FLORAL WALLPAPERS AND NATURAL WOOD TONES ELEVATE THIS CLASSICALLY CRAFTSMAN HOME.

I first met clients Ashley and Ray in March 2023, shortly after they purchased this sweet Oakland bungalow. They were looking to infuse it with a really cohesive aesthetic, rather than tackling each space piecemeal. They share our studio’s commitment to architectural integrity, so hoped to blend modern pieces with vintage looks and family heirlooms that would complement the home’s original craftsman details. With two young kids and a dog, we also needed to focus on functionality and storage. 

After agreeing on a design direction, we kicked off the project by narrowing down fabrics for the living and dining room, landing on a gorgeous mossy green velvet sofa and leather swivel armchairs, white boucle stools, and a mixture of walnut and white oak pieces that would pair with their gorgeous hardwood floors. I wanted to bring in patterns that feel as playful as they are sophisticated, and found myself smitten with this leafy wallpaper for the entryway that makes you feel as though you’re walking into a dreamy forest. In partnership with one of our go-to carpenters, we then designed these custom built-ins that picked up on the gold accents in the wallpaper and added much-needed storage. The existing wall color in the living room was a creamy beige, which, combined with the dark wood trim, made the space feel small and dated. So we opted for a brighter white that would have the added benefit of creating a clean backdrop for their art collection. I was particularly adamant about this oversized rattan ceiling fixture, which met with a little resistance but once installed became the most beloved statement piece in the home. We also switched out the sconces over the fireplace and added a more patterned rug to soften the larger monochrome furniture.

The dining room desperately needed an infusion of character. I had been saving this California poppy wallpaper for a special project, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. We kept the decor very simple and natural, adding a machine washable rug for the young kiddos, a playful ceiling fixture with gorgeous antique brass, and a mixture of oak and walnut furnishings.

Almost two years after completing the initial decor phase of the project, we partnered on turning this one bath home into a two bath with a proper primary suite. We were able to push the existing bathroom closer to the primary bedroom, and then turn a useless closet and laundry area into a bathroom for the kids that would also serve as the laundry room.

The kids bath would double as a guest bath when Ashley and Ray are hosting, so wanted it to feel playful and youthful without being unsophisticated. This sweet checkerboard pattern using two-tone greens was balanced with a classic marble offset floor tile. The wood tones from the vanity really helped soften the space, with bronze hardware to match the sconce. We also added a storage cabinet to the left of the vanity to hold laundry supplies. In the primary bath, we looked to their bedroom for inspiration, deciding on a warm gray tile that complements their headboard beautifully. We knew we wanted to bring the same color marble from the kids bath into this space, but thought it would be fun if we played around with tile layouts to keep the bottom quarter of the shower in the gray and then continue marble up to the ceiling for a bit of an unexpected look.