Modern Charmer.

Modern Charmer

A dated, dark house on a great Tiburon site was reworked into a bright, open house with clear and beautiful views of the Bay. The property was purchased with plans for a full remodel before moving in.

By rebuilding the center of the house, then opening the living level to the south light and the Bay, we turned a charming exterior shell into a calm, modern interior that works equally well for a large family and for living alone.

Starting Point

Scott’s approach

A house that never opened up

The client bought the home with the intent of doing a full remodel before moving in. The site was all location and views, but the house did not take advantage of them. The entry was hidden from the street. You drove down a narrow driveway to a low porte cochere, then walked down more steps to reach the front door.

The whole sequence felt like entering a basement. Inside, the entry sat in the center of the home and carried the main staircase plus access to both floors. It was dark, tight, and cluttered with doorways, multiple roof shapes, and constant small level changes. The rest of the house followed the same pattern.

Requirements

Scott’s approach

Spacious, bright, and effortless

The client wanted a home that felt spacious, bright, and simple, with an effortless layout. It needed to be graceful enough for entertaining family and friends, while still comfortable for one person day to day.

Most of all, the house needed to refocus on the views of San Francisco and the Bay from every room, and be open to the beautiful patios and yards that surround it.

Solution

Scott’s approach

Rebuilding the heart of the home

Since the entry and stairs were the heart of the home, connecting the two levels and the rooms on each level, we started there. By making that space open and bright, the entire experience of the home changes as you pass through the area daily.

We replaced the existing multiple roofs with a large, open gable roof with a full wall of glass facing north toward a terraced hillside. That move brought in ample sunlight and opened up the views to the gardens.

Inside the new two-story space, we introduced an elegantly curved staircase that rises to a curved balcony. The balcony leads to the primary suite and guest bedroom and looks directly out to the gardens. Moving from floor to floor now feels intentional rather than compressed.

Downstairs, the entry hall led straight to the living and dining rooms. When you step inside, the Bay is now in full view. In the main living areas, we replaced small doors and windows with large openings that pull southern light in and open the rooms fully to the patios and views.

Outside, we removed the driveway and porte cochere and replaced it with a private garden walkway that became the new front door path.

Result

Scott’s approach

Keeping the charm, removing the clutter

We kept and enhanced the home’s charming exterior presence. While on the interiors, we made dramatic changes to the feel and flow of the house.

By meticulously rethinking every room, we took a cluttered, disjointed floor plan and rebuilt it to feel open and fluid, with ample storage and effortless functionality. The interiors are modern in light and openness, but still feel at home with the traditional character of the exterior.