Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Sunlight and Family Friendliness for a California Cottage
A family of 4 gets comfy in a guesthouse, thanks to lots of light and forgiving materials
Just because you have your dream house in mind — or even in reach — doesn't mean that you're ready to make it happen. When a British family purchased a property in Venice, California, they wanted to turn another house at the back of the lot into their dream home. But while readying funds and resources, they hired designer Tess Bethune to help them turn a cottage at the front of the lot into a cozy temporary home. Knocking down stifling walls, working with warm but budget-friendly materials and adding in a few extra windows helped Bethune open this 50-year-old house to the California sunshine.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of 4 from the U.K.
Location: Venice, California
Size: 1,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Budget: About $60,000
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of 4 from the U.K.
Location: Venice, California
Size: 1,200 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Budget: About $60,000
Since this house was about to become home to two small children, Bethune stuck with low-key, inexpensive materials that would look good to adults and stand up to the kids. The clients didn't want anything to feel fussy or overly traditional, so Bethune chose a material palette that could grow with their family.
Wall paint: Fresh Aqua, Mythic Paint; sofa: Room & Board; coffee table: clients'; pillows: Ikea
Wall paint: Fresh Aqua, Mythic Paint; sofa: Room & Board; coffee table: clients'; pillows: Ikea
Changing the interior wall structure helped reorganize the house and add visual space while keeping the original footprint the same. Originally there were also many more doors, most of which Bethune removed. "They didn't want to be constantly opening and shutting doors," she says. "That's hard in a small space. It feels like work."
Range, hood: Cavaliere; refrigerator: Frigidaire
Range, hood: Cavaliere; refrigerator: Frigidaire
An Ikea butcher block countertop warms up simple white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. Vintage coffee and tea containers add a personal, cheerful touch.
Hardware: Amerock Flat Black; sink: Belle Floret
Hardware: Amerock Flat Black; sink: Belle Floret
The far end of the kitchen expands into a dining nook, which Bethune designed in lieu of island or countertop seating. The family prefers to eat at a table, rather than sit at a counter. The nook also opens up the cooking counter to the living room, connecting all of the main living spaces and allowing the fireplace to be visible from every room.
Floor tile: 12-inch Montauk blue slate
Floor tile: 12-inch Montauk blue slate
Although Bethune kept most of the home's original windows and molding, she added an extra window to the dining nook, filling the space with sunlight.
Wall paint: Fresh Aqua, Mythic Paint; dining table, benches: clients'; pendant: RLM, American Made Lighting
Wall paint: Fresh Aqua, Mythic Paint; dining table, benches: clients'; pendant: RLM, American Made Lighting
The master bedroom is sweet and simple. Floor-to-ceiling Ikea closets provide plenty of storage. A large mirror and white curtains help reflect light around the space.
Bedding: Yakima Camp Blanket, Pendleton
Bedding: Yakima Camp Blanket, Pendleton
Modern sconces offset unique vintage nightstands on either side of the bed. Bethune custom designed several pillows to give the traditional Pendleton blanket a fresh look.
Sconces: Original BTC Hector Sconce, Shop Horne
Sconces: Original BTC Hector Sconce, Shop Horne
Forgiving, durable materials and vintage furniture give the house a warm, lived-in feel that never seems too delicate for small children. "It was a matter of not being precious about things," says Bethune.
The couple's older child sleeps on this daybed, which can be used in the main house later on. When the youngest — who was born right after the remodel — is a little older, both children will share this room.
Bed frame: Casey, Daybeds.com
Bed frame: Casey, Daybeds.com
The cottage has one bathroom, just behind the kitchen's chalkboard wall. Simple white subway tile and dark green hexagonal floor tile make for a classic but fresh look.
Wall tile: Ice White, United States Ceramic Tile; floor tile: Hunter Green Hex, American Universal Tile; sink: Duravit Vero
Wall tile: Ice White, United States Ceramic Tile; floor tile: Hunter Green Hex, American Universal Tile; sink: Duravit Vero
Originally, the kitchen felt closed off from the rest of the house. Tearing out the three walls that divided the space opened the rooms to the sunlight.
Subway tile: Snow White, United States Ceramic Tile; countertop: solid wood, Ikea; cabinetry: Ikea