MID-CENTURY REINVENTION San Francisco, CA

This project focused on a few key moves to update this small mid-century apartment while staying within a tight budget. A wall between the kitchen and living/dining room was partially removed to create a large, contiguous living area. In the kitchen, the original 1950’s metal cabinets and wood-look laminate countertops were retained, so maple plywood was used throughout the home to match this faux but nearly indestructible counter surface and contrast with the existing oak floors. A new oven and refrigerator swap locations to move the bulky items to the back wall, where a large pantry provides abundant storage and an appliance garage. A reclaimed maple butcherblock slab sits on a height-adjustable base and transforms from counter to table. Combined with an expandable dining table, the space can seat 14 people for dinner. Cork flooring, reclaimed from another project, provides a durable and resilient surface that blends with the existing oak floors. In the bathroom, new fixtures, an updated vanity, and Heath hexagonal tile flooring transform the formerly pink-tiled space, unifying it with the rest of the home.