Photography by John Reed Forsman
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts enclosed living room design in Minneapolis with green walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a 1950s u-shaped gray floor kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, blue backsplash, a peninsula and white countertops

Example of a trendy living room design in Santa Barbara with a ribbon fireplace and brown walls

The modern and clean lined living and family room allows the eye to focus on the guitar, banjos and mandolin. The homeowners are also avid collectors of old 33 rpm records. Alise O'Brien photography

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.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and quartzite countertops

Erika Bierman Photography www.erikabiermanphotography.com
Elegant living room photo in Los Angeles

We really brightened the space up by adding a white shiplap feature wall, a neutral gray paint for the walls and a very bright fireplace surround.
Living room - small eclectic formal and enclosed carpeted and multicolored floor living room idea in Portland with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Lesley Unruh
Living room - transitional medium tone wood floor living room idea in New York with white walls and a standard fireplace

Example of a mid-sized transitional enclosed and formal light wood floor and brown floor living room design in Minneapolis with white walls, no tv and no fireplace

Miquel Lacomba
Large minimalist white two-story mixed siding flat roof photo

Example of a trendy formal and open concept living room design in Houston with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and no tv

Transitional kitchen and family room remodel by Delphinium Design in Charlotte, NC features open large greige sectional couch with custom pillows, navy blue ottoman, marble fireplace with white fireplace mantel, built in shelving units and bench with plenty of hidden storage, brown swivel chairs, light wood media table, custom green window treatments and dark hardwoods

Example of a beach style enclosed carpeted and gray floor family room design in Boise with white walls

Trendy formal and open concept brick floor living room photo in Denver with white walls, a concrete fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a ribbon fireplace

Wade Lindsey
Example of a transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room design in Houston with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and no tv

The carpet was removed and replaced with new engineered wood floors, with walnut from the owner's childhood home in Ohio. New windows and doors. Interior Designer: Deborah Campbell Photographer: Jim Bartsch

Jack Thompson
Hallway - transitional gray floor hallway idea in Houston with white walls

Living room - modern living room idea in New York