Lily and her spouse, Andrew experienced admired this historic house in Larkspur, California, for yrs right before it became their personal. They favored the way the residence was established back again from the road, the mature trees and the expansive backyard with an previous earth model pool and towering hedges for privacy. The community appealed way too, with its entry to the impressive trails of Mount Tamalpais, exactly where San Francisco Bay inlets are to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. When the residence arrived up for sale the few jumped at the opportunity to own it.
Exploration revealed that the house was originally created for the mayor of the compact town in 1921. Built in Arts & Crafts model with black shingles and mahogany trim and doorways, every piece of redwood was harvested in the canyon powering the neighborhood 100 several years back, and stamped with the dwelling address at the mill down the road. Legend has it that the very best square dances in the spot happened in the barn which was the moment in the home’s yard.
The setting, provenance and history of this household are sufficient to make this one of the world’s finest properties, but insert to that its latest renovation and redesign at hands of proficient San Francisco interior designer, Caitlin Flemming (opens in new tab), and this loved ones dwelling has grow to be a little something really distinctive in truth.
Choose the tour underneath, as designer Caitlin explains her eyesight and inspiration for the venture, and reveals how she and her consumers obtained the perfect balance concerning honoring the home’s previous and on the lookout ahead to its foreseeable future.
(Image credit history: Stephanie Russo)
‘This was a aspiration challenge and a correct collaboration,’ says Caitlin. ‘Lily and I were being able to realize each and every other’s tips and manifest them into the household. Her tips aligned beautifully with my design aesthetic and hopes for the property. It was in some cases as although we had been examining just about every other’s minds when it came to a couple vital factors. We lightened the flooring by replacing dark stained pink oak, with a considerably fresher French white oak, painted the partitions in Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore, and included wallpaper to various regions. The intention was also to get the work accomplished in many months, as the household desired to move in time for the commencing of the college year.’
The kitchen area is genuinely the coronary heart of the residence where by Lily spends substantially time creating magic for both her relatives and close friends. It’s normally loaded with contemporary make from the farmers marketplace. Kitchen ideas include this inviting household dining room with a region desk and classic French chairs with personalized Les Indiennes cushions.
(Impression credit history: Stephanie Russo)
A lengthy soapstone island provides considerably required get the job done house and you hardly ever truly feel considerably absent from the great outdoors, with loads of windows and French doorways to enjoy the views. The open prepare creates a spacious aesthetic and promotes a sensation of quiet throughout the primary rooms.
(Image credit: Stephanie Russo)
There’s a good deal of possibility in the kitchen to show vintage finds, these types of as the chopping boards and marketplace baskets, together with bespoke slim screen shelving for other treasures.
Caitlin Flemming is known for her weblog Sacramento Street and her very well known coffee table ebook, Journey Home. Her next guide, Feeling of Position is printed later on this yr and is offered for presale.
(Image credit rating: Stephanie Russo)
‘The client had a subtle vision for her property,’ states designer Caitlin. ‘I was ready to support her obtain the excellent textiles and furnishings. Considerably of the furnishings we uncovered was antique and we truthfully lucked out to uncover the proper items.’
Dining place thoughts incorporate the divine Meadow Suite wallpaper by Morris & Co. The curtains and cushion on the bench are Vasant Teal by Wells Abbott. Dining place desk, chairs, bench, and mirror are a blend of personalized and antique. They are from Elsie Environmentally friendly.
(Image credit rating: Stephanie Russo)
A key portion of the redesign was arriving at the excellent palette. ‘Colors in just the dwelling have been taken from the nature outdoor,’ explains Caitlin. ‘In the summertime, the hills of Northern California are a attractive golden shade. Waters in the winter season creeks and ocean differ from slate greens to browns and blue. This is the palette we chose for the dwelling.’
Caitlin’s living room concepts function a linen sofa by Verellen. Chairs are antique and upholstered in Fern by Les Indiennes. Huge pillows on couch are Gobi Green by Penny Morrison. ‘The significant cabinet in the living room was a nail biter to put in,’ says Caitlin. ‘Its monumental top is the centerpoint of the room.’
(Picture credit rating: Stephanie Russo)
The shots in the gallery wall in the dwelling place echo the palette of the residence, but also the colors of the north Californian landscape outside, so include a further harmonious contact to the interiors. The textile styles on the cushions and pouffes meanwhile, mix completely with the wallpaper and curtains in the eating home, an important consideration with a place like this, with open up sights to the house outside of.
(Picture credit history: Stephanie Russo)
This most important bedroom is upstairs, exactly where all the rooms were kept gentle and airy. Bed room suggestions integrate a tranquil lookng linen mattress, tailor made by Cisco Dwelling and a classic chaise from Elsie Environmentally friendly lined in Les Indiennes cloth, which is a reprise of the print applied downstairs, albeit in a various colorway. Customized pillows on chaise and mattress are in Lisa Great fabric.
(Graphic credit rating: Stephanie Russo)
Right away attendees are assured a restful night’s sleep in this place. Profitable guest bedroom suggestions consist of the putting blinds in organic materials, which maintain privateness while continue to permitting a view of the treetops from the bed. The palette of delicate pastels and neutrals carries on into the visitor house, preserving the harmony during the residence.
(Graphic credit score: Stephanie Russo)
The son’s bed room has French doors out to the terrace and backyard. A mix of wool plaids are utilized. Blanket at finish of bed by Tartan & Corporation. Fabric on curtains by Holland & Sherry. Horizontal cladding on the partitions presents the area an outdoor experience, excellent for a home with garden access.
(Graphic credit history: Stephanie Russo)
Designer Caitlin advised sacrificing part of the closet to develop a compact desk place in the son’s space. Earning a focused place like this assists to reduce litter and protect floorspace.
And looking back again about the undertaking as a full, what ended up the highlights? ‘This was a desire task,’ states Caitlin. ‘My shopper Lily and I were ready to realize every other’s suggestions and manifest them into the dwelling. Her ideas aligned flawlessly with my style aesthetic and hopes for the dwelling. It was a accurate collaboration.’ And the effects are pleasant: a excellent blend of outdated and new, a harmony amongst the property and its landscape, and, ideal down to the particulars, a joyous mix of prints and sample all providing this residence levels of character and persona.
Design and style Caitlin Flemming (opens in new tab)
Photography Stephanie Russo (opens in new tab)
