As a designer, Rosanna Bassford typically creates beautiful spaces for discerning clients in Silicon Valley. Her design firm, Memmo Interiors, is known for elevated, purposeful, and timeless interiors—focusing on everything from architectural interior design to project management, down to the perfectly curated finishing touches in furnishings and decor.

However, she just completed her most personal projects yet—two homes on the same block, designed for the same families. But this time, instead of the typical designer-client dynamic, she and her sister were the clients. She tells us more. 

First, tell us about your homes. Where are they located, and what can you tell us about this modern “family compound” concept?
Our homes are located in Campbell, California which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s a city of about 42,000 nestled in Silicon Valley. We love that it is family-friendly, has all the conveniences nearby, has a cute and bustling downtown with lots of restaurants, and is very accessible to all the Bay Area has to offer. 

Many years ago, my parents secured two adjacent properties. In recent years, during Covid times, our family (my parents, me and my family, and my sister and her family) decided to divide the two lots into three properties, design and build our homes on the three lots, and live next door to each other. 

From the street it looks like three houses next door on a street. However, our backyards don’t have fences between the homes, so we move freely between each other’s houses from our back patio doors.

Today we’re taking at two of the kitchens—yours and your sister’s. First, let’s chat about your sister’s. What were her top requests?
Her top goals were to have a large refrigerator (48”), lots of storage, an induction cooktop, and for it to have some color and warmer wood tones. Style-wise, it’s warm from the wood cabinetry, has contemporary lines, and feels playful with the light fixtures and counter stools and pale green tile. 

Simultaneously, you were designing your own kitchen. What were your main goals for the space?
Top goals for my kitchen were to create a bright, well-lit space that was super functional for our needs. I wanted a walk-in pantry for pantry goods but also extra storage for infrequently used items. I wanted an induction range and a fully integrated refrigerator. I wanted a second oven that is multi-purpose, so we put in a speed oven which is also our microwave. I did not want built-in cabinetry by the sink window and instead opted for open shelves. And I wanted a large island with seating at a corner rather than stools in a row. The kitchen is contemporary overall but has some details that are more traditional which I think the balance makes it timeless. 

We’re sharing all the details in the slideshow. We have to ask, how was it working with your sister? Easier or more difficult than typical client work?
My sister was great to work with! She really trusted me with the design of the kitchen and gave me a lot of creative freedom to come up with a layout and style that would suit her and her family. Her and her husband were on board with what I presented with very few revisions. They were also not present during most of the construction phase, so they trusted me with most of the decisions. Therefore, I’d say it was probably easier than the typical client!