Madson Design Project Gallery - Whole House Remodel, South San Francisco, Ca.

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		Bay Area Modern Project scope: Whole house remodel Construction completed: Summer 2012 General contractor: Gerry LaBeck: Sierra Cascade Builders Landscape Design: Carolyn Price: East Bay Botanicals Color Consultant: Anna Cesario: Saucy Design Interior Tile Supplier: Artistic Tile & Stone Location: South San Francisco, California What began as a straightforward 'updating' to this 1968 suburban tract home evolved over time into a complete re-envisioning. The result was an 'organic contemporary' aesthetic, alluding to both the home's vintage and to a Bay Area aesthetic of minimalism and clean geometry implemented with natural materials. The project scope was to turn a four bedroom, two bath home into a three bedroom/ three bath home. Additionally there was a substandard existing basement addition that was to be incorporated into the conditioned area of the home, adding one more bedroom and bathroom. The family room, kitchen, and dining area were all low-ceiling, dark rooms, isolated from each other. We removed the majority of walls, raised the ceilings, and added windows, doors, and skylights to locations that took best of advantage of the available natural light. The exterior was to be fully transformed also, including a new hardscape and landscape layout. The style is modern yet warm and textural; clean-lined and minimalist, yet not without some reflections of vintage aesthetics. Wood, glass, and stone were used carefully to create airy, open, comfortable spaces that flow seamlessly from one to the next, while still providing a sense of enclosure and embrace. Sight lines and framing of views provide a sense of ease and flow, while macro- and micro- echoes of geometric motifs convey a sense of play throughout. Client's Testimonial - Click Here to View

				Project Gallery BEFORE: Front elevation AFTER: Front elevation Although the home's footprint was retained, with only the addition of a cantilevered window seat in the front master bedroom, the exterior materials, windows, doors, roofing, deck were replaced. New Alumatherm aluminum windows, Jeld Wen doors, smooth finish stucco with integral color. Windows were rearranged to a more integral composition that helps tie the exterior together. New low-maintenance arid climate landscaping replaces the Astroturf 'lawn'. The existing steps are clad in California Gold 12x12 slate. Existing retaining walls are painted to match the new stucco. Front elevation Front elevation Front elevation Existing roof eave overhangs remained, but the old plywood sheathing was replaced with 6" T&G redwood. This, with the redwood-sided deck, adds warmth and texture to the minimalist aesthetic, complimenting and echoing the hills and forest beyond. Front deck Although there was a front patio in the original house, a new deck was added to it, extending it out from the house to an acute angle, like a ship's prow. This affords one a greater view of the valley and bay beyond. Redwood planks, 2x6, were installed with a 3/4" gap between them, to accent the geometry and to provide horizontal 'pull' counterbalance to the new vertical emphasis of the windows, stucco screed lines, and chimney. Front entry & steps The existing steps up to the original porch were retained, but clad in California Gold 12x12 slate. A built-in bench is provided beside the front door for shoe removal. The existing brick chimney remains, with the 1960s brick layout providing a textural counterbalance to the otherwise smooth surfaces. The chimney's new color scheme makes it a strong centering feature to the rambling exterior layout, as well as creating a strong vertical counterpoint to the home's horizontal lines. New steps & retaining wall New broad steps and a finished concrete retaining wall have replaced the tiled ramp that led to the porch steps. Steps clad in California Gold slate. BEFORE: Family room prior to the remodel The eight foot ceiling and most interior walls were removed. AFTER: View from same location Remodeled Family room, Wet bar, and Kitchen beyond. The ceiling was vaulted, and all rooms were opened to each other. Remodeled Family room, Wet bar, and Kitchen beyond BEFORE: Family room and entry beyond, prior to remodel Most of interior wall visible here was removed, along with the ceiling. AFTER: View from same location. Remodeled Family room, Dining area, and Front entry Dining room hutches with glass doors and square glass 'sidelites' at each glass shelf enhances the effect of a porous and open environment. Natural light may stream through cabinet at an angle, illuminating