This San Francisco House Proves That White Furniture Can Be Kid-Friendly
A mouse. That was the palette reference that San Francisco-based designer Chloe Warner of Redmond Aldrich was given for a family’s 1925 Edwardian-style home in the city Pacific Heights neighborhood. The clients, who have two young children, had asked for a space that felt calm and textural, allowing their art collection and the house's unique architectural character to shine; colors would be limited to muted beige, gray and blonde tones. And, of course, the materials had to be family-friendly, too.
Local firm Walker Warner Architects was hired to complete the renovation, which included a steel-encased back addition with an open-concept kitchen, master suite, dining room and expanded gardens. Because the home was subject to historic building restrictions, the architects had to ensure that the plans clearly delineated the old and the new. “We ended up drawing inspiration from the historic London townhomes where you see the modernist interventions and it’s clear what's what,” says Brooks Walker, the firm's principal.
His team ended up taking the home down to the studs. “California is an earthquake zone, so we had to bring it up to code,” says Walker, who removed the stucco and plaster exterior and added steel to reinforce the foundation. The decorative wooden cornices and columns were replaced with fiberglass reproductions. Even with these changes, Walker was able to "keep the historical fabric of the home intact," so the palatial white structure looks much the same today as it did when it was built in the 1920s.
Despite the interior palette's "mousy" inspiration, the decor is but. Warner chose muted colors that bring a sense of airiness and lightness into the home, which complements the architecture gives the owners' art collection a “more magnetic, dominant presence." While the end result is undoubtedly grown-up, it's still surprisingly kid-friendly, says Warner. Read on for her tips for creating a sophisticated space that the whole family can enjoy.
Be Smart About Materials
“We relied on a lot of leather, indoor-outdoor fabrics and natural materials like wood and ceramic that are wipeable,” says Warner. Because the homeowners also have cats, she avoided materials that could be easily destroyed by claws, like looped rugs and bouclés.
Don’t Shy Away From Vintage
The designer integrated plenty of vintage pieces, but made sure to use items made from child-friendly materials like mohair and canvas. "I think it can be an opportunity to teach your kids about how to take care of nice things and appreciate the environment they are in," she says.
It's OK to Invest in Fine Art
One of the most breathtaking pieces in the home is a mural by New York artist Judith Baum. “She does incredible large-scale, site-specific geometric pieces in charcoal with her fingers. They are so amazing and have such a beautiful presence," says Warner. While a charcoal wall mural might sound like a no-go with kids, Warner made it practically indestructible by coating it with a matte, water-based sealant.
Depending on the age of a client's kids, Warner also suggests placing valuable framed pieces up high where little hands can't reach it, and staying away from breakable sculptures.
Choose Furniture That Brings You Closer
The kitchen is where the family eats most of the meals, so Warner picked De La Espada's "Together Table," which is narrower than a standard dining table to encourage people to gather more closely. The chairs, made from are molded black leather are “super comfortable” and spill-proof as well.
Nesting Tables or Bust
In the family room, Warner went with a deep B&B Italia sectional that’s the “perfect lounging sofa” and nesting tables in lieu of a traditional coffee table. “We love doing nesting tables can easily slide under one another to provide more open floor space for play time,” she says.
Add a Pop of Color
While a neutral palette dominates most of the house, Warner opted to bring some color into the girls' bedroom via a painted blue stripe on the wall behind the beds and "incredible handmade modern quilts" in rainbow hues.
Use Work-hard, Play-Hard Items
Warner made sure that the pieces in the third-floor playroom were extra-durable, like a travertine coffee table that could easily withstand a child standing on it, molded mohair chairs, and a super-forgiving modular sofa.
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