Tucked away in Atherton this traditional 4000sqft mansion received a comprehensive interior remodel that better suited the lifestyle of the clients and their children. This included the transformation of an unused mezzanine into a new bedroom as well as a major reconfiguration to an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area (with a hidden speak-easy style bar).
On entry you are greeted by a voluminous, 2-story foyer. Traditional oil-rubbed-bronze accents are picked out against the warm, blue-grey of Alaskan Husky (BM1479) and the light rustic white oak flooring which was used throughout.
To the right of the foyer, a large formal sitting room with club chairs and sofa accepts guests before communicating through to a formal dining room beyond.
Beyond the foyer a small breakfast area sits adjacent to a powder room, bar and study area. Much of the traditional aesthetic is conveyed by trim work around windows and doors as well as the custom built-in cabinetry. Rounded corners of display shelves create a natural flow through the space and soften the sheer volume of carpentry in this project.
A small study area with views of the back yard communicates directly with the kitchen so that during a party it can be used as a buffet for food on the way to the dining room or the outside.
The small powder room houses a built-in vanity topped with Carrara marble which extends up the wall to become the backsplash. Wallpaper was chosen for the single accent wall and a matching Yarmouth Blue (BM HC-150) for the others. This allows the pattern to be teased in the mirror when seen from outside .
Opposite the study/ buffet area is the built-in wet bar. A hanging shelf hosting glassware sits above the wet bar allowing light to filter through and illuminate the counter. Using the same palette as the kitchen of Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, White Dove (BM OC-17) painted cabinetry and polished nickel hardware this area feels synonymous with the rest of the house.
However, when opening one of the cabinet doors a secret wine room is revealed beyond. A high contrasting palette conveys exclusivity and is a visual surprise in the otherwise pastel environment. The vibrant green of malachite counters pop against the black lacquer & rattan cabinetry with brass pulls. A cavernous effect is created by over cabinet lighting illuminates the walnut paneled ceiling and walls.
Beyond the bar area the formal dining room also is also accented by a black lacquer piano, oil rubbed bronze fixtures and antique chairs. Sitting at the end of the building this room boasts great views of the property through windows on all sides
From the breakfast area more rounded built-in shelving leads you into the kitchen. Ice Fog tile with a cracked glaze takes tones from the Taj Mahal quartzite counters and extends up to the cabinetry. The painted v-rustic ceiling visually shortens the large open-plan space. A large central island is located beneath two pendant lights for extensive food preparation and casual dining. A counter-depth, panel ready refrigerator/ freezer and Wolf range flank one side, while the sink looks out to the rear yard through traditional center-arched window.
The kitchen is directly connected to the living room by a single stair down into what used to be the garage and second entry door services the porte-cochére.
In the living room the cabinetry is center stage; tiered alongside open display shelving, the central cabinet opens up to reveal the TV inside but otherwise is hidden away. Here the oil-rubbed-bronze accents return to contrast against the white cabinetry and light walls. The furniture here sits low to allow for an uninterrupted of the front yard though the large bay window.
The primary bathroom makes extensive use of Carrara marble, running seamlessly from the tub surround, across the vanity as the backsplash and into the shower. Like downstairs in the powder room a shallow vanity allowed the use of elegant wall-mounted Kohler faucetry.
The shower stall features a rainfall shower head as well as hand-held, and is designed to accommodate the future installation of a steam shower system. This necessitated the tiling of all surfaces and by using varying formats of tile (such as the vertical arabesque strip) the extensive marble tile maintains visual interest.
A frosted glass door and window inside the shower allow natural light to enter the adjacent toilet room.
The guest bathroom utilizes the same timeless palette of chrome fixtures against marble and serves two guest bedrooms.
“We just completed our second project with SDL and were thrilled with the results, once again. Sam is great at listening and bringing your vision to life. He suggests additional elements graciously (take it or leave it) that really make things shine. The 3D renderings his firm now does are super helpful for envisioning the final look and feel. And he was super helpful when we were down to the final details like paint colors, hardware finishes and placements, where we are not experts but needed someone with a design eye to help. We are so pleased with our home renovation and the new look and feel of our living space. Sam is a great creative partner and very responsive and client-focused - we recommend his services.”