A look inside a seaside home furnished by Oskar Huber
A long-time furniture retailer on Long Beach Island, Oskar Huber Furniture & Design knows coastal interiors. Bobby Huber, Jr., the fourth
generation of Hubers to own and operate the business, spent many
summers enjoying the family beach house. “To us, a beach house is more than just a house,” says Bobby, “It’s really a home away from home, a
gathering place for friends and family, and a backdrop for new memories.”
Oskar Huber has furnished thousands of coastal home interiors over their 54 years on LBI. Gwendolyn Butler, a skilled interior designer on staff at Oskar Huber, has worked with many clients to help make their houses into homes, selecting furniture and home accents that fit their tastes and lifestyle.
One of her recent projects includes a beachfront property boasting five spacious bedrooms, two living rooms, and four outdoor terraces. This newly constructed custom home belongs to Joe and Linda of New Jersey. They spend their summers vacationing on LBI and wanted their new home to double as a quiet retreat and an open, inviting space for entertaining. Gwen worked with them to create a home that fit their personal design aesthetic: simple, clean, and clutter-free.
“We wanted to use large, oh-so-comfortable sofas and sectionals in the seating areas of the home,” says Gwen. “The furniture just makes you want to sit, put your feet up, and relax.” On the lower level, the family room features two slipcovered sofas that are complemented by two oversized, striped swivel chairs, providing the perfect conversational arrangement. Three spacious bedrooms with simple, clean color palettes complete the first level of the home.
The main living space features an open-concept floor plan, with the kitchen, dining room, and living room creating one large gathering place. “We chose a long, L-shaped slipcovered sectional for the living room. It’s so casual and durable. The materials we chose will surely stand up to lots of wear and tear,” explains Gwen. “The color palette is fun and happy, too, with nautical shades of red, blue, and yellow.” The cocktail table that sits at the center of the room is constructed from a handpicked piece of wood, selected and designed with Gwen’s approval. Its natural finish is reminiscent of driftwood and fits perfectly in the expansive living space.
Adjacent to the living room is the kitchen and eating area. Three hand-finished bar stools accent the large kitchen island. The sturdy bar stools, with dark metal hardware and woven seats, are the perfect complement to the light cabinetry. The dining table, which seats up to ten people, features a warm distressed cream finish, and the tabletop picks up on the wood finish on the bar stools. The room is filled with beautiful natural sunlight and unbelievable views of the ocean. Two more bedrooms complete the main living area, including the master suite.
One of the homeowner’s favorite rooms is the bonus room on the lower level of the house. With the continued palette of red, blue, and yellow, the room’s varying textures and patterns make it a fun and playful space. The cobalt blue walls and high white wainscoting offer the perfect backdrop for the cozy red slipcovered sofa. Upholstered cubes sit in front of the sofa as a place to put up your feet or serve as additional seating.
Throughout the house, lighting fixtures and lamps add a new level of sophistication. The walls are decorated with historic photographs of LBI in a classic black and white. Whimsical beach signs, sailboats, and vintage maps complete the coastal look throughout the home.
The outdoor living spaces of the home include four beautiful ocean view terraces. Each is furnished with all-weather seating made from recycled materials. The homeowners chose a bright blue color throughout their outdoor spaces to complement sand and surf.
“We’re providing more than just beautiful spaces. My job is to make the homeowners happy and to ensure they are absolutely thrilled with their home,” says Gwen. “The biggest reward is seeing their delighted faces upon completion.”