the displayed items. View of Family room & Dining area from Media room BEFORE: View of Family room before the remodel AFTER: View of Family room after the remodel, same location Sunlight from skylight grazes the fireplace face, emphasizing texture and pattern. New family room View from Family room to Media room beyond Built-in bench at Entry Shoe storage below. Cherry post and recessed crown molding, also cherry. Bench top: Zimbabwe Black granite, leather finish. Back and sides: maple. Media room beyond. Media Room Entry to media room from family room. Originally an unused and isolated living room, this new media room has become a centrally located hub of the household. Two walls were removed, opening the room to the hallway and great room. The ceiling was raised by 18", the 45 degree tray framed in cherry trim, flush with the ceiling drywall. A Fanimation Torto ceiling fan echoes the circular motif of the adjacent cabinetry. Media room cabinetry View from hall. Open display shelves both help delineate the media room from the hall, but also allow both to be open to each other, creating a balance between openness and enclosure. Bookshelves below the open shelves use the available space well, and help distinguish the hallway as more than just a walk through space. Side view of media cabinet Media room on one side, hallway to the bedrooms on the other. Inset (flush) cherry ceiling trim unobtrusively delineate spaces. Fry Reglet ceiling and wall reveals accent/ highlight the geometry. Media room cabinet Central in the home's layout, this dramatic piece of cherry and maple is visible from all directions--the front entry, the great room, the kitchen, and of course is central to the media room and hall. It comprehensively embodying the home's motifs in its design and materials, and so serves as a full-bodied recapitulation of the more understated motive touches repeated elsewhere. Media room view to Family room & Wet bar beyond View through to the main room, where the circular theme is repeated in the wet bar upper cabinet. AFTER: Front elevation Stepped cabinetry frame the finished concrete slab fireplace. The square of the fireplace surround, the cherry niches, and the windows provide counterpoint to the circular features. View of Kitchen from family room Previously an isolated room, the kitchen is now open to the rest of the house. An 8' ceiling defines the kitchen's area, and the curved island anchors it. The Pele pendant lights repeat the circular motif of the home. New kitchen The new series of windows extending to the corner emphasize the diagonal views of this room. Diagonal sightlines in a rectangular or square layout increase the perception of spaciousness. Curved cabinetry assist the ergonomic flow to the workspace as well as allowing greater ease of movement from one area to another (less corners, less obstructions). Floor to ceiling dining room hutch at right defines kitchen boundary. BEFORE: Original kitchen AFTER: New kitchen View from same location. Island includes raised counter for casual dining, etc. 'Waterfall' granite on the raised portion compliments both the flow and colors of the great room. The task-level countertop, 'Antique Brown' granite, provides dramatic contrast with the light maple cabinetry. Beyond, a glass block backsplash adds more natural light to the space. Kitchen island Cherry niches with maple face frame and cherry baseboard, all with a natural finish. The four squares echo the four square motif found elsewhere inside and outside the home. Island overhang & brackets Custom designed and fabricated metal brackets. Cherry below countertop, then curved maple face, then cherry baseboard. Dark-light-dark. Kitchen island Glass tiles in custom-designed pattern between upper and lower counter. The stepped counter layout provides space for outlets, as well as potentially shielding view of task area from family room and dining area. The Antique Brown granite's leather finish contributes some texture to a room with otherwise smooth surfaces. The lack of gloss helps enhance the 'pop' of the glass tiles. Twin dining room hutches beyond. Square 'windows' in hutch sides, glazed with obscure (crossreed pattern) glass, allows natural light from front patio door to illuminate the cabinet interior. View of kitchen from laundry/ mudroom A series of three skylights help to bath the kitchen in natural light. Radiused shelves at cabinet ends (cherry interior, maple face) add a sense of fluidity this minimalist space. BEFORE: Front bedroom before remodel AFTER: Front bedroom after remodel, same location Foursquare window pattern as repeated elsewhere. New window seat alcove. Cherry niches