SNOOP: Small but Stunning, A Luxe Beach Bungalow That Works All Year
Step inside Interior Designer Gara’s Compo Beach Bungalow!
When Gara of Gara + Co. bought a 1,600-square-foot cottage by Compo Beach to make her full-time home, she knew every inch had to work hard—and look incredible. Instead of the predictable blue-and-white beach palette, she envisioned a year-round retreat in warm woods and layered neutrals. The result is a home that feels just as inviting in January as it does in July.
Beautiful Outside and In
“When you come in here, you don’t really see the inside — you see the outside, which is gorgeous.”
By blurring the line between indoors and out, Gara makes her cottage live larger than its footprint.
Gara’s design choices whisper luxury without shouting. Scraped and stained oak beams were bleached and layered until they reached the perfect “no-color.” Stone surfaces in creamy tones add warmth and balance, while custom-designed hardware — long bars in natural bone and metal — ties every room together.
What was once a narrow front porch left little room for living or dining, but with smart design, Gara turned it into a space that feels endlessly livable. She built a wraparound banquette to maximize every inch, then split the seating in two so guests in the middle could easily get up.
Even the seating is designed for flexibility. Chairs on casters roll easily between dining and living areas. In the compact 13-by-15-foot family room, Gara skipped the bulky sectional in favor of chaise lounges — a choice that maximizes flow while giving every guest the “best seat in the house.”
Her biggest purchase was the bubble lights. These playful orbs float around a simple puck light and solve the tricky problem of balancing two lighting styles in a small area.
Step outside, and the story continues.
Tucked behind the cottage, Gara’s petite garden feels straight out of a fairy tale — blooming, intentional, and utterly charming.
The landing unfolds into a brick patio in Gara’s favorite herringbone pattern — creating the perfect open-air dining space. From there, a grassy pass-through edged in flowers leads to a gazebo crowned with climbing roses.
Enter the secret garden.
At the center, a fountain anchors a quiet spot where blooms never seem to stop. The cottage may be small, but the garden feels endless in its growth and serenity.
Can’t get enough of Gara’s secret garden? Take the tour of this charming English-style escape here.
…And tell us — what part of Gara’s cottage, inside or out, do you love most?
Resources:
Kitchen Design & Build: Gara + Co.
Marble Counters: Crema Delicato from ABC Worldwide Stone
Appliances: Aitoro Appliance
Refrigerator, Microwave, Wine Fridge: Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove
Range: Viking Range
Faucet: Waterstone Faucets
Sink: Kohler
Dishwasher: Miele
Table & Banquette: Custom by Gara + Co.
Chairs: Restoration Hardware
Planters: Tina Frey Designs
Lighting: Giopato & Coombes
Fabrics: Romo Fabrics, Holly Hunt Design
Vase: Ralph Lauren Home