Beach Cottage Homage

This 1940s adobe cottage is a nod to the owners' family homes.

- AUTUMN KRAUSE

This house sits on a hill overlooking Rim Rock Canyon in picturesque Laguna Beach, California, but its roots reflect another locale as well. The 1940s adobe cottage blends luxe, laid-back, beach-cottage style with the aesthetic of a beautiful, effortless lake house.

"Nicole Anderson, the homeowner, is from Michigan and her husband, Peter, was born and raised in California," says Kelly Shannon, owner of K Shan Design and a friend of the family, says. "It truly does mix the two styles for perfect results." Nicole adds, "Peter and I love classic and simple but elegant design."

Undergirded by the vision of combining the styles of a lake house and beach cottage, the couple focused on designing a new kitchen, redoing the bathrooms, creating better use of the outdoor living space and installing new white oak floors and stairs. And, of course, what is a remodel if you don't move a few walls to open the floor plan? They did just that to convert the living/dining/kitchen area into one open space. Though the renovation was extensive, they had the right team for the task as they turned to their community: Peter's brother and father are contractors and they are also surrounded by talented friends.

"We had wonderful people to help us with our vision," Nicole says. They used local craftsmen and showcased their artist friends' works while also turning to close friends like Kelly and designer Corinna Thavirat from Corinna Lee Thavirat Design. The house was truly reborn with tender loving care.

FOREVER HOME... TAKE TWO