Inspired by the calming coastal landscapes of its Bay Area setting, this San Francisco home is a reverie of sun-kissed tones, a light and airy flow, and impressive indoor-outdoor spaces.  

A harmony of locally coastal and travel-inspired elements characterises this charming Bay Area residence. Originally built in 1907, the space has undergone various remodels in the past, all attempting to achieve a ‘modern’ interior setting.  

However, these attempts left the home feeling overly sleek and devoid of character and soul. “Our objective was to revitalise the space and create something new,” says Shannon Gaffney, architect and founding partner of SkB Architects. “The space needed to be flexible for the variety of uses the owner wanted. A place that can accommodate various groups and activities.”   

The home’s rejuvenation had a clear vision for each room to represent a place the homeowners have travelled to, loved, and enjoyed remembering. Rather than this being a literal interpretation, there isn’t a specifically themed room; no bold colours to represent any particular country or region. Instead, pieces were chosen because of their regionalism and the craftsmen from that area, like the Bomma handmade crystal lights that create a distinct mood. All of the rooms were designed on a smaller scale to express a sense of intimacy, and no walls were removed to form a grand room — allowing more of an opportunity to create charm and personality in each space. “We wanted a multi-functional space with versatility for family gatherings or a workspace for colleagues,” Shannon says. 

“The house was designed with form and function in mind to cater to these various needs, which supports the idea of each room having its own slightly different feeling.”  

A colour palette of white-washed and tonal pieces complement the home’s San Francisco locale. The deliberate palette of warming, muted tones and golden hues seamlessly coalesce with the cool and warm-washed wooden tones to create a soothing colour story that is apparent but not in your face. These sunny hues are offset by splashes of colour, mainly through the use of greenery, as seen in the living room and the outside entertainment area. “We chose the blue and green backsplash for the bar as a muted pop of colour,” Shannon adds. “These tones speak to the space’s ‘California cool’ vibe.”

The glass mirror, bar, and chairs feature golden hues that run throughout the space, tying it all together. SkB Architects decided to keep the home’s existing limestone polished floor but worked to warm it up — boosting and highlighting some of the quirks and characteristics of the old home.  

Features like the diamond-shaped divided light windows with leaded glass were exaggerated and paired well with varying woods (some sunny and refined as seen in the main house), while others were more rustic, as seen in the cottage. “The main house is more light-hearted while the cottage is a bit moody,” Shannon says.  

Arguably, one of the home’s most alluring qualities is its relationship with the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling doors in the living room open up to an outdoor lounge area that’s perfect for entertaining guests. The space features multiple yet diverse terraces that include an outdoor dining area, daybeds upstairs to soak in the expansive views, and another entertainment area on the home’s rolling lawns. Additionally, thoughtful landscaping as well as the strategic placement of greenery create a serene and inviting atmosphere, further reinforcing the connection between the indoor and outdoor environments. This helps inspire the feeling of a garden oasis in the middle of the city.  

The home is a coup de maître of beautifully balancing intimacy within its rooms and expansiveness in its outdoor areas. Inside, each room is designed as a personalised space that holds memories of the homeowners’ getaways. Bedrooms exist as soft, private sanctuaries with wooden finishes, plush furnishings, and colour palettes that invite as well as encourage instances of relaxation and warmth. In contrast, the outdoors embraces openness and freedom — ideal for hosting large social gatherings as well as enjoying the tranquillity of natural surroundings.  

This thoughtful design ensures the home provides the best of both worlds: intimate indoor spaces for personal moments and outdoor areas for socialising and appreciating the beauty of the environment in all its splendour.  

By Shai Rama