when i returned to my hometown of berkeley, california after living in a variety of cities over thirty years, i wanted to create a home that represented all of the adventures i shared with my family across the globe. (by the way - i was absolutely THRILLED to come home!) this 1880s farmhouse in southwest berkeley, that was completely renovated and modernized, felt like the perfect canvas for our lives.
a wooden staircase leads to the home’s main entrance on the second floor, which includes the living room, dining area and kitchen, the primary bedroom and ensuite bath and another upstairs bedroom and bathroom. a long deck extends off the back of the house and is accessible from sliding glass doors in both the primary bedroom and the kitchen. the downstairs has an office, which doubles as a guest room, a third bathroom and a lounge area with floor to ceiling cabinetry and bookshelves (i LOVE cupboards!) the third floor is a long, wide library with access to the roof deck that has views of the bay bridge and san francisco.
the exterior of the home is painted a deep charcoal with navy undertones and white trim. cedar siding centers the staircase and the front door. the interior palette includes clean white walls throughout, white oak flooring, cool grays in the tile and blond wood kitchen and bathroom cabinets all punctuated with matte black hardware, lighting fixtures and black steel railings. texture and color pops are brought in with the art pieces, rugs and textiles, giving the home vibrancy and warmth. the fifteen foot ceilings on the main floor give the space an open, gallery-like feel. we had so much fun playing with art placement, hanging pieces at various, sometimes unexpected heights.
as you enter the home, the living room is grounded by a vintage, bright orange malm fireplace converted from wood burning to a campy electric. an antique blue patterned persian rug sits in front of the burnt orange boucle hay sofa. there is a mid-century credenza under the art TV, which has a library of images that we regularly change.
(i ADORE the palm tree outside the living room window)
(a yarn wrapped table lamp sits atop the credenza)
(hank loves sitting by the fire)
the round marble and brass dining table is paired with vintage moller #75 chairs and set in front of an antique 1930s sideboard with bakelite pulls and an antique engraved mirror with brass accents.
(the side board was found in an antique shop in san francisco almost twenty-five years ago. it has traveled with us from san francisco to amsterdam to boulder and now back to berkeley.)
(a collection of vintage decanters passed down from my darling father are arranged on top of the side board)
the long, galley kitchen has a combination of wood textured white and oak cabinets. clean, white caesarstone serves as the countertop and island waterfall. the elongated island allows for four counter stools.
(a vintage moller trolley can be rolled up to the dining table when we need more space for drinks or food)
(this antique asian vase was a find in an amsterdam flower shop years ago.)
(sarah kinn’s drop cloth painting with black hearts is hung behind the island)
(three yarn wrapped hay pendant lights hang at the base of the stairs)
(wil weigant’s sailing painting was brought back from our time living in amsterdam)
sliders allow easy access to the back deck that looks out into the garden. a huge california live oak tree shades the yard and creates privacy.
(the outdoor dining table is easily accessible from the kitchen)
(what’s better than pineapple upside down cake?)
(rainbow striped dining chairs brighten up the back deck)
(i found the heller plates of my childhood and we use them for outdoor eating)
(a hot tub and a swinging double egg chair are tucked under the back deck)
the primary bedroom is an eclectic collection of mid-century pieces and clean, modern furnishings. the upholstered bludot nook bed is set between two vintage lane basketweave bedside tables and topped by 60’s era lamps. a colorful antique persian rug is layered over a natural, woven rug. the bedroom sliders also open onto the back deck.
(my talented mother made both the needlepoint pillow and the large quilt hanging on the wall.
(a selection of favorite family photos are arranged on top of the bludot dresser)
(this rocking and reading brass ganesha was a thoughtful housewarming gift)
(the eames rocker - that both of my children were cuddled in as babies - sits beside a walnut eames stool)
the double sink, custom, floating vanity in the primary bathroom is the same white oak finish as the cabinets in the kitchen. the expansive mirror enlarges the space and reflects the various colorful art pieces in the room.
(the traditional persian rug adds warmth and texture to this modern bathroom)
(a jessica magee rainbow painting hangs above the door)
(a kelly degnan abstract is hung under the window)
(jonathan adler’s mermaid holds court in the center of the vanity)
the second bedroom is located at the front of the house and also enjoys a view of the giant palm tree outside. the asymmetrical, woven bed is accompanied by a mid-century bedside table. a collection of art pieces and textiles brought back from travels hang over the bed. an oversized sheepskin rug adds coziness to the room.
(bright pom poms, textiles and LED lights give the space a warm glow)
(my favorite window view… the palm tree!)
the second bathroom continues the white oak, white quartz vanity with matte black plumbing and lighting and an oversized mirror. a vibrant flower painting by sarah kinn is hung across from the vanity.
(a piece of driftwood wrapped in colored yarn is hung above the door)
(we met the creator of this palm tree painting, alec sedlacek, while visiting kauai)
(this speckled vase by boulder ceramicist, laura whittaker morningstar, is a sweet reminder of colorado)
the staircase leading downstairs showcases three hand-made quilts by my mother, ann rhode, on the right and a natural fiber art piece by wallknot on the left.
at the base of the stairs is a lounge/reading area. a wall of custom-built cabinets for extra storage sits adjacent to open bookshelves filled with favorite novels, small paintings, photos and sculptures. vintage, woven rope chairs provide comfortable, easy seating.
(a reed weily collage made from vintage stickers is hung at the base of the stairs)
(a printed grandfather clock shares the time at the end of the hall)
(my son made the lego mona lisa… i just adore her!)
(special souvenirs from amsterdam, sayulita, colorado springs and santa fe are tucked into the bookshelves)
the downstairs bedroom doubles as an office. multi-colored orla kiely curtains add color and whimsy to the room. a geometric dutch print hangs above the bed.
the third bathroom is consistent with the two upstairs: white oak vanity, expansive mirror, black matte plumbing and lighting fixtures.
(a quartet of george lange photos hangs on one wall, while a rubber ducky “nijntje” and a graphic print hangs on another)
we wrapped the stems of the palm frond “brooms” from the tree outside the house in yarn and hung them in the stairwell.
(the open staircase allows light in to the lower floor)
the attic hallway serves as a library housing all of my children’s books and toys. this unique space feels like a special hide-a-way with a small staircase that leads up to the roof deck.
the cherry-on-top of this home is the roof deck with 360 degree views of the bay area: the berkeley hills, marin, san franscisco and oakland. a built-in bench is great for lounging and red cafe tables and chairs make it easy to serve drinks and snacks, while enjoying the sunset.
(durable sunbrella fabrics were used for both the striped pillows and the navy cushions)
(the cafe tables and chairs are easy to fold down and move)
(you can see the city and the bay bridge on a clear day)
photos: heather burns of HBK photography
builder: gerson andino of andino construction