Parnassus HeightsRenovation San Francisco, CA

High in Parnassus Heights, this Edwardian home looks across San Francisco toward downtown, but when we first walked through, the kitchen barely saw it. It was dark and poorly laid out, with one small window over the sink and a single pair of doors to the deck, in the home of a couple who like nothing better than to entertain.

The house has the classic architectural details of its era, and in this whole-home remodel we set out to preserve as many of them as possible. Our intent was to bring in a modern design that suits the way this family lives, and to blend the two until they felt seamless. Original moldings and trim now sit alongside red oak millwork and concrete countertops in clean, modern lines. The new work is warm and restrained, with old and new at ease together.

That balance takes precision in a house more than a century old, where the walls are original plaster and very little is square. We upgraded parts of the structure along the way, working with our structural engineer.

Our clients, an active couple with a young daughter, visiting parents and a constant stream of friends, wanted one level where everyone could gather. We expanded the kitchen into an adjacent bath, converted the pantry into a powder room and opened the space to the skyline with twelve-foot sliding glass doors.

Everything on that level is arranged around company. The ten-foot red oak and concrete island is where the evening starts, with the cocktail corner just steps away. The custom upholstered banquette is set so that whoever sits down faces the city. Its deep drawers keep the toys out of sight, and strategically placed outlets make it an easy place to work from home. Kitchen, dining and powder room share one floor, so no one has to leave the conversation.

Upstairs, we reconfigured the layout to create a dedicated primary suite and guest bath. Skylights now flood two of the bedrooms with daylight, floor-to-ceiling wardrobes maximize storage, and the primary bath’s steam shower, the one feature our clients hesitated on, is now their favorite addition.