High glamour and spectacular views in Pacific Heights

The clients were not in the market for a new residence but when the wife noticed an open house sign she couldn’t resist checking out this condominium in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California. One glance over of the light-filled space which occupies one floor of an Art Deco building with views of every San Francisco landmark from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz and they were sold. After purchasing the property, designer Candace Cavanaugh was hired to achieve their vision of a quietly elegant decor that focused on the views and provided for a suitable backdrop for their abstract art collection.

The apartment had not undergone any renovations in almost 40 years. The designer worked in collaboration with architect Gary Jerabeck of Architectural Development and contractor Design Line Construction. The space was transformed, leaving the original footprint intact, the project entailed a complete remodeling including new fixtures, tile, hardware, moldings, lighting and wallpaper throughout. The designer also raised the ceilings in the foyer, living room, dining room and library, creating architectural interest that has been further embellished with hand-wrought detailing and moldings.

Cavanaugh repurposed a guest bedroom into a cozy home library and office for the husband (shown above). The space features a distinct masculine neoclassical theme with custom cabinetry finished in a black wash to allow the wood grain to show through; the library shelving is in a classic X-motif and strong statement fabrics such as the zebra-patterned linen velvet chairs by Ralph Lauren and mohair by Christopher Hyland, have been used to highlight the space.

Color choices were selected by using San Francisco’s legendary sunsets and ethereal rolling fog as a continuously changing backdrop, selecting a quiet palette of soft grays, golds and charcoals and translated them into opulent finishes and textural fabrics, with artworks and accent pieces providing pops of color.

The panoramic bay views are the main attraction in the formal dining room. The other units in the building all feature breakfast nooks in the kitchen, but the architect chose to extend the dining room to provide a multipurpose space that encompasses the view.

The homeowners can pass through from the dining room to the butler’s pantry and into the kitchen where a gallery of satiny-back cabinetry with antique mirrored panels frames a scenic bay view. The designer’s choice of opulent finishes, such as the glossy black subway tiles by Waterworks, imparts glamor, while her deer-leg bar stool design is an unexpected design choice in this space.

Photos: Matthew Millman

Contemporary Jackson Street Penthouse in San Francisco

This 1925 Jackson Street Penthouse boasts a complete contemporary remodel in a stately Pacific Heights building in San Francisco, California, designed by De Meza + Architecture and built by Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders. Having only been remodeled a few times the space suffered from an outdated, wall heavy floor plan. Updating the flow was critical to the success of this project. The remodel included the construction of a new elevated roof deck comprised of 1,000 square feet of outdoor living space with a custom spiral staircase which provides a source of natural light as well as a fabulous focal point and a 2,600 square foot “penthouse” that connects the unit to the outdoor space.

The unit has two bedrooms, a den, two baths, a powder room, an updated living and dining area and a new open kitchen that has become the hub for gathering and entertaining. The design highlights the dramatic views to the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge to the north, the views west to the Pacific Ocean and the City to the south.  Finishes include custom stained wood paneling and doors throughout, engineered mahogany flooring with matching mahogany spiral stair treads.  The roof deck is finished with a lava stone and ipe deck and paneling, frameless glass guardrails, a gas fire pit, irrigated planters, an artificial turf dog park and a solar heated cedar hot tub.

Photos: Mariko Reed

Tire company warehouse loft conversion in SoMa

CCS Architecture is best known for their modernist creations and interior design firm Woodson & Woodson Interior Design, is not linked to a particular style, but has work that is more traditional in nature. What happens when the two work on a South of Market condominium in San Francisco is an electric combination of aesthetics. The concrete building was originally built in 1926 as a warehouse for the B.F. Goodrich tire company. Although the building was turned into condos in 1996, it retains metal factory-style windows, exposed ductwork and concrete walls and pillars. Via

The homeowners relocated from a larger, more traditional home. Smith chose celebrate the existing style, but reorganize the spaces around a central core. The effect is a doughnut shape where most of the living and entertaining space is in the ring, while the hole, or core, contains office spaces, workout areas, bathrooms and closets. “We chose to put the rooms that don’t require as much light in the center,” says Smith. “The rooms where people gather, like the kitchen and dining room, are built around that.”

The dining room is framed by two large metal support beams. Smith wouldn’t have it any other way. “I like how they define the space,” he says.

The homeowner says that, in her former residence, she had a set of Chippendale chairs around a dining room table. The chairs didn’t work here, so she and Woodson purchased a set of Chippendale-style chairs and had them lacquered, giving the traditional style a fun update.

