{"id":441418,"date":"2026-08-23T19:26:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T19:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/441418\/"},"modified":"2026-08-23T19:26:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T19:26:20","slug":"inside-a-breezy-1920s-california-cottage-filled-with-vintage-charm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/441418\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside a Breezy 1920s California Cottage Filled With Vintage Charm"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated5 min read<\/p>\n

Alexis Garrett<\/a> was anything but chill in her pursuit of her current home. As soon as a friend told the interior designer about a listing for a ramshackle 1920s Tudor in surfing outpost Leucadia, California, Alexis had a feeling. So she started making calls\u2014to her real estate agent and cousin, Lanz Correia, for guidance; to her mother for a bridge loan; to her babysitter for help with sons Henry and Conrad; and to her husband, Ross, for a ride to the open house that was scheduled for that very afternoon. Thankfully, the calls were not in vain. \u201cWe get to the house and for whatever reason, Ross and Lanz are exploring the house by themselves, and I\u2019m exploring the house by myself,\u201d says Alexis. \u201cSuddenly, I\u2019m weeping. Four hours ago, this house was not even on my radar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"woman,Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

Ross, Alexis, Conrad, and Henry greet guests at the front of their Southern California home.<\/p>\n

Luckily, Ross, president of Surfline, was riding the same wave of emotion. \u201cHe took me by the arm and said, \u2018We have to do everything in our power to make this our home.\u2019 \u201d By 3 p.m. that very day, Alexis, Ross, and Lanz were huddled in their Prius, strategizing an offer. They came up with a number, and Alexis got to work on a heartfelt letter to the owners. After two sleepless nights, they finally heard the offer was accepted. Through all the highs and lows, the state of their 2,000-square-foot cottage never made them flinch. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t hard for me to see the potential, but we were given a two-inch binder from the inspector,\u201d says Alexis. \u201cI will never forget, as he handed over the binder, dust in his hair from the crawl spaces, he said, \u2018Nice house.\u2019 I must be risk-averse because it didn\u2019t scare me one bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even after extensive renovations, some quirks remain. Because there\u2019s no insulation and the redwood walls are only two inches thick, the family is bundled up in layers of puffy jackets and Ugg boots most mornings. But they\u2019ve leaned into surf-camp living\u2014christening the house Camp Burgundy thanks to the hue of the paneled walls that Alexis eventually painted a bright white. She also layered in summer-inspired finds\u2014think surfboards, Pendleton blankets, old pennants, and vintage collections. \u201cRoss and I grew up at the beach, and we\u2019re so fortunate that we\u2019re able to give our boys that experience,\u201d says Alexis. \u201cNow they surf, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

See How They Made the House Their Own Below: <\/p>\n

Room to Gather\"living<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

The living room is home to a custom Chesterfield sofa covered in black Sunbrella fabric. \u201cIt has a really nice texture. Some people even think it\u2019s wool,\u201d says Alexis. \u201cIt has weathered a lot of abuse, and it\u2019s indestructible.\u201d The generous seating also comes in handy for family movie nights. In lieu of a television, the Garretts have a retractable projector that beams films onto the wall.<\/p>\n

RELATED: Living Room Ideas You\u2019ll Love for Classic, Rustic, Traditional, and Modern Family Spaces<\/a><\/p>\n

A Nod to Play\"room<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

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Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

Alexis devoted one corner of the living room to fun. Two collectible longboards\u2014a Pignar and a circa-1930s wood board\u2014rest next to the piano bench she covered with a Pendleton blanket. Nearby, a nook is decked out with a window seat, record player, plenty of vinyl, and an amp all set for Henry\u2019s guitar sessions.<\/p>\n

A Breezy White Kitchen\"woman<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

Although the Garretts didn\u2019t expand the kitchen, its poor state did compel a total renovation. It\u2019s now a sunlit space that still captures the home\u2019s old spirit, thanks to crisp board-and-batten walls, open shelving, and a retro-inspired refrigerator. The checkered floor offers a charming contrast. \u201cWe were on a shoestring budget, so we ordered the tile online, laid it ourselves, and added black grout,\u201d says Alexis.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/p>\n

Beautiful White Kitchen Ideas for a Room You\u2019ll Love Forever<\/a>Collected Dining Spaces\"kitchen<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

While the eat-in kitchen boasts a modern table and Riviera woven side chairs, it\u2019s the floral tole chandelier (that once hung in Alexis\u2019s parents\u2019 home) and floor-to-ceiling collection of milk glass that serve up the breezy patina. \u201cPretty much every shelf in the house has at least a piece or two of milk glass. I probably have 100 pieces.\u201d <\/p>\n

RELATED: The Antiques Lover\u2019s Guide to Milk Glass<\/a>
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Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

Nearby, the casual window-lined dining room is home to a pair of globe pendant lights, a table that Alexis found at a garage sale, and two benches she had made to match. \u201cI sanded all the edges and painted the legs a navy black,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

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Add Country Living as a preferred source in your Google search results.<\/p>\n

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Add to Google settings<\/p>\n

Art-Bedecked Bedrooms\"bedroom<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

In the primary bedroom, the oil painting above Alexis\u2019s bed is one of her most prized possessions. \u201cIt hung for 30 years at a really special bookstore in Del Mar. I traded a friend a piece of furniture for it,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

\"boy<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

Henry and his mom painted the one-of-a-kind artwork featuring the Garrett family\u2019s motto: \u201cBe brave, work hard.\u201d Says Alexis, \u201cRoss and I say it to the boys all the time.\u201d Here, Henry relaxes on a Jenny Lind bed dressed in a blue-striped duvet. <\/p>\n

A Coastal Chic Bathroom\"bathroom<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

The only things original in the bathroom are the paneled walls and the built-in wardrobe. Alexis added the bank of drawers, vintage sink, lighting, and hexagon floor tile.<\/p>\n

Straw Hats on Display\"hat<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

Artfully arranged just outside the master bathroom, sun hats are always at the ready. Alexis plucked an old chest from an estate sale, then lined it with cedar. It now provides easy access to sleeping bags for outdoor slumber parties.<\/p>\n

An All-Natural Playground\"outdoor<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

Kids and adults alike enjoy climbing the 200-year-old banyan tree, which spans almost the entire length of the half-acre property. It also serves as a pretty backdrop for outdoor dinner parties at a long table Alexis had made out of barn wood and paired with metal Tolix chairs. <\/p>\n

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Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

\"boy<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

There are always fun \u201cchores\u201d to help with in the backyard. Henry and Conrad \u201chelp\u201d with laundry in front of their mother\u2019s garden, which includes kale, Swiss chard, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and Conrad loves to get up close and personal with the family\u2019s five chickens.<\/p>\n

Outdoor Living Area \"family<\/p>\n

Thomas J. Story<\/p>\n

California weather merits as much outdoor mealtime and gathering as possible. In addition to a garden and chicken coop, the backyard boasts a \u201cliving room\u201d featuring weatherproof woven vinyl furniture.<\/p>\n

RELATED: Backyard Ideas Big and Small to Make Your Space Beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n

This story first appeared in the June 2020 issue of Country Living. Photographs by Thomas J. Story.<\/p>\n

See More Dreamy Coastal Cottage Style:<\/p>\n