Situated between balmy hills and a shimmering Pacific, Monterey has quite a captivating arrangement. The coastal breezes, rugged cliffs, and sun-dappled landscapes make a perfect design muse. But capturing the essence of this environment inside your house? That would require a very deliberate effort.

L+P designs homes that speak to the language of their surroundings. The award-winning design studio in Sausalito believes that each space should tell a story...your story! Designing from scratch, renovating a space, or simply furnishing a seasonal coastal retreat, the studio's design work seamlessly combines design, function, personality, and practicality.

[CTA: View our  project gallery and visualize your one-of-a-kind retreat. ]

What Makes Monterey Interior Design Different?

Monterey interior design is not a mere style but a mood. It draws directly from coastal rhythm and genuine California life.

Main features include:

Muted palettes take after foggy mornings and sun-bleached driftwood.
Natural materials such as rattan, stone, linen, and reclaimed wood.
Huge windows that allow natural light to pour in and also act as a connection to the outside.
Free-flow spaces that map to real-life uses of living, entertaining, and relaxing.

Coastal design here isn't about thematic décor or clichés. Understated elegance is insinuated. The living room setup is made warm with a wooden floor, tactile wool rug, and furniture placed in such a manner as to capture a view of the sea. There is comfort. There is elevation. There is customization.

"Designing for Monterey means listening to what the landscape tells us. It wants to be lived in, not looked at. So our work honors that in every detail," remarks Founding Principal Ansley Majit.

From Concept to Coastal Oasis: Reworking of A Monterey House

It is a dated beach cottage perched on a slope with a view of Monterey Bay. The homeowners had envisioned a place to gather families for sunset dinners and for lazy Sunday mornings to lie around with a book.

We started this by understanding the lifestyle of the people. They loved the ocean but hated sand inside the house. They loved antiques and had boxes upon boxes of treasures picked up all over their international travels. They needed spaces that functioned as beautifully as they looked.

An Outline of Design Priorities:

Create seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Use natural materials that will age well with sandy feet and wet towels.
Display precious antique objects within a simple, coherent design.

Highlights of the Project:

A custom banquette designed to catch sunset views.
Kitchen open shelving displays ceramic pieces from the couple's trips to Portugal.
Guest bathroom, tide-pool-themed tile.

Challenges? Plenty. The sloping terrain forced an intelligent rethink of the structure. Then the original architecture was boxy. Yet, in true collaborative spirit, a vision emerged that honored the bones of the home and injected fresh energy into it.

CTA: Ready to design your coastal retreat?  Let's collaborate

The Five Defining Components of Monterey Coastal Interiors

1. Organic Materials with Meaning

We believe homes should feel good, not just look good. Thus, working with natural materials: stone countertops that age with grace, reclaimed wood beams with history, and soft linen drapes that move with the breeze.

Our sourcing is thoughtful. Sustainability matters. We support the local artisans and materials ethically produced which not only help in adding to the beauty of your home but also from a point of their impact.

2. Interiors that Frame Nature

When you design for Monterey, what is outside your window is almost design glue. Layout and furniture placement are used to focus on the best views, to frame gardens, and to admit natural light.

Window seats for whale watching. Courtyards that open off the main hallway. Doors that blur the line between indoors and out.

3. Soft Seaside Color Palette

We draw our palette from nature: foggy grays, sandy creams, sea-glass greens, and driftwood browns. These hues are applied to walls, textiles, and even cabinetry, creating layered, emotive environments that are calming yet sophisticated.

4. Functional Lifestyle

Design must be for real life. We make:

Mudrooms with hidden storage for beach equipment.
Dual-use guest rooms for work and relaxation.
Kitchens designed for hosting and family dinners on weeknights.

Whether your family surfs, sails, or simply enjoys slow mornings, we design around what makes your life uniquely yours.

5. Personal Storytelling Through Objects

Whether it's an antique sculpture from Lisbon or framed market sketches from Paris, Monterey interiors come alive with personality and soul.

We ask our clients to tell us about their favorite objects: a beat-up, well-loved leather chair; a drawing from a market in Paris; a small collection of sea glass.

Our designers consider their clients collaborators. We edit rather than clutter. We curate your life into a compelling continuum that unfolds from room to room.

[Visual: Hero image of a Monterey project or mood board]

CTA: Contact us to begin designing your dream space

hello@larkandpalm.com | +1 (415) 987‑5986

Working with a Big Design Firm with Any Range

One myth we love to break? You need to do a full-out gut renovation to work with us.

At L+P Interiors, we work with clients on projects of all scopes:

Furnishing-only makeovers
Phased renovations
Full builds from foundation to finish

We meet you where you are and walk with you every step of the way. From vision boards to installation day, our process is designed to be transparent, collaborative, and inspiring.

One recent Monterey client came to us with a simple ask: "Make our vacation home feel like us." We did—with clever furnishings, layered textures, and a bold but serene color scheme. No construction. Just thoughtful design.

Proof that transformation doesn’t always require renovation: thoughtful furniture and story-driven styling turned this house into a heartfelt retreat.

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Beyond Aesthetics: The Role of Storytelling in Home Design

Without meaning, design is mere decoration. L+P believes that every home should represent its inhabitants.

Storytelling is our compass. It guides how we:

Respect the architecture
Embrace the natural surroundings
Highlight the personalities of the people who live there

Whether it's a surfer's hideaway or a multigenerational getaway, we design spaces that become part of your narrative.

CTA: Curious about how we turn stories into spaces? Let’s talk  hello@larkandpalm.com

The L+P Distinction: What Makes Us Unique

Clients come to us for beauty, but they stay for the journey.

Award-winning creativity with real-life practicality
"Classic with a Twist"—timeless design made fresh
California roots, with a broad coastal fluency
An approach to honoring hopes and deadlines

Being in Sausalito, we understand all the finer aspects of creation for the Monterey coast. We speak the language of the land—of our clients.

CTA: Explore design process or email at  hello@larkandpalm.com

Final Thoughts

Living in Monterey deserves interiors that rise up to the occasion. Homes that invite the ocean in and are the spaces where memories are made are equal parts elegant and easy.

At L+P Interiors, we do not do homes—we tell stories. Whenever you're looking to update a guest room or build your dream home, we'd love to work with you to bring your vision to life.

CTA: Contact us today | Phone: +1 (415) 987‑5986

Let your home tell the story—beautifully, now, and truly—with L+P Interiors.

Monterey Interior Design: Coastal Retreats by L+P Interiors