The Sommerhus Collection: A New California Shop Channels Summer Living, Danish Style

“The Sommerhus Collection is inspired by the Danish tradition of retreating to the sea and forest for a brief season and living simply and quietly,” says Julie Pointer Adams. First-hand experience came from the six summer weeks Julie and her husband and creative partner, Ryan Adams, and their two young sons spent in a seaside village in Denmark.

Beyond a retail space, their newly opened shop in Carpinteria, California, just 12 miles down the coast from Santa Barbara, is a showcase for their approach to design and the many ways they apply it. In addition to being the author of three popular design books, including Wabi Sabi Welcome, Julie is a photographer and creative director who loves helping others feel at home. As a final art school project, Julie staged a meal for 60 in which every element, down to the carved wooden forks, was created by her or a fellow maker. “It was not clear how to turn that into a career,” she says, but then she went on to become Kinfolk’s first employee, orchestrating the brand’s signature community dinners near and far and contributing to Kinfolk’s books.

Together with Ryan she now specializes in creating community in myriad ways, including turning their studio, Atelier Sunhouse, into a store. They also work as design consultants: “What we do falls beyond the realm of interior design and decorating, and more along the lines of coaching for creating the home (and feelings of home) our clients dream of,” explains Julie who is currently finishing her next book, Spirited Spaces, out this spring from Artisan Books. Join us for a look at their new clubhouse.

Photography by Julie Pointer Adams, unless noted, all courtesy of The Sommerhus Collection by Atelier Sunhouse (@ateliersunhouse).

Above: Ryan Adams and Julie Pointer Adams enlisted their seven-year-old son to take this portrait. The two both grew up in the area and are multi-hyphenates: Ryan is a former 8th grade math teacher with a great eye who runs Atelier Sunhouse operations (he’s the one who tracked down, among other things, the much-coveted 1970s rocker he’s sitting in).

The white linen dress is by local fashion designer Kate McMahon. The Frama Chair 01 was “inspired by seating commonly found in Nordic auditoriums and churches since the 1800s”—and is stackable. Photograph by Oliver Adams.

Above: The space has natural light on all sides. It had previously been occupied by a hat maker. Within days of signing the lease, Julie and Ryan stripped the carpeting and painted the floor. Of their color choice—Blue Dusk from Benjamin Moore—Julie says, “we wanted it to feel like you’re floating in the ocean.”

The Farmhouse Trestle Table is by Frama. Julie made the benches in grad school: “I’ve been toting them around with me for the last 15 years.”

Above: The shop is on the second floor of the historic Lindamar Studios building on Linden Ave, one of Carpinteria’s main drags. The designs on offer range from Scandinavian modern classics to favorite pieces by Julie and Ryan’s friends and colleagues, such as SF designer Tina Frey’s Swan Vessel. Another of the services Atelier Sunhouse offers is corporate and private gifting.
Above: The bentwood Dondolo rocker is a 1970s design by Luigi Crassevig. The shop’s prints are from the beloved modern art museum Louisiana, just north of Copenhagen, and are available in limited quantities, unframed, starting at $75.
Above: “I gravitate towards things that feel like they’re from another time—things that can grow old with me,” says Julie of the Hillsdale Chair by Hetta Home of Vancouver, B.C. (sister brand of Sundays). “If you’re looking for a statement heirloom piece, this thing is almost as tall as me.”

The striped robes on offer in adult and kid’s sizes are by Danish brand Bongusta, making their US debut in the shop. Terry robes, explains Julie, are what Danes wear to and from the beach; no coverups or towels needed, bathing suits optional.

Above: More summery wear by Santa Barbara fashion designer Kate McMahon.
Above: Foldable, portable Outdoor Market Chairs and a stainless steel fire pit, all by Jasper Morrison for Hay.
About: The shop’s rugs are made of sea grass, cornhusk, and rush, and the tiles can be cut to size. They’re available to order. Experience the Sommerhus Collection firsthand at 888 Linden Ave. in Carpinteria.