Our clients wanted their home to be host to charity functions, community events, and their family and friends, as well as a showcase for their eclectic and colorful art collection featuring works by local Oakland artists. Oh, and when they moved in, they did the work to register the house as an Oakland Historical Landmark. The fact that the couple was looking to upgrade their living room in the Hollywood Regency style (which is known for bold colors, shiny metallics, luxe fabrics, and an eye to mixing opulence with comfort while holding true to the glamor of 1930s Hollywood) made this project all the more inspiring and fun for me and my team. John recalls, “We wanted a place that was glamorous, and compelling, so that people who visit would be excited and inspired by it!” Our mission was to bring the very grand living room with its high ceilings and leaded glass bay windows to the next level for the family (including grown children Tom and Mandela) and their guests — ranging in number from 6 to 60 or more, on any given day or night. The Hollywood Regency aesthetic was a perfect canvas for mixing and matching with the couple’s significant and hyper-local pop art collection, including pieces by famed Oakland artists Mel Ramos and K-Dub. Kim and John’s personal views and aesthetics, together with their vibrant art collection, called for a bold design that is more funky and eclectic overall than many owners of historic homes like this tend to prefer. I mean, don’t get me wrong; many of our clients like to do something a little daring, and often they opt for elements of glam. However, John and Kim agreeing to our specification of a pair of peacock blue sofas — that is no small commitment to audacious color! Another furnishing element I love from this project is the custom-designed birds-eye-maple and antique glass inset bar — on wheels, which allows flexibility: a bartender can serve a large party from behind it or it can be turned around for use as self-service for a more intimate gathering. My team and I couldn’t be more proud to have created a design that inspires and supports this family so that they may continue to make significant contributions to their causes and community.

The Home While looking for space where their active family could expand, these homeowners turned to Black Forest, with trees that remind them of their Indiana years. A stunning Pikes Peak view underscores how fortunate they are to live in Colorado. This home features classic nods to the owner’s French heritage while embracing a thoroughly of-the-moment Colorado lifestyle. Priorities for these homeowners included blending outdoor and indoor spaces wherever possible with generously proportioned windows and doors, porches, patios and balconies. A gracious lime-washed brick entry punctuates a simplified white stucco and black-frame-windowed exterior with traditional rooflines. Dramatic open spaces on the main floor comfortably accommodate the everyday activities of this busy family of four, while providing for welcomed visits from family and friends. A functional, open kitchen is designed for serious cooking, a butler’s pantry for staples, and serveware storage and dining spaces that effortlessly host after-school snacking to multi-course meals. A main-level, Peak-view office comfortably supports working at home, complete with a beer cave and tasting nook for hosting fellow aficionados after work is done. Guests will find comfort and privacy in a ma in-level guestroom suite or sleepover fun in the built-in bunks of the expansive over-garage bonus room. This home is a true collaboration that blends the homeowner’s long-held vision of their ideal home brought to life by the builder’s vision and design/build process that achieves something truly…Warm and welcoming in the Forest. The Builder Stauffer & Sons Construction is a true Design-Build team creating some of the finest living spaces in the Pikes Peak region for over twenty years. We’ve developed an easy point-of-entry to the Design-Build process that begins with our very popular Conceptual Design and Budgeting Agreement. This affordable, low-commitment step provides answers to the early-stage questions of “what and how much?” With this critical information in place, a robust collaboration between client and builder ensues, resulting in a thoughtfully designed home that strikes a balance between size and scope and budget. The Interior Design Family, friends and soon-to-be friends are welcomed into this updated version of a French country farmhouse through a bricked archway and a solid arch-top entry door. Once inside, a sweeping gallery of windows adorned with flower-filled window boxes sets a nice foreground to the ponderosa pine forest. A great room with a two-story, lime-washed, brick fireplace sits juxtaposed to a cozy farm-styled kitchen with large island, plenty of storage and a Pikes Peak view. This family home features a simple, clean design with warm, wooden beams and solid, white-oak flooring. This home is designed to be lived in. Wherever you go, downstairs, upstairs or out on the porch, this home wraps around you and is a delightful place to enjoy.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

The renovation of Maison Gray was an ambitious project, marked by technical challenges to transform this 1960s residence into a modern and bright living space. Due to urban planning constraints, it was impossible to completely demolish the house. Therefore, a progressive approach was adopted, methodically deconstructing and rebuilding each wall while keeping the roof in place with temporary supports. This required rigorous coordination between the demolition and construction teams, who worked in parallel to successfully complete the large-scale project. Major structural and framing work allowed for the roof slopes to be redefined and the creation of a double-height space, a central feature of the house's new architecture. Despite the complexity of the project, the work was completed in a relatively short period, an impressive achievement for such a large-scale transformation. Thanks to meticulous execution, the house was practically rebuilt from scratch, with a mezzanine and new spaces arranged in half-levels within a generous volume. The tall arch on the façade marks the vaulted entrance leading to an open living space in double height, naturally lit by a skylight and large windows opening to the garden. Achieving these elements and alignments required great precision, with every architectural detail, from curves to openings, carefully executed to create a fluid and harmonious flow. Sangaré Studio designed the interior with natural materials in soft tones, creating intimate and fluid spaces. Built with care, Maison Gray offers a welcoming and soothing environment, allowing the family to enjoy spaces designed for comfort and tranquility.

