Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: New Style with Old-World Warmth
10-year remodel transforms traditional San Francisco apartment building
Believe it or not, this 10,000 square foot mansion in San Francisco's Pacific Heights was once a dilapidated apartment building with a Tudor facade. Designer Matthew MacCaul Turner helped transform these apartment units into a single 17-room home over the course of almost 10 years. Turner, with the help of architect Louis Felthouse, gave this high-end home a facelift by incorporating walnut wall paneling, a hidden wet bar, hand-carved limestone fireplaces, a wine room, a fully-equipped rooftop patio and sweeping views of the city.
Using the house's traditional structure as a backdrop, Turner incorporated the sleek style his client enjoyed. As it turned out, the house ended up being put on the market shortly after completion. Prior to being photographed, designer Ken Fulk did the staging — which is where most of the furniture in the home is from.
Using the house's traditional structure as a backdrop, Turner incorporated the sleek style his client enjoyed. As it turned out, the house ended up being put on the market shortly after completion. Prior to being photographed, designer Ken Fulk did the staging — which is where most of the furniture in the home is from.
The dark, walnut paneled library is Turner's favorite room in the house. After attending a wedding at the Explorer's Club in New York, Turner based much of this home's interior architecture — particularly in the library and great room — on this amazing space.
Like the library, the wall paneling in the great room is made entirely of American Black Walnut. "The paneling was based on English precedents," says Turner, who also designed a hidden wet bar tucked behind a panel in this room. Custom zebra chairs sit next to a antique imported Belgian oak fireplace surround. The stone hearth and surround are made of Rumos limestone.
An expansive view of the south side of San Francisco Bay greets visitors as they walk into the great room. European oak was predominately used for the flooring throughout, but there are also inlays of walnut and maple.
Limestone and marble floors line the entryway, echoing the home's limestone facade. The client loved the iron element in the Art Deco-style front door, they decided to extend it throughout the house by using it on the railing of the main staircase.
The dining room ceiling was designed to center around the table. Silver leaf was hand applied and lacquered for shine in the coffered space. The French doors open up to a balcony space, which allows for indoor/outdoor dining when the weather permits.
Chandelier: Circa lighting
Wall color: Paris Rain by Benjamin Moore
Chandelier: Circa lighting
Wall color: Paris Rain by Benjamin Moore
The second floor of the home is a bit more family friendly. The floor opens up with a connected family room and kitchen, both with an incredible view. A hand-carved French limestone mantle and fireplace surround adds Old-World warmth.
French limestone mantle: Exquisite Surfaces
Sconces: Urban Archaeology
Wall color: Mannequin Cream by Benjamin Moore
French limestone mantle: Exquisite Surfaces
Sconces: Urban Archaeology
Wall color: Mannequin Cream by Benjamin Moore
Double appliances — twin ranges, ovens and refrigerators — were installed in this main kitchen. There is another kitchen in the guest house, and an outdoor kitchen on the rooftop, but this kitchen serves as the cooking space for the primary residence. Granite countertops, all-white cabinetry, and marble backsplash tile combine to create a luxurious look with texture and depth.
Countertops: Costa Esmerelda granite
Cabinetry: Custom, painted in Acadia White by Benjamin Moore
Pendants: Circa Lighting
Backsplash: Crema Marfil with Fossil Green accents from Waterworks
Countertops: Costa Esmerelda granite
Cabinetry: Custom, painted in Acadia White by Benjamin Moore
Pendants: Circa Lighting
Backsplash: Crema Marfil with Fossil Green accents from Waterworks
A soft golden tone on the walls in the master bedroom complements the hazy blue of the San Francisco skyline. The honey fireplace surround is made out of carved Italian Jerusalem Gold limestone. A recessed area near the large balcony became a great place to put a small loveseat — a perfect spot to enjoy the view when the fog starts to roll in.
Chandelier: Circa Lighting
Sconces: Ruhlmann Sconce from Urban Archaeology
Wall color: Goldtone by Benjamin Moore
Chandelier: Circa Lighting
Sconces: Ruhlmann Sconce from Urban Archaeology
Wall color: Goldtone by Benjamin Moore
The master bathroom is the epitome of relaxation. Alder wood paneling gives the room an old-school feel, but the burnished nickel tub and beautiful view provide a spa-like atmosphere. Combined with the natural lighting, the alder wood gives skin tone a flattering glow in the mirrors above the his-and-her vanities. The room also contains a barrel-vaulted steam shower for those days when there just isn't enough time for a lazy bath.
Bathtub: Clothilde by Waterworks
Flooring: Jerusalem Gold Limestone, with Inca Gold and Waterworks mosaic border
Bathtub: Clothilde by Waterworks
Flooring: Jerusalem Gold Limestone, with Inca Gold and Waterworks mosaic border
The garden level of the home is devoted to guests, or any live-in staff. This portion of the house can be easily accessed from the main residence, but can also provide privacy if need be — there's an elevator to the main house, but there's also a private entry from the street. The space consists of three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, laundry and terrace.
While the entire house is an awe-inspiring work of art, the rooftop patio is an amazing final flourish. A fully equipped outdoor kitchen, lounge area, and spa are all included in this space — which is also outfitted with a smaller room to retreat to if the weather gets chilly.
Sweeping views of the city are visible from every vantage point on the roof. Turner designed a 12-person stainless-steel hot tub on a raised level so the views can be enjoyed while still sitting down.
When Turner first visited this building 10 years ago, it was a dilapidated apartment building with a Tudor facade. While the bones of the house are still the same, its look couldn't be more different.
The facade — made of imported French limestone — makes a statement, while still fitting in with the unique look of traditional San Francisco homes. Its neighborhood is rich in history, so Turner wanted to make sure that the style of this structure would stay true to that.
Photography by Jacob Elliott
The facade — made of imported French limestone — makes a statement, while still fitting in with the unique look of traditional San Francisco homes. Its neighborhood is rich in history, so Turner wanted to make sure that the style of this structure would stay true to that.
Photography by Jacob Elliott