Originally built in 1890, this modest San Francisco cottage had undergone some unfortunate modifications through the years and was in dire need of updated systems, new siding, new roof, and a seismic upgrade. As an interior designer I could see the potential this home had, and so I purchased it with my husband in 2014. The original plan was to work with the existing structure as much as possible and raise the roof to bring the upper floor ceiling height to code.

After 3+ years spent designing, planning, and permitting, the remodel finally got underway mid-2017 and took over a year to complete. While the original plan was to raise the roof but keep all existing exterior walls, after demo we uncovered shoddy re-studding of some of the exterior walls that was done sometime in the 60s. The walls were leaning in a way that would be very pronounced (not to mention structurally problematic) if we built upon them. So we had to demo the front and rear exterior walls and rebuild from scratch.

The result is still somewhat modest-sized (approximately 1,800 SF) but a decidedly bold, contemporary, and inviting home with a large cook's kitchen. The exterior has a modern barn house vibe that is a nod to the earliest settlers to the Bernal Heights neighborhood...farmers and ranchers. The interior has almost a beach-y feel with its palette of soft wood tones and cool colors, and abundant natural light flowing throughout the home.

All "after" photographs © Ken Gutmaker