Cottage Bungalow Restoration - Monterey

Perched just above historic Hanoi Row, the Monterey Cottage Bungalow is a home with soul — built in the 1920s during the pre-Depression era, most likely by or for one of the engineers working down on Cannery Row. Originally purchased by Chris and Tim, the home was used as a rental, but their long-term dream was always to restore it to its original charm and preserve the unique history woven into its walls. The property even carried ties to a well-known artist, making it not just a renovation, but a revival of a local story.

The house had original redwood framing and was filled with details from another era — but also challenges, especially in its foundation, which needed major attention. Our team was able to carefully preserve and match the original siding, using a thoughtful blend of redwood, cedar, and engineered materials to reinforce the home while honoring its century-old character.

To help bring that vision to life, local architect Sam Pitnick, known for his work across the Central Coast, was brought in to design a subtle but transformative addition connecting the house to the garage. His design allowed for a pass-through backyard concept, featuring large barn doors and custom exterior doors that open into a lush patio of paver stones, fire pits, and garden space — blending old Monterey charm with modern indoor-outdoor living.

Inside, we restored the original hardwood floors and brought in a talented group of local artisans to complete the work. Lugo Plastering delivered expert plaster finishes throughout the home, Medina crafted beautiful granite surfaces, and John Shoemake woodworking that elevated every corner of the space.

One of the most personal touches in the home is in the primary bathroom, where Kris envisioned a custom makeup niche to display her favorite items. During demolition, the team at HIGHCO Builders discovered an old telephone cubby — a small built-in from the original floor plan. Inspired by its proportions and woodwork details, our builders used modern tools to precisely recreate the character of the original niche, integrating elements from the kitchen design to make it feel both cohesive and meaningful. The result is a built-in piece that feels like it’s always been there, telling the story of the home while serving a beautiful, functional purpose.

This project was a true labor of love — a collaboration between homeowners, designer, builders, and artisans — all committed to honoring the past while designing for the future.