Black Beach Houses
Design & Image: Lukas Machnik
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and I’m sure this won’t be the last time): when it comes to designing and decorating your home, my philosophy is “if you like it, then why not do it?” Sure, some folks talk about—and, for reasons that I’m sure are quite justified, worry about—resale value, but there’s very little someone can do to permanently reduce the value of a home; most things can be remodeled, or simply repainted. So, if you want your beach house to have a black exterior—then I say do it! Here are a handful of examples of others who’ve taken the step.
The go-to exterior cladding for beach and water front homes seems to be wood; this first example shows an LA-area beach house with dark stained wood that really gives it a contemporary feel. The previous neutral stain that this house wore really dated it to several decades ago—and not in a good way. You’ll recognize this house if you watched last summer’s “American Dream Builders” television show; it is the final project that won the show. General online opinion of the designer’s choices is mixed—and quite heated; a lot of people don’t like his decision to go dark on the exterior, but I think it makes a world of difference.
Design: Fearon Hay Architects; Image: Patrick Reynolds
On the other side of the world, this black beach house (trust me, the house faces the water) in New Zealand is firmly set in our present time period with its minimalist feel and large expanse of windows.
Design & Image: Hyde + Hyde Architects
Another glimpse of a black beach house—note the easily seen wood grain—this time in Great Britain.
Design & Image: Muskoka Living
This lake house—it’s at least partially built right on the lake; there’s a drive-in boat dock that’s part of the living space—uses black shingle siding. A very classy and traditional style given the contemporary treatment by using black on the exterior.
Would you want a black beach house?
