Contemporary Aquatic Park penthouse renovation

A complete contemporary renovation of Aquatic Park penthouse is located atop a concrete high rise in San Francisco, California by Craig Steely Architecture. The project involved complex considerations relating to the mobilization of materials and the impact to building residents. The original four bedroom and four bath penthouse was transformed into an open floor plan to take advantage of the views on both the north and south sides of the unit. Modern finishes include book-matched walnut cabinetry, live edge walnut slab countertops, steel and walnut bookcases, handmade mosaic tiled walls, gun blued steel and clear and etched 1/2″ glass.

Photos: Rien van Rijthoven

Stunning renovation of historic Cow Hollow home

Complete renovation of historic Cow Hollow home in Pacific Heights, San Francisco, California. The home was designed by architect David Gast in conjunction with interior designer Martha Angus and builder Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders. The home is comprised of 5,500 square feet of living space with four bedrooms, five bathrooms, living room, kitchen, family room, office, playroom, laundry room, two rooftop decks, a rear yard and terrace. The existing front facade remained for historical preservation. The scope of the project included framing the entire three story structure, constructing large concrete retaining walls, and installing a storefront folding door system at the family room that opens onto a rear stone patio. The rear yard features terraced concrete planters and living wall.

Photos: Bruce DaMonte

Home of an Artist: Boxenbaum Residence in Beverly Hills

Situated on a sloping corner lot across from an elementary school in Beverly Hills California, Boxenbaum Residence was designed by Ehrlich Architects. This modern 9,000 square foot house orients itself away from perimeter streets toward rear and side outdoor gardens for privacy. A key requirement of this primary residence for a couple with grown children was ample studio and display space for its resident artist, Kharlene Boxenbaum. The design creates large wall expanses bathed in ambient light, ideal for showcasing paintings. The 2,500-square-foot second floor serves as her studio.

The composition of the house is a dance of cubic volumes, vertical stucco masses, and floating roof planes that reinforce the open floor plan. The largest volumes are wood construction clad in stucco, while the horizontal roof planes become steel fascias that cantilever past the window line and protect the glass from direct sun and rain. Elements of the vertical stucco masses enter into the house to form sculptural backdrops for the fireplaces, playing off wood and stone floors.

Because of the sloping site, the garage, housekeeper’s quarters, and storage are accessed from the lower secondary street and are partially embedded in the earth. The main living level is raised above the basement, allowing the entire floor to open into the landscape. A series of floating planes of stone extend into the front and rear gardens as stairs and transitional platforms, terminating at the back in a reflecting pool.

Photos: Juergen Nogai

Rusting corrugated steel barn with African influences

Wolfe Residence was designed by Ehrlich Architects for an African art dealer/collector and big game hunter and his family in West Los Angeles, California. The 3,400 square foot sustainable residence is a rusting Cor-ten steel barn showcasing the owner’s ever-changing collection of African art and furniture, taking full advantage of Southern California’s benign climate. The Owner and the Architect share a deep love of, and a long history with Africa where the Architect lived for six years and the Owner continues to visit and engage local artists every year. Their shared connection with this continent was an instrumental influence on the architecture, landscape, and interiors.

The corrugated Cor-ten steel roof wraps continuously around the roof to the walls to the ground, showcasing the naturally weathering material. Oversized sliding glass doors open the steel structure up on two sides (sliding into wall pockets), transforming the house into an airy pavilion. The owner’s collection of African art is displayed on the large white walls of the main living area.

The 13 foot high, white walls of the main living space display eclectic African treasures from many regions. A zebra print carpet covers the stairs leading to the upper floor and mezzanine, past a skylit moosehead hanging on the stairwell wall, continuing the African wilderness theme present throughout the house. The upstairs master bedroom suite features a balcony overlooking the backyard pool and a “his and hers” walk in closet that were customized to expresses the Hunter and the Hunted which the Owners religiously dress as. Sustainable landscaping is achieved with extensive zero-scape, native plants and bark and sand ground cover. African hardwood stools mix with found and recycled artifacts, and a basketball hoop.

Photos: Grant Mudford

Mid-century modern getaway in Portola Valley

Nestled on 12 acres of land with a barn and swimming pool, the William Wurster Ranch, a mid-century modern home renovated by Moller Architecture in collaboration with interior designer Charles DeLisle, is situated in Portola Valley, just outside of Silicon Valley, California. The ranch house was originally designed by William Wurster in the early 1950s and though it was well-built for it day, the house need to have vitality injected back into it. After a successful collaboration on another home for the owners, Ian Moller was asked to adapt the house to their needs. The family is a young professional couple with children; this ranch is their summer home. Because it was only going to be used seasonally, the couple wanted the home to be modern and playful, but sophisticated and long-lasting — something suiting their style that also could be used for generations.

A breezeway that connected to separate guest quarters was incorporated into the floor plan of the house. A large kitchen, breakfast room and family room were incorporated into the design along with all new bedrooms and bathrooms. Products were chosen a bit randomly, inspired by old photographs; he used a combination of custom designs, vintage pieces, and more modern purchases from high-end showrooms. The palette of materials includes an earthy mix of terrazzo, western red cedar, locally produced custom tile work and contrasting steel details. In addition to the main house renovation, the project includes a new barn, pool house and a 75 foot pool.

