---
title: "Kelly and Abramson Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kelly-and-abramson-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1635864171
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1635864171.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Kelly and Abramson Architecture"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/90f3d7030127bb6c_8381-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "piedmont, California 94610, United States"
phone: "(510) 316-9421"
website: http://kellyabramson.com/
rating: 5
review_count: 40
best_of_houzz_awards: 6
followers: 762
last_updated: 2026-09-21
---

# Kelly and Abramson Architecture

Original Houzz profile: [Kelly and Abramson Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kelly-and-abramson-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1635864171)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** piedmont, CA
- **Serves:** San Francisco, Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, Alameda, Walnut Creek, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Albany, Orinda, Moraga, Emeryville, Piedmont, Canyon
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (40 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2014–2022), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- Houzz Influencer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 100,000 Ideabook Saves
- Best of Houzz winner
- High-end
- Offers Custom Work

My foray into architecture started in high school when I decided to expand my family's Santa Barbara home into its large unfinished attic. My parents and neighbors were a little alarmed when they came home from work and saw that I had cut a large hole in the side of the house for a new door and stairway. For the next four summers I worked for contractors and electricians so that I could learn the skills needed to finish the attic into livable space. At UC Berkeley, I studied architecture and civil engineering. After college, I worked in construction and was licensed as a general contractor.

For the past 20 years, I have been working as an architect on new vacation homes throughout Northern California and remodels/renovations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

My goal as an architect is to help you make the architecture and construction process a conscious effort and to create a beautiful and functional environment, unique to your personality and reflective of your specific needs.

Life is but a dream. With a slant towards Hindu philosophy, my mother would argue that life is pre-determined and that ultimately we have no control over our lives. I would argue that we have the choice to create beautiful environments, and I meticulously work through the details to ensure that your dream becomes a reality.

My design etiquette is restrained and comfortable, not gaudy. I love light and large windows, natural materials, and expression of the structure. I gravitate to work that is made by craftsmen rather than machine, to elements and details from the 1920s and before.

Thank you for your consideration in having me help with your project.

Rob Kelly

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Building Design
- Home Remodeling
- Architectural Drawings
- Custom Homes
- House Plans
- New Home Construction
- Home Additions
- Kitchen Design
- Kitchen Remodeling
- Floor Plans
- Bathroom Design
- Home Restoration
- Barn Design & Construction
- Basement Remodeling
- Basement Design
- Attic Conversion
- Tiny House Construction
- Deck Design
- architecture

### Areas Served

- San Francisco
- Oakland
- Hayward
- Berkeley
- Alameda
- Walnut Creek
- El Cerrito
- Lafayette
- Albany
- Orinda
- Moraga
- Emeryville
- Piedmont
- Canyon

### Typical Job Cost

$100,000 - 2.5 million

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Kelly and Abramson Architecture |
| Address | piedmont, California 94610, United States |
| Phone | (510) 316-9421 |
| Website | http://kellyabramson.com/ |
| License Number | C27892 |
| Followers on Houzz | 762 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Abramson-Architecture/162379497114284
- Blog — http://robkelly123.wordpress.com/

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Kelly and Abramson Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kelly-and-abramson-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1635864171)
- **Website:** http://kellyabramson.com/
- **Phone:** (510) 316-9421

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Best New House 2012, Piedmont, CABest of Houzz 2014-2015 Service Awards

- **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2014–2022), for Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 40 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### Reviews

**★★★★★ — Susan Gallardo, July 2021**

> Enjoyed working with Rob on our kitchen / bathroom remodel project.  We appreciated his flexibility throughout the design and consultation process. He worked with us to modernize the footprint and amenities of our kitchen while maintaining the general style of our home. And he was with us every step of the way through construction with necessary problem-solving as things came up once walls opened up in our 1920s-era house! Now as the dust has settled (literally!), we are enjoying our new space. Thanks Rob!

**★★★★★ — rhannay, June 2021**

> Hey Rob. We moved back into our house this weekend and there are a still a lot of things that need to be done but it looks amazing. We are so grateful for your help and expertise in the design. Downstairs feels so much a part of the whole house and not like a basement at all.

**★★★★★ — HU-389407660, Jan. 2021**

> We have a beautiful old home in Oakland and had Rob help us with updating the 1950s kitchen.  Rob was able to re-arrange the walls between the kitchen and breakfast and give us a much more open and lighter kitchen.  We love our kitchen and looking back, are so thankful that we took the plunge.  I was very concerned about costs but Rob was able to give us projected costs during the design process and helped us find a great contractor who was able to work within our budget.  Overall Rob was great to work with and super helpful at all stages.  He understands the complexities and structure of an old house, and he knows how to modernize and improve spaces while maintaining the original character.

