The Alamo Square Heritage Restoration
Our clients purchased a dilapidated Victorian home near the famous Painted Ladies. While they loved the historic exterior, the interior had been stripped of its character during a botched 1980s renovation. Think popcorn ceilings and cheap laminate flooring. The brief was complex: restore the grandeur of the original Victorian parlor rooms at the front of the house while transitioning into a completely modern, open-concept kitchen and family room at the rear. They wanted a home that honored San Francisco history but functioned for a modern family with two young children and a dog.
This was an exercise in time travel. Based on historic reference photos and existing site conditions sent by the client, we specified period-correct plaster moldings and medallions to restore the front rooms, pairing them with contemporary furniture to avoid a museum atmosphere. For the transition to the rear, we used a bold color block technique in the hallway to signal the shift from historic to modern. The kitchen was detailed with durability in mind, utilizing quartzite countertops that mimic marble but withstand lemon juice and red wine spills. The design successfully bridged two centuries, creating a home that feels both grand and approachable.
Client Name
The Montgomery Family
Client Type
Private Homeowner
Location
Alamo Square, San Francisco
Project focus
Historic restoration mixed with modern living
Color Palette
Navy Blue, Brass, Carrara White, Walnut
Services Provided
Interior Design, FF&E Sourcing, Design Documentation
Budget
$120,00
Duration
4 Months
Thoughtfully designed spaces for life
Strategic Design Interventions
We use spatial engineering to unlock hidden value in small footprints.
1
Resurrecting the 1890s
We did not just pick trim from a catalog. We researched local plaster artisans and provided the client with historic reference drawings to recreate the original heavy crown moldings. This returned the formal parlor rooms to their original 19th-century scale and grandeur.
The Palate Cleanser Hallway
Connecting a Victorian parlor to a modern kitchen can feel jarring. We specified a dark navy hallway as an architectural palate cleanser. This dramatic transition zone resets the eye, preparing you for the shift from ornate details to sleek, clean lines.
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Bulletproof Materials
The clients loved the look of marble but hated the maintenance. We specified natural Quartzite for the fabrication schedules. It has the depth and veining of marble but is harder than granite, making it impervious to the chaos of family life.