provide space for books, laptop, or blankets within reach for someone ensconced at the window seat. The ceiling was raised, increasing the perception of spaciousness. Three small windows were added to the west wall for more natural light. As elsewhere, cherry crown molding, flush with the wall, is set off with a Fry Reglet reveal, adding a clean line enhancement to the geometry of each space. Built-in dresser/ nightstand Open shelves for night reading, etc. A matching cabinet, in mirrored reverse, is on the opposite side of the bed. Front Master bathroom There are three bathrooms on the main floor: two master baths and one guest bath. I themed these three upon the home's natural surroundings and views. This first, shown here, was based on the colors and textures of land, the second on shoreline and beaches, the third on the ocean. A stone tiled window seat with capacious towel drawer below frames one's view upon entry. The adjacent curved shower seat is visually and materially a unit with the window seat. Front Master bathroom shower A pebble floor in the shower, along with the woodgrain-patterned porcelain tiles, add tactile pleasure to this shower space. Copious light from the glass block wall, along with the pebble floor, enhance the sense of showering in a natural, out-of-doors setting. Front Master bathroom shower The vertical emphasis of this accent wall of mosaic glass tiles provides counterbalance to the alternating courses of porcelain tiles on either adjacent wall. Shower transition detail A glass partition distinguishes the shower seat from the window seat. A curved shower curb ties in with the transition point below. Front master bathroom vanity A counter to ceiling 'backsplash' of mosaic glass tile above the vanity accents this alcove. A frameless mirror 'floats' before it. 'River White' granite vanity top. Inset maple medicine cabinet adjacent. Wall-mounted faucet and controls keep the counter visually clutter free and easier to clean. BEFORE: Hall bath prior to remodel AFTER: Hall bath after remodel This bathroom was inspired by seaside colors, textures, and materials: Kelp, pebbles, sand. Large porcelain tiles clad the shower/ tub interior. A vertical accent strip of pebbles, intersects the awning window. Square glass tiles in the shower/tub niches. Hall bath double vanity A pebble backsplash provides textural counterpoint to the floating mirror. Glass tile strip echoes shower accent. 'Ubatuba' granite countertop contrasts with light-hued maple cabinetry. Inset maple medicine cabinet above. BEFORE: Hallway to back bedroom AFTER: Hallway to back master bedroom, same location New closets take advantage of hall area. Window beyond beckons/ creates sightline. BEFORE: Back bedroom prior to remodel AFTER: Back master bedroom, same location Where the old closet was is now a wall of cascading maple and cherry cabinetry. Three new windows above. A custom designed bed, of curved cherry posts and solid maple, is framed by two new windows facing the backyard. Back master bedroom Cascading/ stepped cabinetry of maple and cherry. New master bathroom beyond. New sloped tray ceiling. Back master bath Awash with the colors and textures of the ocean, this master bath provides a soothing space equipped with a large (48" square) soaking tub. A transparent fabric dimmable light fixture above anchors the space. Porcelain floor tiles, evoking a sandy ocean floor, clad the tub surround and shower seat. 'Barely blue' Glasshues glass tiles cover the three walls of the shower/tub area. Wall niche tiles capture the varied hues of ocean froth and waves. Back master bath shower An open shower adjacent to the tub. Island stone pebbles add texture. Glass block as well as a skylight bath the room in natural light. Back master bath vanity Continuing the home's theme on the interplay of light and dark, the maple cabinetry is accented with cherry towel niches and drawers. Above, a glass tile backsplash of frothy ocean hues highlights a 'floating' mirror. A two-door linen cabinet to the left of the mirror allows maximum access. To the right, a frosted glass wall maintains privacy for the lavatory while still keeping the space feeling light and open. Accessible from the lavatory side are open shelves for toilet paper. Back master bath vanity The large 'floating' mirror adds to the sense of spaciousness in this room, without overwhelming it. Wall-mounted faucets and controls maintain a visual cleanness to the countertop. The countertop is ancient ocean bed, with embedded fossils. Ceiling reveals outline the room perimeter, adding a clean geometry, and contributing a weightless feel to the ceiling.


		email: james@madsondesign.com