Bringing the outdoors in, DeLisle used wood paneling to offset another of his custom creations, a soft daybed set against wood stump tables cut from trees on the property.

Vintage lighting is a common theme throughout the house. DeLisle was able to achieve a quirky sense of elegance in this house, that isn’t always attainable with more standard lighting choices.

This cozy fireplace, built into the home’s 12-inch thick adobe walls, was created into a snug sitting area with a 1940s Danish chair, French vintage table, and a unique Gio Ponti light fixture above the mantle.

DeLisle designed the dining room chandelier. This geometric light fixture is made of raw brass hexagonal tubing hung with handwoven rope.

The bathroom was designed in the aesthetic that the owner’s wanted, simple, functional and beautiful. The cabinet is customized with laminate, making it moisture-resistant and easy to clean and has vintage hardware.

 Photos: Art Gray

Striking remodel in Menlo Park: Cloud Street Residence

Cloud Street Residence is a modern single family home in Menlo Park, California designed by Ana Williamson Architect in collaboration with Mediterraneo Design Build. The home has undergone an extensive remodel, completed in 2010. The property is comprised of 1,400 square feet of living space with plenty of environmentally conscious decisions making this “green” house comfortable, including bamboo flooring, Ecowood cabinets, Caesarstone counters, tankless water heater and super high-efficiency HVAC system. The exterior facade is comprised of a smooth Hardie Plank painted in Benjamin Moore Graphite.

Dasja Dolan Photography

Rustic-Modern Bridge House in Martis Camp Tahoe

Bridge House is a composition of four free-standing buildings connected by three glass bridges designed by ZAK Architects in collaboration with Jeffers Design Group. As the site slopes down, the shed roof slopes up framing the panoramic eastward view across Martis Valley, California to the Carson Range beyond, allowing ever changing skyscapes as the sunset reflects off the mountains. The 48 foot wide Great Room has glass doors that slide away to connect to an exterior deck of equal width, creating one unified indoor-outdoor living area set high within the trees. Materials were selected for their durability and appropriateness to the Sierra Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area.

Photos: Vance Fox

38 Brilliant interiors by Jeffers Design Group

Jeffers Design Group is an award winning interior design firm out of San Francisco, California that creates luxurious but livable homes. The firm creates spaces that have soul and an atmosphere that feels like they have been collected over a period of time. The design principal is Jay Jeffers who started out 14 years ago with one client in the guest bedroom of his home. His goal is to “create beautiful, livable homes that are well-edited, collected, reflect my clients’ personalities and have a touch of whimsy. Design doesn’t have to take itself too seriously.” From remodeling to interior design and collaborating with architects, the firm takes on projects from 800 square feet to 25,000 square feet. With a bold and innovative design approach, the images we have collected range from mountain cabins to trendy and chic apartments. Enjoy the images and please let us know what you think of this fabulous collection in the comments section below!

Photos: Matthew Millman

The Fortress fantasy villa overlooking the Hollywood Hills

This striking, one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece is one of the most unique villas in Los Angeles, California. Designed by David Lawrence Gray Architects, Sunset Plaza Mansion sits on a privately gated half-acre plus promontory overlooking the Hollywood Hills. Part contemporary palace, part concrete fortress, this 10,369 square foot fantasy villa is unlike anything else in the neighborhood. The home belongs to DJ and producer Val Kolton, and has been coined the “King of the Hill” and has also been referred to as “The Fortress”. Inside the elements of steel, glass and concrete have been masterfully incorporated throughout the mansion.

The home boasts floor-to-ceiling walls of glass that captures 270-degree jet liner city views from downtown to the Pacific Ocean. A glass staircase escorts you over the voluminous, 60′ grand entry and into the lavish master bedroom suite, richly appointed with burl wood details and an opulent dual master bathroom. Additional features include a professional stainless steel kitchen designed by the Porsche Design Group, five bedrooms in the main villa, and two more in the detached gate house (which also has its own living room), a large screening room with a full-sized bar, billiards table, motor court, gym, Koi pond, motor court and a private outdoor swimming pool with a 12-person spa. Stunning any time of the day or night, The Fortress is truly an unparalleled architectural trophy.

This incredible mansion can be rented with prices starting at $3,500/per night, from here.

Grand View Drive Residence in the Hollywood Hills

Grand View Drive Residence is perched high in the Hollywood Hills, California, designed by Whipple Russell Architects. This was a challenging remodel project, controlled by the long and narrow lot and existing walls of the old house. The residence is contemporary meets modern; a three-story ship with roof deck on top. The client, a successful model, required living space that worked for entertaining as well as providing a quiet retreat for guests. All was accomplished, keeping in mind, shape, usability, light, and of course, the views.

The open-plan house is oriented on the north/south axis, with an angled ‘slice’ taken out of the view-side of the home, drawing your eye towards the ocean and the setting sun. As it sits on the top of the hill and there are no homes immediately surrounding, it really is a unique point of view in the hills. A centrally located “glass box” switchback staircase was designed for egress from the first floor all the way up through the levels of the home, becoming a very functional piece of art.