southside family home, berkeley, california
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. this 1880s farmhouse in southwest berkeley, that was completely renovated and modernized, felt like the perfect canvas.
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. 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 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 electric. an antique blue patterned persian rug sits in front of the burnt orange boucle hay sofa. a mid-century credenza sits under the art TV with a library of images that we regularly change.
(there is a wonderful view of 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.
(a collection of vintage decanters passed down from my father sit 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.
(this antique asian vase was a find in a 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.
(rainbow striped dining chairs brighten up the back deck)
(what’s better than pineapple upside down cake?)
(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 eames rocker (the both of my children were cuddled in) sits beside a walnut eames stool. the bedroom sliders also open onto the back deck.
(this wonderful brass XXX was a housewarming gift)
(a collection of favorite family photos are arranged on top of the bludot dresser)
(my mother made the needlepoint pillow sitting on the moller bench)
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.
(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 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.
(my favorite window view… the palm tree!)
(bright pom poms, textiles and LED lights give the space a warm glow)
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.
(we met the creator of this palm tree, XXX, painting while visiting kauai)
(this speckled vase by boulder ceramicist, laura whittaker morningstar, is a reminder of colorado)
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 and small paintings, photos and sculptures. vintage, woven rope chairs provide comfortable, easy seating.
(a printed grandfather clock shares the time at the end of the hall)
(my son made the lego mona lisa… i just adore her!)
(the rope chairs are surprisingly comfortable for reading)
(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.
(XXXX)
we wrapped the stems of the palm frond “brooms” from the tree outside the house in yarn and hung in the stairwell.
the attic hallway serves as a library housing all of the 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 encourages lounging and red french cafe tables and chairs make it easy to serve drinks and snacks, while enjoying the sunset.
photos: heather burns of HBK photography
builder: gerson andino of andino construction