Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: California Couple Expand Their Design Horizons
A designer helps these empty nesters transform a dated ranch house into a rustic-modern oasis
“Please help us transform our ugly duckling,” was the plea interior designer Sherry Hope-Kennedy received from these San Francisco Bay Area homeowners. Other potential buyers had run away from the dated and damaged ranch house, which had a chimney vulnerable to earthquakes and a foundation and floors damaged by renegade tree roots. But this couple, a pair of vivacious and brave septuagenarians who saw the potential in the high ceilings and beautiful surroundings, scooped up the house and readied themselves for a design adventure. Once they found a designer as brazen as they were, the rest was rustic-modern history.
Hope-Kennedy blew out the kitchen wall, raised the ceiling and opened up the kitchen to the family room. The island, with its walnut drawers, opaque glass doors and black granite waterfall counter, provides a nice transition between the two spaces. The couple were not interested in counter stools. They use the storage on this side for the pieces they use to set the dining room table.
The homeowners have a large dog, so replacing the wall-to-wall carpeting with durable hickory for the new floors was a good choice. It adds visual warmth and will stand up to paws very well.
The homeowners have a large dog, so replacing the wall-to-wall carpeting with durable hickory for the new floors was a good choice. It adds visual warmth and will stand up to paws very well.
The clients love the views out to the trees in the backyard and to the foothills of Mount Diablo, and wanted to make the most of them. The open plan and large black-framed windows and doors expose the views throughout the public spaces.
BEFORE: The kitchen had been cut off from the rest of the space and had become dated. There was a fireplace in an awkward spot. The chimney needed to be removed because it was not earthquake-safe. Nonetheless, you have to hand it to whoever vacuumed the wall-to-wall carpeting into such a precise squiggly pattern. It’s a pattern seen throughout the “before” photos of this house.
AFTER: Now a cozy eating nook with a great view is nestled into the space where the chimney once stood.
BEFORE: Here you can see that the kitchen was closed off from the other rooms. Also, the ceiling was only 8 feet high; Hope-Kennedy raised it in the renovation. Because we don’t have an “after” photo that lines up from the same angle, note that the family room is on the other side of the range wall and that’s just about the spot where the new island is. See the plans at the end to get a better idea of the “before” and “after” layouts.
AFTER: The designer traded upper cabinets for windows along the exterior walls to let in views. She concentrated the storage in extensive pantry cabinets that make the best use of the corner and an interior wall. They also add a streamlined modern look that contrasts well with the more rustic style of the island.
The clients kept to a budget with style. Their existing sofa and coffee table moved into the space with ease, and an inexpensive rug from Ikea adds a graphic touch.
AFTER: This area gave the homeowners a chance to show off a beloved nest painting. Hope-Kennedy found the little figurine stuffed in a drawer and knew he needed to be let out.
On the other side of the kitchen wall is the dining room, which is open to this living room. A new gas fireplace replaced the demolished one, with the homeowners’ existing wingback chair and ottoman cozied up into the corner.
This silvery side table adds an artful modern touch next to the traditional chair.
The clients’ grandchildren love to visit, so this bedroom is tailored for them. Hope-Kennedy created the “Good Morning” and “Good Night” artworks for next to nothing at a copy shop and affixed them to the wall with Happy Tape. The homeowners found the cute fox throw pillows.
The guest bathroom’s cantilevered vanity opens up the space. A clear glass shower surround allows guests to enjoy the tile mosaic inside from the whole room.
The vanities in both bathrooms are by Keuco and came with countertop, cabinet and sink. “They are a German company that offers vanities in smaller sizes that are very utilitarian,” Hope-Kennedy says.
The vanities in both bathrooms are by Keuco and came with countertop, cabinet and sink. “They are a German company that offers vanities in smaller sizes that are very utilitarian,” Hope-Kennedy says.
In the master bedroom, Hope-Kennedy added architecture economically via the strong lines of the four-poster bed. She also designed as many built-ins as possible along the wall, as the existing closet was small. Flat-front paint-grade wood doors add a modern touch and were also a money-saver. The doors lead out to a deck.
Bed: Room & Board
Bed: Room & Board
Throw pillows, a striped blanket, a tufted chair, artwork and sculptural lamps bring in color and warmth.
AFTER: The designer did some reconfiguring to create a more functional and relaxing master bathroom. The clear glass shower door lets the entire room receive the natural light from the window. There is a separate water closet just out of view on the left. The slate flooring can stand up to dog paws.
AFTER: Although we don’t have “before” photos of the existing kitchen that line up with the “after” ones, this plan shows where that wall of pantry cabinets is located. It also gives you a good idea of the flow of the house.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple of retired empty nesters; one serves as a volunteer firefighter
Location: Walnut Creek, California
Size: About 2,000 square feet (185.6 square meters); three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Sherry Hope-Kennedy of Studio SHK
“I had the most fun with these clients,” Hope-Kennedy says. “They are two of the liveliest, funniest people I’ve met, and it was really important to me to let their personalities shine through in the design.” They were also brave when it came to design, chucking the traditional style they had been living with for a whole new modern-meets-rustic look.
The newly appointed dining area is a great example of the mix of rustic and modern. Hope-Kennedy designed the table and had it crafted of reclaimed wood, then for contrast added modern outdoor chairs she found on clearance. “My client found this painting very inexpensively at someplace like Ikea, and immediately named the steer Norman,” she says. The animal became a lovable mascot for the redesign.
Her client also loves bird’s nests. The wire pendant lights are a modern take on the woven forms.
Pendant lights: Origina Canada, Walnut Creek Lighting