There's something alluring about a cozy beach cottage. James and Joelle Clark had "small" in mind when they were looking for a vacation home on Bald Head Island. They came across a 1,150-square-foot bungalow just steps from the beach on the North Carolina barrier island and saw past its abundant imperfections (water damage; a tiny, dated kitchen; and an inefficient floor plan) and purchased it just weeks later. Thanks to help from architect Jason Bigelow and designers Lili O'Brien and Leigh Anne Muse, the house is cheerful, family friendly, and efficient. They took the house from dark and dated to bright and airy. (Coastal Living)