BERNAL HEIGHTS REMODEL San Francisco, CA

How do disparate pieces affect the whole? This project involved several discrete updates that collectively transformed this existing row house.

At the heart of the home, a section of floor was removed at the top level to open up the existing stairs and allow light from a new skylight to penetrate deep into the home. The stair itself received a new maple guardrail and planter, with a Fiddle-leaf fig tree growing up through the opening towards the skylight.

On the top living level, an awkwardly located entrance to a full bathroom directly off the main stair was moved around the corner and out of the way by removing a little used tub from the bathroom and an outdated heater from the back corner. This created a more discrete entrance to the existing, now half-bath, opened up a space for a wall of pantry cabinets with a built-in refrigerator, and even accommodated an office nook at the rear of the house with a large awning window to let in light and air.

Downstairs, the two existing bathrooms were reconfigured and recreated as dedicated primary and kids spaces. The kids bath uses yellow and white hexagonal Heath tile to create a pixelated celebration of color. The primary bath, hidden behind a flush wall of walnut cabinetry, utilizes another Heath tile color to create a calming retreat.

Throughout the home, walnut thin-ply cabinetry creates a strong contrast to the existing maple flooring, while the exposed blond edges of the material tie the two together. Rounded edges on integral pulls and door edges create pinstripe detailing that adds richness and a sense of playfulness to the design.