The property
A young family relocating to a historic San Francisco home to embark on transforming it into a modern house with classical touches enlisted Eche Martinez to lead the redesign.
The five-bedroom residence presented a once-in-a-career opportunity to return grandeur to a 1926 Presidio Heights residence, which, over time, had been stripped down to a series of “white box” rooms, devoid of character or architectural interest.
The main goal of the project was to re-inject its lost sense of classical elegance, and to create a showcase for the owner’s extensive contemporary art collection.
The 6,500 square foot home incorporates some traditional details, like chequerboard floors, a sweeping staircase and wood panelling in the library, but the rest of the home is all modern, from the contemporary white kitchen and white living room to the freshly designed bedrooms and bathrooms.
See Also: See inside this colourful, contemporary home in the heart of San Francisco
Hallway
The entrance hall features a sweeping staircase and classical-inspired chequerboard floor. A discombobulated sculpture gives a modern twist on the traditional, while a vintage Curtis Jere brass pendant adds a glam edge.
Get the look: Flooring is New Nero Marquina and Carrara marble. Paint colour is Benjamin Moore / Simply White / OC-117.
Staircase
The grand, wrought-iron curved staircase was restored to its former glory.
Hand-sawn oak flooring runs throughout the rest of the home. A crisp, monochrome-based palette gives the main areas a modern feel.
Library
The entrance hall features glass doors that open up into a smart library and home office.
A wood panelled wall, traditional painting light, dark wooden floor and vintage rugs create a traditional-inspired backdrop, but unexpected art keeps the mood light.
Inside, a black painted ceiling and navy walls add to the cocooning, den-like atmosphere.
Get the look: Paint is Benjamin Moore / Night Horizon / 2134-10. Swivel armchair is from Poltrona Frau - DZine, desk is from Michael Dawkins, Persian rug is from 1stDibs.
Kitchen
The contemporary white kitchen features a striking modern kitchen island with breakfast bar, and kitchen island pendants that are disguised within a frame from which to hang pans.
Seamless cabinetry and kitchen storage creates a sleek and streamlined look.
Get the look: Paint colour is Benjamin Moore / Simply White / OC-117. These are the Black Beetle Counter Chairs from The Future Perfect. Marble surfaces are Calacatta Gold, Integrated Resource Group
Dining room
The white kitchen flows into a dining room with striking statement light.
The vintage Italian mid-century brass and opaline glass lighting and vintage table and chairs create a Mid-Century inspired look.
Get the look: Paint colour is Benjamin Moore / Simply White / OC-117. Collection of 9 Opaline glass and brass ceiling fixtures from Denmark designed by Bent Karlby and manufactured by Lyfa from the 1950s, via 1st Dibs. Mahogany antique dining table, also from 1st Dibs. Rug from Joseph Carini Carpets.
Living room
Incorporating vintage pieces was a key interest of the homeowner. The vintage Cassina sofas in the living room were air-freighted from Amsterdam and locally restored.
The designer installed a gold-plated three-tier chandelier by Delightfull for a glamorous statement.
Bit it's the bold, bright red artwork in this white living room that makes the biggest impact in this space.
Get the look: The pair of chairs are Jacques Adnet, circa 1940’s.
Cloakroom
A 3D patterned wallpaper in the cloakroom tricks the eye and makes a fun feature.
See Also: Cloakroom and powder room ideas: small spaces, big patterns
Childrens' bedroom
A plain wallcovering from Ralph Lauren lets the rest of this kids' room do the talking. The rug and colourful wall sconces create a subtle Mondrian-inspired look.
Get the look: Wallcovering is Kravet / Ralph Lauren / Drummond Platinum / LWP6272. Scandinavian rug is from 1stDibs. Antique twin beds from Chairish. Pair of multicoloured brass, white, and yellow 1950s Italian articulated sconces from 1stDibs.
Guest bedrooms
There are not one but three guest bedrooms, each with its own style and look.
A striking sleigh bed reupholstered in red velvet punctuates through the pastel pink backdrop of the first guest bedroom.
Get the look: Wallcovering is Phillip Jeffries / Watermark / 4726 Dust. Bed reupholstered in Reupholstered with COM Kirkby Design / Ice Tomato / K5159/45. Rug from 1stDibs.
A green colour palette sets the scene in the second guest bedroom, which features lots of antique furniture pieces – some of which were already collected by the homeowners.
Get the look: Paint colour is Benjamin Moore / Tarrytown Green / HC-135. Vintage pieces pre-owned by the homeowner. Rug, dresser and mirror from 1stDibs.
An old armchair was re-upholstered in a fresh green velvet to give it a fresh new look.
Get the look: Desk and desk chair both from 1stDibs.
Finally, the third guest bedroom features a modern, monochrome palette and a modern four poster bed.
Get the look: Four poster bed from CB2, bedside lamps from West Elm, the rest is vintage or antique.
Master bedroom
In the master bedroom, original Stilnovo pendant lights are paired with antique Biedermeier nightstands. The room also features Modigliani etchings and a Milo Baughman chest of drawers.
Interior Design: ECHE
Builder: Larkspur Builders (Owner Josh Grout)
See Also: Explore A Historic Farmhouse In Provence With Modern Rustic Interiors
Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.
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