A Labor of Love

A 6,000-square-foot work of art started life as a circa 1959 ranch house.

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The end result, however, proves that the time, effort, and expense paid off. One reason the home stands out is the commitment shown by architect and client to use specialist artisan craftspeople. Among them was Oakland–based metal fabricator Walter Craven, whose work included the entrance gate, the front door, the flue, and the stair railings. Two master painters worked on the delicate Venetian plasterwork. “Nothing is standard, and everything was custom-made,” explains Cynthia.

With its soaring double-height ceiling and curved opaque glass wall, the funnel-shaped powder room is worthy of an architectural monograph of its own. A mix of woods—pear, Brazilian cherry, and Douglas fir—used in the flooring, millwork, and beams lends warmth to all the interiors, as do several beautiful built-ins, including a set of curved surfboard-shaped shelves.

The furniture was chosen to complement rather than compete with the home’s complex architectural vocabulary. “We didn’t want to add another layer, but the furniture had to be robust enough to stand up to the architecture,” says interior designer Maria Tenaglia. Pieces were sourced from Belmar, Berman Rosetti, and Ted Boerner, among others. Cynthia is particularly fond of the Christian Liaigre/Holly Hunt coffee table in the family room.