**★★★★★ — Ronald Lopez, July 2019**

> Rob has assisted us on two major projects.  The first project was the complete renovation of a 2,300 square foot house for our parents in Piedmont.  We gutted the house, lifted it,  installed a new foundation, dug out a three car garage, and expanded the square footage of the lower floor.  Rob was key to getting this project designed and finished on time and on budget.  The second project involved an expansion of our family room and basement of our primary residence in Piedmont.   Because the project required a variance, Rob came up with a fantastic design, and then successfully guided this project through the Piedmont Planning Commission (no easy task).  If you are looking for an architect who will find a great design solution for your project while giving great service, you should consider hiring Rob.

**★★★★★ — DAVID R, Oct. 2018**

> Rob designed a seamless expansion of our kitchen as well as a basement excavation and family room addition for our Piedmont English Tudor.  His attention to design detail right down to the finishes was fantastic, and he gently steered us away from some finish decisions that wouldn't fit the style of our home while respecting our wishes and direction.  Rob always found a solution that worked.  His recommendations for contractors was also spot-on.  We spent more than we expected, but we couldn't be happier with the outcome.  We would recommend Rob without hesitation.

**★★★★★ — Russell Vance, Oct. 2018**

> We hired Kelly and Abramson to perform an almost complete remodel of our craftsman house in Albany, CA, including a small addition, and remodeling the kitchen and two bathrooms, and many changes throughout the house. The previous owners had expanded the house in the 1980s with an addition that did not match the craftsman style of the original house. Rob and his team did an amazing job restoring architectural integrity and unity to our house. We loved working with Rob because he listened to what we were looking for, and found creative solutions to all the "issues" our house had prior to the remodel, while still being conscious of cost and other practicalities. Rob is also very detail oriented. One contractor told us that his drawings were the best and most detailed he had ever seen. We learned that having outstanding drawings really helps during the construction phase. Most of the problems are addresssed ahead of time (and much more inexpensively) on paper, thereby limiting surprises and avoiding disagreements with the builders. As a result, our project stayed within budget and was completed within the expected timeframe. We couldn't be happier with the results and we give a lot of credit to Rob and his team.

**★★★★★ — Oliver McCrum, Oct. 2018**

> We worked with Rob Kelly for a fairly large job renovating the kitchen and the back of our 1912 house. Rob was punctual and helpful; he had good ideas and a clear vision of the job but was also open to alternatives, and very good at making the work look consistent with the character of the old house. We also found a great contractor through Rob, which made the whole process relatively straightforward. We would certainly use him again.

**★★★★★ — Michael McKelligan, Oct. 2018**

> I hired Rob in late 2016.  We took plenty of time to get things worked out and completed the (kitchen remodel) project in late 2017.
>
> Rob was a pleasure to collaborate with and really helped me understand (and convey) the copious technical details.  He brought some interesting details that neither I nor the contractors had thought of, which contributed greatly to the charm of the final product.
>
> Rob is super responsive and accommodating, e.g. he accompanied me to the cabinet maker's shop a couple of times and work out some details that were stumping me.
>
> All in all, it was a great partnership and we're very happy with the final product.  Although we have a slightly different tastes, there was great appreciation/harmony between us for the others' viewpoint.
>
> Can't recommend Rob highly enough!

**★★★★★ — Mary Smyer, Oct. 2018**

> We loved working with Rob on our kitchen remodel. We expanded the foot print and opened the space between kitchen and dining. Rob did a fantastic job of helping us envision and create a modern, highly functional kitchen that related seamlessly to our 1930s craftsman bungalow. Rob was very easy to work with- always with a calm and friendly demeanor no matter what was going on. He was incredibly patient with our changes along the way and was easy to work with collaboratively always enhancing our vision and never taking it over. Rob is passionate about the details and has a wonderful eye. We couldn't be happier with our finished product!

**★★★★★ — Pedro Gonzalez, Oct. 2018**

> We hired Rob Kelly as the architect for our house remodel, two bathrooms, kitchen, kitchen nook, laundry room, main bedroom, MB Closet not to mention extending the wainscotting on the main stairs. He also was able to remove all the outside plumbing in the process and bring it to the inside
> Rob has superb attention to detail and was able to anticipate problems and get ahead of them so they never happened.  The whole project took 4 months, He did an amazing job and we are so happy with the results.

