A multi-unit home in San Francisco was redesigned to accommodate a growing family and updated circulation needs and an eclectic collection of art and music. Working with both existing and found elements on a backdrop of custom furniture and tile work, each bedroom and bathroom magnified their creative personalities. On the main floor, the updated entry with a unique glass stair rail opens to a vast entertaining environment with a double-sided fireplace feature and brightly colored kitchen at it’s center. Custom tile layouts and integrated display areas recall the families interest in textile art and colorful collections of fiesta pottery and local artists, working together to lift the spirit on grey bay area beach days.

Architect: Simon Kwan

Project Partner: Landed Interiors

Photographer: Aubrie Pick

Publication: California Home and Design

Collaborators: Fireclay Tile, Osborne & Little, Schoolhouse Electric, Parachute Home, KaiMade Woodworking, Michael Mellon and Ben Winslow, Chambers Art & Design

Single family historic home on San Francisco’s Bernal Hill currently under construction with completion date in the Spring of 2025. Whole house remodel in collaboration with the client’s artistic and historic vision to breathe authentic Victorian details and quality craftsmanship into a home that once stood alone as one of the first homes on the hill prior to the 1906 earthquake. The property boasts a deep lot size for the area which includes a 300 year old redwood tree and views of the bay from upper floors which will be captured with oversized sliding door systems and a new open plan at the back.

Architect: Selander Architects

Contractor: Norwood Construction

Family and Child Empowerment Services (FACES) school and administrative offices got the upgrade they have been asking for. Located in key areas in San Francisco with the mission to provide care for all including after school programs, they are a dedicated, caring and fun group of teachers and community leaders. With a cohesive design across all sites following in-depth interviews and assessments, the teaching staff break areas and offices for the executive team take on a calm and productive feel for the much needed break in their active days.

Photographer: Jean Bai (Konstrukt Photo)

Collaborators: Room & Board, Blu Dot, Flooring Solutions Inc., Bay City Plumbing, HF Custom Cabinetry, Chambers Art & Design

Located in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District is a new kind of beauty studio, launched with the owners vision to redefine the industry standards from the client’s overall experience, strict product vetting and the circular economy principal when addressing the beauty industries waste problem.

The design of this space uplifted Wabi Sabi Beauty’s vision with maximum natural light, earthy tones and a flexible modular partition system. Special design and fabrication considerations took place with the knowledge that as the business evolved or changed course every component can be reconfigured or re-purposed with zero waste. Heavyweight canvas sourced from Thread International and sewn locally felt like the perfect fit with added sound absorbing benefits and ‘people first supply chains’ values. The final touch was an indoor hanging garden which created a calm and clean air atmosphere, the kind of retreat from city life that this business wanted to offer.

A subtle yet special detail in collaboration with the owner’s vision addresses a shift in how beauty care is experienced, moving away from the traditionally stimulating hair experience to one of insight and retreat. Custom sound absorbing panels paired with adjustable mirror coverings that disappear into the wall, hidden phone charging stations and integrated sounds of nature encourage clients to drop into quietude without the distraction of technology, their own reflection or that of others and outside noise.

Business: Wabi Sabi Beauty

Tenet Representation + Consultant: Arthur Moretti + Creative Space

Photographer:Suzanna Scott Photography

Collaborators: Chambers Art & Design, Thread International, Blu Dot, Garza Marfa, Room & Board, Califo Electric, Bay City Plumbing, HandyLinc Property Maintenance

Welcome to the fantastic world of Appetite Engineers, a design studio in San Francisco lead by renown Visual Artist Martin Venezky. The design for this workplace is ripe with inspiration drawn from Martin’s playful work, each detail a special opportunity to reflect, amplify or capture his art and vision.

Collaborators: Pseudo Studio, Chambers Art & Design, Martin Venezky

Surrounded by old growth redwoods on a steep slope north of the Golden Gate Bridge, this California craftsman is currently under a major transformation. Updated materials, layout and orientation to the outdoors all underscore the larger need to bring this home up to code.

Adding a functional garage and creating an entry courtyard that is both safe and inviting, updating the building envelope to meet the latest wildfire requirements and most importantly addressing the health concerns of wildfire smoke, air circulation, filtration and humidity control all contribute to an optimal living environment for this young family.

Collaborators: Inkwell Engineers (Structural), Kevel Home Performance (HVAC system), Gazzoli Construction (GC)

A 1970’s cabin in the Sierra Foothills currently under renovation. Due for completion Summer 2025 this 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath cabin rests on gently sloping acreage among an old growth oaks and cedar forest. Not far from the property is a significant MiWok chaw’se or limestone grinding rock along the creek used for grinding acorns into what was a food staple for local tribes. Integrated decking, landscaping features and an exterior overhaul will make this a stand-out home in the area while quieter moments pay respect to the first peoples of the area and a slower way of life.

Located in the heart of San Francisco's Castro neighborhood, the Healing Arts Building housed multiple practices including Reiki, Accupuncture, Somatic Healing and Upper Cervical Chiroprators within a historical Victorian home.  Reception and circulation areas are tied together with a focus on soundproofing and Feng Shui principles to help create a warm and welcoming environment for patients and staff.  Custom furniture was built using sustainable materials by local fabricators.

