Before and After: A California Cabin Becomes a Coastal Retreat

A dark cabin on the California coast got a major makeover. Now, it's the beach house it was meant to be.

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August 07, 2023

By: Erin Zammett Ruddy

From: HGTV Magazine

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Photo By: Catherine Leanne Photography

Photo By: Joy Coakley

Photo By: Vivian Johnson

Photo By: Joy Coakley

Photo By: Vivian Johnson

Photo By: Joy Coakley

Photo By: Vivian Johnson

Photo By: Joy Coakley

Photo By: Vivian Johnson

Photo By: Joy Coakley

Photo By: Vivian Johnson

Photo By: Joy Coakley

Photo By: Vivian Johnson

Photo By: Joy Coakley

Photo By: Vivian Johnson

Photo By: Joy Coakley

Photo By: Vivian Johnson

The Story

The winding road from San Francisco to Katherine and Murat Bicer’s weekend home in Muir Beach, California, has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean — and very spotty cell service. “That’s the best part,” says Murat. “As soon as you’re out of the city, you’re forced to switch to vacation mode.”

Katherine found the property by accident, shortly after the family moved from Belmont, Massachusetts, to the Bay Area. “I got lost looking for a hiking trail and ended up at the most gorgeous overlook,” she says. “I called Murat and said, ‘We should have bought a house here!’ ”

Two years later, the couple closed on a 2,000-square-foot cabin in that very spot. The house was built in 1972 and needed a lot of structural work, plus an overhaul of the interior. The Bicers worked with designer Mary Jo Fiorella to transform it from a woodsy cabin to a bright beach house. “I wanted to use a lot of white so the inside would look almost blank, because the outside is what’s important here,” says Murat. Katherine was worried the home would feel sterile, so Mary Jo brought in cozy natural fibers, light wood accents and textured tile. “There’s a serenity that washes over us when we walk in this house,” Katherine says.

From: HGTV Magazine

The Exterior: Before

The original house was covered with battered redwood boards.

From: HGTV Magazine

The Exterior: After

The Bicers replaced the wood with fire-resistant Hardie siding in arctic white. Expanding the upper deck was the family's biggest renovation spurge. "This gave us more opportunities to enjoy the view," they say. "We love to have a cocktail and watch the sky turning brilliant colors at sunset."

see more: 20 Cool Beach Houses With Curb Appeal

From: HGTV Magazine

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Curve Wood and Glass Candle Holder

Casaluna Chunky Knit Blanket Natural

The Living Room: Before

“We liked the original fireplace, but it was a behemoth,” says Katherine. (It was also wood-burning, which is now restricted in California.)

From: HGTV Magazine

The Living Room: After

They replaced it with a modern two-sided gas option covered in limestone. Light walls and furniture, including a Lee Industries sofa and Bernhardt swivel chairs, bring the calm Murat wanted. To add texture — and a wow moment — Mary Jo suggested an oversized rattan chandelier from Palecek.

see more: 30 Cool, Coastal-Inspired Living Rooms

From: HGTV Magazine

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Natural Rattan Cage Pendant

Schelley Glass Table Vase

Roslyn Swivel Chair

Haden Ottoman

The Dining Room: Before

The original dining room layout worked well for taking in the amazing views, but all the wood paneling distracted from the scenery.

The Dining Room: After

White walls and a stunning chandelier add airiness that plays off the ample natural light.

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Copenhague 30 Dining Table

Leon Chandelier

The Kitchen: Before

This brown-on-brown color palette needed a coastal refresh.

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The Kitchen: After

Mary Jo originally suggested these shimmery backsplash tiles from Clé in white, but when Katherine saw them in light blue, she was smitten. “The coloring varies and there are little chips and cracks because they’re handmade,” she says. Natural wood accents, like the open shelves and CB2 stools, nod to the house’s former life as a cabin. The pendants are from Visual Comfort.

From: HGTV Magazine

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Burano White Leather Sling Stool

Live Edge Teak Bowl

The Built-In Bookcase: Before

The existing bookcase in the living room couldn’t be salvaged, so the Bicers’ contractor built a new one in a similar style with plenty of storage.

From: HGTV Magazine

The Built-In Bookcase: After

“The house is small and so are the closets, so we keep beach toys, dog food and games in here,” says Katherine. They painted it the same blue as the kitchen island (Atmospheric by Benjamin Moore). The gold pulls are from Rejuvenation.

learn more: 45 Must-Know Tips for Styling Your Built-In Bookshelves

From: HGTV Magazine

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Sandy White Textured Stripe Ceramic Vase

Reclaimed Wood Chain

The Main Bedroom: Before

Wood paneling on the walls and ceiling made this space feel dark and drab.

From: HGTV Magazine

The Main Bedroom: After

The Bicers kept the living areas neutral, but Katherine wanted color in her bedroom. “White and beige are not usually my style!” she says. Mary Jo helped her pair an orange pendant from The Urban Electric Company with linens from West Elm and Anthropologie. Katherine says the oil painting on the wall, by local artist Charlotte Bernström, reminds her of the sky at sunset. The finishing touch: a Brownstone Furniture bench upholstered in striped velvet.

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Tropical Palms Rectangular Pillow

Fagan Bench Pink Stripe

The Bathroom: Before

This small space lacked size and style.

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The Bathroom: After

Katherine and Murat chose elongated blue hexagons from Lunada Bay Tile for a beachy look. The white oak vanity was custom-built to maximize storage in the small space.

see more: 50 Small Bathroom Design Ideas & Solutions

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Solid Mixed Aqua Hex Tile

The Bunk Room: Before

The family gets lots of visitors, so a guest room with one bed wasn't going to cut it.

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The Bunk Room: After

This Pottery Barn Kids bunk, which has two full-size beds, comes in handy for overnight visitors. Underneath is a Dash & Albert rug that’s plush enough for sleeping bags. Mary Jo had pillows made with Schumacher fabric to bring in a little orange.

From: HGTV Magazine

Before and After: A California Cabin Becomes a Coastal Retreat

Related To:

Shop This Look

The Story

The Exterior: Before

The Exterior: After

Shop the Look

Curve Wood and Glass Candle Holder

Casaluna Chunky Knit Blanket Natural

The Living Room: Before

The Living Room: After

Shop the Look

Natural Rattan Cage Pendant

Schelley Glass Table Vase

Roslyn Swivel Chair

Haden Ottoman

The Dining Room: Before

The Dining Room: After

Shop the Look

Copenhague 30 Dining Table

Leon Chandelier

The Kitchen: Before

The Kitchen: After

Shop the Look

Burano White Leather Sling Stool

Live Edge Teak Bowl

The Built-In Bookcase: Before

The Built-In Bookcase: After

Shop the Look

Sandy White Textured Stripe Ceramic Vase

Reclaimed Wood Chain

The Main Bedroom: Before

The Main Bedroom: After

Shop the Look

Tropical Palms Rectangular Pillow

Fagan Bench Pink Stripe

The Bathroom: Before

The Bathroom: After

Shop the Look

Solid Mixed Aqua Hex Tile

The Bunk Room: Before

The Bunk Room: After

Shop the Look

Basecamp Tiger Pillow

Painted Orange Bin

Kenitra Indigo Hand Knotted Wool Rug

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