Category Archives for Great Room

Being a typical flat in San Francisco, the kitchen was utilitarian and separated from other spaces in the home. Fortunately, it was at the rear of the home next to a living room, with views over the Mission District. We set to work removing the wall between the kitchen and the living area, creating a great room space for the family to come together. Instead of a fixed kitchen island, we proposed a unique detail for the smaller great room – a custom-made picnic bench for meals and prep. The table is more flexible than an island, allowing them to push the benches underneath and around the space, depending on their needs for the space. Drafting Cafe provided the cabinets for this kitchen.

Situated on a slightly sloped corner lot, this front-and-center rancher was ready for a facelift. The bones spoke of an unrealized ambition to become a prairie-style craftsman, with several unique level changes and rooflines that reflected the slope of the hillside. We introduced a water table as a continuous horizontal band to visually ground the busy facade. Beams, windows, and doors were cased in stained hardwood on the interior while several fireplaces keep rooms cozy and warm.

After working hard on the peninsula for many years, our homeowners wanted to play in Santa Cruz in their retirement. They lucked out when they found a property just blocks from the cliffs in Santa Cruz. It had been severely neglected over the years, so they knew it would be a complete renovation. They requested a second story addition to capture a view of the ocean, and clean, open living space connected to the outdoors. Today, they can be found drinking coffee on one of their patios or just returning from a walk to the lighthouse.

After living in New Mexico for many years, our homeowners chose to retire in Concord, CA to be closer to the grandkids. As an artist, she wanted a wide open living space to display her artwork. By tearing out a wall between the kitchen and the living room, we were able to create a wonderful space to showcase her art collection. Our homeowners also required a more modern master suite, so we added a new bathroom and walk-in closet into the side yard.