They Love Surfing So Much They Put a Skate Ramp in Their Front Yard

Sarah Akkoush
·3 min read

Leah and Jakeh Bradley’s refreshed California midcentury is a love letter to the beach, with counterculture heirlooms, sandy colors, and plants that create a paradise for their three young kids.

Purchased from its original owner, the 1957 dwelling was reinvigorated, and turned into a space the family can call home for many years to come.
Purchased from its original owner, the 1957 dwelling was reinvigorated, and turned into a space the family can call home for many years to come.

Surfing is in Leah and Jakeh Bradley’s blood. Both born into families of surfers, the Southern California natives grew up in and around the water, spending long days at the beach. "My dad was a professional surfer, so for most of my childhood, I was either in the water on a board, or cheering him on while building forts on the beach," says Leah. "Jakeh was raised the same way with a dad who had him on his back surfing and skating as a small toddler."

When neighbors were getting rid of an old half pipe, Leah and Jakeh scooped it up, creating a skate ramp for their kids in the front yard.
When neighbors were getting rid of an old half pipe, Leah and Jakeh scooped it up, creating a skate ramp for their kids in the front yard.

The couple met in high school, got married at 19, and eventually had kids of their own. "It’s been so fun growing up together and growing our sweet little family," says Leah. Since the ocean was such a big part of her and Jakeh’s upbringing, they knew they wanted to raise their kids the same way—spending as much time as possible in the sun, sand, and surf. After welcoming their second child, they began to feel the squeeze of their beachside townhome and started a house hunt.

The Bradleys quickly zeroed in on location—a charming Costa Mesa neighborhood filled with midcentury homes—and waited patiently for the right one to come up. The search got off to a bumpy start, with the couple losing out on two homes before falling in love with a third, a 1957 ranch-style on a quiet street. "I immediately fell in love with the large lot," recalls Leah. "The yard space was so incredible with so much potential." The couple eagerly put in an offer, but were devastated when, again, they narrowly missed out. Two weeks later, Leah and Jakeh got a call—naturally, while at the beach—that the other offer had fallen out of escrow. Soon thereafter, the home they fell in love with was theirs.

The original globe pendant—but not much else—was salvaged in the vintage kitchen’s remodel. Two partial walls—that had previously served as a breakfast bar and entryway partition—were removed to open up the space and improve flow.
The original globe pendant—but not much else—was salvaged in the vintage kitchen’s remodel. Two partial walls—that had previously served as a breakfast bar and entryway partition—were removed to open up the space and improve flow.
Light pours into the renovated kitchen from all directions, with the breezy natural palette transforming the room into a warm and inviting family space. After removing walls, the dated and mismatched floors became an eyesore, with Leah opting to replace them with Hakwood Engineered European Oak floors in ‘Aura,’ which run throughout the home.
Light pours into the renovated kitchen from all directions, with the breezy natural palette transforming the room into a warm and inviting family space. After removing walls, the dated and mismatched floors became an eyesore, with Leah opting to replace them with Hakwood Engineered European Oak floors in ‘Aura,’ which run throughout the home.

See the full story on Dwell.com: They Love Surfing So Much They Put a Skate Ramp in Their Front Yard
Related stories:

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next