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COASTALREALESTATEGUIDE . COM MARCH 17 , 2023
BEACHY BLISS
TUVALU FOUNDER AND OWNER LAURIE ALTER EXPLAINS WHY THE KITCHEN IS HER FAVORITE ROOM IN THIS COASTAL COTTAGE .
BY ERIN ZILIS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MANDY OLIVER / COURTESY OF LATITUDE33 MAGAZINE
You may know Laurie Alter from her Tuvalu shops in Laguna Beach and San Clemente . Each shop is a treasure trove of furniture , accessories and artwork — all with a coastal and eclectic vibe . Perhaps you ’ ve worked with her on an interior design project : Her design studio offers turnkey design and decorating services and showcases a library of hardwood floor , tile , fabric , wall covering and window treatment options , all meant to make the design process enjoyable for clients .
If you don ’ t know Alter , but her name sounds familiar , it may be because her father-in-law , Hobie Alter , is a legend in Southern California , having made it possible for thousands of people to enjoy the ocean as part of their daily life with the creation of the Hobie surfboard . Laurie Alter ’ s Laguna Beach upbringing and family history drive everything she does , including the design of her home in Three Arch Bay .
Originally built in 1943 , Alter renovated the house in 2020 . Alter describes her home aesthetic as “ contemporary coastal with an influence from my Laguna Beach roots .” It is not surprising , for a person who has such love for her family and the coastal community that she grew up in , that her favorite space is the kitchen . “ It ’ s the gathering space that my family and friends all gravitate towards ,” she says . “ The kitchen is large in scale for the home with a massive island perfect for large gatherings . The mood is inviting and has a ‘ Welcome , come stay awhile ’ vibe .”
The initial tile selections brought inspiration to the rest of the home ’ s design . After starting with a neutral foundation , Alter layered color and texture to create a space that is at the same time warm and elegant but also casual and laid back . “ I identify all of the necessary elements that go into a kitchen before ever signing off on the final layout ,” she says , “ Form and function are key .” A good example of this is the large pantry , which mimics the built-in refrigerator and conceals many of the everyday appliances , enabling her to keep the counters clean and neat . Alter collaborated on the custom cabinetry with her husband , Jeff Alter , who remodeled the home , and Tom Brockman of Brock Woodworks in Capistrano Beach .
Honed or leathered slabs are Alter ’ s go-to for solid surfaces , and her love of natural white oak islands and mixing of metals is on full display . Pendant lights and wood counter stools from Tuvalu , gold fixtures from The Bath Co . and Moroccan handmade tiles from Mission Tile West create an eclectic and charming spot for entertaining . One of her favorite pieces in the space is the Bertazzoni 48-inch Heritage Series range . “ My favorite thing to cook on the range is my mom Audrey ’ s famous chicken divan ,” Alter says , “ I have modified it a bit , but it ’ s definitely a family and friends ’ fave .”
“ Whether it ’ s the family or a gathering of 50 , the kitchen accommodates both small and large groups and works for both .”
Tuvalu owner Laurie Alter in her favorite space : her kitchen