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.

A small beach home renovated to suit the clients needs of an updated kitchen, and master suite. With new countertops, cabinets and flooring this kitchen and living area stay true to the traditional beach cottage style. The master suite has many elegant fixtures creating a relaxing oasis will a small touch of glamor with a beautiful glass chandelier.

Simple yet elegant beach cottage located in Avalon in Jacksonville Beach. Just two blocks from the ocean, this home is beach living at its finest. The centerpiece of the home is a dramatic two-story kitchen with wrap-around staircase and balcony. Custom cabinetry and built-ins, creative tile designs and unique ceiling treatments bring beauty and character to the 2,600 SF home. Deremer Studios

Inspiration for a coastal u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Tampa with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, paneled appliances, an island and black countertops

Classic Island beach cottage exterior of an elevated historic home by Sea Island Builders. Light colored white wood contract wood shake roof. Juila Lynn

This sunny side beach cottage was a forgotten old run down building. The designers created a new great room, bunk room and bedroom for the family to come periodically to the beach home. The little beach side cabin is the guest house to a larger home, farther back from the ocean. From this white painted cottage, the mother can watch her children play on the beach in comfort, and have friends and family stay over. The new bunk room has white painted beds with a small ladder, white, yellow and blue linens, and a bit of storage under the bed. The great room features an old fireplace, with blue sofas in Sunbrella fabrics, a natural wood table, and beachy accents. Not shown is a small kitchen, and separate guest room. All with beautiful, natural wood plank floors. Project: Padaro Lane, Carpenteria. Designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more.

This adorable beach cottage is in the heart of the village of La Jolla in San Diego. The goals were to brighten up the space and be the perfect beach get-away for the client whose permanent residence is in Arizona. Some of the ways we achieved the goals was to place an extra high custom board and batten in the great room and by refinishing the kitchen cabinets (which were in excellent shape) white. We created interest through extreme proportions and contrast. Though there are a lot of white elements, they are all offset by a smaller portion of very dark elements. We also played with texture and pattern through wallpaper, natural reclaimed wood elements and rugs. This was all kept in balance by using a simplified color palate minimal layering. I am so grateful for this client as they were extremely trusting and open to ideas. To see what the space looked like before the remodel you can go to the gallery page of the website www.cmnaturaldesigns.com Photography by: Chipper Hatter

photography by Jonathan Reece
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal light wood floor great room remodel in Portland Maine with white walls

This home is a vacation home to our clients. They wanted a refresh to make the space feel more modern and fresh.
Inspiration for a coastal open concept and formal living room remodel in Orlando with white walls and no fireplace

This adorable beach cottage is in the heart of the village of La Jolla in San Diego. The goals were to brighten up the space and be the perfect beach get-away for the client whose permanent residence is in Arizona. Some of the ways we achieved the goals was to place an extra high custom board and batten in the great room and by refinishing the kitchen cabinets (which were in excellent shape) white. We created interest through extreme proportions and contrast. Though there are a lot of white elements, they are all offset by a smaller portion of very dark elements. We also played with texture and pattern through wallpaper, natural reclaimed wood elements and rugs. This was all kept in balance by using a simplified color palate minimal layering. I am so grateful for this client as they were extremely trusting and open to ideas. To see what the space looked like before the remodel you can go to the gallery page of the website www.cmnaturaldesigns.com Photography by: Chipper Hatter

This adorable beach cottage is in the heart of the village of La Jolla in San Diego. The goals were to brighten up the space and be the perfect beach get-away for the client whose permanent residence is in Arizona. Some of the ways we achieved the goals was to place an extra high custom board and batten in the great room and by refinishing the kitchen cabinets (which were in excellent shape) white. We created interest through extreme proportions and contrast. Though there are a lot of white elements, they are all offset by a smaller portion of very dark elements. We also played with texture and pattern through wallpaper, natural reclaimed wood elements and rugs. This was all kept in balance by using a simplified color palate minimal layering. I am so grateful for this client as they were extremely trusting and open to ideas. To see what the space looked like before the remodel you can go to the gallery page of the website www.cmnaturaldesigns.com Photography by: Chipper Hatter

vaulted ceilings and clean finishes highlight the mix of contemporary design and cottage details in this light filled kitchen and dining space
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized coastal l-shaped light wood floor, white floor and exposed beam eat-in kitchen idea in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Juila Lynn
Beach style family room photo in Charleston with brown walls and a wall-mounted tv

