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.

ITEM DESCRIPTION The Highline Drawer Chest by Rachael Ray Home includes five drawers, a felt lined top drawer, and a cedar lined bottom drawer. COLLECTION FEATURES Rachael Ray’s Highline furniture collection is a reflection of the heart of New York City: bold and fresh. Born of clean, modern styling and rich textural finishes and patterns, these pieces invite you to relax in comfort without all the clutter, and unwind in beautiful surroundings. Wood pieces in this whole home collection are crafted of hardwood solids with White oak veneers, in a soothing Greige finish, and accented with soft Nickel-finished custom hardware that prevents fingerprints. The upholstery items feature a neutral palette in easy-to-clean fabrics, bold metal and wood accent pieces and clean lines. The Highline collection is sophisticated and refined - perfect for your home. Features found in this collection: - Felt-lined top drawers on bedroom and dining cases. - Cedar-lined bottom drawers on bedroom cases. - Drawers are constructed with English dovetail joinery. - Side-mounted, ball-bearing extension guides. - Finished drawer interiors. - Dust proof bottoms. - Select items have power outlets including USB ports. - Three-way touch lighting on select items. - Easy cleaning fabrics. - Custom hardware. - Multi-function & multi-room furniture.

We moved the window on this job to accommodate a large his & hers vanity. The spacious shower includes a shower seat as well as corner shelving for personal items.

Farmhouse staircase photo in Los Angeles

Three white floating shelves display a mix of practical and decorative items, including cookware, jars, and greenery. Set against a glossy beige subway tile backsplash, these open shelves add warmth and charm while maintaining the kitchen’s airy feel.

This kitchen include one of our most popular interior features - LeMans swing out shelving. Good-bye dead corners where kitchen items are hidden forever. LeMans swing outs provide great storage that is easily accessible.

Photography by ibi Designs
Living room - coastal open concept dark wood floor living room idea in Miami with blue walls and a wall-mounted tv

Drawing inspiration from early French and American architecture, the Rustic Solid Wood Entryway Bench with drawers and Coat Rack combines modern functionality with woods reclaimed from old buildings for a "found" appeal that is as striking as it is livable. Dimensions: 59"W x 13"D x 70"H Solid reclaimed wood Sanded and finished with a clear sealer & wax. 100% fsc certified. Wipe to clean Each piece is unique and no two are exactly alike. Construction: Reclaimed timbers are finished with two coats of matte lacquer, which allows the wood to maintain a rustic look through its small imperfections (note: saw marks, knots,and nail holes). The final finish is unique to each piece and will vary.

Mudroom - traditional carpeted and multicolored floor mudroom idea in New York with blue walls

In this tiny home, every item must serve multiple purposes. The island has storage on all 3 sides. The banquette seating has storage and bed underneath. All cabinetry designed by us and executed by Silver Maple Woodworks.

Bret Gum for Cottages and Bungalows
Inspiration for a shabby-chic style terra-cotta tile dining room remodel in Los Angeles with white cabinets and tile countertops

Having a small child, loving to entertain and looking to declutter and kid-proof the gathering spaces of their home in the quaint village of Rockville Centre, Long Island, a stone’s throw from Manhattan, our client’s main objective was to have their living room and den transformed with a family friendly home makeover with mid-century modern tones boasting a formal, yet relaxed spirit Stepping into the home we found their living room and den both architecturally well appointed yet in need of modern transitional furniture pieces and the pops of color our clients admired, as there was a substantial amount of cool, cold grays in the rooms. Decor Aid designer Vivian C. approached the design and placement of the pieces sourced to be kid-friendly while remaining sophisticated and practical for entertaining. “We played off of the clients love for blush pinks, mid-century modern and turquoise. We played with the use of gold and silver metals to mix it up.” In the living room, we used the prominent bay window and its illuminating natural light as the main architectural focal point, while the fireplace and mantels soft white tone helped inform the minimalist color palette for which we styled the room around. To add warmth to the living room we played off of the clients love for blush pinks and turquoise while elevating the room with flashes of gold and silver metallic pieces. For a sense of play and to tie the space together we punctuated the kid-friendly living room with an eclectic juxtaposition of colors and materials, from a beautifully patchworked geometric cowhide rug from All Modern, to a whimsical mirror placed over an unexpected, bold geometric credenza, to the blush velvet barrel chair and abstract blue watercolor pillows. “When sourcing furniture and objects, we chose items that had rounded edges and were shatter proof as it was vital to keep each room’s decor childproof.” Vivian ads. Their vision for the den remained chic, with comfort and practical functionality key to create an area for the young family to come together. For the den, our main challenge was working around the pre-existing dark gray sectional sofa. To combat its chunkiness, we played off of the hues in the cubist framed prints placed above and focused on blue and orange accents which complement and play off of each other well. We selected orange storage ottomans in easy to clean, kid-friendly leather to maximize space and functionality. To personalize the appeal of the den we included black and white framed family photos. In the end, the result created a fun, relaxed space where our clients can enjoy family moments or watch a game while taking in the scenic view of their backyard. For harmony between the rooms, the overall tone for each room is mid-century modern meets bold, yet classic contemporary through the use of mixed materials and fabrications including marble, stone, metals and plush velvet, creating a cozy yet sophisticated enough atmosphere for entertaining family and friends and raising a young children. “The result od this family friendly room was really fantastic! Adding some greenery, more pillows and throws really made the space pop.” Vivian C. Decor Aid’s Designer

3,900 SF home that has achieved a LEED Silver certification. The house is sited on a wooded hill with southern exposure and consists of two 20’ x 84’ bars. The second floor is rotated 15 degrees beyond ninety to respond to site conditions and animate the plan. Materials include a standing seam galvalume roof, native stone, and rain screen cedar siding. Feyerabend Photoartists

This 15' x 18' home office includes a storage book case and display area as well as a matching desk. All items were finished in natural Zebrano veneers with a clear finish. LED lighting, glass shelves and black accent reveals highlight the appearance.

This project integrated a more modern aesthetic while maintaining the identity of a traditional colonial. It maximizes storage and organizational solutions, including hidden appliances inside cabinets, specific storage solutions for things like onions and potatoes, and increased storage opportunities for books and display items in the oversize island. The unique blend of modern and traditional elements is a highlight of this project; there are high gloss white modern slab cabinets mixed with accent-painted shaker cabinets. photos by Jay Groccia of OnSite Studios

The in-law suite kitchen could only be in a small corner of the basement. The kitchen design started with the question: how small can this kitchen be? The compact layout was designed to provide generous counter space, comfortable walking clearances, and abundant storage. The bold colors and fun patterns anchored by the warmth of the dark wood flooring create a happy and invigorating space. SQUARE FEET: 140

David Fish of Blufish Photography
Laundry room - cottage laundry room idea in Boise

Transitional single-wall utility room photo in San Diego with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in Houston