From Demolition-Bound to Design Dream: Little Cottage Gets a Second Chance

From admin on April 7th, 2010 in Los Angeles

In order to take a house slated for demolition and turn it into an attractive and comfortable home, one must have a smart and workable plan, an eye for design, and a dedication to making it all work.  Luckily, Julie Hart had all three when she bought her 1930s Santa Monica cottage in 2000 with her partner, Monet LeMon.

Her first concern when viewing the property for the first time was whether it would be possible to raise the rafters and achieve a more spacious feel.  Once she confirmed that it was, she went to work scheduling six months of renovations before the couple officially moved in.

Before massive renovations

So what were the biggest changes?  For starters, a 250-square-foot addition to the bedroom to accommodate a walk-in closet and master bath.  Followed were a removal of the living room’s interior walls and ceiling, plus the addition of a laundry room and home office to the garage.

Not surprisingly, the couple amped up the airy feel by using white as their go-to color, not to mention new windows and skylights.  The kitchen’s white walls are pleasantly contrasted with ebony stained wood floors.

The living room was brought to life with red accents and natural light.  And white furniture means that they can easily switch out accessories while still keeping the space coordinated.

Equipped with a bubbling fountain, the quaint backyard provides the perfect punctuation for this remodel.  Clearly this home is now nowhere near the chopping block.