Cole Valley

2011
san francisco, ca
3,000 sq. ft.

This centenarian home was begging for a remodel, with long, narrow hallways and a piecemeal, inefficient use of space. Preserving the character and details of the original design was absolutely integral, which made our true challenge the blending of modern and Victorian sensibilities.

How it all started

With small rooms, too many doors, and a truncated kitchen, light and function both took priority in the redesign.

Bright kitchen with marble island, wooden dining table, pendant lights, large windows, and a cat on a chair.
Small kitchen area with wooden cabinets, double sink, and sunlight coming through a door with glass panes.

Cramped passageways and sequestered living spaces.

Pull back the curtain

Just down the hall
Watercolor floor plan showing bathroom with bath, W.C., closet, dining room, hall, pantry, kitchen, and porch.

Just down the hall

One of our first orders of business was removing several cramped corridors that connected the house's segmented living spaces.

Opening up
Watercolor floor plans showing a new layout with bath, W.C., powder, kitchen, dining room, and deck areas.

Opening up

We found ways to brighten and modernize the underutilized bathroom space, giving it a splash of color with decorative wallpaper and tiling, as well as a striking new dual sink cabinet and shower area. The kitchen, meanwhile, lost a bottlenecking pantry and embraced the outdoors with a deck.

New Plan (Details)
Architectural floor plans showing a kitchen with island and bath with tub and dual sinks.

Decked-out

We introduced light and flow into the dining and kitchen area, removing an obstructive pantry and opening the back wall of the redesigned space onto a custom-built deck.

How it came together

Modern kitchen with marble island, wooden stools, open shelves, stainless fridge, and large window.

The new, open floorplan is framed with long, linear uprights, showcasing the house's new colors and letting it glow in the evening with an inviting lantern-light. Without expanding its footprint, the 5-bedroom home now embodies the spacious elegance that designs from its era aspired to.

Bathroom with clawfoot tub, blue patterned wallpaper, towels, plants, and decorative shelves.
Modern bathroom with clawfoot tub, wooden vanity with double sinks, large mirror, and hanging bulb lights.
Modern bathroom with wooden vanity, marble sinks, large mirror, patterned blue wallpaper, and tiled walk-in shower.

Read more

The way our client put it

Even though the project had a tight budget, Hart Wright’s creativity shined through and they addressed their clients’ interests to the fullest extent. During the entire project, which included pre-construction from us, they were true collaborators with us and the clients. Their design sensibility stands out, and they are energetic and enthusiastic team players.

Modern house with large glass windows, a concrete patio, two black chairs, and a water fountain.

Previous

Blackthorn

Bright hallway with wooden cabinets, large windows, artwork, and two small dogs standing inside.

Next

woodside