Before & After – This Renovated Mid-Century Modern Home Is Updated For Contemporary Living

August 24, 2021
Surfside Projects has completed the renovation of a mid-century modern home.

Surfside Projects has completed the renovation of a mid-century modern home in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, and transformed what was once a dated and tired house into a bright and welcoming residence.

Let’s take a look at the changes…

The Exterior

The original 1957 front yard was had a large asphalt driveway with a garage to the side, while the front door was located behind a low brick wall.

BEFORE PHOTOS - The original 1957 front yard was had a large asphalt driveway with a garage to the side, while the front door was located behind a low brick wall.
Photography by Surfside Projects

The updated exterior showcases more usable green space and a permeable grass driveway, while an all-new pavilion stands out by the tall-angled roofline with blue accents, and hexagonal pavers lead to the yellow front door.

The updated exterior of this mid-century modern home showcases more usable green space and a permeable grass driveway, while an all new pavilion stands out by the tall-angled roofline with blue accents, and hexagonal pavers lead to the yellow front door.
Photography by Darren Bradley Photography
The updated exterior of this mid-century modern home showcases more usable green space and a permeable grass driveway, while an all new pavilion stands out by the tall-angled roofline with blue accents, and hexagonal pavers lead to the yellow front door.
Photography by Darren Bradley Photography
The updated exterior of this mid-century modern home showcases more usable green space and a permeable grass driveway, while an all new pavilion stands out by the tall-angled roofline with blue accents, and hexagonal pavers lead to the yellow front door.
Photography by Tomoko H. Matsubayashi

The Living Room And Dining Area

The before photos of the interior show that the space was separated into different rooms for different activities, like the living room and dining room, with a pony wall and the kitchen wall separating the two.

BEFORE PHOTO - The before photos of the interior show that the space was separated into different rooms for different activities, like the living room and dining room, with a pony wall and the kitchen wall separating the two.
Photography by Surfside Projects

The new and updated living room, dining area, and kitchen all share an open floor plan. The living room is defined by a curved couch, built-in shelving, and a beach-inspired mural.

This updated living room is defined by a curved couch, built-in shelving, and a beach-inspired mural.
Photography by Tomoko H. Matsubayashi
This updated living room is defined by a curved couch, built-in shelving, and a beach-inspired mural.
Photography by Tomoko H. Matsubayashi

The dining area has been furnished with a white dining table and a colorful 3-panel art piece on the wall. A skylight adds natural light to the space.

This modern open plan dining area has been furnished with a white dining table and a colorful 3-panel art piece on the wall. A skylight adds natural light to the space.
Photography by Darren Bradley Photography

The Kitchen

The original kitchen had wood front cabinets, a tile countertop, and dated appliances.

BEFORE PHOTO - The original kitchen had wood front cabinets, a tile countertop, and dated appliances.
Photography by Surfside Projects

The new kitchen is open plan with a large island, wood cabinets, white countertops, and a fridge that’s covered with part of the living room mural.

This new kitchen is open plan with a large island, wood cabinets, white countertops, and a fridge that's covered with part of the living room mural.
Photography by Tomoko H. Matsubayashi

A large sliding door opens to the outdoor kitchen and yard.

A large sliding door opens to the outdoor kitchen and yard.
Photography by Darren Bradley Photography

The Outdoor Space

Previously, the outdoor space had a concrete patio and a few planter boxes.

BEFORE PHOTOS of a yard before its renovation.
Photography by Surfside Projects

The new outdoor space includes an outdoor kitchen with a built-in BBQ, a blue hexagonal tile patio, a fire bowl with lounge chairs, a colorful planter and artwork, and a grassy yard. Due to California state drought conditions, landscaping mandated low mow/drought tolerant grass, succulents, and cacti.

The new outdoor space includes an outdoor kitchen with built-in BBQ, a blue hexagonal tile patio, a fire bowl with lounge chairs, a colorful planter and artwork, and a grassy yard. Due to California state drought conditions, landscaping mandated low mow/drought tolerant grass, succulents, and cacti.
Photography by Tomoko H. Matsubayashi
The new outdoor space includes an outdoor kitchen with built-in BBQ, a blue hexagonal tile patio, a fire bowl with lounge chairs, a colorful planter and artwork, and a grassy yard. Due to California state drought conditions, landscaping mandated low mow/drought tolerant grass, succulents, and cacti.
Photography by Tomoko H. Matsubayashi

The Bedrooms

The new main bedroom at the front of the house shows the angled wood ceiling and the wrap around clerestory windows.

This new mid-century modern inspired master bedroom at the front of the house shows the angled wood ceiling and the wrap around clerestory windows.
Photography by Darren Bradley Photography

A secondary bedroom has similar clerestory windows and a sliding door that opens to the yard.

A mid-century modern inspired bedroom has clerestory windows and a sliding door that opens to the yard.
Photography by Tomoko H. Matsubayashi

The Bathroom

In the bathroom, a bright blue vanity is topped with a white countertop, while the chevron floor tiles feature a few different colors adding interest to the room.

In this bathroom, a bright blue vanity is topped with a white countertop, while the chevron floor tiles feature a few different colors adding interest to the room.
Photography by Darren Bradley Photography