Within this amazing accessory dwelling unit, we find a full "L-Shaped" Kitchenette with gray, shaker styled cabinets, a white granite counter top, matched with stainless steel fixtures and appliances for an outstanding finish to the kitchen area.

Minimalist living room photo in San Francisco

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.

The original house was demolished to make way for a two-story house on the sloping lot, with an accessory dwelling unit below. The upper level of the house, at street level, has three bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. The “great room” opens onto an ocean-view deck through two large pocket doors. The master bedroom can look through the living room to the same view. The owners, acting as their own interior designers, incorporated lots of color with wallpaper accent walls in each bedroom, and brilliant tiles in the bathrooms, kitchen, and at the fireplace tiles in the bathrooms, kitchen, and at the fireplace. Architect: Thompson Naylor Architects Photographs: Jim Bartsch Photographer

Exterior view of a an ADU inspired by japanese and scandinavian design. The covered back patio overlooks a japanese rock garden.
Small trendy detached shed photo in Portland

We built this beautiful 320 square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit to be used as a home for the couple's parents to use when they visit from out of town.

A garage conversion ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is the process of transforming an existing garage space into a fully functional living unit. This conversion typically involves adding basic amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom, and living area, to create a comfortable, independent living space. It is a cost-effective way to add additional living space to a property, often used for rental income, guest housing, or as a private living area for family members.

FineCraft Contractors, Inc. Harrison Design
Family room - small rustic loft-style slate floor, multicolored floor, vaulted ceiling and shiplap wall family room idea in DC Metro with a bar, beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

Designed to maximize function with minimal impact, the studio serves up adaptable square footage in a wrapping almost healthy enough to eat. The open interior space organically transitions from personal to communal with the guidance of an angled roof plane. Beneath the tallest elevation, a sunny workspace awaits creative endeavors. The high ceiling provides room for big ideas in a small space, while a cluster of windows offers a glimpse of the structure’s soaring eave. Solid walls hugging the workspace add both privacy and anchors for wall-mounted storage. Towards the studio’s southern end, the ceiling plane slopes downward into a more intimate gathering space with playfully angled lines. The building is as sustainable as it is versatile. Its all-wood construction includes interior paneling sourced locally from the Wood Mill of Maine. Lengths of eastern white pine span up to 16 feet to reach from floor to ceiling, creating visual warmth from a material that doubles as a natural insulator. Non-toxic wood fiber insulation, made from sawdust and wax, partners with triple-glazed windows to further insulate against extreme weather. During the winter, the interior temperature is able to reach 70 degrees without any heat on. As it neared completion, the studio became a family project with Jesse, Betsy, and their kids working together to add the finishing touches. “Our whole life is a bit of an architectural experiment”, says Jesse, “but this has become an incredibly useful space.”

On a hillside property in Santa Monica hidden behind trees stands our brand new constructed from the grounds up guest unit. This unit is only 300sq. but the layout makes it feel as large as a small apartment. Vaulted 12' ceilings and lots of natural light makes the space feel light and airy. A small kitchenette gives you all you would need for cooking something for yourself, notice the baby blue color of the appliances contrasting against the clean white cabinets and counter top. The wood flooring give warmth to the neutral white colored walls and ceilings. A nice sized bathroom bosting a 3'x3' shower with a corner double door entrance with all the high quality finishes you would expect in a master bathroom. The exterior of the unit was perfectly matched to the existing main house. These ADU (accessory dwelling unit) also called guest units and the famous term "Mother in law unit" are becoming more and more popular in California and in LA in particular.

Example of a trendy deck design in Los Angeles

Trendy laundry room photo in Los Angeles

Alley view-respecting existing bungalow language while creating a new expression- rendering by C1
Example of a minimalist exterior home design in Denver

Minimalist home design photo in Denver

Example of a small classic white two-story concrete exterior home design in Denver with a hip roof

Walk-in closet with double hanging space to allow for additional storage capacity.
Inspiration for a contemporary vinyl floor and gray floor closet remodel in Los Angeles

The Cassini ADU is a thoughtfully designed 900-square-foot accessory dwelling unit that balances efficiency, comfort, and contemporary residential design. This two-bedroom, two-bath ADU features a spacious open-plan living room and kitchen area, creating a bright and flexible living environment ideal for modern lifestyles. Large windows maximize natural daylight, enhancing the sense of openness while supporting energy-efficient living.

The Cassini ADU is a thoughtfully designed 900-square-foot accessory dwelling unit that balances efficiency, comfort, and contemporary residential design. This two-bedroom, two-bath ADU features a spacious open-plan living room and kitchen area, creating a bright and flexible living environment ideal for modern lifestyles. Large windows maximize natural daylight, enhancing the sense of openness while supporting energy-efficient living.