Noted architect Jonathan Bulkley originally designed this midcentury modern home to bring in as much daylight as possible.  The barrel vault roof and arched windows in the living room showcase the home’s unique design and are a feature typical of Bulkley’s work. Located on an extraordinarily steep lot, the building is a perfect case study of the mid-mod movement’s focus of bringing the outdoors in with views over San Francisco.   The clients were ready to update the home and placed great importance on retaining the feel of the original architecture while ensuring they had all the modern amenities. In the kitchen, walnut cabinets were paired with sleek white laminate uppers, riffing on the midcentury modern aesthetic.  Hand-glazed tiles in the backsplash were inspired by the adjacent exposed brick.   The bathrooms were completely reconfigured with colorful tile that adds a pop of excitement in keeping with the playful spirit of the era. The custom blend in the primary bath is washed in natural light from a new skylight overhead.    The remodel successfully maintains the original vision of the home while infusing it with updated touches that made it feel fresh and contemporary. 

I completely reimagined a 1950s-era property for my clients in this down-to-the-studs remodel. Custom finishes with one-of-kind designs and subtle nods to the home’s mid-century roots are throughout. A contemporary, open floor plan with the kitchen, dining, living and an intimate library seating area center on a dramatic new stair to the upper-level primary bedroom. I was thrilled that the clients were willing to pull-out the stops for the dramatic tile in the guest bath. And in the primary bath, the calm porcelain tile walls give way to a completely custom waterjet cut tile design on the floor that adds interest without overwhelming. In addition to custom cabinetry pieces throughout, the family room cabinetry (shown as built and with its 3D schematic) provides ample storage and display space with the clever ability to slide open the wood slat doors to reveal the television. I’m so excited to share the final product!

This 3000 sq. ft. custom built home unfortunately retained a little too much of its 1983 charm.  My clients knew that they had to completely gut the master bath (see the sunken tub here) and give the kitchen, with its solid bones, a full update. I proposed reconfiguring the entire bath and created a bathing and shower area with natural stone concept porcelain tile to continue with an organic feel.  A new custom vanity in a deep, rich cherry warms the space, and all the oak trim was banished.  The windows, heights now aligned for architectural integrity, still let in loads of light and have views deep into the surrounding forest. In the kitchen, to meet my client’s budget, we painted the cabinetry to contrast with the new, custom Spanish Moss colored backsplash and compliment the valley views.  A crisp white quartz counter is a vast improvement from original the apple red tile counter.  And the room is now grounded in the same wood floors found throughout the home. Makeovers like this are always satisfying to work on, and this one, particularly the master bath, is a real stand out for me.

This project started as a typical 1930’s San Francisco single-family residence, with two small bedrooms, original canary yellow tile in the bathroom, and a 1970s era kitchen that had seen better days.  Now in its place stands a handsome two-unit building comprised of more than 5000 square feet. Color choices on this project ensured that the space was warm and inviting while still being sleek and contemporary.  Custom walnut cabinetry is installed throughout the home, complemented in the living room with teal and orange accents in pillows and ripplefold drapery.  In the master suite, a cooler palette of blues and beiges with silver accents is reflected in the custom headboard and artwork.  The kitchen includes everything you’d expect and more: a high-BTU gas cooktop, double ovens, an extra prep sink, and a walk in pantry, which feels almost opulent by San Francisco standards.