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Houzz Tour: A Mid-Century Modern Getaway
Charles DeLisle Transforms a William Wurster Ranch into a Dream Home for Today
Pure serendipity led San Francisco-based designer Charles DeLisle to redesign this this mid-century home in Portola Valley, just outside California's Silicon Valley. While at an event in the city, he was chatting with his soon-to-be client when she mentioned she was buying a 1950s William Wurster ranch. DeLisle was ecstatic. A longtime admirer of Wurster's work, he knew a space like that would be beyond inspiring to work in. He crossed his fingers … and about a year later, the client called to ask for his help.
Now, when asked to describe the style of this home, DeLisle says something unexpected: "unrecognizable." While this might catch you off guard, it begins to make sense when you start poring over the photos from this home. The design doesn't necessarily feel indicative of an era or a genre — it just feels personal. It's a perfect representation of how a designer can use his style to illustrate a client's essence.
Now, when asked to describe the style of this home, DeLisle says something unexpected: "unrecognizable." While this might catch you off guard, it begins to make sense when you start poring over the photos from this home. The design doesn't necessarily feel indicative of an era or a genre — it just feels personal. It's a perfect representation of how a designer can use his style to illustrate a client's essence.
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by Charles DeLisle
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| A product designer as well as an interior designer, DeLisle designed quite a few pieces in the space per his client's request. The kitchen table, which DeLisle had made out of four-inch thick Douglas fir, is accented by bright white chairs from Magis, and illuminated by an elegant and modern teardrop-shaped pendant, designed for the family. |
by Charles DeLisle
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This cabinet in the master bedroom is a great example of DeLisle's unique twists on furniture with classic lines. Composed out of a smooth mahogany, DeLisle applied a piece of silk with a digital print of golden hillsides. The photograph is by Oakland photographer Paul Schiek.
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by Charles DeLisle
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| The upholstered walls in the media room are another example of DeLisle's custom work. He designed the pattern, then had it applied (much like a wallpaper) to the walls. This surprising splash of pink actually has a quite un-feminine feel — and is part of what makes this DeLisle's favorite room in the house. The B&B Italia sofa and custom George Nakashima table provide a sense of balance in the room. Alias desk chairs sit against EZ shelving for a clean and compartmentalized desk area. |
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| Working on a home designed by an architect he admired inspired DeLisle to take risks, but also to make sure each aspect of his design was executed with painstaking detail. "The history of the house was my favorite part about designing the home," says DeLisle.
William Wilson Wurster was an architect, and architectural professor at UC Berkeley and MIT. He is best known for his residential designs in California (including what became known as prototypical ranch houses), several university buildings at Berkeley and Stanford, as well as the redevelopment of Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. He is one of only 54 architects to win the prestigious Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects. |
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by Charles DeLisle
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| The home is in Portola Valley, a rural area not far from the San Francisco Bay. The family is a young professional couple with children; this ranch is their summer home. Because it was only going to be used seasonally, the couple wanted the home to be modern and playful, but sophisticated and long-lasting — something suiting their style that also could be used for generations. |
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| This outdoor fire pit with Adirondack-style chairs is a quintessential element for a summer home. The large French doors allow for an ample presence of natural light. |
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Bringing the outdoors in, DeLisle used wood paneling to offset another of his custom creations: a soft daybed set against wood stump tables cut from trees on the property.
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| The kitchen was completely remodeled and outfitted with efficient high-end appliances. Backsplash tile from Heath Ceramics adds to the home's unique color palette. DeLisle decided to choose brisk and bold colors such as Prussian blue, grass green and pink, combined with more earthy tones such as terracotta, gold and sand. The combination is decidedly fresh but understated. McGuire barstools at the kitchen counter were reupholstered in colorful fabric from Lee Jofa.
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Products were chosen a bit randomly, DeLisle admits. Inspired by old photographs, he used a combination of custom designs, vintage pieces, and more modern purchases from high-end showrooms. This deep navy Erwan and Ronan Bourollec chair and ottoman are incredibly modern, but flow perfectly with the accenting Grete Jalk stool and simple floor lamp from Luceplan.
