For interior designer Meghan Shadrick, the real challenge of renovating this Cape Codstyle cottage was knowing when to go all in and when to hold back. Parts of it needed a full gut reno (like the second floor), while other areas needed just cosmetic work (the family and living rooms). Some of these changes were made for the kind of unsexy practical reasons that give homeowners and contractors headaches: Shadrick and the architect and builder discovered rotten floorboards, support beans sawed three-quarters of the way through, and ancient DIY solutions to structural problems. There was a new curveball every week for many weeks once demolition started, Shadrick says. At one point, the builder said, Were lucky this house didnt fall down on us. Luckily, the rest of the changes were the fun kind.FAST FACTSDESIGNER: Megan Shadrick Interiors, based in Arlington, MassachusettsLOCATION: Harwich Port, MassachusettsTHE SPACE: A 3,200-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 3-bath house with a 1-bedroom, 2-bath attached apartment. Family RoomKristen Francis In this room, we married a beachy, vintage vibe with modern appeal, Shadrick says. She also improvised: Where there wasnt enough room in the wall to wire and install new lighting, Shadrick sourced plug-in sconces.Sofa: Lancaster Custom Crafted Upholstery. Coffee table and side table: O&G Studios. Camel armchair: Four Hands. Rattan cabinet: vintage. Art: Ramble Market. Pendant light: Anthropologie. Window coverings: Etsy. Sconces: Crate & Barrel.Courtesy of Meghan Shadrick InteriorsThe family room, before transformation.Courtesy of Meghan Shadrick InteriorsFloor plan of the houseLiving RoomKirsten FrancisThis room is cozy, dark, and moody for snuggling in during the harsh winter months, Shadrick says. The woven rush chairs add warmth and texture and match the whiskey-colored sofa.Sofa: Joybird. Rush armchairs: Noir Furniture. Coffee table: clients own. Rug: vintage, Brimfield Antique Show. Art: Ramble Market. Checkered pillow: Lulu & Georgia. Marbleized pillow: Rule of Three Studio. Rattan chest: Chairish.KitchenKirsten FrancisThe kitchen is where the homeowners made their biggest investment. They are really into entertaining and cooking, and wanted the kitchen to be a workhorse hub of the home, Shadrick says. The cabinetry is custom, and we selected wire-brushed cerused white oak for the hood surround and island. It really stands out in the space.Her biggest challenge was to work a range hood into the design despite a low ceiling height (it's 6'10") without making it look squat and puny. That took some finessing, she says. We elongated the whole design and connect the flanking cabinets in the same finish to draw the eye out and around.Cabinetry: Lewis & Weldon Cabinetry. Backsplash: Cle Tile. Hardware: Rejuvenation. Pendants: Lostine. Counter stools: Etsy. Faucet: Brizo. Range: Blue Star.Dining NookKirsten FrancisBanquettes work wonders when the dining area is small area and interferes with traffic flow in and out of space, Shadrick says. The seating group is off-center, which allows for a banquette and clears the way through the room.Dining table: William Sonoma Home. Dining chairs: Four Hands. Banquette: custom, in Romo fabric. Pendant: Regina Andrew. Picture light: Restoration Hardware. Sconce: Visual Comfort. Art: The Nines Art Gallery. Roman shade: custom, in Pierre Frey fabric. Fringed pillows: custom, in Romo fabric.BedroomKirsten FrancisUpstairs, Shadrick describes the rooms as a hodgepodge maze of small bedrooms with low ceilings and a sloping roofline. Nooks and crannies galore, she says. With rooflines, dormers, and many ins and outs, we created what feels like a nook for the bed setup.Bed: Rejuvenation. Bedding: Garnet Hill and Serena & Lily. Nightstand: Blu Dot. Window treatments: custom, in Quadrille fabric. Sconces: Arteriors Home. Girls RoomKirsten FrancisIn a different house, this pocket-sized bedroom would have been a walk-in closet, but Shadrick put it to work as a charming childs bedroom. We decided to get into the weeds on details to make it feel intentional and special. The width perfectly fit a built-in twin bed with a pull-out for overnight guests. Shadrick is particularly pleased with the decision to paper the walls and ceiling. It was the first time I used the same pattern on both, and Ive since done this on other projects with great effect, she says. I think it works especially well in this house because it distracts the eye of the low ceiling height.Bed: Built-Ins by Eddie. Wallpaper: Thibaut. Sheets: Garnet Hill. Coverlet: L.L. Bean. Sconce: Lumens. Rug: Anthropologie. Art: Ramble Market.BathroomKirsten FrancisKirsten FrancisThe zero-clearance shower is just a couple of feet away from the soaking tub, which essentially makes this bathroom one large wet room. Vanity: RH. Sconces: Rejuvenation. Mirror: Van Collier. Faucet and bath fittings: Waterworks. Pedestal table: CB2. Floor tile: Marble Online. Copper tub: Signature Hardware. Window treatment: Jim Thompson. Paint: Portola Paints.MudroomKirsten FrancisThis space, which is in a more recent addition, got a complete overhaul to make it feel consistent with the older parts of the house. The paneling was copied from the irregular built-ins in the family and living rooms. I think it really lends a nostalgic feeling, Shadrick says. These are features that help tell a story of time and place, and it is usually what Im trying to create in a new home. Wallpaper on the floor and ceiling also helps this space feel taller.Wallpaper: Hamilton Weston. Runner: Ramble Market. Pillow: Romo. Bench: Lewis & Weldon Cabinetry. Light fixture: Generation Lighting. Tile: Cl Tile.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.