"I love how when you walk in the home, you immediately feel a sense of calm; it really slows your heart rate… The cozy feeling, the rugged textures and deep colors are incredibly soothing," writes Kerstin Fischer of Fischer Architecture. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"Maybe the redwood paneling, especially because we were able to restore the ceiling to complete the intended feel of the living room," Kerstin explains of her favorite element. "It feels a bit like you are in a treehouse with it sitting in a magnificent grove of coast live oak trees," Kerstin says. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"At some point in the home’s history, an owner had covered over the living room’s original old growth redwood paneled ceiling with painted drywall, puncturing it with a series of recessed downlights." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"Fischer Architecture’s complete and extensive restoration of the pre-existing redwood ceiling and removal of the downlights brought a breath of new openness to the space, solving the problem of contrast and textural imbalance. The architects worked with a redwood salvager on the Lost Coast of Northern California to source lumber that was needed to seamlessly patch missing boards and other irreparable damage caused by the drywall and downlights," Kerstin explains. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"In order to match the original look, the salvaged old growth redwood boards were milled with old-style band saws that replicate the blade markings common in lumber milling technology from over a century ago." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"The living room sofa was reupholstered, taking it from a light gray to a dark green to minimize the contrastive nature of the space," Kerstin explains. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"Fischer Architecture designed a new wooden base to replace the previous stainless steel base of the Calacatta marble coffee table, creating additional storage for books and mementos." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"Multiple 'zones' were introduced where previously, furnishings in the living room had been limited to a single seating group. A cozy reading nook was created by recovering a chair the client already owned, and a tasteful 'key drop/shoes on' spot added near the front door by way of a mid-19th century antique curved ship’s cabinet," Kerstin details. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"Table and floor lamps and new wall sconces were strategically selected and placed for mood lighting with an extra-cozy feel, and armchairs from stylistically different periods were included to create a balanced timelessness." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"The timeless, layered approach of the living room extends into the dining room, where a wallpaper design from 1915 is paired with chairs from the 1970s," Kerstin continues. "New pops of pinks, browns, and mustards were introduced to add a vibrant playfulness throughout the entire upper level." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"The kitchen boasts a hidden 'touch down desk' behind a pair of pocketing doors, the perfect place for clutter and bulletin boards, easy to close up and hide-away," Kerstin describes of something unique about the space. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"In the family room and kitchen, a treescape wallpaper was added to complement the light blue and dark walnut cabinets that Fischer Architecture designed in the first phase." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"An enormous drapery was also added at the folding deck doors from phase one for both better light control and dramatic flourish," Kerstin describes. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"The downstairs remodel further evokes the desire for emotionally-soothing spaces. Neutral seagrass covering on the floors gives the primary bedroom a rustic, English appearance and the blue-green painted paneling is a nod to the emerging color palette upstairs," Kerstin writes. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"Wood and leather touches, a collection of potted plants in the bay window, and carefully considered textiles round out this deeply relaxing retreat." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"The inspiration for the interior remodeling process echoed a bigger collective post-pandemic realization that incorporating contemporary, thoughtful design into one’s home is essential for creating a comfortable, welcoming space for the self and for the family." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"Through the combination of an expanded color palette, playful fabric textures, and a mix-and-match of vintage and new furnishings, the Ross Hunting Cabin is elevated in stature and comfort level, while maintaining its aged elegance and rustic appeal," Kerstin writes. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
Kerstin describes the biggest challenge of the project: "For phase 1, we were working on a tight time schedule, and so the overall scope of the project was pared down to be achievable within our timeframe. The owner knew there would be time to circle back to other spaces and/or reconsider the interiors as part of a Phase 2." Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
"Hire a designer who is not caught up in current fashion," Kerstin advises. "Hire one that understands the soul of the place, and can deliver an eclectic mix of ages and styles to the space that makes it sing!" Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
When the homeowner bought this 112-year-old house in Ross, California, for himself and his two kids, he hired Fischer Architecture, who he had worked with before on other projects, to help redesign the space.
An earlier renovation of this house before the current homeowner purchased it had actually covered up the home’s original old growth redwood paneling and in general made a confusing layout. Fischer Architecture and the homeowner’s aims were to not only reveal the home’s beautiful original charm, but also make it a better fit for the family. They tackled the goal in two different phases.
“An initial, pre-pandemic architectural renovation phase by Fischer Architecture targeted the informal living spaces — the kitchen, family room, powder room, and primary suite — to allow for practical family flow, and excluded rooms that were ‘fine for now’,” explains Kerstin Fischer of Fischer Architecture. “During this first phase, the kitchen was completely reimagined,” Fischer explains of the room that now “flows into a family room space that had originally been occupied by a small home office and a large bathroom.”
Define your personal home style: Our interior design style is inspired by the core spirit of the project. We do not contrive or invent a look or feel for our clients, rather we draw out their inspirations, the threads that we know we can weave into the perfect space for them. Sometimes that means pushing homeowners a little outside their comfort zone, but often that is precisely what is needed to delight them. Credit: Courtesy of Fischer ArchitectureCredit: Courtesy of Fischer Architecture
The primary bedroom also got a little work in the first round, including custom wardrobes and “creating an efficient, spacious-feeling bathroom within a tight footprint,” Fischer writes.
Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? What’s unique about this home is the way in which the historic restoration feels perfectly suited for this very modern family. Credit: Courtesy of Fischer ArchitectureCredit: Courtesy of Fischer Architecture
The home is precious, but totally unfussy, a perfect nest for this close-knit family. Credit: Leslie WilliamsonCredit: Leslie Williamson
The reno’s first phase worked just right for the homeowner and his kids, but after about three years of working remotely and social distancing, Fischer says that “it was apparent that the home was missing a certain comfort and ease in its interior design. The house wasn’t feeling quite right in its attempt to merge the heritage of this rustic home with the owner’s usual contemporary aesthetic. In short, the owner found himself missing a true ‘at home’ feeling for himself and his children.”
“The goal for phase two was to uplift the home with coziness and stylistic warmth,” Fischer continues. “The charming integrity of the phase one floor plan was maintained, while the design palette was expanded to include intentionally rich colors, playful fabric textures, and a mixture of vintage pieces and original artworks. With an emphasis on achieving light balance, the restoration of the redwood ceiling in the living room became a key factor in bridging the gap between function and refinement such that this home merits.”
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