This Tiny Malibu Cottage Is a Love Letter to Wood Paneling — And Has an Adorable Reading Nook
This Tiny Malibu Cottage Is a Love Letter to Wood Paneling — And Has an Adorable Reading Nook

Can't-Miss House Tours Straight to Your Inbox
Keep up with our latest house tours each weekday with our House Tour of the Day newsletter
Name: Amy Roberts, Jason Osni, and dogs, Pippa and Mookie
Layout Design: Alana Marie Interiors
Location: Malibu, California
Type of Home: Bungalow
Size: 600 square feet
Years lived in: 6 months, owned
“My boyfriend has lived in this small, communal neighborhood in Malibu for three years, but when he got an off-market offer on his former house, the realtor tipped us off to this one and we decided to move in together. It was a fast turnaround, but we were able to live in the apartment I was renting in Silver Lake while we renovated,” begins Amy Roberts, who is an editorial writer for places like Thrive Market. Jason is the founder of Old Pal.
Amy and Jason say they had a specific shared vision for the space and what they wanted it to look like, and that vision was lots and lots of wood — while also being mindful of clutter and how small the space is. “I think that’s so important; making sure you’re on the same page with your partner and/or family so that when you go through the renovation, you know exactly what to ask for to keep things moving,” Amy writes.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our style: We’re lucky that we share very similar interior design styles — we knew when we were renovating that we wanted the entire house to be covered in wood, from the ceiling beams to the paneling on the walls. I love Japanese and Scandinavian design, while Jason is a surfer, so he collects surf memorabilia, books, and photography. We also like American folk art and collecting vintage from local LA flea markets. Perhaps most importantly in such a tiny house: we both like to have very few belongings! Things get cluttered (and sandy) quickly in a small space so close to the beach, so we like to have a place for everything and we clean a little obsessively.
Favorite Element: My favorite element is the corner reading nook, with a Noguchi pendant and our custom patchwork couch, which is extra deep and *so* cozy.
Jason loves the loft space, which has a window that overlooks the ocean so he can check on the surf that day.
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- Front door — Backdrop, “Ghost Ranch”
- Exterior — Kelly Wearstler for Farrow & Ball, “Sand”
ENTRY
- Vintage French wooden coat rack — Etsy
LIVING ROOM
- Custom reclaimed textile patchwork couch — Suay Sew Shop
- Akarai pendant light — Noguchi Museum Shop
- Framed hand print — Nathaniel Russell
- Dog bed — Suay Sew Shop
KITCHEN
- Counter stools — Vintage 1940s Alvar Aalto (new versions here)
- Refrigerator — Big Chill Slim Fridge in Yellow Grey
- Viking Gas Range — Refurbished from a local dealer (similar here)
- Light fixtures — Schoolhouse Electric
BEDROOM
- Case Study Bed — Modernica
- Dresser — Vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller (similar here)
- Turned wood side table — Hanna Dausch
- Wood block side table — Rose Bowl Flea
- Sconces — Arne Jacobson replicas, from Counter Space in LA
- Bedding — Brooklinen Washed Linen bedding in Caramel
BATHROOM
- Sconce — Schoolhouse Electric Cylinder Double Sconce in Butterscotch
- Sink — Kohler Soho Sink in Biscuit
- Teak Shower Bench — AquaTeak (similar)
- Tile — Zia Tile in Glazed Earth
LOFT
- Bedding — Parachute Organic Cotton Cloud Quilt in Natural
- Vintage Throw Blanket — Rose Bowl Flea
- Sconce — Commune Design
- Rug — Jean Palmer Home
Thanks Amy and Jason!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
Share your style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form
*Correction: An earlier version of this tour stated the trailer dated back to the 1940s, but it’s actually the 1950s. The piece has been updated for accuracy.