Originally built in the late 1800s, this Mill Valley cottage was full of character but felt dark and closed in. The clients, a family of four, wanted to preserve the home's warmth and history while creating a light-filled, functional environment that supports the everyday rhythms of life. The redesign focused on opening up the layout, improving circulation, and bringing natural light deep into the interiors. Thoughtfully placed windows and doors strengthen the connection between the home and its wooded surroundings, while a refined material palette and custom millwork create continuity between old and new. Throughout the full home remodel, key architectural elements, such as original redwood paneling and proportions, were retained to honor the original cottage while introducing modern functionality and flow. The result is a home that feels rooted in its past and fully aligned with family living today—an open, warm, and light-filled sanctuary with a calm connection to the surrounding landscape.