This family approached me shortly after they closed escrow for help with their single-family dwelling in Oakland: the house was an older structure, well-maintained but subdivided into small dark rooms intended for specific functions, making it difficult for them to gather and engage in activities as a family. A beautifully sunlit backyard was a major draw for them, but accessible only through a small door or through a side yard gate.
A small rear bedroom was merged with the existing kitchen to create a spacious eat-in kitchen that spans the full width of the house. A new redwood deck and multipanel glazed door offers visual and physical connection to a renovated backyard, complete with kid/dog friendly artificial turf, new plantings and additional hardscape.
A new centrally located hall connects the new kitchen to the rest of the house and was the key to resolve circulatory issues caused by two separate stairwells and an existing bathroom. The scope of work included improvements to the living room, revamping the original wood-burning fireplace with a new gas-fired insert and wall-mounted flatscreen, new display shelving, and new lighting.
The renovated yard, deck, and kitchen together now form a series of rooms, indoors and out, which seamlessly flow from one to another. The interior spaces are filled with sunlight captured from the rear yard and support the multifunctional needs of the family.
This renovation project in Oakland for a young family grew from a modest kitchen upgrade to a full-blown conversion of small, dated rooms into a single living space that supports both adult and child activities from morning to evening.
Walls, closets and obsolete built-ins were removed to create one naturally-lit room with distinct functional areas, unified by a walnut-stained oak floor and white walls, that feature light fixtures and furniture items selected for form, color and contrast. A new remote-controlled gas fireplace insert heats the whole floor and is flanked by niched bookcases that showcase moments of family history. Cowhides and a plush wool rug offer softer surfaces for kids' play while a new cocktail bar ensemble and overhead digital projector with drop-down screen serve adult needs.
The scope of work included architectural design, construction management, and procurement.
This project was the final phase of renovation of a live/work loft in west Berkeley, realigning a worn, nondescript three-story structure to suit the needs and aesthetics of an artist and retired university professor.
The main living level was completely gutted, subdividing partitions removed in favor of a single contiguous space, unified by a custom millwork wall that accommodates the functional requirements for the kitchen, media lounge, and a workstation. An existing two-story open staircase was enclosed in drywall and made code compliant. Linear and directional LED fixtures were deployed throughout to supplement the natural light that now suffuses the home.
Ash veneer, Bianco Carrara marble and Japanese glazed tiles were selected for their subtle natural qualities that contribute to the airy bright freshness of the completed space while serving as a foil to the owners’ extensive collection of contemporary art, ceramics and textiles.
This renovation converted a dilapidated 1980s one bedroom unit into an open, live-work environment. A tiny kitchen was reconfigured and extended into a former dining area. Cerused Oak cabinetry provides ample storage capacity for pantry items, office equipment and filing, enabling this space to serve multiple functions. Three corners of the bedroom are opened up with pivot and pocketing doors to afford unobstructed sight lines across the unit and maximize the sense of light and expansiveness.
Odd pockets of space are consolidated behind floor to ceiling closet doors reinforce the delineation of a clean crisp envelope while providing ample storage. Large format engineered stone tile is used throughout to unify the living spaces into a continuous whole.
The subdivided bathroom was gutted and re-envisaged as a simple space with a ceramic wall tile in a custom mosaic pattern that transitions from corner to corner. Cove-lighting, etched glass and minimal fixtures contribute to the serenity and lightness while offering easy to clean surfaces.
A mix of contemporary and classic furniture pieces, dyed felt wallcovering, a jute rug and patterned textiles offer a fresh take on urban living.
This project in Berkeley transformed an awkwardly subdivided ground floor into a brightly-lit studio. The artist is a woman who uses mixed media to craft a range of artwork from small exquisite pieces to large diaphanous installations, incorporating techniques from traditional women’s handicraft with flea market finds to address issues of gender identity. The artist collects books, textiles, and diverse objects that are inspirational to her.
The space is defined as a single contiguous volume, with one long functional wall programmed with floor to ceiling storage, a full bathroom and utility room. The opposing long wall is flat and uninterrupted, for making and displaying artwork. Freestanding Ikea bookcases buffers the work area from support and storage, clearly defining a circulation path that maintains visual openness without compromising practicality.
A partial height partition defines a visitor meeting space close to the front entrance and allows natural light to indirectly reflect off the ceiling into the studio beyond; as required by the artist's program, the space does double-duty as a sleeping area for guests. Cerused wide-plank Oak flooring covers a faux-painted concrete slab and offers a warm, neutral surface friendly to bare feet.
The main work table is located at the rear, facing a small garden where the artist keeps a robust collection of orchids thriving in the softly lit, damp atmosphere of marine Berkeley.
The layered planning takes advantage of the visual and physical connection to the outdoors while bolstering a sense of filtered privacy.
A backed-up dishwasher flooded this second floor flat in the Mission District, creating an opportunity to replace a worn generic 80s kitchen with one more contemporary. Ceramic tile wainscot, crown moldings and glass-panelled cabinets respect the Victorian heritage of the building while a neutral color scheme with contrasting values maintains a crisp, contemporary feel. Glazed barn doors in a new structural opening shared with an adjacent den enhance access to natural light while expanding the potential for entertaining.
The primary objectives of this kitchen renovation were to brighten the space and improve functionality. An existing window is paired with a new 8'-0 glass door to the rear garden, made possible by discretely relocating large appliances. A light color palette, new skylight, and new lighting contribute to the light and airy ambience.
This mid-century two-bedroom house was transformed into a continuous indoor/outdoor living space by replacing a cramped kitchen and dining room with a simple, open galley-style kitchen that anchors the living area.
An existing band of clerestory windows is reinforced by full-length aluminum shelving that visually links the principal interior space to the rear garden. Dark-stained wood flooring extends throughout to offer contrast relief to the bright California sunlight.
New outdoor furnishings create a seating area that bookends the seating within, while new hillside landscaping comprised of drought-tolerant plants forms a backdrop of green beyond.
This modestly sized 1950s house sat on top of an unfinished garage/basement and suffered from obsolete ideas on how to plan a home. This renovation sought to maximize the potential of every square foot of space while making the most of the light and views afforded by the ridgeline location. Outdated improvements were stripped away and the midcentury bones brought to the foreground through a minimalist approach to the renovations.
The upper level features a new custom millwork wall that serves as a foil to a tranquil backyard view, made visible through a new glass multipanel door. A low horizon approach to the kitchen with freestanding island and integrated appliances enhance the expansive feel while providing support for intimate and more social gatherings.
The lower level accommodates a new master suite comprised of a bedroom, dressing room and two-person bathroom. Careful alignment of sight lines provides for visual connection to the exterior and minimizes the subterranean impact. A strict color and materials palette creates depth through contrast and functional areas make use of a single circulatory path. These strategies work together to reinforce the perception of natural light, views and continuity, making this home feel much larger than it is.
