Mid-sized beach style bathroom photo in Austin with white cabinets, multicolored walls, an undermount sink and shaker cabinets

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.

Rachel Sieben
Large beach style master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Portland Maine with white walls and no fireplace

Gridley + Graves Photographers
Inspiration for a coastal medium tone wood floor sunroom remodel in Chicago with a standard ceiling

The great room provides plenty of space for open dining. The stairs leads up to the artist's studio, stairs lead down to the garage.
Example of a mid-sized beach style open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room design in Tampa with white walls and no fireplace

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.

Just a little love to the exterior of this cottage which included, paint, wrought iron lighting and replacing the shingle roof with the traditional cedar.

Inspiration for a coastal dining room remodel in Jacksonville with white walls

Example of a beach style freestanding desk carpeted and beige floor study room design in Other with white walls

Photo Credits: Brian Vanden Brink
Mid-sized beach style screened-in side porch photo in Boston with decking and a roof extension

Thomas Kuoh
Inspiration for a large timeless entryway remodel in San Francisco with a glass front door and white walls

Jason Hulet
Example of a classic open concept coffered ceiling living room design in Other with beige walls

Inspiration for a large coastal medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Bridgeport with white cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and shaker cabinets

Example of a beach style light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Example of a classic white two-story brick gable roof design in Birmingham with a shingle roof

Richard Leo Johnson
Inspiration for a small cottage gray one-story exterior home remodel in Atlanta

Open concept kitchen - small coastal single-wall vaulted ceiling open concept kitchen idea in Orange County with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, terra-cotta backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

This is the hallway from the garage. Note the energy-efficient LED strips in the upper cabinets providing plenty of light behind the glass and below. These are rated at 2700k which provides a color similar to incandescent lighting. Design solutions included creating a great prep space with Taj Mahal countertops that provides excellent space for work but the area is completely hidden from the point of view from the great room. Another design solution to note is the hidden door to the pantry at the far right side of the cabinetry. Behind the door is a full pantry with an ice maker, wine room and refrigerator. Beautifully appointed custom home near Venice Beach, FL. Designed with the south Florida cottage style that is prevalent in Naples. Every part of this home is detailed to show off the work of the craftsmen that created it.

A tiny waterfront house in Kennebunkport, Maine. Photos by James R. Salomon
Example of a small beach style blue one-story wood tiny house design in Portland Maine with a hip roof and a shingle roof