Bush

Modernizing a San Francisco Victorian

We wanted to maintain the classic look of this San Francisco Victorian while making it more livable. To update the space, we built a contemporary addition that doubled the original square footage, and reimagined the layout on all three floors—rebuilding the house from foundation to roof. Our design struck a balance between the opposing architectural styles, combining dark and moody moments with bright, modern looks.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

5 bed | 4½ bath | 4000 sqft. | built 1885

Materials & design elements

  • Rift sawn oak cabinetry
  • Skylights
  • Bold color schemes
  • Brass light fixtures
  • Traditional Victorian trims

Materials & design elements

  • Rift sawn oak cabinetry
  • Skylights
  • Bold color schemes
  • Brass light fixtures
  • Traditional Victorian trims

What we updated:

  • Used dark Victorian color palettes in the living and dining room to bring a formal feel, while painting the rest of the house white for brightness and contrast
  • Added skylights to let in more natural light, as the home had a zero lot line which didn’t allow for any side windows
  • Echoed a traditional Victorian look with trims and wainscotting
  • Installed rift sawn oak cabinetry in the kitchen for a modern twist on traditional wood materials
  • Built a glass wall between living and dining rooms to give the illusion of an open floorplan while maintaining traditional, separate spaces
  • Updated all plumbing, electrical, mechanical, framing, and finishes, in addition to building a new foundation and installing a new roof