Our client, a top infectious disease doctor who works for LA County, had lived in this 1940s Culver City cottage with her young daughter for years. When the pandemic hit, she realized just how important their living environment was - and how much it needed to change. The home didn't feel efficient, it didn't feel finished, and our client was anxious to transform not only the function but also the feeling of all the spaces.

 

We accepted the challenge - made trickier because our client and her daughter needed to live in the house during the renovation.

 

Our solution to the home being occupied was to work in phases, with only a two-week period when it had to be empty to refinish the floors. (When you have a great and trusted contractor, this is possible).

 

Phase One was the kids' bathroom renovation AND the garage. The garage wasn't part of the initial scope of work, but we needed to make the 1,500 square foot home feel less cluttered - and sometimes you have to look outside the home for a solution. We had the garage concrete floors polished, and enlisted our garage cabinetry crew to create as much storage as possible.

 

Phase Two consisted of the kitchen and primary bathroom remodels.

 

During our design process, our client kept mentioning storage. We knew that we'd be doing a good amount of millwork inside the house to address that, but we ALSO found a way to add more square footage by enclosing an existing outdoor landing. Result: a brand new entry room.

 

Practicalities aside, we also wanted to have some fun with this project, so we created a secret library door that leads you into the powder room.

 

Overall, the home gained a kitchen island, that secret door, the bonus entry room, and a finished/functional garage... but the real win was the genuine happiness that the transformation brought to our client and her daughter. This is WHY we do what we do.