A Cottage-Style Home Felt Unfinished—Here’s What Two Designers Did to Make It Feel Complete
The result is a fresh, fashion-forward, soulful space.
Charlotte Lea
This 2,645-square-foot home in Long Beach, California, didn’t need a major, down-to-the-studs renovation, but it was lacking that something special that makes a space really sing.
Charlotte Lea
“When we were brought on for the project, the house had some existing furnishing—particularly in the formal living room—but something about the space felt incomplete,” explains Christian Rosales of Krimson Haus, who worked on the project with design partner Thomas Keene. “The previous designer was able to provide our clients with a starting foundation, but the overall environment was missing the finishing touches that bring personality and warmth: drapery, accessories, greenery, and thoughtful styling. The home lacked cohesion and didn’t fully reflect the clients’ creative style or the charm of its cottage architecture.”
Charlotte Lea
Christian and Thomas’s clients—a PR executive husband and a wife who used to work in the fashion industry—wanted their home to feel intentional and expressive, stylish, yet inviting. The wife wanted to incorporate bold patterns, textures, and design-forward choices. The husband wanted the rooms to tell a story. And they both wanted to honor the home’s cottage-style roots, blending traditional and modern design.
Charlotte Lea
“With five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the layout offered potential, but the main living areas—the kitchen, dining, and family rooms—felt disconnected and underutilized,” Thomas explains. “Their biggest concern was that the house didn’t feel finished. It didn’t yet feel like them.”
Charlotte Lea
Christian and Thomas drew inspiration from the home’s original architecture—it had a charming and cozy quality that they leaned into. Although the client wanted to add some bold design choices, it was important that the space feel warm, comfortable, and lived-in.
“We kept the overall palette neutral to ground the design, then layered in texture and pattern—plaids, bouclé, organic materials, and soft florals—to create depth and personality,” Christian says. “She was especially drawn to a mix of modern, traditional, and rustic elements, which gave us the freedom to be creative with finishes and styling.”
Charlotte Lea
When you enter the home, you’re first introduced to the formal living room where Christian and Thomas kept the existing furniture and added custom new pillows, lighting, and accessories.
Charlotte Lea
The dining room and kitchen were completed gutted—the design team worked within the original footprint, reworking the layout for better flow and functionality. A small peninsula was added for more storage.
Charlotte Lea
“We added a walk-in pantry and a custom built-in banquette with hidden storage below—perfect for both extra seating and practicality,” Thomas adds. “Above the banquette, we installed a wallcovering by Zak & Fox that brings a beautiful balance of earthiness and charm. Nestled between two walls that divide the formal living and family rooms, the banquette made perfect spatial sense and became a natural anchor for the dining area.”
Charlotte Lea
Past the kitchen and dining area is the family room, which the designers call the heart of the home. They added a big sectional, an entertainment console, a bar cabinet that feels like it’s built-in, and display cabinets to ground the space and add visual interest.
Charlotte Lea
“Each piece was chosen to stand on its own while also contributing to a cohesive, layered story,” Christian says. “We played with shape and pattern throughout, striking a balance between function and form.”
Beyond the family room is the laundry room, which is a fun and happy space with its sunflower wallpaper and checkered tile floor. The designers say the unexpected burst of cheerfulness proves that utilitarian rooms can have personality.
Charlotte Lea
The finished design is cohesive, cozy, and stylish. Every design detail makes a statement, even when it’s subtle. And most importantly, the owners say it feels personalized to them.
“The owners absolutely love their home and the design—it truly feels like them, and that’s what makes it so special,” Thomas explains. “Our client recently returned our feedback form and wrote, ‘Love the end result—it is unique and beautiful and most importantly exactly what I envisioned.’”