Collaborators:Pseudo Studio (woodwork), Chambers Art + Design (metalwork), Ed Ng (Brand Identity + Signage)

With views of Richardson Bay, a Marina with sailboats, houseboats and their fresh fish restaurants, a well traveled bicycle route to the greater Marin area and chic boutiques, Sausalito is home to some of the most interesting historical seaside abodes and the artists whom live and thrive in this special community.

For this Historical home to work for the artist the entire home was lifted and a new front porch and garage converted to support a large studio, new bathroom and kitchenette area. The idea was to create a feeling of retreat that was completely separate from the home where deep creative work takes place.

Due to strict building codes, windows were not possible. Creative lighting installations strategically placed, oversized mirrors and large carriage-style garage doors for natural light is all that was needed. This lighting scheme strategically paired recessed gimbal ceiling lights together, a step away from traditional layouts, which doubled the amount of output resulting in a space that was both bright and playful.

Final touches included a custom desk and shelving designs using up-cycled materials from a local tear-down and fabricated by local woodworkers keeping the history of this place as a working community of artisans in tact.

Collaborators: Caleb Sydlaske Woodworking (Furniture), Inkwell Engineers (Structural), Kevel Home Performance (HVAC system), Gazzoli Construction (GC)

Tied to a section of an old corral once active with cattle and ranchers, colored plexiglas now brings contemplative life to dead grasses and big sky.  Inspiration of such light effects came from the stained glass window reflections that dance on the floor of Marjorie and Dick's 'Early Church' space, a ritual and gathering of good friends unique to this place in America.  In the early morning when the sun rises in the east, colors are projected onto the hard earth of this Oklahoma Ranch: as routine as the sun and where Early Church isn't just on Sundays, it's a way of life.

First Image:  "This was Sunday morning at sunup, and the work that Andrea donated to all the cows in Oklahoma was beautiful so I thought I would share.  It is called 'The Quilt'. Dick"

Location: Tyrone, OK

Collaborators:  Dick (Materials Expert + Workshop)

Taste is a complete branding and Interior Design project for an urban Chinese tea café and shop in San Francisco's Hayes Valley.  The objective was to introduce the traditions of Chinese tea and lifestyle into this urban fast-paced recreation hub by way of subtle sensory design elements and Feng Shui. 

Design elements such as circulation, sound mitigation, lighting and material, product display and packaging design, weave together to create an experience of calm and relaxation.  For the tea novice it is a place to slow down and explore, while for the enthusiast it is an oasis.

Design with the environment as a priority:  Salvaged floorboards and woodworking scraps repurposed as wall coverings and screens, factory surplus hemp fiber upholstery chosen for seating areas, and custom designed multi-use modular furniture box systems all serve to contribute to a sustainable, chic style. The fabricators and artisans who helped realize this project all work and live in San Francisco.

Business: Taste Tea, LLC

Publication: The Bold Italic

Collaborators: EdNg (Branding + Identity), Pseudo Studio (Wood), Chambers Art + Design (Metal), Sewn Sonoma (upholstery) Daniel Garcia (Tea Bar)

This single family home was purchased as an investment in the heart of Napa, California with the idea that as the owners aged the location and layout would be an ideal home to spend their retirement together.

With accessibility in mind a complete layout overall took place. Walls were opened up, bathrooms added and redesigned with curb-less showers, a deep soaking tub and thoughtful grab bar placement. The front porch was also expanded to include a discrete ramp and handrail to the driveway hidden behind a screened fence design and landscaping placement.

For this home to be both attractive to renters and a retreat for the owners a central living room fireplace was added and less efficient spaces were converted into luxurious suites that open to a private garden out back. The most impactful change however was reconfiguring the kitchen to also access the garden via a ramp and full glass door complete with updated cabinetry and countertops to maximize light and efficiency.

Final touches include hand made ceramic wall sconces, Greek inspired textiles and artwork and drought resistant Mediterranean landscaping for this Greek homeowner to feel right at home.

Collaborators: Inkwell Engineers (Structural), JMC Valley Construction (GC), HandyLinc Property Maintenance (Art + Furniture Installation)

Coro Northern California is a non-profit organization who’s mission is to “train, support, and connect leaders to foster a thriving democracy and tackle society’s biggest challenges together.” Kearns & West is an established collaboration and strategic communications firm in San Francisco with projects on both local and national levels.

This project brought the challenge of two groups sharing a space with most needs overlapping but some areas having specific differences. A cohesive design scheme created a space that felt as one and private zones such as call rooms, conferencing and break areas helped specialized work for each team.

Environmental and budget constraints were met by minimizing construction and demolition costs of the walls and glass partitions and leaning into modular desk layouts and smaller bespoke partitions that doubled as storage or display.

Collaborators: Pivot Interiors (office furniture), HF Custom Cabinetry (custom shelving), Blu Dot (furnishings)