Marin County-based interior designer Rachel Madden found her calling early. She recalls, “From a young age, I took notice of my surroundings and began to wonder why some spaces made me feel invigorated, and others made me feel lifeless. That curiosity evolved into a hobby of analyzing interiors to try and understand the elements that made the space work well.” When it came time to design her own family home, she knew exactly what would create the calm, comfortable family space she desired.
“The big draw card for this house are the views and seclusion. The house was built to maximize privacy with the main level leading to a sprawling deck with unobstructed sweeping views of the rolling hills, bay and San Francisco skyline. My main goal was to create an indoor/outdoor flow that felt seamless and unified. It was important to ensure the interiors didn’t compete with the view for attention, so I opted for simplicity and an earthy palate that reflected the natural surroundings.” This meant a showcase stacked stone fireplace and decor that reflect the greens, grays, and browns of the stone. Rachel carried those colors throughout the main living areas to create a unified space.
Of course, another priority was for the home to feel family friendly for Rachel, her husband, and their two young girls. “The open concept floor plan on the lower level, with no formal living/dining, we needed to design it as a multi-purpose space where we live our everyday lives, as well as the place we entertain our guests and ourselves. My goal was to make it functional and livable, but also elegant and sophisticated.”
See the result and learn more about Rachel’s design in the slideshow.
