The Petal & Poppy Home is a vibrant, collected family residence defined by bold color, layered pattern, and a confident sense of personality. Designed over several years as the young family grew, the home reflects an evolving story rooted in warmth, creativity, and a love of expressive interiors. Color guided the design from the outset. A blue grasscloth dining room and an existing pink Persian rug in the formal living room became the foundation for a palette that unfolded organically throughout the home. With clients eager to mix patterns and embrace saturated hues, the design process focused on contrast, cohesion, and joyful self-expression. The entry makes an immediate statement with a playful spotted stair runner, oversized artwork, and a high-gloss black handrail that introduces graphic contrast. The formal living room, designed for entertaining, is the moodiest space in the home. Dark garnet walls and a commissioned piece by local artist Carrie Gillen create a dramatic backdrop, while pink tweed swivel chairs and a tailored charcoal sofa complete a space designed for lingering. Beyond French doors, the home office is an immersive mix of pattern and color, with wallpaper wrapping both walls and ceiling. A leopard carpet and modern crystal chandelier add a touch of glamour, resulting in a space that feels energizing and personal. The dining room continues the confident use of blue, layering patterns around a custom round pedestal table designed for everyday meals and gatherings alike. At the heart of the home, the family room was designed for togetherness. A bright blue sectional anchors the space, complemented by custom ottomans on hidden casters and softened with tailored throw pillows. Existing bookshelves are refreshed with a Peter Fasano wallcovering, creating a collected, lived-in backdrop. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a softer expression of color, blending blues, oranges, and pinks, while built-in window benches add moments of comfort. The children’s bedrooms balance playfulness with longevity, layered with color and texture designed to grow alongside them. The Petal & Poppy Home is a celebration of color, creativity, and family life—an interior that feels intentionally layered, expressive, and deeply personal, designed to evolve over time.

The Petal & Poppy Home is a vibrant, collected family residence defined by bold color, layered pattern, and a confident sense of personality. Designed over several years as the young family grew, the home reflects an evolving story rooted in warmth, creativity, and a love of expressive interiors. Color guided the design from the outset. A blue grasscloth dining room and an existing pink Persian rug in the formal living room became the foundation for a palette that unfolded organically throughout the home. With clients eager to mix patterns and embrace saturated hues, the design process focused on contrast, cohesion, and joyful self-expression. The entry makes an immediate statement with a playful spotted stair runner, oversized artwork, and a high-gloss black handrail that introduces graphic contrast. The formal living room, designed for entertaining, is the moodiest space in the home. Dark garnet walls and a commissioned piece by local artist Carrie Gillen create a dramatic backdrop, while pink tweed swivel chairs and a tailored charcoal sofa complete a space designed for lingering. Beyond French doors, the home office is an immersive mix of pattern and color, with wallpaper wrapping both walls and ceiling. A leopard carpet and modern crystal chandelier add a touch of glamour, resulting in a space that feels energizing and personal. The dining room continues the confident use of blue, layering patterns around a custom round pedestal table designed for everyday meals and gatherings alike. At the heart of the home, the family room was designed for togetherness. A bright blue sectional anchors the space, complemented by custom ottomans on hidden casters and softened with tailored throw pillows. Existing bookshelves are refreshed with a Peter Fasano wallcovering, creating a collected, lived-in backdrop. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a softer expression of color, blending blues, oranges, and pinks, while built-in window benches add moments of comfort. The children’s bedrooms balance playfulness with longevity, layered with color and texture designed to grow alongside them. The Petal & Poppy Home is a celebration of color, creativity, and family life—an interior that feels intentionally layered, expressive, and deeply personal, designed to evolve over time.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

