This Dreamy Baja House Was Reimagined After It Was Destroyed by a Hurricane

The owner of this Baja California house had longtime ties to the area: “Our client and her late husband literally established this quaint surfer community in the 1980s, building the first home in the neighborhood [an hour from San José del Cabo],” says designer Raili Clasen. “The home sat vacant for years with the fishermen watching over it while the homes all around it were being built. Then came the hurricane, which decimated the entire house deeming it uninhabitable.”

Ezequiel Hurtado

When it came time to rebuild, Raili’s client wanted it to be a fun and welcoming home for her visiting children and grandchildren. Since the family surfs, fishes, and generally loves being in the water, the goal was to have the space set up for all of that. Casual, colorful, and not one bit stuffy were the intended vibes for the home.

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Luckily for Raili’s client, the designer had been dreaming up what she would do with the home for years—even before she was hired. “I had this design plan done in my sleep,” Raili says. “For a few years, I had been watching it, wondering what the next steps were going to be. Then I met the homeowner on the beach, and she hired us.”

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And another plus for the client? Raili knows a thing or two about surf style. In fact, she has a new book, Surf Style at Home, that showcases her many eclectic beach-inspired projects, from an Alabama lake house to homes in Newport Beach to this very house we’re featuring in this story. “Surf style is a perfect combo of nature and the bright surf vibes of the ‘70s and ‘80s all rolled into one look,” Raili explains.

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The book came together after she realized that her previous background in the surf industry (she worked at brands like Raisins Swimwear, Quiksilver, and Roxy) was showing up in every one of her interior design projects. “With small and effortless details, anyone can make their home feel more fun, colorful, and beach club-y,” she adds.

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For this particular house, they wanted it to feel like a “Mexican oasis”—but not like the newer fancy hotels in Cabo… more “old school” Cabo. Raili and team filled the home with furniture sourced in San Miguel de Allende and art from local galleries in San José del Cabo.

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The home’s main structure has the living, dining, and kitchen areas, plus one bedroom. There are also two casitas with ensuite bathrooms and separate entrances. And they’re currently adding a bunk room and pool house on the property. 

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While the environment surrounding a beach house seems idyllic, there are some considerations to take into account when designing, Raili says. “The wind, sand, and hurricanes play into interior design with a beach house,” she explains. “For example, we can’t use fine linens or light fabrics because of the amount of salt and sand running through everything.”

The finished design captures the Baja spirit and incorporates chic and unique designs, from the light fixtures to the art to The owner loves her new space, of course.

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And if you want to bring that surf style home but live miles away from the beach, you can still achieve the look without it seeming cheesy or out-of-place. Raili recommends choosing the materials and the color palette carefully. “We use natural woods, bring in bright and bold accent pieces, and bring in as many trees and plants as are allowed,” she says.

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