Pro Spotlight: 3 Ways to Bring Timeless Design to Your Home
A Marin County general contractor offers advice on how to thoughtfully update your home
Who: Rolf Selvig of Selvig Development
Where: San Anselmo, California
In his own words: “We build the environments that make people happy.”
Your home should look beautiful, feel wonderful and also stand the test of time. That’s the goal behind every home that general contractor Rolf Selvig works on. The owner of Selvig Development in San Anselmo says he is inspired by the great buildings of the past. “We pay attention to what has worked in the past and review what is new to build beautiful places that make you feel at home and at peace,” he says.
Where: San Anselmo, California
In his own words: “We build the environments that make people happy.”
Your home should look beautiful, feel wonderful and also stand the test of time. That’s the goal behind every home that general contractor Rolf Selvig works on. The owner of Selvig Development in San Anselmo says he is inspired by the great buildings of the past. “We pay attention to what has worked in the past and review what is new to build beautiful places that make you feel at home and at peace,” he says.
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Change of focus. Selvig received an early education in home renovation when he helped his father with restoring and repairing rental homes, including Victorians, in the Bay Area. He went on to a career in financial and information services, but after selling one company, he changed his focus. Selvig started Selvig Development Company, which he incorporated in 2007. “I see the results of my work every day and it is super rewarding,” he says.
A clear direction. Selvig acknowledges that construction is complicated. He tells clients that having a clear direction at the start of every project is key. He works with them to determine both what is important to them and to provide guidance to costs. “I want to keep them from spending money foolishly while we achieve their goals,” he says.
Looking for ways to give your own home a timeless look? Selvig has some tips, below.
Looking for ways to give your own home a timeless look? Selvig has some tips, below.
1. Commit To a Style
Keep the home’s look cohesive. “This Mill Valley home was very well-built, but the overall look was not aesthetically appropriate,” Selvig says.
Selvig took the home’s exterior from a mixed bag of craftsman and farmhouse styles back to its Greene and Greene architectural roots, adding cedar posts and using recycled lumber. He also added a turnbuckle and railing to a large balcony, both to keep the look consistent and to show off the view of the hills beyond. “The home’s exterior is now refined and accurate,” Selvig says. “It draws your interest.”
See more of this project
Keep the home’s look cohesive. “This Mill Valley home was very well-built, but the overall look was not aesthetically appropriate,” Selvig says.
Selvig took the home’s exterior from a mixed bag of craftsman and farmhouse styles back to its Greene and Greene architectural roots, adding cedar posts and using recycled lumber. He also added a turnbuckle and railing to a large balcony, both to keep the look consistent and to show off the view of the hills beyond. “The home’s exterior is now refined and accurate,” Selvig says. “It draws your interest.”
See more of this project
2. Blend Looks and Function
Plan for how you want to use a space and include details to facilitate that. When Selvig was asked to take the patio area at this same home from dated to contemporary, he looked for ways to make it fit with the house’s style, provide needed privacy and also be as functional as possible.
Selvig added a privacy wall that does double-duty as a planter. It’s tall enough to screen the patio from the neighboring house, but low enough to not overwhelm the space. “The wall is also powered so the wife can work on her laptop out on the patio,” he says. The bluestone patio pavers are reminiscent of the original flagstone that covered the space, but much more stable. A new triple doorway leads from the house to the patio and a wood and metal railing echoes the railings found throughout the rest of the makeover.
Plan for how you want to use a space and include details to facilitate that. When Selvig was asked to take the patio area at this same home from dated to contemporary, he looked for ways to make it fit with the house’s style, provide needed privacy and also be as functional as possible.
Selvig added a privacy wall that does double-duty as a planter. It’s tall enough to screen the patio from the neighboring house, but low enough to not overwhelm the space. “The wall is also powered so the wife can work on her laptop out on the patio,” he says. The bluestone patio pavers are reminiscent of the original flagstone that covered the space, but much more stable. A new triple doorway leads from the house to the patio and a wood and metal railing echoes the railings found throughout the rest of the makeover.
3. Keep the Character
Save or restore the details that set your space apart. “We kept this kitchen largely in place,” Selvig says of this San Francisco remodel that retains its original charm.
The existing cabinets and calacatta marble countertops were in great shape, but a busy glass backsplash was distracting. Selvig replaced it with a white backsplash. “It allows the counter to sing,” Selvig says. “The owner, an artist, loves the movement of the space.” Other changes included new lighting and flooring to brighten the space. Selvig also restored the cove ceiling and added custom moldings in the adjacent dining room to bring the room back to its original style.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Rolf Selvig and examples of his work, visit Selvig Development’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Save or restore the details that set your space apart. “We kept this kitchen largely in place,” Selvig says of this San Francisco remodel that retains its original charm.
The existing cabinets and calacatta marble countertops were in great shape, but a busy glass backsplash was distracting. Selvig replaced it with a white backsplash. “It allows the counter to sing,” Selvig says. “The owner, an artist, loves the movement of the space.” Other changes included new lighting and flooring to brighten the space. Selvig also restored the cove ceiling and added custom moldings in the adjacent dining room to bring the room back to its original style.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Rolf Selvig and examples of his work, visit Selvig Development’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.