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.

Open concept kitchen - contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen idea in Birmingham with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2013 Houzz
Traditional one-story brick exterior home idea in Dallas

Here is a Beautiful Deck that was built in Downingtown, PA. It was built with TimberTech Slate Evolutions decking and White Vinyl Railing with Black Aluminum Balusters. The Front of the deck was built in a curve as requested from the home owner. Wrap around Steps were installed on one side of the deck going down to ground level, closing off the bottom of the deck. A lighting package was installed including post lights and step lights. This Project also features a Custom White Vinyl Pergola. Photo By: Keystone Custom Decks

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Los Angeles

Genoa Carpet on Stairs
Mid-sized transitional carpeted straight staircase photo in Boise with carpeted risers

The covered space is 26' wide x 16' projection with gutter system for capturing rain water and connecting downspouts to under home piping to avoid rain water in yard. The awning cover opens and closes with a handheld remote. When closed it protects your patio from rain, heat, and UV radiation. When open it allows warming sunshine onto deck and into home during cooler months. The homeowner loves to open louvered patio cover when the sun moves to front of home in afternoon. This allows light back into home, but not direct heat and sun glare. A traditional shingle roof would permanently block sunlight and solar energy into home and make the space dark. Only the American Louvered Roof Patio Cover allows such flexibility to have sun when you want it and shade when you need it. At night a starry sky can be enjoyed as well. When opened it's like not having any cover at all.

New bedroom was added under the high vaulted ceiling space over the living room and dining room. Some areas were a little too low for livable space so it was converted to a storage room. Closet doors were economy styles to avoid custom doors as the doors had to be cut shorter since the closet was on the low end of the room. Chris Doering at TRUADDITIONS.

The Living Room size was doubled when the original bedroom was removed to add a staircase to the new second floor. The fireplace was updated with mosaic marble tiles and a new gas insert. Colorful art, pillows and accessories complement the exposed brick wall. The french doors let light flow in from the enclosed porch, which is now a home office. Exposed brick Fireplace Colorful artwork and pillows French Doors

Rob Karosis Photography
Kitchen - modern u-shaped kitchen idea in Boston with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Janis Nicolay
Example of a trendy staircase design in Vancouver

Beach style blue tile single-sink alcove shower photo in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Nashville

Schrock Carmin Toasted Almond on Pearl, Lg Viatera Symphony countertop, Tiles from Rhode Island Tile
Example of a mid-sized classic l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, black appliances and an island

Closet - transitional closet idea in Grand Rapids

Example of a mid-sized trendy master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile doorless shower design in Ottawa with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, a trough sink and quartz countertops

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This house is set on a sunny natural plateau, sheltered from the wind and enjoys magnificent views of Sutton Mounts and Echo. The layout of the house integrates harmoniously with the surrounding forest, opening to nature through large expanses of glass and terraces that connect the living spaces to the forest. A long roof shelters the house, its deep eaves acting as a sunshade and defining protected outside spaces. The wide south and east terraces, close to ground level, bring the house into contact with its site and enjoy lots of sunshine. A screen porch is strategically located to avoid blocking the primary views and provides access to the forest. The living living spaces are arranged in an open layout under a ceiling ceiling that reaches 12 feet in height, yet more intimate spaces such as the fireplace alcove modulate the spaces between the higher volumes. The construction will achieve Novoclimat certification and integrates among other things a radiant floor fed by a geothermal heating system. This project was completed in collaboration with engineers and Construction Boivin.

Vibrant Succulents: With thousands of succulents and cacti to choose from, selection is about color, texture, and dimension.
Design ideas for a large southwestern drought-tolerant, full sun and desert side yard stone landscaping in San Diego.