Relaxed California Cottage Newly Remodeled Home

This relaxed California cottage style home evokes the calm and peaceful feelings that are synonymous with California living. Come learn more about the design process and how this dated ranch house became a home!

relaxed California cottage home

Subtle color is everything in this freshly renovated home that is a short distance away from San Francisco. A home that has inspired me as I’ve watched the progress being shared from afar, and was excited to see the design details come to fruition!

Relaxed California Cottage Home

Juliet of Make Mine A Spritzer

Meet Juliet Russell, the talented homeowner of what she calls “Snowberry”, named after the street on which the home is located. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing her through Instagram for the last several years and followed her journey from one beautiful home to the next. 

“I’m a 50-something retired human resources manager, empty nester and mom to two small dogs, Pippa and Maggie. My husband, Jim, and I have been married for 17 years and have a blended family. As long as I can remember I’ve been obsessed with interior design, but I didn’t dive into renovating until 10 years ago.  My style is traditional but in recent years it’s morphed into a cleaner, simpler aesthetic. I think of Snowberry as ‘modern cottage’ in style.”

front door

“We (my husband and I) bought Snowberry in February 2019. We had just moved home to Northern California after living two years in coastal Washington; where we’d built a home on Fidalgo Island. As lifelong Californians we had a hard time adjusting to the Pacific Northwest climate, so we sold our home, furnishings and all, and returned home to find a house to renovate.”

The Kitchen At Snowberry

relaxed California cottage home kitchen

relaxed California cottage home farmhouse sink california kitchen coffee bar modern green kitchen cabinets

“Snowberry is our 3rd and most extensive renovation. We did not expand the footprint of the house, but we took it down to the studs and reconfigured a few things. It took about a year and we moved in early March.”

cedar siding California home

Relaxed California Cottage Style Home

“Snowberry is a three bedroom, two bath, 2500 sq ft, one story house built in 1951. It’s the perfect size for my husband, our two dogs and occasional guests!”

remodeled home in Orinda California

“Most of the interior décor is complete. I’m still looking for art here and there. Shut downs have crimped my style in terms of being able to scour vintage shops and the wonderful Alameda Point Antique Faire has been on hiatus since March.”

Arhaus black cabinet

“We reimagined the original living room as a library. We added floor to ceiling bookshelves and millwork painted the entire room in Farrow and Ball’s Oval Room Blue. More items will arrive soon to finish the room which doubles as my home office space. “

relaxed California cottage home library

“My husband, Jim, has been temporarily working from home and took over our second guest room as his home office. My plan for the space is two twin beds with a chest in between under the diamond window. It will be a great space for visiting kids and grandkids.”

relaxed California cottage home diamond pattern windows

The Dining Nook At Snowberry

coastal dining nook

The Master Bedroom At Snowberry

relaxed California cottage home blue master bedroom

master blue bedroom

The Master Bathroom At Snowberry

relaxed California cottage home master bathroom soaking tub grey master bathroom

Juliet’s favorite features – Relaxed California Cottage Home

“The front door. I knew I wanted a Dutch door and I knew I wanted it to be a Robins egg blue. Early on I decided on Farrow and Ball’s Oval Room Blue and it became the jumping off point for the interior color scheme.”

blue dutch door

“The library. This room is my favorite room and a dream come true … floor to ceiling millwork and bookshelves. This room can be seen from the foyer and we painted it the same color as the front door – Oval Room Blue.”

mood board

“The guest bathroom. This is my second favorite room after the library. Schumacher’s Pyne Hollyhock wallpaper has been a favorite of mine for a long time and I wanted to work it into the house. It’s funny that the smallest room in the house is where it ended up but it packs a punch and everyone loves it.”

blue floral wallpaper powder room

“We painted the vanity Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy, another favorite paint color, and used Delta Faucet’s champagne brass finish on the fixtures. It’s a fun little bathroom.”

Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock wallpaper

“The great room. We’ve never had such a large family space and it’s every bit as wonderful as we hoped. We vaulted the ceiling, added bookcases and window seats flanking the fireplace and a good size beverage bar. It’s a comfortable and functional space and this is where we spend most of our down time.”

farmhouse great room

white farmhouse great room

modern farmhouse bar

white great room relaxed California cottage home

“The diamond patterned windows. When we bought the house both extra bedrooms had beautiful diamond patterned windows. Current code requires bedroom windows allow for egress so they had to be replaced. We were fortunate to find beautiful diamond patterned casement windows from Pella that are almost identical to the originals.”

relaxed California cottage home

“The millwork. We went all out with millwork throughout the house. We installed bead board walls throughout the kitchen, dining and great rooms and used a wider plank on the ceilings. We also installed chair rail height wainscot throughout the foyer and center hall as well as both bathrooms. And, I already mentioned the library.”

