Jewel Box Cottage

SANTA CRUZ GREEN BUILDERS  /  RESIDENTIAL  

A Forever Home Takes Root

In this Capitola neighborhood, where the Village is just a bike ride away, a trip to the grocery store is a quick ride from mom, and the neighborhood kids meetup when the homework is done, remodeling a home from the ground up means making room for family and friends.

This tiny cottage takes on a whole new life and shape, with a second-story addition that expands the square footage on the tiny lot just enough to accommodate three bedrooms, three baths, and a open kitchen and dining space.

Home Office Nook

An under-the-stairs carve-out creates the perfect spot for a home office. Tucked behind three walls and a sloping ceiling, it’s easy to get lost in work while life continues around the house. One wall of the nook features the same Eastern white cedar shingles as the home’s exterior, a callback to the homeowner’s time living on the East Coast.

Original wood work by the owner were preserved and reused during the remodel to frame the home office nook and incorporated into the vaulted living room ceiling, where a clear pine Marvin windows and a white oak Dutch door deliver light from the front playground yard.

Laundry and Outdoor Shower

Living by the coast with two active kids means beach sand and wet bathing suits can pile up during the summer. An outdoor shower and pass-through laundry room help keep the mess out of the main living areas. Floating shelves and more cabinets offer extra storage and utility space.

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