The inspiration for the remodel of this San Francisco Victorian came from an unlikely source – the owner's modern-day cabinet of curiosities, brimming with jars filled with preserved aquatic body-parts and specimens. Through a series of relatively subtle moves, this room now becomes the heart of the home, with glimpses into the remarkable collection a constant presence from every space. A partially translucent glass wall and shelving system protects the collection and divides the owner's study from the adjacent family room. The pattern on the glass (derived from the genetic code of a harbor seal) allows the owner and his specimens to peek out from the office – and allows his young children an occasional peek in.

Photography - Matthew Millman