.
Our clients came to us with an existing home in Manhattan Beach, an old beach cottage that was charming in some ways, but cramped and dark in others. They wanted to bring a new life into it and incorporate their own contemporary style with a nod to mid-century modern.
We reimagined the main living area as an open-plan environment, extending the kitchen and integrating it seamlessly into the primary gathering space for entertaining. Vaulted ceilings were introduced in both the main living area and the primary bedroom, creating a greater sense of volume and architectural interest. This intervention also made way for clerestory windows, allowing natural light to pour in and brighten the interiors.
The exterior palette combines wood composite siding with a crisp black-and-white scheme, adding warmth and texture to a clean, modern composition.
Inside, the material and color palette is intentionally restrained, serving as a neutral backdrop for the clients’ rotating art collection.
While the home was significantly transformed, the original footprint was preserved—maintaining valuable outdoor space on the narrow lot. This includes a private front porch and garden, as well as an interior courtyard with a trellis, offering moments of openness and connection to the outdoors.