**★★★★★ — samantha\_burggrabe, Aug. 2016**

> It’s impossible to convey in a simple review how skilled, attentive and effective an architect Rob Kelly is. Everyone had told us nightmare stories about their own renovations before we started, and we had enormous trepidation going in. Due in large part to Rob, however, our renovation was the opposite of what we expected: we finished on budget and on schedule, and had more fun with the design process than we could have imagined.
>
> My husband and I lived in an Oakland 2 bed/1 bath, 1920s bungalow with our two kids, and needed more space. We thoroughly explored the moving option and, not having an extra $2 million handy to buy a larger home, decided to stay and build up.
>
> My background is in writing about interior design and decorating, and my primary concern was finding an architect who would preserve and build upon the character of our original home, rather than erasing it as so many renovations do. I looked at hundreds (no really – hundreds) of portfolios, and we interviewed many architects. All seemed highly talented and capable, but Rob displayed the clearest understanding of our needs and aesthetics.
>
> My husband was very concerned about costs and architect fees. Throughout the design process, Rob updated us with estimated construction costs and at every step helped make the renovation more cost effective. He also was incredibly adept at integrating and improving upon my many (many!) Pinterest-inspired design ideas. The completed design is coherent and compatible with the 1920s style of the home, but dramatically more functional and more beautiful than I could have hoped. We now have two new bedrooms, an office, a second full bath, and a completely reconfigured main floor that includes a truly knockout new kitchen.
>
> Rob recommended all four of the contractors for us to interview, all of whom he had worked with previously on other projects. We went with the lowest of these four bids because it allowed us to keep Rob’s original design and stay within the budget.
>
> Our contractor, Dan Richards, went to extraordinary lengths to make sure that every piece of the puzzle fit together.  Dan and Rob have a collaborative mindset and worked together beautifully through each step of the process. Rob was careful to make sure that our concerns were heard, and helped us stay on budget and on schedule with his incredible knowledge and experience. We are beyond delighted with the finished product, and simply cannot recommend him more highly.

**★★★★★ — Laura Counts, June 2016**

> Every single person who walks into our kitchen  (and bathroom) tells us how fantastic it is. It also has a lot of character, with many details that an average designer would overlook. Our house is 110 years old with all its original detailing intact—all except the kitchen, which had been cheaply remodeled right before we bought it 10 years ago. We wanted a space that would blend with the old but also have a slightly more modern vibe. Rob completely understands the aesthetic and had great ideas for design and fixtures. He's an expert on historic details and how to integrate them. We completely gutted the old kitchen and opened up the back of the house, adding a wall of French doors and transom windows. Rob steered the project through the city permitting (he's knows the ins and outs of the codes and is very good at working through any issues that arise). He was very attentive and  troubleshooted every issue that came up during construction. Our bathroom features an open, walk-in shower—our next-door neighbors wanted to do a similar thing, but their architect/contractor told them it was undoable. Rob figured out how to do it within code, and worked with the contractor on making it work. They are now jealous!

