Sandalwood

The Sandalwood project was a detached ADU build on a Fountain Valley property. The owners wanted a second unit that didn't feel like a second unit — something with real architectural character that could function as a long-term rental, a guest house, or future multigenerational space.

We took the project from permit application through final inspection in-house, with our team handling design, permitting, construction, and project management. The footprint is modest, but the goal was to make it feel intentional from the curb to the back wall.

The covered front patio became the signature element. We finished it with an exposed wood-plank ceiling and integrated overhead lighting, giving the entry a warm, residential feel that signals "real home" rather than "rental unit" the moment you approach.

Inside, the kitchen is the heart of the unit. We pushed the ceiling height with a vaulted detail, paired it with two-tone cabinetry — natural wood lowers and crisp white uppers — and added quartz countertops, a stainless appliance package, and pendant lighting over the prep area. The volume of the room makes the unit feel significantly larger than its actual footprint.

Wood-look flooring runs throughout the main living areas and bedroom, and the finish level is held consistent across the unit so nothing reads as a downgrade from the main home.

Delivered with full permit closeout through the City of Fountain Valley, separate metering where required, and a final walkthrough the client approved on the first pass — exactly what an ADU build should deliver.