The Wood House

Homeowners Ayni and Sean Vienna purchased their home, lovingly dubbed "the wood house" and originally built in 1921, from a Sausalito seafood restauranteur. It's perched on a hill and enjoys sprawling views of Mt Tamalpais. They fell in love with its old charm and kitschy nods to the ocean (for example, a porthole window with an etching of Neptune, God of the Sea, and a cabinet with massive abalone shell handles).

Wanting to preserve much of the original Northern California spirit while updating some of the less-functional spaces, they hired interior designer Shelbie Cox. The goal was to honor the home's history and capture the feeling of a handcrafted, timeless bungalow nestled among the trees. The process included meetings on color and material combinations, with inspiration phrases like "mermaid haven."

Sourcing was focused towards vintage furnishings and west-coast makers, some of which are good friends of the homeowners. Select millwork was kept intact or carefully removed and reinstalled, including the Douglas Fir upper cabinets in the kitchen and casings for the windows and doors throughout. In areas that called for new material, sustainable wood was used where possible: reclaimed redwood flooring in the kitchen and a custom fireplace mantle, both made by friends Good Wood Portland.