The Petal & Poppy Home is a vibrant, collected family residence defined by bold color, layered pattern, and a confident sense of personality. Designed over several years as the young family grew, the home reflects an evolving story rooted in warmth, creativity, and a love of expressive interiors. Color guided the design from the outset. A blue grasscloth dining room and an existing pink Persian rug in the formal living room became the foundation for a palette that unfolded organically throughout the home. With clients eager to mix patterns and embrace saturated hues, the design process focused on contrast, cohesion, and joyful self-expression. The entry makes an immediate statement with a playful spotted stair runner, oversized artwork, and a high-gloss black handrail that introduces graphic contrast. The formal living room, designed for entertaining, is the moodiest space in the home. Dark garnet walls and a commissioned piece by local artist Carrie Gillen create a dramatic backdrop, while pink tweed swivel chairs and a tailored charcoal sofa complete a space designed for lingering. Beyond French doors, the home office is an immersive mix of pattern and color, with wallpaper wrapping both walls and ceiling. A leopard carpet and modern crystal chandelier add a touch of glamour, resulting in a space that feels energizing and personal. The dining room continues the confident use of blue, layering patterns around a custom round pedestal table designed for everyday meals and gatherings alike. At the heart of the home, the family room was designed for togetherness. A bright blue sectional anchors the space, complemented by custom ottomans on hidden casters and softened with tailored throw pillows. Existing bookshelves are refreshed with a Peter Fasano wallcovering, creating a collected, lived-in backdrop. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a softer expression of color, blending blues, oranges, and pinks, while built-in window benches add moments of comfort. The children’s bedrooms balance playfulness with longevity, layered with color and texture designed to grow alongside them. The Petal & Poppy Home is a celebration of color, creativity, and family life—an interior that feels intentionally layered, expressive, and deeply personal, designed to evolve over time.

The Petal & Poppy Home is a vibrant, collected family residence defined by bold color, layered pattern, and a confident sense of personality. Designed over several years as the young family grew, the home reflects an evolving story rooted in warmth, creativity, and a love of expressive interiors. Color guided the design from the outset. A blue grasscloth dining room and an existing pink Persian rug in the formal living room became the foundation for a palette that unfolded organically throughout the home. With clients eager to mix patterns and embrace saturated hues, the design process focused on contrast, cohesion, and joyful self-expression. The entry makes an immediate statement with a playful spotted stair runner, oversized artwork, and a high-gloss black handrail that introduces graphic contrast. The formal living room, designed for entertaining, is the moodiest space in the home. Dark garnet walls and a commissioned piece by local artist Carrie Gillen create a dramatic backdrop, while pink tweed swivel chairs and a tailored charcoal sofa complete a space designed for lingering. Beyond French doors, the home office is an immersive mix of pattern and color, with wallpaper wrapping both walls and ceiling. A leopard carpet and modern crystal chandelier add a touch of glamour, resulting in a space that feels energizing and personal. The dining room continues the confident use of blue, layering patterns around a custom round pedestal table designed for everyday meals and gatherings alike. At the heart of the home, the family room was designed for togetherness. A bright blue sectional anchors the space, complemented by custom ottomans on hidden casters and softened with tailored throw pillows. Existing bookshelves are refreshed with a Peter Fasano wallcovering, creating a collected, lived-in backdrop. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a softer expression of color, blending blues, oranges, and pinks, while built-in window benches add moments of comfort. The children’s bedrooms balance playfulness with longevity, layered with color and texture designed to grow alongside them. The Petal & Poppy Home is a celebration of color, creativity, and family life—an interior that feels intentionally layered, expressive, and deeply personal, designed to evolve over time.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

