We’ve shared all the charming spaces of our #mgdxthecottage project with you through home reveals and on our socials, but this cozy cottage home didn’t always look like this! When we bought our first house, we took on the challenge of transforming a dated cottage with so much potential in the heart of Orange County. We’re sharing the before and after photos of our Cottage home renovation, and you won’t want to miss this transformation. Read on to see all the before photos of this charming home!

Living Room

As you step into The Cottage, you enter the formal living room. It originally functioned as a dining room since the footprint of the home didn’t include one. The traditional floor plan included many rooms that were separated and closed off. So, upon purchasing the home, we envisioned this space as a separate living room for our growing family. It’s an inviting space that sets the tone for the rest of the home.

We wanted to preserve the character of the original fireplace, so we updated the mantel millwork and painted it a hue that contrasts with the subtle striped wallpaper. We added new crown molding and baseboards and painted them in the same contrasting paint color to create a cottage-esque space upon entering the home.

Kitchen

The kitchen was a major focus of the renovation, and the biggest design challenge. We reconfigured the small kitchen footprint and former laundry room to create a larger kitchen with an open floor plan. After much deliberation, we were able to come up with a design that balanced the addition of an island while working around structural beams and maintaining a natural flow to the home.

A large island was added to provide plenty of workspace and seating, while custom cabinetry was designed to maximize storage and functionality. We were able to preserve the original wood floors throughout the home by staining them in a beautiful updated finish. Ultimately, the kitchen was transformed into a beautiful English-inspired space that’s perfect for entertaining and everyday use.

Breakfast Nook

Since the home originally lacked a formal dining space and we’re into more casual dining, we sought to create a built-in breakfast nook and eating area. We opted for banquette L-shaped seating with French-style bench seat cushions and built-in storage below. Patterned pillows and plaid linen sconces complete the space! It’s a cozy and comfortable space to enjoy breakfast, morning coffee, or a leisurely brunch with family and friends.

Family Room

Next up is the family room! When designing this room, we imagined it to be our family’s main hangout space in the home. We added new French doors to create a charming entryway into the backyard, and softened the space with linen drapery. We opted for a color palette with a little more contrast than the rest of the home, incorporating a slipcovered sectional in a dark performance fabric. The family room flows seamlessly into the dining nook and kitchen areas, and it’s the perfect space for our young family.

Main Bedroom

In the main bedroom, we wanted to create a playful yet tranquil space. The first design decision was choosing a lively printed wallpaper to set the tone for the space. Soft, neutral colors and textures were incorporated to create a serene environment, while an olive linen upholstered bed acts as the statement piece of the room. Lastly, we added more closet space to the room with updated doors and door hardware, as well as a barn door leading to the adjoining bathroom.

Main Bathroom

The main bathroom space originally functioned as a secondary bedroom. The space presented us with a few unique design challenges, but we knew we wanted to create our dream ensuite bathroom in the redesign. We opted for one large vanity rather than the traditional double vanity layout we use in most of our projects. Having a large vanity with one sink allowed a pair of windows to let in natural light, which was our main priority for the space. Plus, we love the extra counter space! Traditional Carrara marble and reeded cabinetry details make this bedroom-turned-bathroom truly special.

Hallway

As part of creating the primary bath space, the same secondary bedroom allowed us to add a stackable washer and dryer unit using the same footprint. We redesigned the hallway to include a space for laundry behind the barn door. Two former broom closets were reconfigured to be the all-purpose folding space and laundry utility cabinet that we use often. It’s extra useful with a hamper that pulls out of one of the drawers! While tiny, we were able to rework the hallway to feel much more functional for us on a daily basis.

Nursery

In the nursery, we modified the space by adding two windows to flank the crib as well as a small closet space. We knew we wanted a more neutral nursery, so the design revolved around neutral hues with a fun mix of patterns. We started the design with a neutral wallpaper in a repeating pattern, and added woven wood shades and plaid drapery to the windows. Overall, the nursery feels collected and full character.

Nursery Bath

The nursery bath was one of the first spaces we designed, and one of the biggest transformations in our home. We sought to create a kid-friendly and lively space in what was originally an outdated space with old finishes. We started the design with a patterned floral wallpaper. Then, we opted for checkerboard floors in a two-tone zellige tile, carrying the same material up the shower walls. We also added a custom vanity painted in a dark green hue and the same marble we used in the kitchen. It’s the sweetest space.

Guest Bedroom

We turned what was formerly the main bedroom for the previous owners into a guest bedroom. It was originally sunken down, so our first step was bringing it up to the same level as the rest of the home. We incorporated a neutral palette, bringing in a pinstriped upholstered bed with contrasting metal nightstands. It’s a calming space for friends and family to come stay.

Guest Bath

Originally the home’s primary bathroom, we wanted to transform this space to serve as both a powder bath and a guest bath when we have visitors. We started with a statement wallpaper that I’ve always loved, then we layered in the slate floor tile. We carried the Carrara marble from the rest of the home on the vanity countertop, shower walls and penny rounds in the shower pan. The result is a dreamy bathroom with so much functionality.

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Thanks so much to everyone who followed along with our Cottage home journey, from concept to completion! This is truly such a special project for us and our team. Which space’s transformation wowed you the most? Let us know in the comments! If you missed The Cottage home reveals, head there to see more room-by-room details. We’ll be sharing a new project reveal very soon, so stay tuned. Until next time!