“The Sommerhus collection was inspired by the Danish tradition of retreating to the sea and the forest for a short period of time and living simply and peacefully,” says Julie Pointer Adams. The first experience came from six weeks of summer that Julie and her husband and creative partner, Ryan Adams, and their two young sons spent on a beach in Denmark.
Outside of the retail space, their newly opened store in Carpinteria, California, just 12 miles up the coast from Santa Barbara, is a showcase for their design approach and the many ways they use it. In addition to being the author of three popular design books, includingWabi Sabi Welcome,Julie is a photographer and art director who loves helping others feel at home. As a final art school project, Julie made a meal for the 60s where everything, down to the carved wooden forks, was created by her or another maker. “It wasn’t clear how that would turn into a career,” he says, but then he became Kinfolk’s first employee, organizing the brand’s signature community dinners near and far and contributing to Kinfolk’s books.
Together with Ryan he is now focused on creating community in many ways, including turning their studio, Atelier Sunhouse, into a store. They also work as design consultants: “What we do falls beyond the realm of interior design and decoration, and is much more along the lines of training in creating the home (and home feelings) our clients dream of,” explains Julie, who is currently completing her next book,Airy spaces,is out this spring from Artisan Books. Join us to view their new clubhouse.
Photos by Julie Pointer Adams, unless noted, all courtesy of The Sommerhus Collection by Atelier Sunhouse (@ateliersunhouse).
Above: Ryan Adams and Julie Pointer Adams enlisted their seven-year-old son to take this photo. Both grew up in the area and are multi-hyphenate: Ryan was an 8th grade math teacher with a good eye who ran Atelier Sunhouse (he tracked down, among other things, the most desirable 1970s rocker he sat on).
The white linen dress is by local fashion designer Kate McMahon. The Frama Chair 01 was “inspired by chairs commonly found in Nordic halls and churches from the 1800s”—and it’s stackable. Photo by Oliver Adams.
Above: The space has natural light on all sides. It was formerly used by a hat maker. Within days of signing the lease, Julie and Ryan stripped the carpet and painted the floor. Of their color choice—Benjamin Moore’s Blue Dusk—Julie says, “we wanted it to feel like you were floating in the ocean.”
The Farmhouse Trestle Table is by Frama. Julie made benches in primary school: “I’ve been struggling with them for the last 15 years.”
Above: The store is on the second floor of the historic Lindamar Studios building on Linden Ave, one of Carpinteria’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Designs on offer range from contemporary Scandinavian classics to favorite pieces of Julie and Ryan and friends and colleagues, such as SF designer Tina Frey’s Swan Vessel. One of the services offered by Atelier Sunhouse is corporate and personal gifts.
Above: The bentwood Dondolo rocker is a 1970s design by Luigi Crassevig. The store’s prints are from the popular modern art museum in Louisiana, just north of Copenhagen, and are available at limited, non-framed prices, starting at $75.
Above: “I gravitate toward things that feel like they’re from another time—things that can age with me,” says Julie of the Hillsdale Chair by Hetta Home of Vancouver, BC (kind of like a Sunday sister). “If you’re looking for a statement heirloom piece, this thing is almost as tall as me.”
The striped clothing offered in adult and child sizes is from Danish brand Bongusta, making its US debut at the store. Terry’s clothes, Julie explains, are what Danes wear when they go to and from the beach; no cover ups or towels required, bathing suits are optional.
Above: More summer wear by Santa Barbara fashion designer Kate McMahon.
Above: Collapsible, portable Outdoor Market chairs and stainless steel fire pit, all by Jasper Morrison of Hay.
About: Shop rugs are made from sea grass, cornhusk, and rush, and the tiles can be cut to size. They are available to order. Discover the Sommerhus Collection for yourself at 888 Linden Ave. in Carpinteria.
For more inspiration, check out Remodelista’s summer house archive, including:
- Seaside Scandi: A 1970s Cabin Makeover on the Danish Riviera
- Pine House 1970: Modern Danish Summer House in Liseleje
- Harmoni: A Low Impact Summer House in Rural Vollerup, Denmark
- Practical New England: The Case of Painted Wood Floors in a Summer Cottage