This stunning classic cottage home in Mill Valley, California was an addition and architectural renovation by studio Heydt Designs in collaboration with interior designer Benjamin Dhong. The original home, an outdated modern lodge-style home, had not been updated since the 1980’s and only had two bedrooms and two baths. With an addition of only 700 square feet, this home was updated to five bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, offering a total living space of 2,700 square feet—about 75′ long by 32′ wide.
Above: The exterior paint is a faded version of Stone 2112-40 | Benjamin Moore, while the trim is White Dove OC-17 | BM. The front door was custom designed by Sierra Pacific and painted in a ready mix Black in high gloss, by Benjamin Moore. The exterior light in the entryway is from Solaria Lighting. The asphalt roof shingles are Certainteed Landmark Series Triple Laminate, in the color “Moire Black”. The “Lilac” bluestone on the steps was purchased from Bay Area Bluestone, ordered in a Random Ashler Pattern, 1.5″ thick.
Above: This is the front of the home before the remodel, notice how the architectural elements seem outdated.
The family of six desired an elegant yet comfortable Craftsman style home with Spanish colonial influences outside and contemporary elements inside. The property did not have much space in the backyard, so the front yard is used as a backyard with an addition to the front porch and a patio off the kitchen.
The entry foyer, the entire family room, part of the living room and the breakfast nook are all part of the new addition on the first floor. The relaxed, light floors throughout the home are an engineered, pre-finished product, with the top layer being a real distressed oak. New and old decor is mixed throughout the home to give it a relaxed ambiance. Circular windows were used in place of the old triangular windows to complete the new aesthetic, since they look best in a triangular space.
Above: The foyer has a spot for sitting down, removing one’s shoes and stashing them under the window seat. The paint color is Sea Star 2123-30 | Benjamin Moore.
The bedrooms have private balconies to enjoy views of the yard. Although the rooms are very compact, the house feels more spacious than it is due to the high, vaulted ceilings, windows and glass doors. The master bedroom, master bath, kids’ bath and guest bath were all part of the new addition upstairs.
What We Love: This classic cottage offers warm and cozy living spaces with a mix of flea market finds and stylish furnishings. Wooden flooring throughout most of the living spaces offers warmth, creating an ambiance that is comfortable and inviting. Elegant touches and splashes of color adds to the overall aesthetic of this beautifully styled home.
Readers, please share with us what you think of the design of this home. Are there any details you would like to have seen done differently? Please let us know in the Comments, we love reading your feedback!!
Above: An antiqued mirrored cabinet above the mantel conceals a television.
Above: The blue and white patterned accent wall in the dining room adds a nice focal point to the space. The coffee tables are the Element coffee table from CB2.
Above: Bright yellow industrial counter stools add a bold punch of color to the otherwise white kitchen, while the oversize pendant adds a focal point to the space and can be found at Restoration Hardware.
Above: The white subway tile backsplash and glass-fronted cabinets reflect the light, brightening the windowless wall of the kitchen.
Above: The kitchen opens out to the front patio where the family can enjoy outdoor dining.
Above: The cozy family room opens out to the front porch, connecting the home to the landscape.
Above: The powder room features faux-bois wall covering and a view outdoors in place of a mirror.
Above: The walls are painted in Glidden Basic Beige.
Above: The girl’s bedroom is a mix of contemporary and Victorian pieces.
Above: This small guest bathroom has been designed to make efficient use of space by resting the vanity on a base, light fixtures are from here.
Above: The doors of the master bedroom are by are by Sierra Pacific Windows. The mirrors are from Ballard Designs. The bedroom dimensions are about 12′ deep x 18′ long. The flooring is a pre-fininished, engineered product called Montauban by Navarre, US Floors Inc. The top layer is distressed white oak.
Above: The countertops are Calacatta Marble.
Above: The master bathroom flooring is a 12″ x 12″ Porto Limestone from Walker Zanger. The light fixture is a 15″ Moravian Star Pendant light from Worlds Away. The vanity and trim color is Swiss Coffee OC-45 | Benjamin Moore. The wallcovering is a grasscloth by Philip Jefferies. The shower tiles (not shown) are hand made ceramic tiles from Ann Sacks, in a subway pattern, in a 2×4 size.
Photos: David Duncan Livingston
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