Houzz TV: A Sanctuary for Life and Work
Eclectic furnishings, books and art make this former blank box a very personal home, while the photography studio has its eye on business
Margot Hartford
August 16, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Interiors photographer in the Bay Area for over 15 years. Publications include Veranda, California Home & Design, Sunset Magazine and Better Homes and Gardens.
Houzz Contributor. Interiors photographer in the Bay Area for over 15 years. Publications... More
Photographer Nicolo Sertorio and research scientist Seonok Lee were looking for a spacious, multifunctional home with an easy commute to San Francisco. They found what they wanted in a 3,300-square-foot unit that’s part of a live-work community in Oakland once owned by artist Bruce Beasley in 1989 and designed in collaboration with architect Thomas Dolan. Working with architect Marc DiGiacomo, they converted their big, blank box into a modern living space with a studio for Sertorio’s photography business.
Watch: See more of this creative live-work space on Houzz TV
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Nicolo Sertorio, Seonok Lee and their cat, Romeo
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 3,300 square feet (about 307 square meters); 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Year built: 1989
Architect Marc DiGiacomo, Sertorio and Lee worked together on plans to maintain the spacious open room and build a separate bedroom. The bank of shelves, 31 feet wide and 11 feet high, provides ample storage and adds to the drama of the space.
Flooring: Tigerwood, Armstrong Flooring
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Nicolo Sertorio, Seonok Lee and their cat, Romeo
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 3,300 square feet (about 307 square meters); 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Year built: 1989
Architect Marc DiGiacomo, Sertorio and Lee worked together on plans to maintain the spacious open room and build a separate bedroom. The bank of shelves, 31 feet wide and 11 feet high, provides ample storage and adds to the drama of the space.
Flooring: Tigerwood, Armstrong Flooring
During the day, light bounces around the white walls. In the evening the space can be turned into a media room using an Epson projector.
All of the photographs in the house, including the two pieces seen here, were taken and printed by Sertorio.
Sectional: Focus One Home; floor lamp: Tolomeo, Artemide
All of the photographs in the house, including the two pieces seen here, were taken and printed by Sertorio.
Sectional: Focus One Home; floor lamp: Tolomeo, Artemide
This is how the original main living space, with its 25-foot-ceilings, looked before the makeover.
Sertorio refinished an old library table bought at an auction at the Oakland Museum of California; it now anchors their dining area. The chairs are from the Vitra Design Museum.
The wall-to-wall bookshelves hold Sertorio’s collection of vintage cameras. Each part of the unit is a separate component, so the pieces could be mixed and matched.
The sideboard is a flea market find, while the printed photograph is another of Sertorio’s original images.
One wall holds a light panel handmade by Sertorio. Framed German lithographs hang on the opposite wall. The bookshelf is a flea market find.
Wall sconce: Artemide
Wall sconce: Artemide
“We fell in love with the high ceilings,” says Sertorio (seen here with Lee). “And since we didn’t like the remodeling we saw in any of the homes we were shown, we were happy to start with this blank canvas.”
The countertops are manufactured compressed quartz, strong and chip resistant. Sertorio chose the White Zeus Extreme color to match the cupboards.
Countertops: Silestone; cabinets: The Home Depot; carpet: ArchiExpo
Countertops: Silestone; cabinets: The Home Depot; carpet: ArchiExpo
Creative and modern lighting solutions are used throughout the loft, including this illuminated bench.
Logico Triple Wall Sconce: Artemide; Light Table Bench 52: Pablo Pardo; coatrack: Umbra
Logico Triple Wall Sconce: Artemide; Light Table Bench 52: Pablo Pardo; coatrack: Umbra
The floors were replaced and a guest bathroom and closet (for the washer and dryer) were added to an existing mezzanine.
AFTER: Lee uses the mezzanine for her home office. The desk, a modern version of a 16th-century French writing desk, was bought at an antiques store as a birthday gift from Sertorio.
Of the few walls constructed in the loft, there are three that form the bedroom, master bath and closet. The walls are made of a sound-absorbent, fire-resistant, energy-saving material from Roxul.
Wall lights: Tolomeo Classic/Micro Wall Spot, Artemide; bed, headboard, side tables: Modloft; walls: Roxul
Wall lights: Tolomeo Classic/Micro Wall Spot, Artemide; bed, headboard, side tables: Modloft; walls: Roxul
The sink and countertop in the master bathroom are one piece. The walls are lined with frosted glass tiles.
Tiles: Ann Sacks; sink, countertop: Ronbow; faucets: Hansgrohe; toilet: Blu Bathworks; light fixtures: Tiella
Tiles: Ann Sacks; sink, countertop: Ronbow; faucets: Hansgrohe; toilet: Blu Bathworks; light fixtures: Tiella
A guest bathroom was added to the mezzanine floor.
Sink, countertop: Ronbow; faucets: Hansgrohe; toilet: Blu Bathworks; illuminated mirror: Reflection Mirror, Tiella
Sink, countertop: Ronbow; faucets: Hansgrohe; toilet: Blu Bathworks; illuminated mirror: Reflection Mirror, Tiella
The community courtyard is part of architect Thomas Dolan’s live-work concept.
Sertorio’s photography studio is located on the ground floor for easy loading and unloading. The rubber floors are made from recycled tires, so they are not only durable but also shock absorbent.
Floors: Rubber Flooring
Floors: Rubber Flooring
The photography studio is used by Sertorio as an office, as a shooting space and for his fine art printing.
The bathroom in the studio is made from the same materials as the upstairs bathrooms.
Sink, countertop: Ronbow; faucets: Hansgrohe; toilet: Blu Bathworks; illuminated mirror: Reflection Mirror, Tiella
Watch: See more of this creative live-work space on Houzz TV
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Sink, countertop: Ronbow; faucets: Hansgrohe; toilet: Blu Bathworks; illuminated mirror: Reflection Mirror, Tiella
Watch: See more of this creative live-work space on Houzz TV
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
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Excellent work and thanks for sharing
SG Associates
www.sgakumbakonam.in
WOW! What a transformation. The whole space looks gorgeous and that wall of cabinets is beautiful. Great inspiration!!