California Cottage Family Retreat
A Storied Beginning
Once part of a YMCA summer camp tucked into the redwoods of Mill Valley, this 1870s cabin carried decades of history and rustic charm. When a young Manhattan couple with two children first saw it, they were captivated by the setting but daunted by the house itself—a sprawling, disjointed structure that felt more chaotic than cozy. Still, they sensed the potential and set out to turn this former camp into a true family retreat.
The Architects’ Vision
That’s where Gil Schafer and Louis Taylor of Schafer Buccellato Architects came in. Known for blending classical architecture with the way families really live today, they immediately recognized the cabin’s hidden beauty. Schafer, often described as one of America’s leading traditional architects, has a gift for creating houses that feel timeless and welcoming—his book A Place to Call Home is a celebration of that very idea. Together with Taylor, the pair looked past the quirks and focused on the possibilities.
Instead of altering the home’s silhouette, they found a more thoughtful solution: excavating beneath the sloping lot to carve out a new family room, guest suite, and central staircase. The result is clever but also deeply respectful, giving the house fresh life while preserving its historic spirit.
The Exterior
The first impression is unforgettable. Dark shingles, crisp white trim, climbing roses, and gracious French doors create a timeless cottage silhouette that feels both East Coast and California at once. The architecture is inviting without trying too hard — relaxed, but beautifully detailed.
Design inspiration here comes from the little things: the window boxes brimming with flowers, the ivy climbing up the siding, and the double Dutch doors, a cottage classic that’s as practical as it is charming. They let light and fresh air pour in while keeping a sense of enclosure — a detail worth borrowing for any entry or garden room.
The Entryway
Inside, the entry sets the tone for the entire home. A long wood bench, built-in shelving, and black-trimmed windows bring structure, while seasonal touches keep the space feeling alive. In autumn, branches with amber leaves in a green glass vase and pumpkins along the sill layer in warmth without fuss — proof that fall decorating can be as simple as bringing the outdoors in.
It’s a space that feels welcoming but also livable: baskets tucked beneath shelves, books within easy reach, and natural light softening every corner. Practical and beautiful, it’s an entryway that invites you to slow down the moment you step inside.
A Seamless Collaboration
Once the architecture gave the house its rhythm, it was time for the interiors to sing. Enter Rita Konig, the London-based designer adored for her layered, joyful, and unmistakably personal style. Her work has appeared everywhere from Vogue to Elle Decor, but what makes her special is her philosophy: homes should feel collected, never contrived.
In Mill Valley, she brought that philosophy to life with cheerful fabrics, patterned lampshades, and a playful mix of old and new. Every room feels warm, welcoming, and a little bit unexpected—whether it’s a cozy corner layered with art or a bedroom dressed in colorful textiles. Konig has a way of making spaces beautiful without ever losing their comfort.
The Living Room
Step inside and the living room immediately captures the home’s spirit: layered, welcoming, and full of personality. Painted in a soft blue-gray, the walls and built-in shelves feel fresh yet timeless, a calming backdrop for shelves lined with books and collected treasures. Sunlight pours through French doors, making the space glow from morning to evening.
The details here are brimming with inspiration. A tucked-in reading nook invites you to curl up with a blanket and a good book, while a bistro-style table set by the doors creates an easy spot for coffee or a casual meal. The mix of seating — a floral sofa, a tufted green chair, and a well-loved leather armchair — shows how combining styles and textures brings warmth and soul to a room. Above the fireplace, a playful gallery wall mixes art and quirky finds, proof that decorating doesn’t have to feel formal. Natural touches like woven blinds, a sisal rug, and rustic wood floors tie it all together, making the room as comfortable as it is stylish.
Family Living with Soul
Throughout the house, the design balances style with ease. The kitchen mixes open shelving and painted cabinetry for a cottage-like charm that’s both functional and inviting. The dining room, anchored by a long farmhouse table, sets the stage for family gatherings that stretch late into the night. Bedrooms glow with light and character, while bathrooms feature timeless details like checkerboard tile and painted trim.
