My Houzz: Surprising Feature in a 1908 San Francisco Home
Unusual lines, a mix of modern and traditional decor, and an indoor pool create an unexpected interior in this family home
A house with a pool in San Francisco is a bit of a novelty. But Jeff and Alison Thompson found just such a house, with an indoor pool that had been added by previous owners during a renovation. “My husband loved the house immediately,” Alison says. “But I was worried about having a pool with two small children.” Other features of the house, including a new and quirky kitchen and large metal windows that add plenty of daylight drama, won out, and the couple now has the bonus of having a unique place in which to entertain friends.
“The design of the living room was based on Jeff’s grandmother’s orange sofa, which was in storage, and so we only had pictures to go by,” Daecher says. “The sofa turned out to be smaller than we expected, but worked beautifully in the space of a Victorian living room.”
Rug: Garnet Hill; Cubos floor lamps in antique brass: Barbara Cosgrove; Parsons coffee table in brown: Bungalow 5; 1542-01 chair: Lee Industries; Nixon end table: Jonathan Adler
Rug: Garnet Hill; Cubos floor lamps in antique brass: Barbara Cosgrove; Parsons coffee table in brown: Bungalow 5; 1542-01 chair: Lee Industries; Nixon end table: Jonathan Adler
The dining room features Jeff’s grandmother’s dining table and chairs. The built-in china cabinet is original to the house.
The textured wallpaper in the dining room is original as well.
The dining room window once marked the end of the house. The glass has since been removed, and the remaining framed opening now overlooks the indoor pool below.
A skylight mimics the size and shape of the stairwell and provides additional light.
The kitchen addition, which was done by the previous owners, follows the curves of the stairwell. “People love the kitchen so much, we rarely use the living room,” Alison says. “The long island and bar stools make it the perfect place to entertain.
The original stove still works perfectly. “Everything needs to be lit by a match,” Alison says.
The previous owners left a metal wall piece that started life as an advertisement on the side of a barn in Cuba. The wall, located between the kitchen and the front hall, hides the pantry and fridge.
A shelf in the corner of the kitchen is the perfect location for books, large appliances and heavy pots.
Sydney baker’s rack: Cyan Design
Sydney baker’s rack: Cyan Design
The indoor pool can be seen from the top of the stairs.
The stairwell leads downstairs into the family room. The pool is behind the turquoise wall.
Otis chair: Room & Board
Otis chair: Room & Board
The family room, because of its location next to the pool, is furnished with a sofa and chair covered in water-resistant fabrics.
Maxwell upholstered sectional: Restoration Hardware; Malcom cocktail table: Arteriors; Spike rug: Angela Adams; pillows: Etsy
Maxwell upholstered sectional: Restoration Hardware; Malcom cocktail table: Arteriors; Spike rug: Angela Adams; pillows: Etsy
“On warm days the house gets hot, so we end up swimming every day before going to bed,” Alison says.
A small bathroom off the family room contains a unique sink with a base made from an old sewing machine table.
Upstairs, 13-year-old daughter Caroline’s room features her carefully curated personal photos on the wall.
Chelsea bed: American Iron Bed Co.; Plum & Bow Mia Medallion Comforter Snooze set: Urban Outfitters; rug: PBteen
Chelsea bed: American Iron Bed Co.; Plum & Bow Mia Medallion Comforter Snooze set: Urban Outfitters; rug: PBteen
Eleven-year-old daughter Lauren’s room is bright and decorated simply with vivid tones.
Bunjo oversized bungee chair: Bed Bath & Beyond
Bunjo oversized bungee chair: Bed Bath & Beyond
The girls share a recently updated bathroom done in bright orange and pink; they chose the color palette themselves. The tiles are a neutral white by Walker Zanger so the bathroom can be easily changed by painting the walls.
Window shade: custom-made with Pindler fabric; wall paint: Peach Sorbet, Benjamin Moore; wall sconce: Dana, Seascape
Window shade: custom-made with Pindler fabric; wall paint: Peach Sorbet, Benjamin Moore; wall sconce: Dana, Seascape
Although the master bedroom is small, it feels large thanks to the vaulted ceilings.
Bed: Cisco Home; bedspread: Bloomingdale’s; window treatments: The Shade Store; rug: Jeff’s grandmother’s
Bed: Cisco Home; bedspread: Bloomingdale’s; window treatments: The Shade Store; rug: Jeff’s grandmother’s
The Thompsons also remodeled their master bathroom, giving it a modern feel.
The Thompson family relax in their downstairs family room; from left to right are Jeff, Lauren, Alison and Caroline. The girls like to entertain their friends here, where there is a television.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Jeff and Alison Thompson and their daughters, Caroline, 13, and Lauren, 11
Location: San Francisco
Size: 2,400 square feet (222.9 square meters); three bedrooms, three bathrooms
Year built: 1908
The previous owners had made changes, including expanding the first floor, which had consisted of only three rooms: the living room, the dining room and a small kitchen.
The couple worked with interior designer Beth Daecher to create the look they wanted. Warm, dark colors were used in the front of the house for a cozy feel, in contrast to the blues and yellows in the back of the home.
Ava II chair: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; painting: Maria Burtis