Water leaks can be frustrating and happen often unexpectedly… especially when the water is coming from your upstairs neighbor! Once the leak occurred, the homeowners decided that it was the perfect opportunity to create their dream kitchen and entryway. The decision was made and the homeowners went shopping to purchase materials for their renovation. One problem; they hadn’t hired a contractor yet. They quickly discovered they would need help building their dream kitchen and entryway which is where we came in. Scope: Create a versatile space that reflects the homeowners’ vibrant personalities where they could cook, work, relax and entertain. Desired features include: Color changing LED tape lighting was essential to help create ambiance. Smaller can lights with updated trim to modernize the lighting. Disguising a “workspace” into the island design. Installing a compost bin that doubles as a wine chiller for entertaining. Separate wine bar. Installing an intricate piece of mirror art and lighting in the entryway. Installing custom waved back splash tile. Challenges: Creating a working set of construction plans from cabinet drawings was a challenge. The process entailed continuous communication with the clients including several walkthroughs before final installation of each aspect throughout the project. Incorporating high-gloss and muted surfaces into the space without creating glare from the natural light coming in from many existing windows. Wavy tile became difficult to install with the desired layout of backsplash outlet style and locations. Solutions: The core design issues were resolved with exceptional communication between our field team and the homeowners. Satin finish countertops and matte paint offset the high gloss cabinetry and backsplash. Because of the size of tiles in the space, the outlets needed to be cut in the center of the tile to look uniform. Time and a steady hand made this possible for the best visual result. Result: Thoughtful execution helped to create a versatile dream kitchen and entry way that also provides an at-home workspace. This now versatile space is useful and aesthetically pleasing, exceeding the homeowners’ vision. The small details ranging from accent lighting to the compost bin turned wine chiller make this a luxurious statement piece.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

The Petal & Poppy Home is a vibrant, collected family residence defined by bold color, layered pattern, and a confident sense of personality. Designed over several years as the young family grew, the home reflects an evolving story rooted in warmth, creativity, and a love of expressive interiors. Color guided the design from the outset. A blue grasscloth dining room and an existing pink Persian rug in the formal living room became the foundation for a palette that unfolded organically throughout the home. With clients eager to mix patterns and embrace saturated hues, the design process focused on contrast, cohesion, and joyful self-expression. The entry makes an immediate statement with a playful spotted stair runner, oversized artwork, and a high-gloss black handrail that introduces graphic contrast. The formal living room, designed for entertaining, is the moodiest space in the home. Dark garnet walls and a commissioned piece by local artist Carrie Gillen create a dramatic backdrop, while pink tweed swivel chairs and a tailored charcoal sofa complete a space designed for lingering. Beyond French doors, the home office is an immersive mix of pattern and color, with wallpaper wrapping both walls and ceiling. A leopard carpet and modern crystal chandelier add a touch of glamour, resulting in a space that feels energizing and personal. The dining room continues the confident use of blue, layering patterns around a custom round pedestal table designed for everyday meals and gatherings alike. At the heart of the home, the family room was designed for togetherness. A bright blue sectional anchors the space, complemented by custom ottomans on hidden casters and softened with tailored throw pillows. Existing bookshelves are refreshed with a Peter Fasano wallcovering, creating a collected, lived-in backdrop. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a softer expression of color, blending blues, oranges, and pinks, while built-in window benches add moments of comfort. The children’s bedrooms balance playfulness with longevity, layered with color and texture designed to grow alongside them. The Petal & Poppy Home is a celebration of color, creativity, and family life—an interior that feels intentionally layered, expressive, and deeply personal, designed to evolve over time.

