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.

Master bathroom design & build in Houston Texas. This master bathroom was custom designed specifically for our client. She wanted a luxurious bathroom with lots of detail, down to the last finish. Our original design had satin brass sink and shower fixtures. The client loved the satin brass plumbing fixtures, but was a bit apprehensive going with the satin brass plumbing fixtures. Feeling it would lock her down for a long commitment. So we worked a design out that allowed us to mix metal finishes. This way our client could have the satin brass look without the commitment of the plumbing fixtures. We started mixing metals by presenting a chandelier made by Curry & Company, the "Zenda Orb Chandelier" that has a mix of silver and gold. From there we added the satin brass, large round bar pulls, by "Lewis Dolin" and the satin brass door knobs from Emtek. We also suspended a gold mirror in the window of the makeup station. We used a waterjet marble from Tilebar, called "Abernethy Marble." The cobalt blue interior doors leading into the Master Bath set the gold fixtures just right.

Marisa Vitale Photography www.marisavitale.com

alyssa kirsten

Interior view of the Northgrove Residence. Interior Design by Amity Worrell & Co. Construction by Smith Builders. Photography by Andrea Calo.

Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by: Fluidesign Studio I Builder: Anchor Builders I Photographer: sethbennphoto.com

Thibault Cartier

We designed this Daughter's Bathroom to be a tranquil and sophisticated space with accents of rose gold on sconces and cabinetry hardware. The rose gold is a lovely accent on the soft green/grey cabinetry. The vanity wall is covered in Ann Sacks glazed porcelain mosaic. The countertops are a beautiful White Macabus Quartzite for both an elegant yet easy care material.

En suite bathroom with double vanity looking towards the walk-in closet.

Master Ensuite

Devon Grace Interiors designed a luxurious primary bathroom that features a grey double vanity with shaker style cabinetry doors. Ceramic wall tile, quartz countertops and backsplash, and brass wall-mounted faucets add natural textures and warmth to the space.

LED Mirror, Modern Bathroom, Modern Wet Room, Australian Wet Room, Fluted Glass, Fluted Shower Screen