What was the brief?
This Edwardian home was built in 1911 and is located in the Dolores Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. We turned to current British interiors for inspiration, particularly Beata Heuman whose work our client admired. We also had original artwork that our client owned, to incorporate in our designs, which was very inspirational. But ultimately it was our client’s wishes for her new home that drove the project. In her own words: “to create a cozy nest that fosters joy, creativity, spiritual growth and learning.” Our keywords were romantic, whimsical, creative, inviting and colorful. Details like the little skirt on the desk chair and the desk lamp in the office give a sense of whimsy whereas the Alpaca velvet and cozy ottoman in the guest room are inviting and cozy. Colors are used mostly in the wallpapers, rugs, window treatments and accent pieces.
What were the key challenges?
Although the home has some charming architectural details, working with an old building has challenges. We had to do minor electrical work and some of the wiring was quite puzzling. The walls were also lath and plaster and with some serious unevenness which was also challenging, particularly when installing the built-ins and open shelves in the office. We designed many custom furniture pieces and had to do some light renovation work to the rooms before installing furniture so the project took about 18 months.
What materials did you choose and why?
Office: We used marble mini penny round tiles on the office fireplace to update it, grasscloth wallpaper on the walls, brass and bleached walnut on the cabinetry.
Primary Bedroom: Built-in painted in a light blush color, with antiqued mirror panels. Wallpaper.
Guest Bedroom: Wallpaper.
Team:
Architect: Florence Livingston Interiors
Photo credits: David Duncan Livingston
Material Used:
OFFICE:
1. Knitting Chair by Prevalent Projects in Mill Valley, CA
2. Side Table by BZippy
3. Artwork by Barry Underwood
4. Roman Shade Fabric: Zak + Fox Sauvage
5. Desk Chair by Nickey Kehoe in Perennials fabric and Holland & Sherry fabric
6. Desk from Four Hands
7. Ceiling Light: Visual Comfort
8. Fireplace tiles: Marble Mini Pennies from Tile Fever
9. Grasscloth Wallpaper: Cowtan & Tout
10. Antique Tabriz rug from Marc Phillips
PRIMARY BEDROOM:
1. Custom closet built-in with antiqued mirror paneling and painted in color Dusty Road from Benjamin Moore. Cabinet Maker: Gregory Schreier Cabinet Maker
2. Ceiling Light Fixture by Soan Britain.
3. Custom bed in an Osborne & Little fabric.
4. Side Table by Crump & Kwash.
5. Bed Throw by Shoppe by Amber Interiors.
6. Roman Shade Fabric: Carolina Irving Textiles
7. Wallpaper Quercus & Co through Harbinger
8. Area rug by The Rug Establishment
GUEST BEDROOM/DEN:
1. Roman Shade Fabric: Susan Connor
2. Sleeper Sofa: American Leather in Hokum Alpaca Velvet fabric
3. Side Tables: Croft House
4. Sideboard: Hedge House
5. Ottoman: custom in Holland & Sherry fabric
6. Ceiling Light: The Urban Electric
7. Wall Sconces: Workstead
8. Wallpaper: Morris & Co through Una Malan
9. Rug from Vaheed Taheri