The Dining Room
The dining room strikes a different tone from the airy living spaces — cozy, dramatic, and deeply atmospheric. Dark green painted walls set the stage for a long farmhouse table surrounded by simple ladder-back chairs. Above, a rustic chandelier adds sculptural charm, balancing elegance with age-worn patina.
What makes this room sing are the collected layers. Built-in bookcases at either end are filled with well-loved volumes, while a gallery wall of vintage art and playful prints keeps the mood relaxed rather than formal. A wood lamp placed right on the table and a scattering of seasonal flowers and pumpkins make it clear: this is a dining room designed for everyday living, not just special occasions.
The Kitchen
In contrast to the moodier dining room, the kitchen feels open and light-filled — a true heart of the home. White-painted cabinetry, a central island with a butcher block top, and soaring ceilings give the room its sense of airiness. The design is practical but never plain, with every surface inviting use.
The details add charm: a bold blue pendant hanging over the island brings a splash of color, while branches in a vase and a bowl of apples remind you this is a kitchen meant to be lived in. Open shelving and simple finishes highlight how beauty often lies in restraint — proof that a well-designed kitchen doesn’t need to be flashy to feel special.
The Bar + Lounge
Tucked away from the light-filled kitchen is a moody, jewel-box of a bar and lounge — the kind of space that feels perfect for evening cocktails or rainy-day reading. The walls and ceiling are painted in a deep, glossy shade that wraps the room in intimacy, while the diamond-patterned wood floor adds a playful touch.
The bar itself is outfitted with brass fixtures, open shelving for bottles and books, and a pair of green-shaded lamps that bring warmth to the dark palette. A rattan armchair in a bold floral fabric and a tufted ottoman add unexpected color and comfort, while the mix of plaid upholstery and collected artwork gives the room its lived-in charm.
It’s a reminder that a home can hold both light and dark — airy spaces for the day, and cozy corners for gathering at night.
The Bedroom
The primary bedroom is a serene retreat, where soft pink wallpaper and airy vaulted ceilings create a cocoon of calm. Layered linens in shades of indigo and cream give the bed a relaxed, lived-in feel, while woven lampshades and baskets add texture. Sunlight filters through simple curtains and woven blinds, balancing privacy with warmth.
It’s a room that proves coziness doesn’t have to mean clutter. A few well-chosen details — fresh flowers on the nightstand, a simple patterned quilt, and a large mirror above the fireplace — make the space both restful and refined.
The Bathroom
The bathroom feels like something out of a countryside inn, with its painted diamond-patterned floors and vaulted ceiling drawing the eye upward. Double pedestal sinks sit across from a freestanding tub, giving the room both symmetry and charm. French doors open to a balcony, blurring the line between indoors and out.
What makes it inspiring are the thoughtful contrasts: rustic wood floors paired with polished fixtures, simple white walls warmed by brass sconces, and a single oversized piece of art above the tub that transforms the space into something memorable. It’s practical yet poetic — a reminder that even hardworking rooms deserve beauty.
The Garden Story
Outside, landscape designer Frederika Moller transformed tricky terrain into gardens that feel lush yet relaxed. Terraced paths, leafy seating areas, and climbing roses soften the architecture and make the home feel truly settled into its redwood canyon setting. It’s a landscape that invites you to wander, pause, and breathe.
A Home with Heart
What began as a rustic YMCA camp has become a timeless family home—full of history, warmth, and joy. Thanks to the architectural sensitivity of Schafer Buccellato and the layered interiors of Rita Konig, the house feels both rooted and alive, honoring its past while embracing its future. It’s a reminder that the best homes aren’t just built; they’re collected, cherished, and lived in.
Photography by Eric Piasecki. This home was originally featured in Elle Decor.
I am so inspired by the warmth created at the YMCA camp! Thanks for sharing this post
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