Studio Officina delivered a perfectly tailored renovation to the founders of androgynous fashion brand Kirrin Finch.
In their query letter, Ben and Sarah were clear that they wanted a home that could accommodate all of life’s messes. “We don't want a white display kitchen that only looks good when it's clean and not in use. We want our kitchen to be able to work hard. We love to cook and when we do, there are usually lots of things on the go and a mess being made.”
An internal window creates a visual connection between the living area and the dining room, and also allows the wood-burning fireplace to easily heat the whole space.
The home's Heart Pine floors, with their oil finish and white pigment, permeate the home, enhancing the bright, naturally-lit interiors.
Nestled in a forested spot in Oakland Hills, this house—victim to a tragic fire in 2017—was rebuilt as a bright, serene retreat. At first, the homeowner wasn't sure if she wanted to keep the ruined house or sell, but ultimately her love for the property won out and she stayed.
The cascading levels and warm wood create a serene, grown-up-treehouse vibe.
Many of the paintings are by the designer’s grandfather.
The bedroom is home to a platform bed that Curtis built herself and has since moved from house to house.
"I often choose finishes that allow the natural texture to show through, and finishes that emphasize the cathedrals and burls of the graining,
An eye-catching anchor piece, the modular Terrain Ivory Sectional features generous proportions and flexible adaptability. “The Terrain Collection was super fun to design because it’s basically a collection of pieces that can work in a ton of different ways,” shares Fenning. “It really creates an entire environment.”
Stripping away excess, the Refugio Daybed is designed to expose the basics of the structure. “We used the fluidity of the metal to express the form, and then we wrapped the metal with leather to soften the edges,” says Fenning. “The leg becomes the back becomes the arm.”
The Muir Grey Curved Sofa is paired with the Anacapa Saddle Leather Lounge Chair to create an inviting seating grouping. “For the Anacapa Chair, we took a really popular scale of chair and we really exposed the construction,” shares Fenning. “We’re really seeing the detailing, the joints, the way it comes together.”
The exposed brick was left alone to convey the building’s storied history.
The thick brick walls and preserved lintels are a reference to the building’s former life as a factory.
The architects reused much of the existing walnut cabinetry, giving it an ebonized finish for contrast.
The new bathroom is in the former bedroom, and it’s primarily used by the bedroom occupants.
In the master bath, Hale chose slate tile for the floors and green-and-brown glass tile by Lunada Bay for the walls, both from United Tile. The Japanese Ofuro soaking tub, crafted from Hinoki wood, is by Zen Bathworks.
The vintage chairs are by Hans Wegner, while the table, cabinets, and the rest of the furnishings in the home were designed and built by Doug.
The Brillhut sits back from the road at the highest point of the property, not only for privacy but to avoid stormwaters. “This spot also has the best views and the best breezes,” says Melissa.
The preserved railing was painted Benjamin Moore “Wrought Iron.” A soffit, its underside lined with square-edge white oak tongue and groove cladding, both defines the entry to the primary suite, and creates a cozy feel for the couch beneath it. Right Brilliant Willing Mori Pendants hang over the stairs.
The kitchen opens to the living area, and a second kitchen is located behind the main kitchen to allow for catering for large groups.
The entrance is carved into the hillside and leads down earthen steps, past the reading window of the passage and between the two wings of the home to an entrance hall.
The side patio doubles as a parking spot for a custom-built 1970 Honda CB750.
The 260-square-foot Hytte module features tall ceilings of up to nearly 12 feet. Multiple windows fill the interior with natural light and frame views of the outdoors.
Interior designer Heidi Lachapelle chose unfussy furnishings with clean lines. “Nothing should feel decorative or unnecessary,” she says. “We looked for things that would age beautifully to speak to the wabi-sabi concept.” The oak daybed is by Bautier, the indoor/outdoor rug is by Dash & Albert, and the trapezoidal cushions on the concrete bench nod to similar ones that the wife saw at Georgia O’Keefe’s home and studio. The Scandinavian-inspired fireplace throws heat from two sides.
Intended primarily as a social gathering place, the house has no dedicated bedrooms.
“The idea was to make the house a string of pavilions so there could always be air flowing through them,” explains Marc. Behind the greenery sits custom chaise longues by Jaime Nuevo.
The new addition is spanned by a sliding glass door to the kitchen, bringing in much more natural light and creating easy flow between inside and out. The owners especially appreciate how the new deck is at grade with the exterior door for a seamless transition, making the kitchen feel “a part of the garden,” says the homeowner.
The owners have been collecting art for years and the architects ensured there was plenty of display space after the remodel. “We know artists, we've worked with artists, and we value artists,” says the owner, noting that they’ve bought a lot of pieces at non-profit art auctions and in the local area.
In the living room, the custom sectional is from Village Interiors and the rug is from Turabi Rug Gallery.
Primary Bathroom
Primary Bedroom
Living Room
The towers of Sagrada Família. Photo by: MarcelGermain
The pool is framed by angular concrete paths reflecting the natural geometry of the site.
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