Modern Bungalow is a colorful bungalow renovation we completed for a young family in Santa Clara, CA. From renovating the bathrooms down to the studs to refreshing other spaces in the home, we loved undertaking this colorful bungalow remodel, and it is such a wonderful example of what can be achieved when there is trust between a designer and their client. 

The Challenge: A Bungalow Renovation Bay Area Families Can Relate To.

What began as a bathroom remodel quickly became a colorful bungalow remodel. 

Our Modern Bungalow clients reached out to us initially to renovate their primary bathroom. They hoped to create a space that would provide them with the same spa atmosphere they experienced on vacation. 

As we envisioned the layout and vibe, the scope quickly expanded to the guest bath, a living room refresh, curating a kid’s playroom, adding new window treatments and lighting, and planning an exterior facelift for this bungalow renovation! One of the clients works in digital design (director of UX design for all my Silicon Valley readers), and her love of color matches my own. We really had the chance to step out of the box and create something uniquely vibrant or saturated in color for this young family. 

The Answer: When good design moves mountains…and a few walls. 

Like many Bay Area bungalows, space was at a premium. Luckily, our clients were open to moving a few interior walls to reallocate space. By reallocating the space, we were able to upgrade their pedestal sink to a double vanity, convert a single-person shower to a walk-in shower with a soaking tub, plus add more features.

While purchasing an older home comes with loads of charm, the layouts often are not the greatest fit for modern life. Whenever we undertake a bungalow renovation, we’re always walking a tightrope between preserving the classic charm that drew our client to the home and ensuring it functions flawlessly today. These modest homes are now valued at millions of dollars, and we love the challenge of bringing high design to these colorful bungalow remodels that were never built with that in mind.

The Result: A Colorful Bungalow Remodel Full of Life

Each space in this bungalow renovation was a celebration of color. From the custom red tile from Pratt & Larson in the guest bath to the hand-blown teal glass over the dining table to the original green tile on the fireplace mantle and more!

In both the primary bath and the guest bath, we chose wisely when and how to use bold colors, making sure to contrast colors with patterns for maximum impact in this modern bungalow interior design. For the primary bath, we selected a soothing blue for the vanity to complement the additional neutral elements that channeled those spa vacations our clients enjoyed. And in the guest bath, the custom red tile creates a phenomenal wow moment for guests and a fun atmosphere for their kids. 

Additionally, the playroom is a colorful example of  modern bungalow interior design that works for everyone. The dedicated play space is an organized area for the toys, which is also beautiful, resulting in a room that every family member can enjoy. ⁠⁠

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Kind words

“For this Santa Clara, California, bathroom, interior designer Melinda Mandell gave the vanity an elegant dresser look by using drawers, pretty pulls, and tapered legs. The marble mosaic floor provides the room with just the right amount of lively pattern.” –Houzz

Special thanks to our vendors and trades. 

Slate Art Gallery • Lisa Kairos • Carl Hansen & Son • All Natural Stone • Pratt & Larson • Cle’ Tile • Vintage Bath Los Altos • Waterworks • House of Rohl • Fire Clay Tile • Baker McGuire • Roche Bobois • Patricia Thomas

Ready for Your Own Bungalow Renovation in the Bay Area?

Whether you’re dreaming of a colorful bungalow remodel or a modern bungalow interior design tailored to family living, MMID can bring your vision to life.