The Petal & Poppy Home is a vibrant, collected family residence defined by bold color, layered pattern, and a confident sense of personality. Designed over several years as the young family grew, the home reflects an evolving story rooted in warmth, creativity, and a love of expressive interiors. Color guided the design from the outset. A blue grasscloth dining room and an existing pink Persian rug in the formal living room became the foundation for a palette that unfolded organically throughout the home. With clients eager to mix patterns and embrace saturated hues, the design process focused on contrast, cohesion, and joyful self-expression. The entry makes an immediate statement with a playful spotted stair runner, oversized artwork, and a high-gloss black handrail that introduces graphic contrast. The formal living room, designed for entertaining, is the moodiest space in the home. Dark garnet walls and a commissioned piece by local artist Carrie Gillen create a dramatic backdrop, while pink tweed swivel chairs and a tailored charcoal sofa complete a space designed for lingering. Beyond French doors, the home office is an immersive mix of pattern and color, with wallpaper wrapping both walls and ceiling. A leopard carpet and modern crystal chandelier add a touch of glamour, resulting in a space that feels energizing and personal. The dining room continues the confident use of blue, layering patterns around a custom round pedestal table designed for everyday meals and gatherings alike. At the heart of the home, the family room was designed for togetherness. A bright blue sectional anchors the space, complemented by custom ottomans on hidden casters and softened with tailored throw pillows. Existing bookshelves are refreshed with a Peter Fasano wallcovering, creating a collected, lived-in backdrop. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a softer expression of color, blending blues, oranges, and pinks, while built-in window benches add moments of comfort. The children’s bedrooms balance playfulness with longevity, layered with color and texture designed to grow alongside them. The Petal & Poppy Home is a celebration of color, creativity, and family life—an interior that feels intentionally layered, expressive, and deeply personal, designed to evolve over time.

A Modern Penthouse on Choctawhatchee Bay Private Residence / Destin, Florida Builder: Ron Porter, Regal Stephens Construction The team at E. F. San Juan worked closely with the homeowner and builder on this bayside penthouse condo to create custom walnut wall paneling, trim, baseboards, and casing, plus twelve-foot hidden doors to match. Challenges: The greatest challenge on this project was that the design was very contemporary and had been entirely envisioned by the homeowner. We met the challenge with great enthusiasm by working with the homeowner and the builder (Ron Porter of Regal Stephens Construction) to bring their vision to reality. Ron was an enthusiastic participant in the project, giving us free rein to design and engineer a solution that would provide the look the homeowner desired. Solution: To achieve a component of the contemporary look the homeowner sought—inconspicuous trim—we ground custom moulding knives exclusive for this project’s baseboard and casing. The baseboard throughout the residence was designed to be discreet and also includes recessed lighting. The walnut bump-outs on the wall surrounding the fireplace were a great challenge, as were the highly figured, flush walnut doors flanking the fireplace. When open, these twelve-foot-tall doors are hidden and look like paneled sections that blend into a recess in the wall; when closed, the doors also blend seamlessly with the flanking walnut wall. This creates a long, continuous wall of walnut wood when viewed from the kitchen area. E. F. San Juan also created custom leather-covered barn doors between the dining room and the living room. We thoroughly enjoyed working on this project. The homeowner knew exactly what she wanted from a design perspective, and the builder was an encouraging partner throughout the process. The result is a unique and beautiful reflection of a memorable collaborative endeavor. --- Photography courtesy of Regal Stephens Construction

The Petal & Poppy Home is a vibrant, collected family residence defined by bold color, layered pattern, and a confident sense of personality. Designed over several years as the young family grew, the home reflects an evolving story rooted in warmth, creativity, and a love of expressive interiors. Color guided the design from the outset. A blue grasscloth dining room and an existing pink Persian rug in the formal living room became the foundation for a palette that unfolded organically throughout the home. With clients eager to mix patterns and embrace saturated hues, the design process focused on contrast, cohesion, and joyful self-expression. The entry makes an immediate statement with a playful spotted stair runner, oversized artwork, and a high-gloss black handrail that introduces graphic contrast. The formal living room, designed for entertaining, is the moodiest space in the home. Dark garnet walls and a commissioned piece by local artist Carrie Gillen create a dramatic backdrop, while pink tweed swivel chairs and a tailored charcoal sofa complete a space designed for lingering. Beyond French doors, the home office is an immersive mix of pattern and color, with wallpaper wrapping both walls and ceiling. A leopard carpet and modern crystal chandelier add a touch of glamour, resulting in a space that feels energizing and personal. The dining room continues the confident use of blue, layering patterns around a custom round pedestal table designed for everyday meals and gatherings alike. At the heart of the home, the family room was designed for togetherness. A bright blue sectional anchors the space, complemented by custom ottomans on hidden casters and softened with tailored throw pillows. Existing bookshelves are refreshed with a Peter Fasano wallcovering, creating a collected, lived-in backdrop. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a softer expression of color, blending blues, oranges, and pinks, while built-in window benches add moments of comfort. The children’s bedrooms balance playfulness with longevity, layered with color and texture designed to grow alongside them. The Petal & Poppy Home is a celebration of color, creativity, and family life—an interior that feels intentionally layered, expressive, and deeply personal, designed to evolve over time.

