Rick Bethem

Children's Bathroom. Photo by: Yorgos Efthymiadis

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.

For this bathroom we took a simple footprint and added some excitement. We did this by custom building a vanity with wood texture and stain, used tiles that mimic the sea and shells but installing tile with gradient tones, texture and movement. The floor tile continues into the shower to expand the room footprint visually.

A deep drawer with a plumbing chase and a tip out tray... clever storage for small bathroom is always appreciated.

Santa Barbara 2nd Primary Bathroom - Coastal vibes with clean, contemporary esthetic

Builder: Watershed Builder Photography: Michael Blevins A secondary bathroom for a sweet young girl in Charlotte with navy blue vanity, white quartz countertop, gold hardware, gold accent mirror and hexagon porcelain tile.

The theme for the design of these four bathrooms was Coastal Americana. My clients wanted classic designs that incorporated color, a coastal feel, and were fun. The master bathroom stands out with the interesting mix of tile. We maximized the tall sloped ceiling with the glass tile accent wall behind the freestanding bath tub. A simple sandblasted "wave" glass panel separates the wet area. Shiplap walls, satin bronze fixtures, and wood details add to the beachy feel. The three guest bathrooms, while having tile in common, each have their own unique vanities and accents. Curbless showers and frameless glass opened these rooms up to feel more spacious. The bits of blue in the floor tile lends just the right pop of blue. Custom fabric roman shades in each room soften the look and add extra style.

Artfully patterned blue shower tile.

White on white cabinets with Astra Walker taps and Regent bath from Decina. 'Neptune' Ceramic above counter basin