Hot tub - large coastal backyard concrete and rectangular hot tub idea in New York

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Example of a small cottage enclosed medium tone wood floor living room design in New York with green walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Example of a small beach style single-wall vaulted ceiling open concept kitchen design in Orange County with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, terra-cotta backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Meghan Downs Photography
Large farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, recessed-panel cabinets and an island

Patio - large coastal backyard patio idea in Chicago with decking

Example of a transitional bedroom design in Toronto

Living room - transitional living room idea in Toronto

Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Toronto

Transitional living room photo in Toronto

Inspiration for a transitional laundry room remodel in Toronto

Example of a beach style living room design in San Diego

Transitional kitchen photo in Toronto

Small beach style u-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, glass-front cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Example of a mid-sized beach style enclosed light wood floor family room design in San Francisco with white walls

Example of a huge tuscan master beige tile and ceramic tile travertine floor and beige floor bathroom design in San Francisco with medium tone wood cabinets, an undermount sink, beige walls, a hinged shower door and recessed-panel cabinets

Example of a mid-sized beach style enclosed light wood floor living room design in San Francisco with white walls

Mid-sized beach style l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen photo in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor hallway design in Other with white walls

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.