Santa Cruz Beach House – Remodel + Addition
Coastal California, Santa Cruz
Project Summary
Santa Cruz Beach House – Coastal CA
This remodel and addition in Santa Cruz transforms a mid-century beach cottage into a colorful, layered family home just blocks from the coast. The existing structure had a unique charm—vaulted ceilings, a checkerboard kitchen floor, and strong indoor-outdoor potential—but it needed updates to meet the needs of a modern household. We retained the home’s essential character while expanding the floor plan to include a new primary suite and reworking the living areas for improved daylight and gathering.
The interiors play with nostalgia, color, and comfort. A turquoise kitchen anchors the home, while bedrooms feature custom millwork, patterned tile, and vaulted ceilings for volume and light. Materials were chosen to reflect the neighborhood’s laid-back surf culture—painted wood, metal, vintage accents—without becoming kitsch. Outside, new decking and fencing define gathering zones while maintaining breezy openness. This project celebrates personality, practicality, and the enduring joy of California coastal architecture.
Project Highlights
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Scope: Full interior remodel and square footage addition
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Features:
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New primary bedroom suite with vaulted ceilings and ocean-tone accents
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Expanded kitchen with checkerboard flooring and turquoise cabinetry
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Custom built-ins and lounge nooks throughout the home
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Open-plan living/dining that transitions smoothly to the yard
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Retained beach cottage scale while improving daylight, layout, and comfort
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Design Notes
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Material palette reflects the playfulness and grit of coastal California — think metal, wood, tile, and bright painted finishes
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Furniture and fixture selection nod to mid-century surf culture
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Exterior form kept simple to comply with coastal review and respect neighborhood scale
Testimonial (optional)
“We wanted a place that felt like vacation but still worked for real life. David nailed it. Everyone who visits says it’s one of the most comfortable homes they’ve ever been in.”
— Homeowners, Santa Cruz
—David Kesting
Principal Architect
Established 2022
List of Projects
Union City Remodel
Beach House Remodel
