Lars Remodeling Project

Updated Whole Home Remodel with Second-Story Addition in Ocean Beach

This Ocean Beach whole-home remodel adds a second story, reworks the first-floor layout, and strengthens the connection between indoor living spaces and new outdoor areas. Expanded living space, new windows and doors, updated finishes, added storage, and improved circulation create a home designed for long-term family use.

Whole House Remodeling Additions Ocean Beach

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Ocean Beach remodeled home exterior with blue siding, red entry door, white trim, wood porch and second-floor balcony.

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Project Highlights

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The refreshed front entry preserves the cottage character the homeowners wanted to retain while using blue siding, white trim, wood accents and a contrasting red door to give the entrance a clearer identity. The covered porch and more defined approach also support their goal of creating a dedicated, welcoming entry rather than an entrance that feels difficult to locate.

The kitchen combines extensive white cabinetry with a large wood island, bright countertops and a wood-accented hood, balancing the homeowners’ preference for organized storage with the warmer wood elements used throughout the design. The open work area, generous island and sink positioned at the window support their goals for natural light, practical circulation and a kitchen connected to everyday family life.

The second-story addition creates flexible new living space with built-in storage, abundant natural light and direct access to an outdoor deck. Large openings bring in views and daylight while the cabinetry keeps the room organized, reinforcing the homeowners’ priorities for useful storage, brighter interiors and expanded upstairs living space.

The primary bathroom was planned around the homeowners’ request for a freestanding tub, dual vanity, dedicated water closet and strong storage. Large windows bring natural light into the bathing area, while separating the toilet from the tub and vanity gives multiple functions more definition within the room.

The Project Story

Designed for Daily Life

For this Ocean Beach home, the remodel was planned around a long-term goal: create a house that could better support family life now while remaining flexible for the years ahead. The homeowners wanted to preserve some of the cottage character they already appreciated while moving toward a transitional Craftsman feel with wood accents, earth tones, organized spaces, and stronger indoor-outdoor connections.

The project became a substantial whole-house transformation while remaining within Coastal Waiver guidelines and keeping demolition below 50%. The scope included a new first-floor configuration, an addition at the first level, a new second story, updated cabinetry and finishes, all-new windows and doors, and a second-floor deck. Exterior improvements—including new stucco and siding, roofing, fascia, gutters, entry stairs, patios, and a covered rear outdoor area—were planned to make the expanded home feel cohesive rather than pieced together.

Inside, the homeowners placed a strong emphasis on natural light, openness, and practical storage. Their kitchen goals included a connection to the living and dining areas, extensive lower cabinetry, durable countertops, island seating, a walk-in pantry, and stronger access to the backyard. The living and dining spaces were likewise envisioned as open, naturally lit gathering areas, while the upstairs program added bedrooms, a loft-style media space, and opportunities for views from the primary suite and deck.

Planning also had to account for several existing-condition concerns noted early in the process, including sloped floors, termite and rodent issues, and backyard drainage toward a neighboring property. Rather than treating the remodel as a series of isolated room updates, the design addressed circulation, structure, utilities, exterior protection, and future usability as parts of one coordinated plan.

The whole home’s finished direction is a larger, more connected home with improved natural light, expanded living space, stronger storage, better indoor-outdoor access, and a second story that adds substantial long-term flexibility. The value lies not only in the added square footage, but in creating a home organized around how the family wants to live for years to come.