Inspiration for a small transitional formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in New York with brown walls, no fireplace and no tv

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

Steel Tubes are widely used in construction, engineering, fabrication, manufacturing, and industrial applications where strength and dimensional accuracy are essential. Buyers can use Pipex.ai as a B2B marketplace to connect with reliable sellers and source suitable products for different project requirements. The Steel Tubes Weight Chart in KG, MM & PDF helps procurement teams compare tube dimensions, sizes, wall thickness, and approximate weights for efficient material planning and logistics. Sellers can provide accurate details such as steel tube size, outer diameter, wall thickness, length, grade, material, and weight to help buyers make informed purchasing decisions. The Steel Tubes Weight Chart in KG is useful for estimating material quantities, transportation requirements, packaging, handling, and project costs. With growing demand for steel tubes across industrial and infrastructure projects, suppliers can benefit from offering quality products, competitive pricing, and dependable supply through a B2B sourcing platform. The Steel Tubes Weight Chart makes it easier for buyers to assess different tube sizes and plan bulk purchases according to project needs. A detailed Steel Tube Weight Chart in KG and MM can support procurement, inventory management, and transportation planning. Buyers and sellers can use Pipex.ai to simplify industrial sourcing and connect for suitable Steel Tubes based on specifications, quantity, and application requirements.

Designing a Health-Focused Home Living Space Designing a health-focused home living space is more than just arranging furniture and choosing colors; it's about creating an environment that promotes physical well-being, mental clarity, and overall wellness. As we spend more time at home, especially in the wake of recent global shifts towards remote work and lifestyle changes, the importance of our living spaces in supporting our health has never been greater. Here are some key considerations when designing a health-oriented home. Natural Light and Air Quality Natural light plays a crucial role in our health, affecting everything from our sleep patterns to our mood. When designing your home, prioritize spaces that allow for ample sunlight. Large windows, skylights, and strategically placed mirrors can help maximize natural light. In rooms where natural light is limited, consider using full-spectrum lighting that mimics daylight to support your circadian rhythms. Air quality is another critical factor in a health-focused home. Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air due to various factors like off-gassing from furniture, household cleaners, and poor ventilation. Incorporating plants that are known to purify air, such as spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies, can help improve indoor air quality. Additionally, ensure your home is well-ventilated by using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and consider investing in air purifiers, especially if you live in an area with high pollution levels. Ergonomic Furniture and Movement Spaces The furniture you choose and how you arrange it can significantly impact your physical health. Ergonomic furniture, especially in workspaces, can help prevent strain and injury. Adjustable desks, supportive chairs, and monitor stands can contribute to better posture and reduced risk of musculoskeletal issues. Incorporating spaces that encourage movement is also important. For example, a small home gym or a yoga corner can serve as a dedicated area for physical activity. Even in smaller spaces, you can create movement opportunities by ensuring there’s enough room to stretch or do simple exercises. Open floor plans or multipurpose spaces that can be easily reconfigured for different activities can help integrate movement into daily life. Mindful and Minimalist Design A clutter-free environment is conducive to mental clarity and relaxation. Mindful and minimalist design principles focus on creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing without being overwhelming. Start by decluttering and organizing your belongings, keeping only what you need and what brings you joy. Choose furniture and decor that are simple, natural, and calming. Materials like wood, stone, and natural fibers not only add a touch of nature to your home but also tend to have fewer chemicals than synthetic materials. Neutral color palettes with accents of soothing colors like blues and greens can help create a tranquil atmosphere. Sleep and Restful Areas A significant part of health-focused design is creating spaces that promote restful sleep. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary that encourages relaxation. Invest in a good-quality mattress and pillows that support your body. Blackout curtains, soundproofing, and maintaining a cool room temperature can also contribute to better sleep quality. In addition to the bedroom, consider creating other restful areas in your home where you can unwind, meditate, or practice mindfulness. A cozy reading nook, a meditation space, or even a comfortable chair by a window can serve as your personal retreat. Incorporating Nature and Green Spaces Finally, integrating elements of nature into your living space can have a profound impact on your health. Biophilic design, which connects indoor environments with nature, has been shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being. This can be as simple as adding more houseplants, incorporating natural materials, or even installing a small indoor water feature. If you have outdoor space, create a garden or a patio where you can relax and enjoy fresh air. Even a small balcony can be transformed into a green oasis with the right plants and seating. By thoughtfully designing your living space with health in mind, you create an environment that not only looks beautiful but also supports your physical and mental well-being.

