Explore a light, bright and welcoming Edwardian family home in San Francisco

This Edwardian house in San Fransisco's Presidio Heights may date back to 1900, but the interiors are bright, modern, welcoming and perfect for family life.

Lotte Brouwer
By Lotte Brouwer
published

PROPERTY

An Edwardian modern home (opens in new tab) in the Presidio Heights neighbourhood of San Francisco, built in 1900. The previous owners did a gut renovation 13 years ago, but although the renovation had nice bones, the home still felt very dark and traditional. The new owners wanted to update it and breath fresh life into it, so they brought in interior designer Lauren Weiss (opens in new tab) who refinished the floors from a very dark ebony oak to a bleached oak, built new banquette seating for the kitchen, redesigned the living room fireplace and built-ins, changed the surface mounted light fixtures throughout the house, and re-did all the walls, window treatments and interior furnishings. The result is a light, bright and welcoming family home.

HALLWAY

Bleached oak flooring, a neutral palette and natural materials create a light and lovely entrance. The main stairway area (pictured top) continues the theme, with a few subtle black accents – like the balustrade, bench and minimalist wall light – to prevent the space from feeling too bland. It's the perfect balance.

LIVING ROOM

The living room (opens in new tab) is calm and muted, with textured carpet, roll-down blinds, and soft-edged, sculptural furniture. A black and brass floor lamp adds drama.

The mantelpiece and even the built-in shelves are all painted white, creating a calm backdrop. Even the art on the walls is understated, adding to this calm space.

CLOAKROOM

A gorgeous Sandberg wallpaper sets the tone in the downstairs cloakroom (opens in new tab), with the skirting painted to match.

DINING ROOM

The dining room has more drama, with a gold coloured statement pendant light suspended above the classic Saarinen dining table. The Pierre Jeanneret inspired dining chairs add warmth, while the photographic print adds interest.

BREAKFAST NOOK

There's a more informal dining space in the modern kitchen (opens in new tab), with floating built-in banquette seating, upholstered in a light, neutral stripe.

KITCHEN

The classic white kitchen (opens in new tab) features a modern kitchen island (opens in new tab) with built-in breakfast bar (opens in new tab). Black kitchen island pendants (opens in new tab) break up the scheme, while the warm wood stools warm up the cool space.

MASTER BEDROOM

A classic Serge Mouille wall light punctuates the calm palette and complements the metal framed four poster bed (opens in new tab) in the master bedroom (opens in new tab).

In the bay window is a seating area, with a soft palette and soft, sculptural lines, creating a calm and soothing space to unwind.

GIRL'S BEDROOM

A yellow botanical print wallpaper creates an upbeat, sunny bedroom. The upholstered headboard, Kilim rug and inlay side table are all a nod to somewhere more exotic.

A built-in window seat offers the perfect cosy spot for reading, or people watching.

GIRL'S BEDROOM

Another striking upholstered headboard, flanked by two built-in book cases with Moroccan-inspired arches, continue the exotic theme in the second daughter's bedroom.

GUEST BEDROOM

The guest bedroom (opens in new tab) features a moodier, more masculine scheme, with black, brass and leather accents.

The smokey sage colour extends from the walls up onto the ceiling, creating a cocooning effect.

Photography by Suzanna Scott (opens in new tab)

Interior design by Lauren Weiss (opens in new tab)

Lotte Brouwer
Lotte Brouwer

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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