fireplace with molding details relaxed California cottage home

Favorite furniture pieces – Relaxed California Cottage Home

“I’m not sure I have a favorite piece of furniture. When we built our coastal house in Washington we bought all new furniture to fit its coastal style. We sold the house furnished, including most of the art and décor. During Snowberry’s renovation, we had to purchase all new furnishings. I had my heart set on Serena and Lily’s South Seas Console Table for our great room. We’re fortunate to have two Serena and Lily outlet stores nearby. After making several trips to both stores, I scored the console table for half the retail price.”

relaxed California cottage home

“Another favorite new piece is our Arhaus hutch, also in the great room. I felt we needed a black piece of furniture to anchor the bright white room. I spent months searching, but the right piece alluded me. One day I opened the mailbox to find an Arhaus catalogue. A new-to-me brand. And there it was, the perfect hutch.”  

relaxed California cottage home

For more of Juliet’s relaxed California cottage home, follow her on Instagram at Make Mine A Spritzer and the brand new blog Make Mine A Spritzer!

All Photos via Monica Garvas Photos
Design assistance via Classic Casual Home

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relaxed California cottage home

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25 Comments

  1. Janet ~ What a thrill to wake up and see Snowberry on your Sunday home tour! It’s a California girl’s dream come true! Thank you, thank you, thank you for following along on my renovation odyssey. Your blog is a favorite of mine – and gazillions of others … and it’s a honor to see my little cottage featured on your pages. xo Juliet

    1. Juliet…you did an incredible job with your vision and I’m so glad that I had a chance to share! Thank you for inviting us all in!

  2. Janet
    What a gorgeous home tour! Beautiful inspiration. I loved the use of color and all the millwork that was done. What a dream home! Wonderful job capturing this stunning home!
    Sue

    1. Sue, I couldn’t agree more…stunning is right!

  3. Miche Ortega says:

    Janet, thank you for another FABULOUS home tour. I believe the bathroom is my favorite room too! I adore navy and white together. And I am in love with that black hutch. Juliet is extremely talented.

    1. I’m so glad that you enjoyed the tour Miche. That powder room is definitely a stand out and inspiring!

  4. This home is the prettiest I’ve seen in ages! It doesn’t follow the gray on gray trend but features lovely soft color! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    1. Isn’t it just lovely Connie! She followed her own heart here for sure and didn’t go with what appeals to others, but to her.

  5. Janet/Juliet, thank you so much for sharing this home. A perfect mix of elegance and comfort. I love everything about it. Juliet, you have done a wonderful job. Janet, you never disappoint!

    1. Our pleasure and I hope that you garnered some ideas to incorporate as well!

  6. linda shroyer says:

    PLEASE! What is the color and brand of paint used on the kitchen cabinets? Absolutely blissful

  7. I finally found the color and the design I absolutely love! Thank you for sharing this beautiful cottage! I would love to know where you found the velvet headboard in the “aqua” ish color? I would also like to know the name of the paint on the wall unit! It’s magnificent!

    1. Hi Lori…you’ll have to check her links, that are within the post. Thank you!

  8. I, too, would like to know the color paint in the kitchen cupboards. It is beautiful!

    1. Please check the links to Juliet’s Instagram and blog for any of her detailed info!

  9. Beautiful home! So fresh and inviting! Lovely renovation and decor Juliet!

    1. I’m so glad that you enjoyed the tour Ginger! Happy weekend

  10. Your home is so lovely….serene colors, welcoming, perfect! Could you share your source for your velvet headboard bed? Thanks so much.

  11. An adorable cottage beautifully decorated. Chandelier over the bath tub – nice one Juliet!

  12. Heather Taylor says:

    Hi Janet,

    I loved the blue colours Juliet used in her beautiful home, very original!

    In regard to your sinus problem, I used to suffer from sinus every summer from childhood, until I found out about sinus baths. I purchased a “netti pot” from a yoga studio and cleaned my sinuses every morning and evening while showering. I did this for about 3 months and have had only 2 bouts of sinus since. That was about 10 years ago. I also stopped eating most dairy products, I have whipped cream on special occasions and eat a 99% WFPB diet.
    If I feel like I am coming down with anything, I bring out the netti pot and do my sinuses for a few days just in case and it seems to stop any bugs in their tracks.
    I use a level teaspoon of himalayian pink salt and warm water in the pot and fill it up. It takes about 25 seconds per nostril to empty the pot.

    I hope this is information is helpful to you.

    Kind regards
    Heather

    1. Thank you so much Heather! Sinus and asthma is a lifelong issue for me too and I actually have been doing the saline/steaming/asthma spray and antibiotics. It’s been going on for a month now, so the Dr just prescribed prednisone since I’m wheezing. I’m also WFPB, and have a post about there here! https://shabbyfufu.com/how-i-lost-25-pounds-naturally-and-ate-carbs/
      It’s a great lifestyle and normally I feel so good, so this is really throwing me. Thanks for caring…xo, Janet

  13. What a beautiful Sunday morning treat of a home tour!

    1. Thanks, as always for visiting Annie and for taking the time to say hello! 💕

  14. I love the kitchen it is light and airy and the fireplace is amazing.

    1. I couldn’t agree more Diana! Enjoy your day friend 💕