This home is located in the hidden gem neighborhood of St. Francis Wood in San Francisco, a historic enclave known for its grand, classically styled homes and rare suburban sensibility within the city. “Designed as one of San Francisco’s original master-planned ‘residence parks,’ the neighborhood is defined by its winding, tree-lined streets, generous lots, and beautifully maintained detached homes,” says interior designer Jennifer Wundrow. “What I love most is the sense of calm it offers—it feels worlds away from the density and pace of downtown San Francisco, while still being deeply connected to the city. It has an almost storybook quality that makes it incredibly special.”
When the homeowners—a busy, dynamic family with two working parents, two young boys, and extended family members who frequently come to stay—first purchased the house, it reflected many characteristics of a traditional San Francisco build, including smaller closets and bathrooms, unusual angles, and a floor plan that didn’t allow the spaces to feel connected. “One of the primary goals of the renovation was to rethink the layout so it functioned more efficiently for their daily life and created a stronger sense of flow throughout the home,” Jennifer explains. “And with one parent traveling much of the time and the other working as a physician, the home needed to support a full and active household while also providing moments of calm and organization.”
The clients came into the project with relatively few prescriptive requests, which allowed for a highly collaborative design process. “Their priorities were increasing storage, improving overall efficiency, and incorporating a wet room into the primary bathroom,” the designer recalls. “Beyond that, they trusted us to reimagine the floor plan in a way that would best support their family’s routines while creating a sense of cohesion and comfort throughout the home.”
They embarked on a full remodel and redesign of the home while carefully preserving the historic exterior and the classic architectural character of the property. “Inside, nearly everything was reimagined,” Jennifer says. “The project included new plumbing, lighting, HVAC, custom cabinetry, flooring, and fixtures throughout, creating a home that feels both refreshed and timeless while still honoring its original architecture.”
As with many projects that involve multiple collaborators, Jennifer admits there were moments of navigating differing design perspectives along the way. “Design can sometimes feel a bit like marriage counseling—balancing ideas, priorities, and aesthetics—but those conversations ultimately helped refine the vision,” she says. “In the end, we’re incredibly happy with where the project landed.”
The result is a study in easy living. “With two incredibly busy parents and two active young boys, it was important that the home felt effortless and comfortable to live in,” Jennifer tells us. “Nothing overly precious or fussy—everything is durable, easy to care for, and thoughtfully organized so that everything has its place. At the same time, we wanted the home to feel warm, cozy, and inviting. When I think about the word ‘home,’ comfort is one of the first things that comes to mind, and that idea guided nearly every design decision throughout the project.”
Take a tour in the slideshow.