Klopf Architecture and Jesse Ososki Art remodeled an existing Eichler atrium home into a brighter, more open, and more functional version of its original self. The goals were to preserve the Eichler look and feel without the need to strictly adhere to it. The scope of work included re-configuring the master bedroom/bath, the kitchen, and the hall bath/laundry area, as well as updating interior finishes throughout to be more sophisticated. The owners are detail-oriented and were very involved in the design process, down to the selection of lighting controls and stainless steel faceplates.Their design aesthetic leans toward the Scandinavian — light and bright, with simple straight lines and pure geometric shapes. The finish flooring is large porcelain tile (24” x 24”) in a neutral grey tone, providing a uniform backdrop against which other materials can stand out. The same tile continues into the shower floor (with a different finish texture for slip-resistance) and up the shower/tub walls (in a smaller size). Heath Classic Field ceramic tile in Modern Blue was used sparingly, to add color at the hall bath vanity backsplash and at the shampoo niches in both bathrooms. Back-painted soda glass in pale blue to match the Heath tile was used at the kitchen backsplash. This same accent color was also used at the front entry atrium door. Kitchen cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and light fixtures are all white, making the kitchen feel more airy and light. Countertops are Caesarstone Blizzard. The owners chose to keep some of the original Eichler elements: the concrete masonry fireplace; the stained tongue-and-groove redwood ceiling decking; and the luan wall paneling. The luan paneling was lightly sanded, cleaned, and re-stained. The owners also kept an added element that was installed by a previous owner: sliding shoji panels at all bedroom windows and sliding glass doors, for both privacy and sun control. Grooves were cut into the new tile flooring for the shoji panels to slide in, creating a more integrated look. Walnut was used to add warmth and contrast at the kitchen bar top and niche, the bathroom vanities, and the window sill/ledge under the kitchen window. This Burlingame Eichler Remodel is a 2,121 sf, 4 bedroom/2 bath home located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane and Yegvenia Torres Zavala Contractor: Jesse Ososki Art Structural Engineer: Emmanuel Pun Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Burlingame, CA Year completed: 2017

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.

Interior Design Show 2016, Toronto, ON, Canada The windrow table and imbue light were designed and built to showcase our studios unique and adventurous operation. These pieces of sculptural furniture are inspired by elements found in our Manitoba landscape, by the raw material of nature, and our intimate understanding of process. Every component to these pieces was made in house, from the milling and drying of salvaged trees to the forging and machining of custom aluminum parts. The aim is to constantly stretch the limits of materials and seek new methods of making. Imbue Light--200 year old white bur oak salvaged from development sites (trees in areas of development typically are land filled), cast aluminum in wood molds, cast and machined aluminum. The Oak is cut green on our sawmill and then bent into the beautiful folding continuous rings and then dried. The oak is left raw to celebrate the color and strength that this wood has. The aluminum is cast in wood molds, a technique Wood Anchor developed from countless hours of experimenting and becoming familiar with our materials. This leaves the aluminum with a beautiful purple/blue coloring and a texture that is reminiscent rough stone. Areas of the aluminum are polished to contrast the cast pieces and pay homage to the countless hours that we spend perfecting our craft. Windrow Table--150 year old black ash salvaged from urban development (trees in areas of development typically are land filled), sheet aluminum is sculpted and seam welded by hand, the ground and polished. The Ash is selected based on it’s suitability for the piece. It’s then cut on our sawmill, kiln dried and machined into a perfect table top. The aluminum is cut and sculpted by hand using heat. There is no pattern for the piece; the artist creates it from his mind, studying the form as it develops. It is seam welded and the ground and polished by hand paying attention to every detail. 2016 © Ray Chan Photo, All Rights Reserved

