City Seaside Home

For this 1924 Mediterranean revival style remodel, we were faced with an unusual puzzle: to create a home in the city that felt like a beach getaway. Located in the Sea Cliff area of San Francisco, the home has expansive views of the Golden Gate and Marin Headlands, yet is in a city neighborhood with an easy commute to downtown or the Peninsula. Our approach was to blur the distinction between work and vacation, town and country, and bundle them all into one relaxed residence. The front façade was kept intact mainly to keep with the aesthetic of the neighborhood; however, the rear yard was adjusted to have a bigger terrace that includes a splash pool, spa, and a play space for the client’s two young boys, planted with new turf. The existing floor plan was fairly traditional and was a less than optimal use of space. We removed unnecessary partitions at the main level to create a modern and open flowing layout that included kitchen, dining, and living room areas. We also added a full wall of glass windows facing north to enhance the spectacular views. Crown and base moldings were replaced with simple detailing around window and door openings. In keeping with the beachy directive, wide planked oak floors were installed. All the built in cabinetry was designed to match the contemporary sensibilities implied with opening up the floor plan. An eclectic palette with occasional bright colors and unusual furniture choices liven up the space, and more importantly, the experience of living in the house.