Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Victorian Meets Modern in San Francisco
In the heart of the city, a classic facade disguises an up-to-date addition
Walking through San Francisco’s Mission District, you might not notice anything peculiar about this home. After all, from the street it appears as just another modest-size Victorian amid a sea of other Victorians. But pause out front and you might be taken aback by the modern addition discreetly peeking out from behind the classic form.
In the front room, simple modern furnishings allow the massive windows to be the star of the show.
Windows: Marvin Windows and Doors
Windows: Marvin Windows and Doors
In the dining area, moldings from the original architecture merge with the more modern elements. What was once the back of the original home now spills into the new kitchen and living area.
Recessed lights: LEDs, Halo
Recessed lights: LEDs, Halo
Sliding glass walls create an easy transition between the living space and patio, allowing one space to flow into the other.
A bold yellow sofa and striped rug create a second focal point, helping one not to get tunnel vision when looking at the commanding view of the grand patio.
Sliding walls: Fleetwood Windows & Doors
A bold yellow sofa and striped rug create a second focal point, helping one not to get tunnel vision when looking at the commanding view of the grand patio.
Sliding walls: Fleetwood Windows & Doors
Matte wood throughout the home draws soft, natural light across the floor, inviting one to move from one space to the next.
Wood floors: prefinished wide-plank white oak, Andes via Cal-Wood
Wood floors: prefinished wide-plank white oak, Andes via Cal-Wood
The indoor-outdoor relationship of the living space is mirrored on the upper floors, where bedrooms open to private balconies and expansive views of the neighborhood.
The bedroom furnishings are light, bright and minimalist, allowing for a more playful interaction with the outdoor environment.
Design Debate: Should You Modernize a Traditional Home?
The bedroom furnishings are light, bright and minimalist, allowing for a more playful interaction with the outdoor environment.
Design Debate: Should You Modernize a Traditional Home?
The permits for this project took about a year to obtain. But the result is a spectacular relationship between the indoors and outdoors, spanning all three floors of the new addition.
“If I had one piece of advice for people wanting to do a remodel in San Francisco, it would be to be patient,” Davis says.
General contractor: RUA Woods Construction
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“If I had one piece of advice for people wanting to do a remodel in San Francisco, it would be to be patient,” Davis says.
General contractor: RUA Woods Construction
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
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A London transplant and his family
Location: Outer Mission, San Francisco
Size: 2,500 square feet (232.2 square meters); three bedrooms, three bathrooms
Architect and interior designer: Mark Davis Design
The old-meets-new design is courtesy of architect and interior designer Mark Davis, who worked with the homeowner to update the 1908 house while keeping some of its original charm. Years ago, someone attempted an addition, which Davis and his team removed so they could properly add on and add up. He kept the bones of the original home intact, along with moldings and other details, which make it all the more interesting as one moves from the traditional portion of the home into the more modern spaces.
“The homeowner was a Londoner, so he had a lot of great examples of mixing the traditional with modern,” Davis says. “He has a great eye, and had a clear sense of what he wanted for this property.”
The original Victorian house was small and not well-appointed. The classic facade, however, needed nothing but new paint to highlight its charm.
The modern navy blue addition peeks out from behind the Victorian form to offer a subtle contrast of style and color.