## Selected projects

- [Piedmont Whole House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/piedmont-whole-house-pj-vj~5608113)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 11
- [Dillon's Tree House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dillon-s-tree-house-pj-vj~6579697)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 11
- [Kitchen treasure](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-treasure-pj-vj~4029511)
  - Location: Oakland, CA
  - Photos: 9
- [Casa Linda](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-linda-pj-vj~5411336)
  - Location: Oakland, CA
  - Photos: 17
  - Description: This is a a whole house remodel with a 3rd story addition in Rockridge area of Oakland. I initially recommended that the owners move to a larger house, but they love the area and the close walk to school. I have been craving a spanish style project for years and finally found one. I grew up in Santa Barbara and live in a 1920's Spanish Bungalow. I love the spanish style; the tile, the colors, the ironwork, the asymmetry, the thick hand formed roof tile, the curved arches and feel of plaster wall…
- [Traditional Kitchen for Modern Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-kitchen-for-modern-living-pj-vj~5718293)
  - Location: Oakland, CA
  - Photos: 8
- [Stained Wood Stove Surround](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stained-wood-stove-surround-pj-vj~2746344)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 10
- [Orinda Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/orinda-kitchen-pj-vj~2059139)
  - Location: Orinda, CA
  - Photos: 11
- [English Country Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/english-country-kitchen-pj-vj~2650993)
  - Location: Lafayette, CA
  - Photos: 6
- [Traditional Kitchens for modern living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-kitchens-for-modern-living-pj-vj~30880)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 43
- [Ski Barn](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ski-barn-pj-vj~32368)
  - Location: Sugar Bowl (Norden), CA
  - Photos: 27
  - Description: New ski cabin as a barn
- [Blackhawk](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/blackhawk-pj-vj~4034467)
  - Location: Danville, CA
  - Photos: 14
- [Before and After](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/before-and-after-pj-vj~1046211)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 12
- [Piedmont Period Tudor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/piedmont-period-tudor-pj-vj~671506)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 32
- [Inverness](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/inverness-pj-vj~14747)
  - Location: Inverness, CA
  - Photos: 27
  - Description: The biggest influence in the design for this home is not Maybeck or Morgan, but Margaret Grade from Manka’s. Her work is beautiful and unique, and I would say that it exemplifies the spirit of Bay area architecture. See http://robkelly123.wordpress.com/inverness-complete/
- [Oakland Shingle](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oakland-shingle-pj-vj~1042845)
  - Location: Oakland, CA
  - Photos: 21
- [New shingle home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-shingle-home-pj-vj~15149)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 20
- [Piedmont Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/piedmont-remodel-pj-vj~32752)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 33
- [Walnut Creek](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/walnut-creek-pj-vj~1093117)
  - Location: Walnut Creek, CA
  - Photos: 15
- [North Oakland Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-oakland-kitchen-pj-vj~657541)
  - Location: Oakland, CA
  - Photos: 21
- [Piedmont Basement](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/piedmont-basement-pj-vj~2024028)
  - Location: Piedmont, CA
  - Photos: 8

[See all 23 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kelly-and-abramson-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1635864171)

## Ideabooks

- [bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2057744/list/bathrooms) — 16 ideas
- [english country](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/62879319/list/english-country) — 2 ideas
- [kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2057746/list/kitchen) — 18 ideas
- [kelly\_abramson\_architecture's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/432297/list/kelly-abramson-architecture-s-ideas) — 48 ideas
- [exterior siding inside](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19670130/list/exterior-siding-inside) — 1 idea
- [shingle](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/15722510/list/shingle) — 3 ideas
- [modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14040275/list/modern) — 6 ideas
- [industrial](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4611250/list/industrial) — 10 ideas
- [Jen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10067739/list/jen) — 3 ideas
- [barn wood](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3770141/list/barn-wood) — 9 ideas
- [Hallway](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7100729/list/hallway) — 1 idea
- [landscape](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/6820861/list/landscape) — 1 idea
- [cottage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2057719/list/cottage) — 12 ideas
- [spanish](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/6056431/list/spanish) — 4 ideas
- [Ignacio](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4611197/list/ignacio) — 4 ideas
- [Sara](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3515226/list/sara) — 1 idea
- [Sy](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2057646/list/sy) — 14 ideas
- [Lisa](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2057652/list/lisa) — 2 ideas
- [Laura](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2749421/list/laura) — 4 ideas

[See all 19 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kelly-abramson_architecture)

## Community Q&A

**Q: daltile whites - is HD restore bright white the same as arctic white?** *(in Design Dilemma)*

Sorry - I've read older threads but can't find answer.
I decided on 4x8 arctic white glossy tiles for backsplash, but they don't have bullnose pieces and I need to finish galley ends (vertical finish) and tile extending onto wall and ending in open corner.
Thanks

A: the restore is closer to 0100

**Q: Where do the light, countertop & floor tiles come from?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Beautiful work!  I like the simplicity and original feel of this kitchen.

Would you mind sharing the source of the pendant lights? 
What kind of quartz is the countertop?
Where do the floor tiles come from?

A: pendant lights are schoohouse, counter is caesarstone,- frosty carina, floor is dal tile

**Q: Any additional photos of this full kitchen/layout?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Beautiful kitchen, detail and mixture of textures.  Do you have any more photos of this kitchen?

A: here's a few more
https://www.kellyabramson.com/orinda-residence/n28fy0cphoogphjxz0m4qskua9drom

**Q: Love these cabinets!   Who made them?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: F&G cabinets in pleasanton

**Q: What’s the size of that table?!** *(in Photo Questions)*

I love that table! What is the size of it?! Thank you Jill

A: It looks like it is about 3'x6'.

**Q: Beautiful! What kind of wood is this?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: this is fir, vertical grain douglas fir

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-21.*