Highlands Grove
Having put down roots along the sycamore-lined streets of Oakland's historic Crocker Highlands neighborhood, a young family entrusted Calafia with the thoughtful renovation of their Colonial Revival home. Working in dialogue with the home's classical architecture and sylvan setting, the design balances reverence for tradition with a fresh, artistic perspective. Layers of old-world charm, modern craftsmanship, and natural materials create an atmosphere that feels at once refined, grounded, and enduring.
Oakland HIlls, California
Builder: A-Z Construction
Photographer: Isabelle Eubanks
Builder: A-Z Construction | Photographer: Isabelle Eubanks
Anchored by a solid walnut island with hand-turned legs, the space is furnished with fully custom inset cabinetry that discreetly integrates luxury appliances.
Blending exceptional craftsmanship with everyday utility, the kitchen was designed to meet the exacting standard of the homeowners, who are founders of an artisan brewery and passionate home cooks.
English unlacquered brass fixtures, and seeded-glass cupboards lend a collected, timeworn character that feels as though it has always belonged within the home's Colonial Revival envelope.
Wallpapers on the first floor suggest an enchanted bower, while fixtures evoke the glow of lanterns and moonlight. A collaboration with Urban Electric Co. provides much of the lighting plan, with each piece customized through finish and fabric selections.
In collaboration with a local woodworker, we designed the living room coffee table from a live-edge walnut slab, detailed with bowtie joinery.
Preserving the original fireplace mantel, we updated the surround with tile hand-made in Northern California.
Throughout the home, we refinished and carefully matched the existing quarter-sawn oak flooring, while introducing reclaimed French pavers and terracotta tile in the laundry and bath, extending a continuity of materials shaped by layered histories.
