ventura beach cottage
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The remodel.

We finally realized our dream to own a beach house. But it's a big project as we have decided to remodel the entire house. It has a great location, wonderful ocean views and "great bones" but we want to make it "our own".

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The beach house cottage

7/7/2013

21 Comments

 
Picture
It's been a dream of mine forever to own a beach house. Fortunately my husband seems to think it is a good idea too. After renting for years in Newport Beach (where it is WAY too expensive to own a beach house) we turned our search north/west to an adorable area called Pierpont in Ventura Beach, Ca. It's only an hour and fifteen minutes from our home and the town is quaint and very friendly. Plus, the beach is amazing.
We found a wonderful house (three bedroom, two bath, with a den) with great ocean views that is located just two houses from the beach. You can even hear the waves from every room. Of course we want to make it "our own" so we are going to do a lot of remodeling. I am hoping the journey will be fun and I am hoping for no surprises (or big mistakes on my part). Ha.
So why a beach house? (This is actually a replay of the entire discussion I had with my husband to convince him why this purchase made sense.)
1.  It's a wonderful opportunity to "get away" and vacation really close to home. It will be a great getaway for the two of us, our three boys, our families and friends and hopefully someday ... grandkids.
2.  It's actually an investment as we will be renting it out part of the time as a weekly vacation rental. I mean seriously, who needs a beach house 52 weeks a year? 
3.  It will be a great location to host "sleepover oil painting workshops". I am hosting a workshop in Virginia Beach this September and the workshop includes accomodations at my sister's beach house. The concept of "paint together and stay together" was so well received that I had hoped to do it more often. I have now finally found the place! 
I have already scheduled one workshop in 2013 and five in 2014 at the beach house cottage. We will paint in the day and cook at night and even enjoy bonfires/smores on the beach which is about 20 steps away from the house. I can't wait!
Escrow closes on August 1st and I am hoping to have the interior remodel completed by October 1st. We are going to tackle the inside first and remodel the outside of the house at a later date. So my "cape cod" plans for the outside will have to wait until next year.
I am going to share all of my plans, fears, expectations, and experiences with the remodel on this blog. I hope you will join me (and share your opinions and input) as I tackle this project. I do need your help!

21 Comments
Karen Chick
7/7/2013 10:57:42 pm

I am so excited for you. Vacation rental makes so much sense. Remodel it as a vacation home and you will do very well. Excited to take a workshop. Congratulation!!

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Leslie Saeta
7/8/2013 12:32:23 am

Thanks Karen. Of course it will never compare to your beautiful home in Three Arch Bay but I am excited about making it our "cottage"! I can't wait to share it with you.

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Cindy Greene link
7/8/2013 12:29:00 am

Leslie, I'm so happy for you. The Pierpont area of Ventura is one of our favorite areas - Ventura is a wonderful city. Great bike riding!

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Leslie Saeta
7/8/2013 12:33:46 am

Thanks Cindy! I bought four new beach cruisers on Craig's list so we expect to be riding them everywhere!

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Karen Bachand
7/8/2013 02:19:41 am

Oh Leslie, I know you will just love it. We love ours which is just a long term (three years so far) rental on the ocean in Seal Beach. I know yours will be far more grand and wonderful. I have friends with a place in Ventura and they love it. This is just a perfect Dave and Leslie Project. Enjoy.

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Leslie Saeta
7/12/2013 03:58:26 am

I doubt it will be more grand and wonderful than yours. But I just hope my vision can take out the 1970's and bring in the feel of the 1870's. Ha,

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Sue Burns
7/8/2013 02:28:23 am

Leslie - Great decision!! You will find yourself taking a day away more often than you think! I love my ocean view everyday. Your beach house will be a never ending project...even if it's just to get breath of ocean air.

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Leslie Saeta
7/12/2013 04:00:12 am

Thanks Sue. I know how happy you are that you moved to the beach. When we were talking about putting speakers in the ceiling of the family room yesterday my only comment was "Why do we need speakers when we can hear the waves?".

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Carol Steinberg link
7/8/2013 02:40:14 am

If you ever need a companion for the trip to help you make decisions and/or paint with, I'm available. Went to Ventura for Valentine's Day--we had a lot of fun---and there's a great diner you have to try!

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Leslie Saeta
7/12/2013 04:01:22 am

Thanks Carol! I might have seen that Diner last time we were in Ventura. Is it on Main? Of course I was thinking it would make a great painting spot for one of my workshops up there!

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Carol Steinberg link
7/14/2013 10:35:32 am

Yes, Pete's diner on 2055 E. Main. Don't just look at it--go eat there--you will love it!

brenda peo link
7/8/2013 01:20:04 pm

I am soooo ready to sign up for one of your workshops in your fabulous beach cottage!!!!

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Leslie Saeta
7/12/2013 04:02:05 am

Thanks Brenda. I am so excited I can't wait either!

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Kelley MacDonald link
7/9/2013 09:48:10 pm

If you could just bottle your energy you'd be a billionaire! Looks like a wonderful retreat/respite/reunion place, too. Wonderful! Good luck!~

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Leslie Saeta
7/12/2013 04:04:14 am

Kelley - energy? Hah, I wish! I seem to be needing a lot more caffeine these days. My mind is always racing at night with ideas and plans so I can't fall asleep. Hopefully when it is done we will sleep well. I am hoping the waves will rock me to sleep.

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Linda Thompson
7/13/2013 01:11:58 am

I am so excited for you Leslie and I am looking forward to following your journey as you renovate the cottage! Sign me up for paint class!!

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Leslie Saeta
7/18/2013 03:09:04 am

Thanks Linda! I am really excited about this project. But I think you need to come to So Cal and bring your decorating expertise!

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Stevie Denny link
7/18/2013 02:50:59 am

Congratulations, Leslie! We go to that area often to ride bikes when I visit my son, who lives in Thousand Oaks. I look forward to taking a workshop there!

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Leslie Saeta
7/18/2013 03:11:01 am

Thanks Stevie. I would love you to join me. There are so many incredible venues to paint nearby plus I have space at the house! I just want the remodel to be done sooner rather than later.Haha.

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Barbara Moody
7/27/2013 11:18:13 am

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TV Nevada link
4/23/2021 03:39:26 am

Thank you for ssharing this

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    I am a mom, wife, artist and someone always looking for a "new project". According to my husband, this might be my biggest "project" yet.

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Leslie Saeta
lsaeta@saetastudio.com
626.799.8507
My art can be found here.