Smith chose to do the kitchen cabinets and countertops in a muted shade in order to have the area blend into the open space plan. “Because it’s so visible, I didn’t want it to stand out as a separate room,” he says.

The media room is outfitted with four swiveling chairs. They can remain stationary for conversation, or turned toward the television or the living room.

The master bedroom shows how two styles can live in harmony. The baroque bed is flanked by two metal nightstands and sits in front of sleek cabinetry.

Photos: Paul Dyer & Courtesy of CSS Architecture

Stunning penthouse loft in the heart of SOMA

This spectacular loft spotted on Sotheby’s is situated in the heart of SOMA, San Francisco, California, combining warm brick and timber structure and contemporary finishes all on one expansive level. Conceived from raw loft space in 2007, this 3,550 square foot penthouse level unit has been renovated to include a spacious chef’s kitchen, multiple living spaces, two large bedrooms with ensuite baths, a sizeable enclosed office, and one half bath. The dramatic deeded roof deck has a sheltered outdoor kitchen, a free-standing fireplace and views to Twin Peaks and Potrero Hill.

This stunning loft is listed for sale at $3,550,000, from here.

Extraordinary city retreat with eccentric details

Nestled in the quaint, tree-lined South Park enclave, 41 South Park is hidden behind a traditional San Francisco, California facade, which is technically a two-unit building that has just recently been rebuilt and remodeled in a non-traditional and quirky fashion with all the bells and whistles. The Edwardian appeal of the building’s original 1911 facade is beautifully contrasted by its modern and innovative interior amenities, including multiple exposures, textures and outdoor spaces, distinctive finishes and custom fixtures, and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows.

This exclusive 3,600 square foot city retreat features five bedrooms, four and a half baths, a grand entrance that opens to an extraordinary living room — both well designed to showcase a private art collection, and an ultra-gourmet kitchen overlooking a spacious dining room with a soaring glass wall that opens to a private backyard. Additional outstanding design features include, a well-equipped media and entertainment room with a wet bar, a two car private garage/workspace, huge rollaway skylights, and a gorgeous rooftop terrace with a custom spa overlooking South Park.

41 South Park has been listed for sale at $7,650,000, from here.

A media room with a wet bar graces the ground floor.

A gourmet kitchen now overlooks the dining room with a double height ceiling, from which swings, not chairs, that surround the dining room table are hung.

Atop the building, a new rooftop terrace with spa discretely overlooks South Park.

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

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

Contemporary hillside dwelling in San Francisco

48 Gravatt Drive Residence is located in the hills of Berkeley, California overlooking the entire San Francisco Bay Area offering panoramic views from every room and vantage point. Designed and owned by Charles Debbas of  Debbas Architecture, the house is sunken down into the hill, allowing for direct level access to a backyard and opens up a generous entry courtyard to the house as well as a series of level gardens as one makes their way through the house, challenging the notion of perched hillside home, detached and offering no direct access and dialog with the land and their surroundings. The whole western facade slides open, making the indoor spaces one with the Bay.

The main idea behind the concept was to puncture and carve simple volumes with glass, views and materials and sculpt light and space into a soul enriching experience, one that, like a sundial, constantly redefines the character of the house, day to day and hour by hour. Although modern, it conveys feelings of something very familiar through the choice of materials, colors, day lighting and the size and balance of the spaces within and without. In defiance to the belief that contemporary homes are cold and uninviting, the house is warm, very intimate and most of all quiet in every sense of the word.

Solar and sustainable issues were incorporated into the design by sinking of the structure into the earth to engage the insulation properties of the land. Light shelves were incorporated into the design on the west facade (view facade) to prevent direct sun and heat from entering the house while enjoying uninterrupted views of the Bay.

The house exterior was designed to maximize the use of renewable materials. The cladding panels on the garage portion are concrete fiberboard (green) from Switzerland, the house itself is clad with resin fiberboard that is made to look like wood also renewable, from Holland. Most decks are tiled with ceramic slats the look like wood (again to minimize the use of real wood).

The roof is powder coated metal and most of the trim is anodized aluminum to match the giant doors facing the view. The architect tried to make the house as “green” as possible, but his main goal was to make it as maintenance free as possible, considering the western exposure. All of the exterior materials require only a power wash every once and a while. No painting, warping, or discoloration.

Photos: Cesar Rubio and Nic Lehoux