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.

Mountain style living room photo in San Diego

Staircase - country staircase idea in Chicago

Mid-sized trendy master gray tile and marble tile slate floor, black floor, double-sink, wood ceiling, exposed beam, vaulted ceiling and wood wall freestanding bathtub photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, brown walls, a vessel sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops and a floating vanity

Mid-sized elegant white two-story stucco gable roof photo in Orange County

The Salty Shutters
Example of a mid-sized cottage white one-story concrete fiberboard house exterior design in Los Angeles with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Inspiration for a timeless ceramic tile alcove bathtub remodel in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Transitional exterior home photo in Dallas

We just completed this complicated bathroom remodel. Now you can step into serene luxury primary bathroom with oversized Royal Peacock porcelain slabs that create a bold, sophisticated statement in this meticulously designed bathroom. The deep, calming hues of the tiles contrast elegantly with sleek, modern fixtures, inviting a spa-like experience. Every detail in this space exudes elegance and relaxation, perfect for unwinding in style. Designed by @signaturedesigns.kbi and multiple collaborators @lusso_porcelain_and_design View the entire project on our website. https://www.signaturedesignskitchenbath.com/.../littleton... #masterbathroom #masterbathroomdesign #bathroomideas #bathroom #bathroomstyling #bathroominspo #homedesign #interiordesign #interiordesigner #bathroomlights

artinmedia.com
Example of a trendy wood exterior home design in Vancouver with a shed roof

Large modern linoleum floor and gray two-story mixed siding flat roof idea with beige walls and a medium wood front door

Clean, white and simple the kitchen is a smaller profile space. We made the counter work perfectly for an easy breakfast, and the custom kitchen table cosy for dinner at the banquette.

The kitchen area was originally two spaces. The area in the foreground was a butlers pantry/ breakfast room that had been converted to a laundry room. The Kitchen was the area by the window, roughly 8' x 8' and completely cut off from the rest of the house. The island sits on what had been the dividing line between the kitchen and the dining room. We discovered some salvageable hardwood flooring under the linoleum, we brought in salvaged hardwood to match. All the floors were then stained English Chestnut. All the woodwork was removed for construction, then carefully re installed and stripped once the work was complete. The kitchen has a mix of 6" recessed cans, under cabinet lighting, and island pendants. The soffit over the cabinets conceals the HVAC ducting as well as the hood ducting.

Large transitional gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and brown floor walk-in closet photo with open cabinets and white cabinets

Contemporary green mixed siding exterior home idea in San Francisco

Mid-sized cottage front door photo in Orange County with white walls and a gray front door

A colorful garden and patio seating area outside of Boston was designed by APLD member Pete Cadieux.
Design ideas for a traditional backyard landscaping in Boston.

Large elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

We undertook a full house renovation of a historic stone mansion that serves as home to DC based diplomats. One of the most immediate challenges was addressing a particularly problematic bathroom located in a guest wing of the house. The miniscule bathroom had such steeply pitched ceilings that showering was nearly impossible and it was difficult to move around without risk of bumping your head. Our solution was to relocate the bathroom to an adjacent sitting room that had 8’ ceilings and was flooded with natural light. At twice the size of the old bathroom, the new location had ample space to create a true second master bathroom complete with soaking tub, walk-in shower and 5’ vanity. We used the same classic marble finishes throughout which provides continuity and maintains the elegant and timeless look befitting this historic mansion. The old bathroom was removed entirely and replaced with a cozy reading nook ready to welcome the most discerning of houseguests.