This ADU Was Designed to Be a ‘Little Sister’ to the Main House

But it’s cozier and more laid-back.

Exterior in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective

Charlotte Lea

Written by Sarah Yang October 8, 2025

The main goal when it came to the design of this 800-square-foot ADU was to make it feel like a natural extension of the main house, located in Palos Verdes Estates, just south of Los Angeles. The clients—a couple with two young boys—wanted the space to be laid-back and welcoming, with beach cottage vibes.

Fridge in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective
“The ADU primarily serves as a guest house and extra living space,” Leigh says. “The clients’ mother visits often for extended periods, and since the fourth bedroom in the main house functions as a home office (with a pullout sofa), they wanted to create a more dedicated guest space.”

Charlotte Lea

The ADU was to serve as a guest house and extra living space, with two bedrooms and one bathroom. One bedroom would be set up for guests, while the other would be used as a second office (in addition to the one in the main house) or a compact workout space.

Kitchen in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective
The living, dining, and kitchen areas have an open floor plan.

Charlotte Lea

“We were inspired by the casual, lived-in charm of both Californian and Mediterranean beach cottages,” says Leigh Jendrusina of Salthouse Collective. “That mix informed the design palette—shingled exterior details, paneled walls and ceilings, bold striped tiles, rattan textures, open shelving with handmade ceramics, layered rugs, and linen upholstery. The result is a sun-soaked, airy space with a timeless, coastal spirit.”

More Videos From Sunset

Since the ADU is compact, Leigh and team focused on smart storage planning and maximizing function. That meant adding plenty of built-in cabinetry and being mindful of the footprint of furniture and appliances.

Living Area in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective
The design is inspired by beach cottages.

Charlotte Lea

“The kitchen, dining, and living areas are all open-concept,” Leigh explains. “Custom white oak cabinetry and space-saving appliances were key to making it work. The small round marble table doubles as extra counter space when needed.”

A tall pantry cabinet was added in the hallway for kitchen overflow and linen storage. A pullout living room sofa adds flexibility to the space so the family can host extra guests or plan movie nights.

Chair in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective
There is a connection to the outdoors throughout the space.

Charlotte Lea

In true California fashion, the design also takes advantage of indoor-outdoor living to maximize space. “One standout feature is the L-shaped front porch, which adds significant livable square footage,” Leigh adds. “Outfitted with a small dining table and lounge chairs, it helps the ADU feel much larger than it is.”

Porch in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective
The porch adds more living space.

Charlotte Lea

When working on ADUs, Leigh says she approaches the design the same way she does a main residence, but pays extra attention to functionality—how to make small spaces live bigger, how to optimize storage, and how to prioritize multi-use furniture and built-ins.

Laundry Area in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective
Smart storage was added to the compact ADU.

Charlotte Lea

“Budgets can also be a bit tighter for ADUs, so I often tell clients to think of them as the ‘little sister’ to the main home,” Leigh explains. “For example, if the main house features marble counters and designer tile, the ADU might use a beautiful but more budget-friendly quartz and creative tile layouts to maintain the charm without overspending. Whether it’s meant for guests, rental, or personal use, the design should always feel like a thoughtful extension of the main home.”

Bedroom in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective
One bedroom is a used as a guest room, the other is used as an office space or small gym.

Charlotte Lea

Even though the ADU is a new build, it does have a lived-in feeling that Leigh and team worked hard to achieve. They chose elements that would wear beautifully over time and displayed the clients’ art and objects collected from their travels throughout the years—both add a layered, personal touch.

Bathroom in Palos Verdes ADU by Salthouse Collective
“Although it was a new build, we layered in character-rich elements that would wear beautifully over time, such as v-groove white oak doors, wall and ceiling paneling, and striped cement tiles in the bathroom,” Leigh says.

Charlotte Lea

“They absolutely love it,” Leigh says of her clients. “The wife, who works from home full-time, still uses the office in the main house but often finds herself working in the ADU in the afternoons when it’s unoccupied—she says it feels like a little vacation cottage right in her backyard.”

Keep Reading:

The Latest