Rick and Leah Lofton asked me to redesign a tiny little house that has a gorgeous view of Happy Beach in Netarts, Oregon. The challenge...bringing light into a rather dark and dated home. We wanted to create an airy space that was functional for their whole family, while still keeping the focus firmly pointed out to sea. I love working with these guys and have always wanted to design a beach house, so this was a dream project come true!

With this remodel, the Bear's Den has become a quiet respite to relax and recharge with family and friends, while capturing the magic of Netarts Bay and the powerful Pacific Ocean.

The before photos really show that, while this cottage certainly had a quaint vibe and beautiful views, the wood paneling, dark floors, and outdated fixtures gave the interior a heavy, dim look, making the rooms feel smaller than they actually were.

We started by creating an overall theme for the space. Words like "cozy" and "warm" kept coming up in conversation, and with the family's love for nature and the outdoors, the idea of a bear's den seemed to fit.

A classic coastal palette was used as a starting point, but with extra attention paid towards keeping the inside light. Cool blues, shades of white, and lots of natural wood grounded the space while still feeling breezy, calm, and inviting. By keeping most of the furniture light, we were able to fill the rooms with functionality without any portion of the house feeling dense and packed.

Interior elements were chosen as a way to reinforce the physical setting of the cottage. In this case, we wanted to capture the magic of the sandy beach and ocean just outside, with that warm, natural feel lingering even on rainy days, which in the Pacific Northwest, are pretty common. Functional furniture and well thought out layouts keep a good flow throughout the home and allow the entire family to gather in the small space.