Serving first as a single-family home, then a duplex after World War I, this 19th-century Victorian has been refitted time after time for a century and half. As we considered renovations for the home’s two units, we saw an opportunity to respect the structure’s history, while introducing light and space.
HISTORICAL FACADE RESTORATION
Our objective was to uncover and preserve what remained of the home’s historic exterior, while balancing it with modern interventions to place it in dialogue with a new, contemporary interior. The street-side facade retained most of its original siding and Italianate trim, but had accumulated a mishmash of windows and doors over the years. To re-establish the home’s historical integrity, we undertook a detailed restoration process and removed non-conforming additions. Select new features such as the entry stair and planters are decidedly modern, previewing more contemporary interiors.
THE GARDEN VIEW UNIT
Throughout renovation, the home’s historical and modern elements met in the middle, where Victorian trim and molding gave way to contemporary finishes and a new layout. With more efficient use of space, we were able to convert the former one-bed, one-bath into a light-filled, two-bed, two-bath with framed garden views.
Modern Facade
Because the home’s rear exterior lacked historical trim and detailing, we established a new, contemporary facade to complement the garden.
Private Garden
In collaboration with the Landscape Designer owner, we redesigned the home’s backyard, bringing in new plantlife and hardscaping elements to create a greater sense of privacy and offer outdoor living space.
New Guesthouse
A nearby shed that wasn’t original to the home had reached a state of disrepair. We reconstructed the space and converted it into a detached studio and guesthouse to maximize the function & flexibility of this bonus square footage.
The Skyview Unit
The home’s second unit gave us the opportunity to be creative with the floorplan, converting the one-bed, one-bath into a modern two-bed, two-bath with the addition of discreet, but much-needed, storage space.
Rooftop Patio
With the construction of this new, private patio we expanded the unit’s footprint and provided a year-round space for dining and entertaining with views to the ocean.
Making the Most of Small Spaces
By the end of our renovations, these studio-sized residences felt much larger than their footprint would convey. Along with a super-efficient floor plan, floor-to-ceiling casework, and a new open flow of spaces, we added new, larger windows and doors that established a relationship between interior and exterior.
Photography by brightroomSF & Aaron Bunse