Cyd Edwards’ Fixer-Upper Turned Enchanting Beach Bungalow

Rip & Tan: When did you first know you wanted to be a designer?

Cydney Edwards: I was quite a creative, quirky kid growing up, always doing art projects and taking vintage clothes and re-designing them, painting my room, making pillows, and so forth.

My creative side is just something inside of me that I need to express. When I was in college, I tried to do cinema and graphics but found myself spying on the fashion design room and that was it for me—I switched to fashion and didn’t look back. Fashion and interiors blended for me in my later years as I found that design surrounds you in all facets.

Rip & Tan: What’s the origin story of Stone Cold Fox?

Cydney Edwards: It stemmed from my final college project. I teamed up with my best friend and started making custom clothes. It soon bloomed into several stores, retail spaces of our own, and an online store.

It’s really been so fun designing clothes that I want to wear and watching women be so happy in them for special events. It’s amazing how a new, beautiful dress can make you feel. We try to stay timeless and unique—I feel like we have done that whilst designing clothes that flatter your figure.

Rip & Tan: How do you hope women feel when wearing your clothes?

Cydney Edwards: I get a lot of messages with these amazing proposals, special nights, or birthdays that our clients had while wearing Stone Cold Fox. I love hearing that a specific dress is such a marker or even a good luck charm in their joyous moment.

I hope women feel like the best versions of themselves. There’s nothing better than the feeling of a new silky dress on a special night.

Rip & Tan: Now let’s talk about the Foxalow. How has your space transformed since first moving in?

Cydney Edwards: Let’s just say my parents were so worried when I told them I was buying this place. Even my agent was like, really? This one? But it was so fun to fix up.

We added skylights and raised the ceiling, placed French doors throughout, an outdoor bath and fireplace, paneled every single wall, did a classic white kitchen with open shelving—and I spent so much time on my garden. I planted every plant and it’s been so satisfying watching them grow. The house is completely different than when I bought it and shining up old things is definitely doable.

Rip & Tan: What’s one thing you wish you knew before remodeling your space?

Cydney Edwards: This was over five years ago and I was so nervous about spending money because it all just seemed like so much at first.

Now, looking back, I wish I took a little more time and spent more on tiles and a few finishing details. I would tell myself that there is no rush and to do it right, and spend on what you love—because you are the one looking at it every day.

Renovations come with a backspace button, but a very expensive one, so doing it right the first time is worth all the time in the world.

Rip & Tan: What are some of your favorite pieces in your home? Where did you source them from?

Cydney Edwards: Art is my favorite thing to find and all of the pieces in my home were unique finds. I learned that framing is just as important as the art.

I love the light wood antique piano we sourced in Ojai. Music in a home is key. I love all the French doors that I added, they just bring so much fresh air and sunlight. I also love my son’s dresser that I found at an antique store. It’s one of those multi-drawer apothecary pieces that even when he’s grown I can put in a dining room or somewhere special. It’s classic and the wood is such a great shade.

Rip & Tan: Tell us about this outdoor bathtub and shower. What was your vision and how did you bring it to life?

Cydney Edwards: There is nothing better than bathing outside in nature. We live so close to the beach and also have an infrared sauna, so we wanted this indoor-outdoor living feel. Being outside is so important to us, and we use the bath as a pool for my son on hot days in the summer. Wherever we move, I’ll always install an outdoor bathing situation.

Rip & Tan: From furniture placement to design elements, how did you work to ensure you made the most of your space?

Cydney Edwards: Our house is not the largest, so I placed items to create an easy flow and to make sure it still felt open. I used lots of whites with natural elements and woods. I stayed away from anything too dark in this space just to draw your eye to the outdoors. Comfort is still important to me, so we used a lot of soft linens and textures throughout to make it feel cozy.

Rip & Tan: What do you love most about your home?

Cydney Edwards: I love my home because it reminds me of hard work, but it also feels so happy to me. It’s bright and sunny, there are always butterflies and shadows of light. I love that in a messy world, I always walk in the door and feel warm inside. I also love the memories, I brought my son home to this house and I planned my wedding here.

Rip & Tan: What does living well mean to you?

Cydney Edwards: The smell of food cooking, jazz playing, the sound of laughter, warm sunlight, a good wine, a clean house, a healthy and happy family around me—that’s living well.