In the bustling San Francisco residential real estate market, making hasty decisions is often a necessity for homebuyers.
For Sarah and Robert, house hunting in 2019 presented its own set of challenges. Coming from the Upper Haight and with an established list of priorities including outdoor space and proximity to Grattan Elementary, the couple inadvertently found themselves drawn to a 115-year-old Edwardian house that seemed to embody their dreams.
However, what appeared to be an ideal home featured some unforeseen quirks, such as a makeshift bedroom accessed through a precarious set of stairs and a basement room with low ceilings and limited heating.
Despite moments of hesitation, the couple was captivated by the potential of the property, convincing themselves that it could meet their family’s needs. Robert recalls the hopeful optimism during the open house, saying, “You talk yourself into a lot of things.”
After moving in, the couple quickly realized the logistical nightmare of fitting a bed into the attic’s narrow stairwell.
With two kids aged three and six, they made do with the original bedrooms, creatively outfitting the space with twin beds and tents for privacy. But as time passed, they knew changes were required.
Fortunately, they had a talented architect friend, Dan Spiegel, to help them reimagine their living space. Spiegel, of the firm Spiegel Aihara Workshop (SAW), was no stranger to design challenges.
Having met at Harvard and now teaching at the California College of the Arts, Spiegel and his partner, landscape architect Megumi Aihara, are known for their unique and playful designs.
The couple’s need for more usable space in their home presented a complex puzzle, especially given the house’s limited footprint and the desire to preserve original details such as the brick mantle and box-beam ceilings.
The solution came in the form of a stunning four-story corkscrew staircase designed to connect the old and new spaces.
Spiegel aimed to create a central, interactive area that allowed natural light to flow throughout the house. “We wanted it to be this big moment in the house,” Spiegel explains, illustrating how the staircase serves as both a functional and aesthetic centerpiece.
The staircase, elegantly wrapped in oak, includes a striking three-piece pendant light that illuminates its spiraling form. With this feature in place, the entire layout of the home came together.
The basement was excavated to maximize space, resulting in a bright, functional area with high ceilings that now houses several rooms including a lounge for the children, a guestroom, a music studio, and a laundry space.
Natural light from above pours into the stair landing, making the whole area feel welcoming. Meanwhile, on the main level, the staircase leads directly to the kids’ bedrooms and the spacious kitchen.
A skylight from the original kitchen design adds brightness to the island, while another smaller light source channels natural illumination from the rooftop into the living quarters.
This clever light tunnel, enclosed in perforated metal, mirrors the staircase design, creating continuity throughout the home.
As Sarah recalls, when Spiegel proposed a design to preserve the kitchen skylight, it was a welcome surprise: “Oh, we just make a tunnel.”
The newly expanded upper level includes the primary bedroom, an office, a bathroom, and his-and-hers walk-in closets.
A reading nook crafted from an array of bookshelves creates a cozy corner that the children adore, allowing them to retreat into their own mini-library.
“It’s all of our kids’ favorite place to hang out,” Spiegel shares, noting the shared experiences as families gather for dinners and playdates.
In addition to the architectural improvements, the couple sought the expertise of Oakland-based designer Melanie Love to refine and elevate the interior.
Having established an aesthetic connection through Instagram, Sarah resonated with Love’s knack for blending bold colors and patterns into historic spaces.
During initial consultations, Love introduced a multitude of wallpaper options to better understand Sarah’s design vision. “We always bring a couple dozen wallpaper options just to really get a read of the client,” Love explains.
As the remodeling neared completion, Love’s distinct approach to integrating color and texture into the home produced captivating results.
She introduced a periwinkle blue to the original moldings and brick hearth, while richer hues of plum envelop the ceilings and living room.
In the dining area, floral wallpaper envelops both the walls and ceiling, creating an immersive experience, with vibrant blues echoing throughout various rooms.
“This was a new challenge for me: How do we respect the work of the architect and complement that work while also respecting the history of the house?” Love muses.
Her goals were clearly exceeded as the family settled into their newly transformed home.
Five years later, the house has become a neighborhood hub, with kids frequently arriving from nearby Grattan Elementary, just a short 15-minute stroll away.
Robert proudly mentions that their family has collectively checked out 12,000 books from the Park Branch library within the year, reaffirming the importance of community in their lives.
For Sarah and Robert, what began as a leap of faith turned into a well-planned architectural dream, highlighting the seamless blend of history and modern living in a vibrant city environment.
Their Edwardian home stands not only as a beautifully designed residence but also as a testament to how thoughtful renovations can profoundly enhance family life.
image source from：sfstandard
