Bohemian Escape

Pura vida, (Spanish for “pure life”) is the national motto of Costa Rica. However, in everyday parlance, the phrase refers to the local appreciation for enjoying simple things and finding beauty in the essentials. Many would say that nowhere in the country embraces pura vida more enthusiastically than Santa Teresa, a fishing village that has blossomed into a vacation paradise in recent years. From the long stretches of white-sand beach to the laid-back lifestyle, the community’s appeal is immediate and lasting. Just ask McKenzie Dickson, an interior designer at Alder & Tweed.

“My clients just love the area so much—not just the area but the people, too,” she says. The clients, a well-traveled couple whose primary home is in Montana, were staying in a luxury rental in Santa Teresa when they fell head over heels for the town, which is known for its surfing. “Santa Teresa has become more popular over the years, but still feels very raw,” explains Dickson, who worked partially on site. “It’s where the jungle meets the ocean.”

Smitten with the town, the couple bought land there and had Shmulik Selekter of Amor Del Mar/Pure Constructions build a home for them. “The two of them have built a life here,” says Dickson of her clients. 

The interior designer extols the elevated site’s incomparable views of the ocean. Even before she and her team set foot on the property, they brainstormed about the residence’s design. “We knew the house had four bedrooms, four baths, and a powder room, so we pulled some concepts that felt right,” she says. “The home was envisioned to be light and bright and built around entertaining, because entertaining for our clients is second nature.” Alder & Tweed had worked with the couple before, so they knew their likes and dislikes. 

“Partly what makes this house different from the clients’ other ones is that it’s more bohemian,” observes Dickson. “We wanted the design of the house to be simplistic, and we weren’t afraid to bring in some of the darker tones, like black stone, and use them in a way that made sense for the location.”

Prioritizing the use of local materials was the way to go aesthetically, and it was also important for practical reasons. “Humidity can take a toll on houses here,” says Dickson. “We were really careful about the materials that we sourced and chose what we felt best supported an indoor/outdoor lifestyle.”

Guanacaste, for example, is a hardwood native to tropical regions that can handle wear and tear. It is featured throughout the home and includes a large TV console and the primary suite. Along with its durability, its reddish-brown color and unique grain heighten its appeal. It also pairs well with teak, which was used for the ceilings and in other areas in the house.

In the kitchen, the guanacaste adds a certain coziness to the plaster-walled open-concept space that includes living and dining areas. “They always have a house full of family and friends, so they wanted every corner of the home to reflect warmth and comfort,” says Dickson. To this end, six barstools are arranged at a massive kitchen island made of Dekton, an eco-friendly porcelain that is notably durable and resistant to stains and heat. Similarly, since the pool is just steps away from the house, the sofa features an indoor/outdoor fabric that withstands wet bathing suits.

“For the clients and their guests, the point is that they want to open the big glass-and-steel door and have a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors,” asserts Dickson, who explains why these durable products were used. “We didn’t want the humidity to destroy everything as soon as the doors were opened.”

Guests love to hang out in the kitchen, which, says Dickson, “was built so people could sit around and chat with their hosts, who do most of the cooking themselves.” There is often a full breakfast in the morning, guacamole and margaritas in the afternoon, and tacos for dinner. For such a hard-working kitchen, “everything was designed with intention,” says Dickson, noting that the prep sink is conveniently located near the stove top, a Wolf 48” Gas Range with 6 Burners and Infrared Griddle.

On the side closest to the range, the nearly 15-foot island has integrated trash receptacles, a Cove Dishwasher, a Sub-Zero 24” Designer Undercounter Wine Storage Unit, 15” Ice Maker, and a pair of 36” Designer Refrigerator Drawers. Also from Sub-Zero are a 36” Designer Column Refrigerator and an 18” Designer Column Freezer.

As the homeowner desired a seamless, camouflaged effect, all the appliances have wood-paneled fronts, which, according to Dickson, Alder & Tweed tends to favor over stainless steel. “When you have a kitchen that’s an extension of the living room, covering the appliances with wood makes it look and feel less like a kitchen.”

The home’s alfresco essence shows up in the primary bedroom suite, where you wake up to the panoramic views of the ocean, trees, and yard without even lifting your head from the pillow. When you do get out of bed, the shower offers both indoor and outdoor opportunities.

A slab of locally sourced, leathered Blue Night granite is luxurious, yet the room has an overall feeling of simplicity. “I don’t think the granite makes the room feel dark,” notes Dickson. “We’ve used it in ways that give the room some drama and focal points, but mostly we wanted nature to do its thing—stepping just a little way out of the shower, you’ll be greeted by a jungle view.”

Wherever possible, the boundaries blur between the house and the landscape. Perhaps the rancho, or pool house, best embodies this hybrid style of casual living. When its retractable glass walls are open all the way on three sides, you can perch at the bar, converse on the sofa, or play billiards, with no walls between you and nature. It’s the best of both worlds. It’s pura vida!