Water leaks can be frustrating and happen often unexpectedly… especially when the water is coming from your upstairs neighbor! Once the leak occurred, the homeowners decided that it was the perfect opportunity to create their dream kitchen and entryway. The decision was made and the homeowners went shopping to purchase materials for their renovation. One problem; they hadn’t hired a contractor yet. They quickly discovered they would need help building their dream kitchen and entryway which is where we came in. Scope: Create a versatile space that reflects the homeowners’ vibrant personalities where they could cook, work, relax and entertain. Desired features include: Color changing LED tape lighting was essential to help create ambiance. Smaller can lights with updated trim to modernize the lighting. Disguising a “workspace” into the island design. Installing a compost bin that doubles as a wine chiller for entertaining. Separate wine bar. Installing an intricate piece of mirror art and lighting in the entryway. Installing custom waved back splash tile. Challenges: Creating a working set of construction plans from cabinet drawings was a challenge. The process entailed continuous communication with the clients including several walkthroughs before final installation of each aspect throughout the project. Incorporating high-gloss and muted surfaces into the space without creating glare from the natural light coming in from many existing windows. Wavy tile became difficult to install with the desired layout of backsplash outlet style and locations. Solutions: The core design issues were resolved with exceptional communication between our field team and the homeowners. Satin finish countertops and matte paint offset the high gloss cabinetry and backsplash. Because of the size of tiles in the space, the outlets needed to be cut in the center of the tile to look uniform. Time and a steady hand made this possible for the best visual result. Result: Thoughtful execution helped to create a versatile dream kitchen and entry way that also provides an at-home workspace. This now versatile space is useful and aesthetically pleasing, exceeding the homeowners’ vision. The small details ranging from accent lighting to the compost bin turned wine chiller make this a luxurious statement piece.

This project is a story of how buildings and relationships evolve over time, and how the two are intertwined in the making of architecture. The client, a single man, had just purchased a classic Edwardian flat on San Francisco’s Liberty Street, known for its historic homes and famous neighbors like Tracy Chapman, when his realtor connected him with LLA. The initial brief was to integrate a modern, minimalist kitchen and bathroom with the apartment's traditional aesthetic. The existing condition was a series of cramped rooms and a long hallway that divided the apartment into many separate spaces, some without natural light. The solution was to remove most of the walls in the middle of the flat, with extensive structural work hidden from view. This created an open connection between the living, dining and kitchen areas that flooded the formerly dark core of the apartment with light. Midway through the design process, the client and his partner, and avid cook, decided it was time to move in together. The project evolved further and LLA found inventive ways to pack more features and amenities into a design that was fundamentally about simplicity. The result of this creative tension is a large open kitchen with deceptively simple forms- a long back counter with three rows of drawers below, an island with a central cooktop and double cantilevers for seating, and a slightly mysterious wood box at the back. The box conceals the refrigerator, storage, linens, and laundry, and through a secret door, a large walk-in pantry. The bathroom evolved into a mini-spa, with a walk-through shower and Japanese-style soaking tub. The space shares light with the kitchen through a floor-to-ceiling translucent glass panel. Each client has a large dog, and so a small sliver of space under the upstairs neighbor's stair was turned into the perfect doggie den, complete with period correct doorway. The newly blended family moved in together when the project was completed. A poignant footnote, Maverick, the blonder, fluffier dog in the photos, was very old and sadly passed away shortly after they moved in. It made the photoshoot feel like a special event that honored and preserved his memory in pictures. Like all families, theirs continues to evolve and change, just as their home has over its 90 year life.