Back in 2004, with the X-Files in his rearview, screenwriter Chris Carter picked out a spectacularly private lot in the Point Dume neighborhood of Malibu and built himself a laid-back but not-too-modest place to retire, surfboard at the ready. Fashion designer James Perse picked up the home in 2010, made a few judicious renovations, and has now listed it for sale at $39.995 million; he bought it for $16 million.

The property is a peach. Outcroppings protect the beach from prying eyes, providing an exceedingly private place to recreate and reflect. The lot extends to 1.3 acres, enough to provide a solid buffer from the outside world.

The home is a contemporary, and has been given a warm execution inside. Plentiful hardwood—all finished natural—is used for floors, accents, and the great room ceiling. Glass walls present the living style as very much an extension of the location, and an unadorned style prevails, with off-white and unpretentious fixtures and cabinetry. Long, clean lines, and a quiet, meditative atmosphere are the result.

The home contains five bedrooms and six baths, and living spaces extend to a little more than 4,200 square feet. The property exterior features an extended arbor and pergola, and a tiered patio with a large outdoor living area.

James Perse founded his fashion house in the 1990’s. The brand launched its first retail store in 2003.