Bungalow Spotlight: Hobie & Tuvalu, The Making of a Family Affair

Pacific Edge Hotel is celebrating the launch of the new Bungalows this summer by spotlighting each stylish design in our blog. This month it's the winner of our Launch Party Design contest: Hobie and Tuvalu.

Wendy GrandPre, Susan Alter, Hobie Alter, Sr., Laurie Alter, Dick Metz and Jeff Alter

The Hobie and Tuvalu Bungalow concept, designed by Laurie Alter and Wendy Grand Pre, was inspired by the life of Hobie Alter, whose numerous innovations have influenced beach and surf culture around the globe. Hobie shaped his first surfboard in Laguna Beach just blocks away from the Pacific Edge Hotel. It was Laguna's scenic shoreline, rocky coves, and ever changing tides that inspired Hobie throughout his life. 

With the help of Tuvalu's Laurie Alter, who is also Hobie's daughter-in-law, and Wendy Grand Pre, Laurie's sister, the oceanfront suite was transformed into a surfer's haven; complete with photos of Hobie's life spanning over 60 years in Laguna Beach. "We were really going for a vintage retro vibe with the design. 

Every detail was fashioned to reflect the ocean and surfer lifestyle over the years," Alter says. "From shell-accented trims to the nautical rope hanging from the corner, we really wanted to give Bungalow guests a place where they can truly feel the Laguna Beach experience."

The stylish kitchen bar top is a throw back retro-surfer style by featuring balsa wood as it's surfacing, the same material used as surfboards back in the 1950's. Hobie's son Jeff Alter handmade the bar top, taking after his father's crafty diligence and in effect, making the Bungalow creation truly a Laguna Beach family effort. Below you can see the transformation of the Hobie and Tuvalu Bungalow, photos courtesy of Tuvalu Home