The Ocean Modern Story
By John Lamkin, President of Ocean Modern
The ocean has always been more than a place to me – it’s been a constant source of inspiration and renewal. Since I was a kid catching my first waves, surfing has given me a connection to the sea that goes beyond words. There’s something about paddling out, feeling the rhythm of the swells, and experiencing that perfect moment when you catch a wave that puts life in perspective. This relationship with the ocean has shaped not just my recreational passions, but my worldview.
This deep connection to coastal environments is at the heart of what became Ocean Modern, but the path to creating this lifestyle brand wasn’t exactly straightforward.
A Shift in Perspective
I always loved good design, but to be honest with you – I didn’t always appreciate modern architecture. In my younger years, those concrete structures and minimalist spaces struck me as a bit cold, maybe even empty. This perspective changed dramatically when I watched “Visual Acoustics,” a documentary about the legendary architectural photographer Julius Shulman.
What Shulman understood – and what the film showed so beautifully – was that the real genius of modern design is how it frames and elevates the natural world rather than competing with it. Through his lens, what I had once seen as emptiness was actually intentional space, allowing people to focus on what matters: the way the light fills the house from the floor to ceiling windows, mountains perfectly framed in a window, the conversation that transpires on an open floor plan which was a modern concept.
Suddenly, these modern spaces weren’t cold at all – they were thoughtful, even reverent. They were creating a dialogue between human creation and natural beauty.
Finding Direction in Disruption
When March 2020 hit with its global upheaval, I found myself – like so many others – at an unexpected crossroads. Furloughed from my position at Marriott Hotels as the hospitality industry ground to a halt, I had time on my hands. What initially felt like a setback soon became an opportunity to think deeper about what I really wanted to create.
During those uncertain days, I revisited journals filled with ideas I’d collected over the years. The first person I shared these with was my dear friend and business mentor, Scott, who has always had a knack for asking the right questions to help clarify my thinking. Among all the concepts we discussed, one vision stood out clearly – what would eventually become Ocean Modern.
Unexpected Connections
By November 2021, I had completed the Ocean Modern proof of concept. Taking a chance, I reached out to Michela O’Connor Abrams, the former CEO of Dwell, hoping for feedback from someone who really understood this world.
She agreed to review my ideas, and weeks later shared that she saw genuine potential in what I had created. She cautioned that the timing, due to market conditions – especially how the pandemic had disrupted furniture supply chains – presented some immediate practical challenges.
Michela saw something worth developing, so she invited me and my wife, Ashleigh, to join her at Modernism Week in Palm Springs, where we could connect with her and others in the architecture and design community. This invitation felt significant in ways we couldn’t yet explain.
While we were in Palm Springs, Michela invited us to lunch with about twenty of her industry colleagues and friends. After some time, a gentleman arrived whom Michela waved over enthusiastically. “Eric, please come over. Have a seat here next to John and Ashleigh.”
As we introduced ourselves, Eric asked what had inspired Ocean Modern. When I mentioned how “Visual Acoustics” had changed my understanding of modern design, his expression changed immediately. There was a moment of recognition that went beyond casual conversation.
“John, I can’t believe what you’re telling me right now,” he said, his eyes looking awestruck! “Visual Acoustics is my film. And Julius Shulman was my mentor.”
It felt as if the entire table turned to our conversation as they overheard us processing this remarkable coincidence. It was one of those moments that makes you wonder about the hidden patterns connecting our lives.
Poolside Revelation
The following morning, Eric approached me by the pool of the charming mid-century modern hotel The Skylark, where we were both staying. “John,” he said, “last night I had a chance to go through your site and I really think you’ve built something special here. Would you have some time today to sit together and discuss some ideas I’ve been considering?”
For three hours, we sat poolside exploring our respective visions, finding unexpected parallels in our ideas. Ashleigh, sensing the significance of the moment, took photos of our conversation – images that would later remind us that some connections just seem meant to be.
Over the last few years, Eric Bricker and I have collaborated on various projects, with our creative partnership growing through shared work. The power of design was the catalyst for our friendship.
On the Shoulders of Giants
Throughout this journey, I’ve often thought about how our work connects to the legacy of the mid-century masters – those innovative architects and designers who redefined what our living spaces could be. Figures like Richard Neutra, Rudolph Schindler, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Charles Eames weren’t just creating beautiful buildings; they were pioneering new ways of thinking about how we live.
They experimented boldly with materials and forms, but always with a deep respect for how spaces affect the people who inhabit them. They understood that design isn’t simply visual – it’s a philosophy about creating environments that enhance human experience. This isn’t just a history lesson. These innovators are passing us a baton, challenging us not to recreate what they’ve done, but to stand on their shoulders and push forward.
From Vision to Reality
Over two years had passed, and the vision to bring Ocean Modern to the world still burned in my soul. Our journey came full circle at Modernism Week this February, reuniting with Michela and the community that first welcomed us.
Michela’s fifteen years building Dwell from startup to cultural touchstone provided invaluable insight. Yet her generosity revealed what I’ve come to see as thoughtful design’s true purpose: creating spaces for genuine human connection.
This spirit drives Ocean Modern. While we celebrate great architecture, our deeper mission explores how physical spaces shape our lives—bringing us together and inspiring authenticity. We invite you to join this conversation about design as a way of living.
The horizon is wide open, and we’re grateful to have you on this journey with us!
Welcome to Ocean Modern!
