchen that thrives in your coastal environment while delivering stunning design.