Coastal Multi-Family Remodel
Featured Case Study
Honoring a Redondo Beach Original
Design & Build Inspiration: Built in the 1920s and passed down through generations, this home carries nearly a century of history within its walls. As the third house built on the block, our client was fortunate to purchase it from the original owners. Our goal was to honor its legacy — keeping the exterior true to the local aesthetic while refining the interiors to feel timeless, simple, and built to last another hundred years.
"We wanted this place to feel like a sanctuary — calm, grounded, and deeply connected to its past."
One of our most challenging projects — navigating Coastal Commission regulations, a 100-year-old structure. The design is simple yet technically complex, maximizing every inch of a compact footprint. A true lesson in creativity, compliance, and craftsmanship — proving that thoughtful design can make small spaces extraordinary.
This home stood long before modern building codes existed. It survived decades of coastal weather, earthquakes, wars, and multiple generations. It wasn’t just a structure — it was a witness to time.
The home was purchased as-is and needed love. But what made this project special is that the new owners also grew up in this community. Their goal wasn’t to erase the past — it was to honor it.
We approached the design with deep respect for the home’s history and the character of the neighborhood. The exterior was refreshed to feel renewed, not replaced. Inside, we created a sanctuary that blends modern living with subtle nods to the past — including details like flush baseboards, a hallmark of early Craftsman design.
This wasn’t about making the home new. - It was about making it timeless again.
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Kitchen & Dining
The original kitchen was divided into closed-off sections, reflecting early home layouts when kitchens were treated as utility spaces, separate from dining and living areas. While practical for its time, the layout felt tight and disconnected from the rest of the home.
Modern living brings people together. In this redesign, we removed both visual and physical barriers to create a kitchen and dining area that feels open, connected, and inviting. The new layout allows light, movement, and conversation to flow freely — transforming what was once a segmented space into the true heart of the home.
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Primary Bath
The original bathrooms were designed around the limitations of early fixtures, shaped by what was available at the time rather than by comfort or experience.
The primary bath was reimagined to take full advantage of modern design and technology. Originally disconnected from the primary suite, it was reconfigured to become a private, dedicated bath for the bedroom. A built-in 7'x7' commercial-grade steam shower now transforms daily routines into a true spa-level experience, blending performance with relaxation.
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Guest Bathroom
The original guest bath was barely larger than a coat closet, limiting both comfort and function. By expanding the footprint, we were able to introduce a full soaking tub, a spa-style rain shower with body sprays, and a discreetly integrated laundry area — transforming a once-cramped space into a fully functional guest retreat.
What were once purely functional rooms are now spaces of restoration, privacy, and comfort.
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Exterior Finishing, Hardscape and Landscape Design
The goal for the exterior was to remain true to the home’s Craftsman roots while making the property easier to maintain and visually cohesive.
Originally, the backyard was dominated by mismatched concrete slabs in varying colors and sizes, with only a small patch of exposed soil. To meet current coastal code requirements, we were required to maintain the same level of ground percolation. We also introduced additional drainage to protect the property and neighboring structures from flooding and long-term water damage.
The owners selected permeable, diamond-shaped
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concrete pavers paired with decorative rock inlay, creating a surface that is both functional and visually refined.
For the front we opted for a traditional white picket fence look with lush weather resilant grass and two fruit trees.
The result is a yard that respects environmental requirements, manages water responsibly, and feels intentional, clean, and timeless.
Designed to Feel bigger
Design & Build Inspiration: These two one-bedroom, one-bath apartments were designed to feel like a true extension of the main home — not an afterthought. No matter the size of a space, it should feel like a personal sanctuary: calm, intentional, and welcoming.
Originally constructed in the 1950s as two separate one-bedroom units, the apartments were defined by narrow rooms and a disconnected layout. Walls and divisions reflected the era they were built in — practical for the time, but limiting for modern living.
The renovation focused on breaking down those barriers. By opening up the floor plan and improving natural light and circulation, the spaces were transformed into bright, open, and fluid living environments. What were once tight and segmented apartments are now warm, cohesive homes designed to live larger than their footprint.
These units are proof that thoughtful design isn’t about square footage — it’s about how a space makes you feel.
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Living Space
By applying a few simple design ideas — removing a half wall, eliminating unnecessary doors (including a pocket door), and widening the entry to the bedroom area — we were able to dramatically change how the space felt and functioned.
These simple adjustments allowed natural light to reach previously dark areas and opened the kitchen to the living space, creating a layout that feels brighter, more connected, and more cohesive overall.
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Bathroom
The original bathroom followed a traditional layout with limited storage and a bathtub that was too small for comfortable adult use. Rather than working around those constraints, we removed the tub and unified the flooring throughout the space to create a more open and expansive feel.
Natural stone flooring was selected to introduce texture and warmth, giving the room a spa-like look and atmosphere. What was once a purely functional bathroom is now a calm, restorative space designed for everyday comfort
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Laundry
Originally, the laundry functions were split between two locations — the washer tucked into a storage area between the garages and the dryer housed separately in an outdoor shed. The setup was inefficient and disconnected from the rest of the property.
By consolidating both appliances into a single shared laundry room for the two apartments, we were able to create a space that feels intentional and cohesive with the overall design. A generous 48-inch utility sink and ample built-in storage transformed what was once a purely utilitarian zone into an organized, functional room that supports daily living.
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Exterior
Originally, the laundry functions were split between two locations — the washer tucked into a storage area between the garages and the dryer housed separately in an outdoor shed. The setup was inefficient and disconnected from the rest of the property.
By consolidating both appliances into a single shared laundry room for the two apartments, we were able to create a space that feels intentional and cohesive with the overall design. A generous 48-inch utility sink and ample built-in storage transformed what was once a purely utilitarian zone into an organized, functional room that supports daily living.