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.

First floor Powder Room with pebble floor tile and Asian inspire tile accent wall. Jeffrey Tryon - Photographer / PDC
Small minimalist multicolored tile and porcelain tile pebble tile floor and beige floor powder room photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, solid surface countertops and white countertops

A beautiful backyard patio! Gas fireplace to add the warmth on the cold days, a covered space to ward of the wet weather and a polished silver slate tile on the floor. The slate is calibrated polish silver or platinum slate and this is just out from the kitchen.

Example of a mountain style medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Boston with white walls

Modern bathroom by StyleHaus Design www.stylehausdesign.com
Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Miami

Photos: Eric Lucero
Large rustic two-story wood house exterior idea in Denver

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Charlotte

Example of a minimalist kitchen design in New York

Four twin-size bunks and two trundle bed hideaway behind a pair of paneled doors in the basement recreation room. Durable carpet is practical but paneled wainscoting and hand-hewn timber and oak plank ceiling really dress up the space. Woodruff Brown Photography

Jane Button Photography
Inspiration for a cottage u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Bliss Garden Design
This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Seattle.

8 ft closet doors by Trustile, five-panel Shaker Style doors.
Example of a classic bedroom design in San Francisco

The home's transparent open plan spaces create alternating parcels of cool and warm light as the sky darkens. William Lesch Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and multicolored backyard and one-story concrete paver and mixed siding flat roof remodel in Phoenix with a roof extension

Library
Inspiration for a large timeless open concept carpeted family room library remodel in New York with yellow walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Elegant patio photo in Charleston

Example of a mid-sized transitional gender-neutral carpeted walk-in closet design in Boston with dark wood cabinets and recessed-panel cabinets

Rich Pharaoh
Alcove shower - coastal master multicolored floor alcove shower idea with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Bill Johnson Photography
Large elegant gray two-story mixed siding exterior home photo in Seattle