Blurring the Lines Between Old and New with Jennifer Robin Interiors and Wade Design Architects

Home Tours / January 27, 2022

Blurring the Lines Between Old and New with Jennifer Robin Interiors and Wade Design Architects

“To create the heart of the home – a great room that includes a kitchen with two islands, living room with historic fireplace and a dining table set into the most incredible glass lined banquette – required removal of load bearing walls,” Luke explains. “In their place were steel beams, and there was quite a bit of thought and consideration that went into reworking the ceiling coffering to conceal this new reality. The end result yields a ceiling with rhythmic detailing of the historic era that helps articulate the zones of the space.”

“Nick Koelzer, the managing architect on the project, found ways to work some of the materials slated for demolition back into the design as finishes,” Luke recalls. “A long dis-used chimney was being removed for seismic reasons, and the clients forlornly remarked on the lost beauty. The team saw an opportunity and the brick was saved to become landscape walks and pathways.”

“The lighting and furniture were pivotal in marrying tradition and modernity,” Jennifer says. “Antique light fixtures and furniture are woven in with more modern furniture and some unique custom pieces. The furniture layout was also key to supporting the homeowner’s entertainment needs, but also to be comfortable when it was just the two of them.”

“For the kitchen, we took careful consideration of color and texture balancing, so it didn’t feel or look like just another white kitchen,” Jennifer admits. “Its design was vintage inspired with Calacatta marble tile wrapping the hood and walls, unlacquered brass plumbing fixtures that will patina and age naturally over time, vintage light fixtures from Obsolete and custom leaded glass uppers inspired by original windows in the house. The large entertaining island has a calacatta marble slab top (also great for baking) with a custom walnut bar. The center functional island has a walnut end-grain top which is great for cooking prep. And finally, the surrounding counters are in a durable black honed granite which is wine and oil proof.”

“For the bar area, we transformed the alcove into a petite bar for two with custom walnut cabinetry and black paint (Farrow and Ball – Off Black) to create a moody little space and highlight the architectural details. An antique rug (locally sourced from The Vintage Rug Shop in Oakland), a vintage Charles Dudouyt table, and vintage inspired light fixtures from Robert Long Lighting add further character to the space,” Jennifer says.

“Although the layout has been modernized, a guest would be hard-pressed to discern what is intact and what has changed,” Luke explains. “The bar area is a good example of this – the space existed and all the windows and paneling are original, but the bar itself is new.”

“The primary bathroom features marble, walnut and leaded glass finishes, repeated with a cheerful blue brick tile in the shower reflecting the blue sky,” Jennifer explains. “A slipper tub allows for soaking while taking in the San Francisco bay views. Another vintage rug (from the Vintage Rug Shop) grounds the space and adds further character.”

“In large homes such as this, I like to ask myself, ‘If I was alone in this home would I feel comfortable?’ That is ultimately the goal and we play with scale, proportion, texture, color and the balancing of old and new to create comfort, visual interest and beauty. Every piece was carefully studied to strike the perfect balance,” Jennifer explains.

start slideshow

Interiors: Jennifer Robin Interiors

Architecture: Wade Design Architects

Builder: Tracy Anthony General Contractor

Photographer: John Merkl

0 Comments Thumbnail View

“This was an extensive renovation of a four-story home nestled in the Berkeley Hills with views of the San Francisco Bay,” architect Luke Wade of Wade Design Architects tells us. “It was originally designed in 1914 by renowned Berkeley architect Walter Ratcliff who was known for his charming blend of historic styles and this home is no exception with its eclectic blend of Craftsman and Bungalow details combined with elements of Tudor and Victorian styles.” The homeowners are a young couple who love to travel and when at home, entertain family and friends. They hoped to preserve the historical character of the home while at the same time modernizing the layout and design to suit their lifestyle.

Luke explains that the primary goal was to reconfigure the home’s partitioned rooms into larger spaces in keeping with modern living, while respecting the home’s historic roots. They combined the kitchen with the living and dining spaces for better flow and added an ample primary suite.

For the interiors, Jennifer Robin of Jennifer Robin Interiors lead the charge. “The home’s historic architecture was the primal inspiration,” she says. “Not only did we want to preserve this character, but we also wanted to highlight it and harmonize the interiors within it. The intent of our design was to make someone experiencing the space second guess what was original vs. what was added. We wanted to blur the lines between old and new.” She also drew inspiration from art and memorabilia the homeowners had collected in their travels. “These gave us subtle cues that guided the palette and textures throughout the home,” she explains.

“Achieving a great outcome with a remodel is much harder than starting from scratch,” Luke admits. “But there’s also undeniable beauty in honoring what has come before and solving for a respectful interplay of history and desire. You have to start with what you are given and make very purposeful choices about what to celebrate and what to disinherit.”

Take a tour of the character-rich home in the slideshow, snagging details from both the architect and designer along the way.

Thumbnail View

Next Up!

Home Tours A Warm & Masculine “Bachelor Pad” in Downtown Austin, Texas

Blurring the Lines Between Old and New with Jennifer Robin Interiors and Wade Design Architects

Thumbnail View

Related Stories

Next Up!