For this outdoor space project, the local weather posed the biggest challenge for the design professionals at Backyard Specialist. The homeowners envisioned an outdoor cooking space complete with a running-water sink, a kamado grill, and a gas grill, all set into a back bar. A front bar would house refrigeration for the built-in beer taps and pub seating for four to allow guests to enjoy the culinary displays. Situated directly outside a sliding door to the interior kitchen space, it was important for the pergola to create a waterproof barrier that made the space accessible even during the regular rain showers. With the rest of the back porch bathed in direct sun, the homeowners also wanted to create full-time shade for the outdoor kitchen space of this outdoor home addition. So, the design team opted to create an Azenco R-Shade fixed-roof pergola design for the space. The R-Shade’s insulated sandwich-panel roof design ensured the constant sun would be reflected away from the kitchen, while still providing sufficient airflow to ventilate the heat and smoke from the grills. To ensure the homeowners could transition from indoor to outdoor kitchen spaces without getting wet, the designers overlapped the frame of the pergola with the home’s eaves. With the pergola frame securely mounted to the building, its two support columns were perfectly positioned along the perimeter of the elevated porch. This ensured the R-Shade’s internal gutter system could collect both the rain falling on the pergola, and that running off the roofline, and easily deposit it in the abutting garden area.

A requested color palette of vibrant red and raspberry pink was complemented with cool whites and cream. Striking pattern in the lush window treatments sets the stage. The improved furniture layout maximizes all available space and now supports the requested eating area, writing desk, TV watching/lounging location and a small sleeping alcove. Rugs are intentionally omitted to adhere to the safety principals of Design for Aging in Place. The striking custom fascia cabinet packs a storage punch with concealed mini-fridge, microwave, food pantry and pull out shelf for the printer. To support this fashionista’s need to expand her wardrobe storage, classic white custom cabinetry provides hanging storage, full length mirrors, decorative columns that open to store costume jewelry and ample shoe storage drawers. Photography by David Van Scott

CLIENT GOALS This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn. In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry. OUR DESIGN SOLUTION Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco. Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

ESI Builders is a subsidiary of EnergyWise Solutions, Inc. and was formed by Allan, Bob and Dave to fulfill an important need for quality home builders and remodeling services in the Sacramento region. With a strong and growing referral base, we decided to provide a convenient one-stop option for our clients and focus on combining our key services: quality custom homes and remodels, turnkey client partnering and communication, and energy efficient and environmentally sustainable measures in all we do. Through energy efficient appliances and fixtures, solar power, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, enhanced insulation and sealing, and other construction elements – we go beyond simple code compliance and give you immediate savings and greater sustainability for your new or remodeled home. All of the design work and construction tasks for our clients are done by or supervised by our highly trained, professional staff. This not only saves you money, it provides a peace of mind that all of the details are taken care of and the job is being done right – to Perfection. Our service does not stop after we clean up and drive off. We continue to provide support for any warranty issues that arise and give you administrative support as needed in order to assure you obtain any energy-related tax incentives or rebates. This ‘One call does it all’ philosophy assures that your experience in remodeling or upgrading your home is an enjoyable one. ESI Builders was formed by professionals with varying backgrounds and a common interest to provide you, our clients, with options to live more comfortably, save money, and enjoy quality homes for many years to come. As our company continues to grow and evolve, the expertise has been quickly growing to include several job foreman, tradesmen, and support staff. In response to our growth, we will continue to hire well-qualified staff and we will remain committed to maintaining a level of quality, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope-- The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range. Challenges-- Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions. To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan. To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space. Solutions-- With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door. Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four. On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine. Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

Our clients wanted their home to be host to charity functions, community events, and their family and friends, as well as a showcase for their eclectic and colorful art collection featuring works by local Oakland artists. Oh, and when they moved in, they did the work to register the house as an Oakland Historical Landmark. The fact that the couple was looking to upgrade their living room in the Hollywood Regency style (which is known for bold colors, shiny metallics, luxe fabrics, and an eye to mixing opulence with comfort while holding true to the glamor of 1930s Hollywood) made this project all the more inspiring and fun for me and my team. John recalls, “We wanted a place that was glamorous, and compelling, so that people who visit would be excited and inspired by it!” Our mission was to bring the very grand living room with its high ceilings and leaded glass bay windows to the next level for the family (including grown children Tom and Mandela) and their guests — ranging in number from 6 to 60 or more, on any given day or night. The Hollywood Regency aesthetic was a perfect canvas for mixing and matching with the couple’s significant and hyper-local pop art collection, including pieces by famed Oakland artists Mel Ramos and K-Dub. Kim and John’s personal views and aesthetics, together with their vibrant art collection, called for a bold design that is more funky and eclectic overall than many owners of historic homes like this tend to prefer. I mean, don’t get me wrong; many of our clients like to do something a little daring, and often they opt for elements of glam. However, John and Kim agreeing to our specification of a pair of peacock blue sofas — that is no small commitment to audacious color! Another furnishing element I love from this project is the custom-designed birds-eye-maple and antique glass inset bar — on wheels, which allows flexibility: a bartender can serve a large party from behind it or it can be turned around for use as self-service for a more intimate gathering. My team and I couldn’t be more proud to have created a design that inspires and supports this family so that they may continue to make significant contributions to their causes and community.