Stainless steel hammered dining table in open living area on the beach. A small weekend beach resort home for a family of four with two little girls. Remodeled from a funky old house built in the 60's on Oxnard Shores. This little white cottage has the master bedroom, a playroom, guest bedroom and girls' bunk room upstairs, while downstairs there is a 1960s feel family room with an industrial modern style bar for the family's many parties and celebrations. A great room open to the dining area with a zinc dining table and rattan chairs. Fireplace features custom iron doors, and green glass tile surround. New white cabinets and bookshelves flank the real wood burning fire place. Simple clean white cabinetry in the kitchen with x designs on glass cabinet doors and peninsula ends. Durable, beautiful white quartzite counter tops and yes! porcelain planked floors for durability! The girls can run in and out without worrying about the beach sand damage!. White painted planked and beamed ceilings, natural reclaimed woods mixed with rattans and velvets for comfortable, beautiful interiors Project Location: Oxnard, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more.

Taking inspiration from white sand beaches of the east coast and captures the spirit of the beach cottage decor. Allison Beach Cottage White Tall 5 Drawer Dresser brings a relaxed feel to your cottage-inspired bedroom decor. Featuring sophisticated details like fluted moldings, felt lined jewelry tray insert, and tapered feets. Our Off White Tallbiy Chest is crafted of solid birch wood and finished in two-tone white urban putty to keep your bedroom fresh. English dovetailed drawers offers plenty of storage space for linens and clothing. Dimensions: 42W x 19D x 52H Hand-crafted of solid hardwoods, Birch and Birch Veneers Cedar bottom drawers English dovetailed 9 drawers Matching Bed Frame, Dresser, Nightstand and Mirror also available. Decorative metal ring pulls a flip down drawer front for electronics Dust with a clean, dry cloth Imported.

In this formerly unfinished room above a garage, we were tasked with creating the ultimate kids’ space that could easily be used for adult guests as well. Our space was limited, but our client’s imagination wasn’t! Bold, fun, summertime colors, layers of pattern, and a strong emphasis on architectural details make for great vignettes at every turn. With many collaborations and revisions, we created a space that sleeps 8, offers a game/project table, a cozy reading space, and a full bathroom. The game table and banquette, bathroom vanity, locker wall, and unique bunks were custom designed by Bayberry Cottage and all allow for tons of clever storage spaces. This is a space created for loved ones and a lifetime of memories of a fabulous lakefront vacation home!

Our goal on this project was to create a live-able and open feeling space in a 690 square foot modern farmhouse. We planned for an open feeling space by installing tall windows and doors, utilizing pocket doors and building a vaulted ceiling. An efficient layout with hidden kitchen appliances and a concealed laundry space, built in tv and work desk, carefully selected furniture pieces and a bright and white colour palette combine to make this tiny house feel like a home. We achieved our goal of building a functionally beautiful space where we comfortably host a few friends and spend time together as a family. John McManus

Newport, RI - Beach Cottage
Beach style living room photo in Other

A newly designed kitchen for a large extended family where food preparation and serving/sharing could be accomplished. A buffet was designed and built in to the space to separate the kitchen from the eating area with a custom table to accommodate seating for 14. The gathering place needed to have the look of driftwood which was accomplished with a translucent white paint on cherry that allowed the grain patterns of the wood to peak through. The "sand through" technique further enhanced the look of driftwood. The style is classic with small rails on the top and larger rails below with a flat center panel. Simple hardware completes the look. Special soapstone was found that reflected the ocean with deep green and blue areas that swirl like water. Small mosaic tile were mixed with mother of pearl. Pendant light reflected by nautical lanterns complete the scene.