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The living room is a soothing space done in organic colors and forms. Charles and architect Ian Moller used a rich cedar wood paneling for the interior. The color is soft, and almost glows in the abundance of the home's natural light. DeLisle chose functional and sturdy pieces for this room, including a custom reproduction of a Dunbar sofa, French Art Deco chairs from Jasper by Michael Smith, accented by the client's own coffee table and a custom "stump" by DeLisle.
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Vintage lighting is a common theme throughout the house. DeLisle was able to achieve a quirky sense of elegance in this house, that isn't always attainable with more standard lighting choices. A rug from Morocco adds a touch of international flair to this vignette, where a vintage sconce and lamp illuminate photography by Catherine Wagner.
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This cozy fireplace, built into the home's 12-inch thick adobe walls, was created into a snug sitting area with a 1940s Danish chair, French vintage table, and a unique Gio Ponti light fixture above the mantle.
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DeLisle chose simple urns and vases from Los Angeles antique shop Denmark 50 to accent the minimalistic mantle.
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A lighting expert with an imaginative and unique eye, DeLisle also designed the dining room chandelier. This geometric light fixture is made of raw brass hexagonal tubing hung with handwoven rope. The dining table is another one of his creations. He chose vintage T.H Robsjohn-Gibbings chairs for extensive seating. The artwork — which is actually a photograph — is from Catherine Wagner, and the classic bookends resting on the built-in console are from Carl Aubock.
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This bathroom is a perfect representation of the aesthetic DeLisle and his clients wanted in this house: simple, functional and beautiful. This cabinet is customized with laminate from Abet Laminati, making it moisture-resistant and easy to clean. The hardware is vintage, and DeLisle chose a classic faucet from Michael Smith for the single sink.
More:
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Comments
Lily Gahagan Wow! Incredible tour.
2 years ago · Like
Jessa Vanessa, once again you rock my world! I love anything MCM and I wish my tiny mid-century home in AZ could resemble this one. It's definitely giving me ideas..
2 years ago · Like
soos Just fabulous..
2 years ago · Like
edmarch This is amazing, not only because of the tasteful furnishings, but I love the different textures on the walls, from wood paneling to whitewashed bricks to the brightly colored wallpaper. Even the backsplash becomes a star. Insane.
2 years ago · Like
louzucaro Just fantastic. All-around, one of the best I've seen in a while.
2 years ago · Like
Netty Love the tile accent wall in the kitchen!
2 years ago · Like
Casart Coverings We espouse the concept of the mural applied to the front of the cabinet (#2) and the custom-designed upholstered walls in the media room (#3). However, suggest it would be far more practical to use custom designs digitally imprinted on vinyl substrate with pressure-sensitive adhesive resulting in a product which can be cleaned, repositioned, removed without leaving any residue, and reused another time, another place.
2 years ago · Like
amy123 Love it, stylish, clean lines, funtcional, and very personal and wake!
2 years ago · Like
kaye I must have an unsophisticated eye. To me this house is cold and outdated. Before reading the thread, I thought some of the thumbnails were "before" shots, particularly the one with the upholstered wall.
2 years ago · Like
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Tina Gleisner What a wonderful tour and so many novel ideas, it's impossible to sum it up in one word. Speechless!
2 years ago · Like
modernrachel Wow! What an incredible home! If I could build any house, I think this would be it.
2 years ago · Like
mahatmacat1 Just stunning. And a remodel with such creativity; deLisle's imagination is delicious.
2 years ago · Like
Vintage Renewal Love this Mid Century Tour!
2 years ago · Like
sherrymarchetti Simply Beautiful!!!
2 years ago · Like
Michelle Although this gives me some ideas for our MCM remodel (love the kitchen) most of the furniture looks really uncomfortable. If I had to choose between furniture as art or comfortability factor, I would pick the latter. But that's me.
2 years ago · Like
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forann5 Beautifully serene and zen-like space. The sixties-style upholstered walls need to go--they take away from that feeling.
2 years ago · Like
mimikt LOVE it!! So impressed with the talent shown here, from the vintage Danish chair to the incredible light fixture over the dining table. My dream house, for sure.
2 years ago · Like
Dytecture Fantastic renovation, the tiles in the kitchen is really fresh. Exposing the rafters make the rooms feel airy as well.
20 months ago · Like
Jamieson Wow, what a great mid modern century tour! Kudos Vanessa for a well written, inspiring article! Hats off to the designer Charles DeLisle...simply outstanding!
12 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on May 11, 2011.
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