Urban renewal

In collaboration with RedmondAldrich Design and Scott Lawrence Landscape Architecture, Walker Warner Architects renovated a house in the fashionable Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.

Originally built in the 1920s, this Edwardian-style house had been untouched over the years and was due for a complete overhaul which included modest additions that now open the house more directly to the adjoining gardens. A delicate balance between preserving its historical character while leaning forward to respond to a more contemporary way of living was applied by the architects and designers. With San Francisco having strict historic preservation regulations, it was essential to preserve the look and feel of the public facades of the building. And, since two and a half facades to the building that couldn’t be touched (the primary street facade, the side one and a portion of the backyard), the architects designed a modern two-story geometric volume that floods the new spaces with natural light. Upon entering, you find yourself in front of a majestic spiral staircase leading to the upper floors, and from here you can already understand the design applied to the whole house: a calm atmosphere, characterized by muted tones like beige, gray, white and cream chosen by the interior designer Chloe Warner from Redmond Aldrich Design. A gray and warm brown colored rug leads directly to the center of the house where the living room was placed that showcases an artful execution of elegant, minimalist comfort. Contemporary statement pieces, such the cast plaster Rose Uniacke table, add depth among the layered neutrals. Casement windows and long wool curtains create a warm, cozy atmosphere while maintaining the room’s expansive feel.

We used natural neutral colors; the joke was the house was done in ‘shades of a mouse.’ The owners wanted it to be textured and layered but not have the furnishings be loud in any way.

The living room leads to the dining area where a commanding Ilse Crawford brass console nods to the grandeur of the home’s original Edwardian style. Its presence is amplified by the home’s nuanced color palette and balanced with a bold, black and white contemporary art piece featuring striking geometric forms. The harmony between classic and contemporary continues in the backyard addition. The steel-cased glass box addition adds contrast to the original exterior architecture, creating an airy, modern back facade. It also floods the new spaces with natural light and connects to the vibrant garden with the century old Copper Beach tree as a focal point. In this part of the house, we find a white kitchen that contrasts with an adjacent black dining area. Next to it, right in front of the beech tree, an informal living area has been placed to ensure maximum interaction between the outside and the inside of the house.

Chloe Warner played a major role in finding the right balance between the owners’ aesthetics and creating the transition between the different spaces. She relied on blonde hardwood floors in the whole house that create the ideal backdrop for the home’s surrounding natural beauty. The second floor houses the sleeping area and follows the neutral color palette that imbues it with easygoing elegance. A flood of natural light creates a bright and open atmosphere that feels quintessentially Californian in every room. The master bedroom has been positioned in the new structure and guarantees both a well-lit environment and a view of the beech tree that was much appreciated by customers. A white en-suite bathroom with light wood cabinets completes the clean design of the room.

Going up the stairs, you can admire a series of small-sized paintings. Arriving at the top, there is a warm toned living room with a spectacular view that can be seen through the windows along the walls. Here, we find some color accents with the use of home accessories. An outdoor area was also guaranteed with lounge chairs and a path that certainly completes the welcoming atmosphere in a welcoming way.

We ended up drawing inspiration from the historic London townhomes where you see the modernist interventions in contrast to the historic architecture, and it’s clear what's what.