Home Design: California Summer Camp Transformed Into a Family Home

Here's a look at a beautiful summer camp house that was transformed into a family home in California.

Mark and Blythe Harris are the owners of the said home in Mill Valley, California. It was formerly a YWCA summer camp in the 1880s, and by the 2000s, it eventually became "a deeply dysfunctional situation for a family."

According to Mark, "We walked in and out. We didn't just have the appetite to take it on." That was what happened when they first went to the former summer camp.

However, two nights later, Blythe told Mark that they should consider buying the former summer camp.

"Mark and I grew up going to rustic camps. Me in the Adirondacks, and he at his grandfather's fishing camp in northern Ontario," Blythe said.

Luckily, their jobs allow them to live anywhere they want in the world, so they eventually decided to purchase the property, according to Elle Décor. The couple later on decided to tap designer Konig to redecorate the entire house.

"I thought, Oh dear. The Harrises were starting from scratch. They lived in a rental and didn't own much," Konig said.

According to the couple, they decided to tap Konig because they believe in his ability to transform anything into a piece of art.

"We chose him because of the beauty of his work, his attention to detail, and his respect for history. He's so humble. He didn't impose on the house. He could roll with its imperfections," Mark said.

If you want to own a similar house or if you are contemplating on having an old property renovated, hopefully you were inspired by Mark and Blythe's story. Remember, you also have to have enough budget for the renovation, but if you're serious about it, it can definitely be done in no time.