A condo in San Francisco's Cow Hollow is transformed into a chic new home for a bachelor who never laid eyes on the space before moving in.
The living room features a sofa from Jean-Marie Massaud and lounge chair from Marcel Wanders.
THE PROJECT
A young businessman purchased a 2,015-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath condo in a brand-new building located in the city’s Cow Hollow neighborhood; he was drawn to the area’s edginess and energy. One issue: He lived in Asia, and the pandemic limited his ability to travel to San Francisco to discuss the scope of the project with the design team.
THE TEAM
Greatly admiring the work of San Francisco-based Applegate Tran Interiors and the artistry of its principals, Vernon Applegate and Gioi Tran, the homeowner chose the duo and their team to transform every inch of the space. This included selecting all furniture, fixtures, finishes and materials—a process Applegate Tran has performed worldwide in addition to art curation and overseeing custom furniture design.
“Everything [for this project] was done virtually,” says Applegate. “We’ve never met the client physically, but he gave us carte blanche,” which enabled the team the freedom to reveal its extensive experience of tackling every aspect of a home. “Our clients appreciate the design process, which is uniquely catered to them and their personalities and creates an elevated, more enjoyable way for them to live or work in their space,” says Tran. “We inspire our clients to reach outside the box and go further than they imagined by introducing creative and unique concepts.”
THE GOALS
“This may sound entirely reductive, but since our communication was all virtual and email-based, our direction was minimal, as was the client’s involvement,” says Applegate, who notes the ultimate goal was to create, deliver and install a chic, sophisticated space that wasn’t bright or trendy. “He wanted edgy, yet timeless— and luxe, yet casual. And the quality of materials was paramount, with a decidedly contemporary twist.”
Warm and neutral tones characterize the office and sitting room, with a dual bookcase and desk from Poliform and drapery from Casamance
LIVING & SITTING ROOMS
“We delivered an incredibly chic and sophisticated space that speaks to a young, single 30-something,” says Tran. “I wouldn’t call this a bachelor pad. It’s a refined, elegant, luxurious space for a fashion-conscious, savvy and sophisticated young homeowner who wasn’t interested in saturated color and was drawn to our use of sculptural and bespoke pieces, textures and highly sophisticated finishes and materials.”
The homeowner was drawn to the Applegate Tran team’s ability to transform rooms into inviting, contemporary living spaces.
The condo’s open floor plan meant all of the selected pieces had to work in concert with each other, regardless of their position on the main level. The Applegate Tran team chose a sofa from Jean-Marie Massaud, a lounge chair from Marcel Wanders, a coffee table from Nido Living and a wall system from Poliform. A custom rug from Safar Rugs lines the room.
A sectional sofa and nesting table from Jean-Marie Massaud.
The sitting room, with its warm tones and inviting vibes, features a sectional sofa and nesting table from Jean-Marie Massaud, a dual bookcase and desk from Poliform and drapery from Casamance.
OWNER’S SUITE
Creating a private sanctuary mattered most in this space, especially for a homeowner who may have endured a long flight or a busy day in the Bay Area. As is the case in the rest of the home, neutral tones and sophisticated details prevail. Phillip Jeffries wallcovering frames the room beautifully, while an accent chair from Rodolfo Dordoni via Minotti and a pouf from Jean-Marie Massaud and mirror from Emmanuel Gallina give the suite dimension and visual vitality. Anchoring the room are a bed from Jean-Marie Massaud and nightstands from Marcel Wanders.
The owner’s suite features a bed from Jean-Marie Massaud
OUTDOOR DECK
Measuring 500 square feet, the outdoor area extends the home’s living space and invites hours of entertaining or private moments. Bonus: The views are breathtaking. First, the Applegate Tran team grounded the space with an area carpet from Kettal and added floral drama with planters from Sutherland. They also added an incredibly comfortable, sturdy and all-weather Mozaix lounge sofa from Royal Botania, inviting hours of relaxation under the stars.
A mirror from Emmanuel Gallina gives the owner’s suite even more dimension
THE OUTCOME
Despite the fact that his team has never worked on a project where interaction and input were minimal, Tran says the result was a testament to the level of trust the client had in their work.
The high contrast of black and white in the en suite bath.
“We feel that this project, which was completed last fall, is unique and indicative of how privacy and the post-COVID world will start to work more and more,” says Tran. Above all, the project is a master class on the firm’s aesthetic of clean and modern lines, luxe materials and finishes, and neutral and tonal color schemes paired with sculptural and bespoke pieces. “We’re always influenced by a more European sensibility and love to use a variety of textures and strategic pops of color that accentuate the vitality of the living space. We cater to clients who love luxury, quality and individuality.”
A 500-square-foot outdoor deck offers hours of relaxation.
DESIGN DETAILS
HOME TYPE
Condo
LOCATION
Cow Hollow, Union House
INTERIOR DESIGN
Applegate Tran Interiors
Arik Levy
Reading light, owner’s suite
Cercle et Trait
Light fixture, living room
Emmanuel Gallina
Mirror, owner’s suite
Jean-Marie Massaud
Sofas and nesting tables, living and sitting rooms
Kettal
Area carpet, outdoor deck
Marcel Wanders
Lounge chair, living room
Muuto
Floor lamp, living room
Nido Living
Coffee table, living room
Phillip Jeffries
Wallcovering, owner’s suite
Poliform
Wall system and bar stools, living room
Rodolfo Dordoni
Accent chair, owner’s suite
Royal Botania
Mozaix lounge sofa, outdoor deck
Safar Rugs
Rug, living room
Sutherland
Planters, outdoor deck
Photography by: PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTOPHER STARK
