The Little Cottage With Big Potential

As a kid growing up in Maine, Jen Curtis rearranged the furniture in her bedroom on a regular basis. Then, as an adult, a move to San Francisco introduced her to Alameda’s famed flea market, sparking a love for old linens and vintage furniture. Her flair for space planning and her love of antiques had a meet-cute in 2015 when she purchased a 1927 cottage in Los Alamos on California’s Central Coast. The 1,300-square-foot house sat on a generous half-acre parcel. There was just one problem: It was a run-down mess with a yard of mostly dirt. “But it was a nice piece of property that I could make my own,” she says. With help from architect Tom Newman, the hopeful homeowner devised a plan.

Take a peek at the dramatic transformation. (And don't miss our tour of her amazing backyard makeover.)