Coastal Eclectic in Sausalito
It wasn’t hard to find inspiration for this Sausalito project. Perched on a hill, this historic home featured 180° views of the harbor below. The owner is a retired chef and world traveller. She has fantastic taste and a collection of antique items sourced often in her travels—she just wanted a new furnishings plan (and a fireplace upgrade) that integrated her finds with some modern updates for an eclectic, contemporary look.
Read on to learn how we created a design plan to fulfill the brief!
Fireplace Upgrade
At some point in the home’s history, a mid-century style painted-brick facade was added to the fireplace. It failed to match the home’s more traditional bones, was asymmetrical, lacked a mantel, and was wood-burning. Not only did the owner want a more eco-friendly insert, but she desired a design that was traditional but special, with a mantel to style. We took her inspiration photo, and added a contemporary twist—instead of more painted brick, we added a surround of Moroccan zellige tile in an unorthodox glaze: charcoal with aubergine undertones. This twist lended a bit of drama, redefined the room’s focal point, and is true to the owner’s globe-trotting nature.
The surround lent the mantel some height, giving the fireplace a deservedly more generous proportion within the room. To highlight it further, we added brass sconces that bounce light off the newly painted walls in a soft halo. The hearth is a rich leathered granite.
2. Inviting Seating
Coming out of the COVID-19 era, our client was looking forward to entertaining again. She asked for a casual but elegant seating plan with room for everyone. We sourced some California casual armchairs and the perfect low-backed sofa to bring in the view.
In addition, we upholstered twin ottomans in remnants from a vintage Turkish rug—just the spot for a beloved grandchild. For overflow seating, we reupholstered the client’s existing vintage pew bench in the dining room with a beautiful Susan Connor fabric in indigo.
3. Perfecting the Mix
The key to making a vintage collection fresh is to mix it up with some modern. Elements should both harmonize and surprise. We feel that a house should feel ‘gathered’ and ‘collected’ rather than professionally designed, and love integrating clients’ beloved pieces into our plans. Often, these old pieces are the inspiration for everything new.
Although this house reads traditional, the eclectic mix keeps it current. Mid-century ceramics, contemporary upholstery, and modern brass orbital sconces play with Paris flea-market finds including ceramic mushrooms from an Hermés shop window and santos statuary (the owner’s). The mix is one-of-a kind, just like this home’s fabulous owner.
If you have questions about this project, or would like to receive a testimonial to our work from one of our clients, please reach out.
Thanks for visiting!