Type
Residential
Location
Malibu, CA
Year
2024
Area
3,200 sq ft
Materials
2,400 board feet of reclaimed teak and pine
Timeline
10 weeks
Budget Range
$85,000 - $110,000
Wood Species Used
- Reclaimed Teak (exterior decking & shower)
- Reclaimed Eastern White Pine (shiplap ceilings)
- Salvaged Driftwood Pieces (accent features)
Finishes Applied
- Marine-grade teak oil on decking
- Whitewash lime finish on pine ceilings
- Natural sealed finish on driftwood accents
Project Story
This luxury oceanfront home in Malibu was undergoing a comprehensive remodel with a design direction centered on coastal elegance and sustainable materials. The homeowners, avid surfers and ocean conservationists, were insistent that their renovation reflect their environmental values.
The primary feature of the project was a 600 sq ft outdoor deck and entertaining area using reclaimed teak. Teak is the gold standard for outdoor applications due to its exceptional resistance to moisture, rot, and UV degradation — and reclaimed teak has the added benefit of being more dimensionally stable than new teak because it has already undergone decades of natural seasoning.
Our reclaimed teak was sourced from a decommissioned research vessel at the Port of Long Beach. Marine-grade teak decking from ships is among the finest reclaimed wood available — it has withstood the most extreme conditions imaginable and remains structurally sound. We resurfaced each plank to reveal the warm honey-gold tone beneath the weathered gray exterior.
Throughout the interior, we installed reclaimed Eastern white pine shiplap on the ceilings of the main living area, primary bedroom, and two guest rooms. The pine was salvaged from a barn demolition in Santa Barbara County and had a beautiful, soft grain pattern. We applied a lime whitewash finish that lightened the wood to a sun-bleached coastal tone while allowing the grain to show through.
As custom accent features, we sourced and prepared driftwood pieces for the entryway console, bathroom mirrors, and a dramatic living room wall sculpture. Each piece was cleaned, treated for any organisms, sealed, and carefully shaped while preserving its natural form.
The outdoor shower enclosure was also constructed from the reclaimed teak, creating a seamless material connection between the main deck and the shower area. The teak's natural oils make it ideal for constant water exposure without the need for aggressive chemical treatments.
The completed remodel was featured in Dwell magazine's sustainability issue and has become a reference project for architects designing coastal homes with reclaimed materials.
Before & After
BBefore
The existing home had a deteriorating composite deck that had faded and cracked under the harsh Malibu sun and salt air. Interior ceilings were standard drywall painted white. The home felt disconnected from its spectacular ocean setting and lacked the warmth and texture that the homeowners desired.
AAfter
The transformed home now features a magnificent reclaimed teak deck that extends seamlessly from the interior living spaces to the outdoor entertaining area and outdoor shower. Whitewashed pine shiplap ceilings throughout the home create a bright, airy coastal atmosphere with genuine warmth. Driftwood accent pieces add artistic, natural focal points throughout the space. The home now feels as though it grew from the landscape itself.
Material Specifications
Exterior Decking
Reclaimed marine teak, 1x4" planks, ~40 years old, sourced from decommissioned research vessel at Port of Long Beach. Marine-grade teak oil finish.
Ceiling Shiplap
Reclaimed Eastern white pine, 1x8" shiplap profile, ~60 years old from Santa Barbara County barn. Lime whitewash finish.
Outdoor Shower
Reclaimed marine teak, matching deck material, horizontal plank construction with stainless steel hardware.
Driftwood Accents
Locally sourced driftwood, cleaned, treated, and sealed with water-based clear coat. Various dimensions for entryway, bathrooms, and living room.
Project Timeline
Design & Material Sourcing
2 weeksWorked with the architect to specify materials. Located the decommissioned vessel teak and Santa Barbara barn pine.
Teak Processing
2 weeksRemoved ship hardware and fasteners. Resurfaced all planks to uniform thickness. Applied first coat of marine-grade teak oil.
Pine Preparation
1 weekMilled barn pine to shiplap profile. Applied lime whitewash finish to all boards before installation.
Interior Installation
2 weeksInstalled shiplap ceilings throughout four rooms. Mounted driftwood accent features.
Exterior Installation
3 weeksBuilt deck substructure with marine-grade hardware. Installed teak decking and outdoor shower enclosure. Final oiling and cleanup.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge
The Malibu coastal environment creates extreme demands on exterior wood: intense UV, salt spray, wind, and temperature swings.
Solution
Reclaimed marine teak was the ideal choice — it had already proven its durability in decades of open-ocean service. We applied marine-grade teak oil and provided the homeowners with a seasonal maintenance schedule.
Challenge
The ship's teak planks had counter-sunk screw holes at regular intervals from their original installation on the vessel deck.
Solution
We filled all screw holes with teak plugs made from offcuts of the same material, creating an almost invisible repair. Some homeowners appreciate the rhythm of the plugged holes as part of the material's maritime story.
Challenge
Whitewash finishes can appear blotchy on softwoods like pine if not applied carefully due to varying absorption rates across the grain.
Solution
We applied a pre-conditioner to the pine before the lime whitewash, which evened out absorption. Each board was finished individually in our shop under controlled conditions, ensuring consistent results across the entire ceiling installation.
“We spend our weekends fighting to protect the ocean. It would have been hypocritical to remodel our home with materials that contribute to deforestation. The reclaimed teak deck is more beautiful than anything we could have bought new, and knowing it came from a ship that once sailed these same waters makes it feel like it belongs here.”
James & Olivia P.
Homeowners