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.

Small elegant blue two-story gable roof photo in Houston

Christopher Stark
Small trendy built-in desk medium tone wood floor home office photo in San Francisco with green walls

Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in Toronto

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

Transitional bathroom photo in Minneapolis

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Doug Petersen Photography
Example of a huge classic open concept light wood floor living room design in Boise with beige walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a stone fireplace

Inspiration for a large mediterranean open concept medium tone wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Phoenix with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Beach style bathroom photo in Portland Maine with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored walls and gray countertops

Hulya Kolabas
Photo of a small contemporary shade backyard stone garden path in New York for spring.

Photo: Lucy Call © 2013 Houzz
Living room - contemporary living room idea in Salt Lake City

Renovation in Mill Valley, Marin. Photos: Jeff Zaruba. Living Room.
Cottage medium tone wood floor family room library photo in San Francisco with gray walls

Photo: Lucy Call © 2013 Houzz
Example of a classic family room design in Salt Lake City with a roof extension

Example of a trendy medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Las Vegas with beige walls, a stone fireplace and a two-sided fireplace

Greg Reigler
This is an example of a large traditional front porch design in Atlanta with decking and a roof extension.

Inspiration for a contemporary master bedroom remodel in Phoenix with orange walls

Laurence Taylor, Taylor Architectural Photography
Inspiration for a coastal hallway remodel in Tampa with gray walls

Scottsdale Elegance - Master Suite Bathroom - "Her" Vanity with custom designed stone mirror surround.
Bathroom - huge traditional master beige tile, gray tile and stone slab travertine floor bathroom idea in Phoenix with raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, an undermount sink, beige walls, granite countertops and blue countertops