Houzz Tour: Edwardian Flat Opens Up for More Light and Better Flow
Removing 7 walls and adding clerestory windows brighten this 1905 San Francisco home and propel it into modern times
Jennifer Quail
February 18, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Design writer, visual merchandiser and stylist. More than a decade of writing for print and online design publications has led to practical design, decoration and styling work. The combination keeps every day creative and colorful.
Houzz Contributor. Design writer, visual merchandiser and stylist. More than a decade... More
Coming home from a tech-industry job to an apartment whose interiors were stuck firmly in the past wasn’t working for this homeowner. Previous owners had removed much of the original architectural details of the 1905 Edwardian home but had left intact the long corridor layout and filled the space with colors and cabinetry that felt more at home in the 1980s. The homeowner hired interior designer Jeni Gamble for help, and she set to work removing walls to open and modernize the space and let light flow through from end to end.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A tech professional
Location: Mission District of San Francisco
Size: About 1,300 square feet (120.7 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Once the homeowner and Gamble had settled on a new floor plan, the designer got to work knocking down seven interior walls and raising the ceiling by nearly 2 feet in the living area to give the apartment an open, loft-like feel.
She then reconfigured the space, taking it from a three-bedroom, one-bathroom layout to a two-bedroom, two-bath arrangement that created a larger living area better suited for entertaining. It also allowed light from sliding doors at one end to sweep through the home.
“We shared a vision for the space and agreed it needed to be opened and modernized,” the designer says. “We gutted the house, but it was guilt-free because we weren’t tearing out any Edwardian details.”
The decor fuses contemporary and textural elements. Gamble and the homeowner share an appreciation of the design of Ace Hotel Portland in Oregon — clean and modern yet warm and comfortable, not stark. The influence can be felt throughout the home, in which Gamble used the idea of a simple black and white color scheme as a base, adding details like area rugs, leather furnishings, natural wood and plant life to soften the feel of the space and create an inviting atmosphere.
Leather side chairs: Garza Marfa; barn door: custom; artwork: Marrow Gallery
Who lives here: A tech professional
Location: Mission District of San Francisco
Size: About 1,300 square feet (120.7 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Once the homeowner and Gamble had settled on a new floor plan, the designer got to work knocking down seven interior walls and raising the ceiling by nearly 2 feet in the living area to give the apartment an open, loft-like feel.
She then reconfigured the space, taking it from a three-bedroom, one-bathroom layout to a two-bedroom, two-bath arrangement that created a larger living area better suited for entertaining. It also allowed light from sliding doors at one end to sweep through the home.
“We shared a vision for the space and agreed it needed to be opened and modernized,” the designer says. “We gutted the house, but it was guilt-free because we weren’t tearing out any Edwardian details.”
The decor fuses contemporary and textural elements. Gamble and the homeowner share an appreciation of the design of Ace Hotel Portland in Oregon — clean and modern yet warm and comfortable, not stark. The influence can be felt throughout the home, in which Gamble used the idea of a simple black and white color scheme as a base, adding details like area rugs, leather furnishings, natural wood and plant life to soften the feel of the space and create an inviting atmosphere.
Leather side chairs: Garza Marfa; barn door: custom; artwork: Marrow Gallery
A custom barn door leads from the living room to a media room, previously a bedroom, that provides spillover space during parties and also acts as a third bedroom for guests when needed. “We kind of created a double living room here,” Gamble says.
BEFORE: The existing kitchen was dark and closed in by two walls. Upper cabinetry made the space feel more crowded. Plus, the homeowner felt the cabinet style and wall colors belonged in another decade.
AFTER: Gamble removed walls to open the kitchen to the living area and created storage solutions that eliminated the need for upper cabinetry. A built-in refrigerator on one end and tall custom cabinetry with appliances on the other serve as bookends for the cabinets. The lighter palette makes the area feel more expansive.
Cabinets: Henrybuilt; countertops: Corian; artwork: Marrow Gallery
Cabinets: Henrybuilt; countertops: Corian; artwork: Marrow Gallery
A long kitchen counter (shown at left in this split image) fills the space where a wall once stood and offers an extra seating area when the homeowner is entertaining.
The railing detail (shown at right) is one of the few Edwardian details the previous owners had left intact.
Counter stools: Design Within Reach; artwork: Marrow Gallery
The railing detail (shown at right) is one of the few Edwardian details the previous owners had left intact.
Counter stools: Design Within Reach; artwork: Marrow Gallery
In reconfiguring the apartment layout, Gamble expanded an area that had previously served as a small sunroom. The move created space for a dining area adjacent to the kitchen with a beautiful view of the outdoor space.
Table and chairs: vintage; outdoor chair: Galanter & Jones
Table and chairs: vintage; outdoor chair: Galanter & Jones
This split image of the guest bathroom shows a claw-foot tub that nods to the home’s Edwardian roots, while its black and white color scheme bridges it to modern times. The hexagonal floor tile depicts an abstract floral pattern.
Floor and wall tile: Heath Ceramics
Floor and wall tile: Heath Ceramics
The master bath (shown at left in this split image) and master bedroom continue the color palette that weaves through the apartment.
Clerestory windows, like those in the bedroom, were added throughout the apartment to carry light into darker spaces and contribute to the open feel.
“Privacy is an issue in this neighborhood because you have neighbors everywhere,” Gamble says. “We removed windows and added skylights and clerestory windows to add privacy and force the light to come in from above.”
Bed: Design Within Reach; side table and motorcycle print: homeowner’s own
Clerestory windows, like those in the bedroom, were added throughout the apartment to carry light into darker spaces and contribute to the open feel.
“Privacy is an issue in this neighborhood because you have neighbors everywhere,” Gamble says. “We removed windows and added skylights and clerestory windows to add privacy and force the light to come in from above.”
Bed: Design Within Reach; side table and motorcycle print: homeowner’s own
The master bath exudes a peaceful Zen feeling. Gamble added a skylight in the shower to brighten the previously windowless space and bring the outdoors in. In total, six skylights were added throughout the apartment.
The contemporary guest room gains vintage appeal through its varied wall art.
Woven wall art: vintage; artwork over bed: Marrow Gallery
Woven wall art: vintage; artwork over bed: Marrow Gallery
These floor plans show the previous layout on the left, and the reconfigured space on the right.
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That's for the den/guest room.
A beautiful modern apartment. I also liked the white cabinets and white appliances in the kitchen for a cohesive feel. One lives in San Francisco to be a part of the city. The clerestory window is a perfect solution.
Reading from the top, down: Bedroom, bathroom, bedroom.
Quoting motupeg: "One lives in San Francisco to be a part of the city." You just need to be sure you are covered up enough so it doesn't matter if someone can see you through your window or glass door. I think that the indoor/outdoor aspect of the apartment is the best part of all.