Old-World Luxury in the San Francisco Hills
Traditional furnishings and muted colours complement European architecture in a beautifully remodelled 1912 house
Up a series of steep and winding streets, Ashbury Heights sits at the top of a hill behind San Francisco’s famous Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. This beautiful neighborhood is full of stunning houses, each with its own history and style, including this stunning home by Candace Barnes. Barnes, a San Francisco designer and antiques dealer, remodeled the 1912 house for her family, creating a timeless, traditional style to fit her amazing collection of antiques. A foggy, city-inspired color palette and European-inspired architecture combine with 18th- and 19th-century antiques to create this lovely home.
Houzz at a Glance
Designed for: Candace Barnes and her family
Location: Ashbury Heights neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 2,800 square feet; 3 1/2 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Designed for: Candace Barnes and her family
Location: Ashbury Heights neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 2,800 square feet; 3 1/2 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
Barnes opened up the house to create a light-filled, functional environment. Replacing the dilapidated windows and doors with high European-style versions brought in more light, and antique Indian and Syrian mirrors with mother-of-pearl and bone reflect it around this open dining space.
The muted colour palette found its inspiration in the Ashbury Heights setting, mimicking the foggy tones of San Francisco’s skies. “The colours really reflect the subtle nuances of the environment here,” says Barnes. The pale gray oak herringbone floors add to the ambience.
The kitchen has the same luxe look as the rest of the house, although the cabinetry adds a dark twist. A bank of cabinets over the sink originally took up significant visual space and blocked the light. Barnes took off those cabinets and designed the new ceiling-high cabinets on the right.
Countertop: honed limestone; cabinetry: custom, Candace Barnes Design; sink, faucet: Kohler
Countertop: honed limestone; cabinetry: custom, Candace Barnes Design; sink, faucet: Kohler
Built-in shelves in the entry display a collection of antique books. An early-19th-century Biedermeier pedestal table and a 19th-century bronze chandelier with serpents complete the home's grand and traditional welcoming area.
Most of the home's furniture came from Barnes' antiques shop, including this beautiful art deco alabaster chandelier in the living room.
The fireplace at the end of this room makes the long space feel cozier. Barnes had an 18th-century limed oak fireplace surround installed to tie in with the home's old-world style.
The master bedroom feels luxuriously soothing, with its soft palette and sunlight. In lieu of a headboard, Barnes used an antique chinoiserie screen in black and gold. A pair of art deco bronze tables with black marble tops ties the dark feature with rest of the decor.
Ottomans: custom; drapes: custom, silk; chandelier: antique
Ottomans: custom; drapes: custom, silk; chandelier: antique
The antique furniture was carefully chosen to complement the home's European-inspired architecture. "Once the home was complete, architecturally, it felt like it could stand alone," says Barnes. "It didn't call for a lot of enhancements and decorations."
Toward the back of the house, the lower level behind the garage was completely excavated to create this family room and a split bathroom. The fireplace opens up to the patio.
A plush custom sofa designed by Barnes is the perfect spot for warming up next to the fireplace. Barnes chose a large painting by Linda Christensen for the room's large wall.
Table: John Hutton original custom coffee table; rug: sisal, Stark Carpet; artwork: "Turning Away,” by Linda Christensen
Table: John Hutton original custom coffee table; rug: sisal, Stark Carpet; artwork: "Turning Away,” by Linda Christensen
The fireplace connecting the indoors and outdoors warms the downstairs patio, too. New cushions update the antique patio furniture for everyday use.
Patio tile: Peacock Pavers
Patio tile: Peacock Pavers
The home previously had just a beautiful two-story Japanese maple outside; Barnes used it as a base for the rest of the landscape. A pagoda-style bamboo entry gate leads visitors to an entry path lined with camellias, ferns and a 20-foot wall of bamboo specimens.
Ashbury Heights is one of San Francisco’s more eclectic neighbourhoods, with homes ranging from Victorian to midcentury. “It’s a very unique neighbourhood,” says Barnes. “Every house has a personality.”
Tell us:
What did you think of the house? Write in Comments below.
Tell us:
What did you think of the house? Write in Comments below.