SkB Architects Transforms This Worldly Craftsman-Style Home

By Michael McCarthy By Michael McCarthy | December 2, 2024 | Home & Real Estate, Feature,

A Bay Area family designs a home that reminds them of their many travels.

The kitchen is perfect for entertaining.

THE PROJECT

Our homes provide the setting for the film of our lives, but they also offer the chance to dream and remember. That’s the premise behind a single-family home in the Bay Area whose owners love to be inspired by their many travels. The 8,000-square-foot Craftsman-style home needed a significant facelift, but the couple also wanted to maintain its historic charm while weaving in modern elements.

The main living area features a relaxed island aesthetic.

THE TEAM

The homeowners selected SkB Architects (skbarchitects.com), led by architect and founding partner Shannon Gaffney, for the project. “Through the buildings and spaces we craft, we strive to leave a positive mark on the world with humility, passion and optimism,” says Gaffney. “We wanted to bring an uplifting and light attitude to this space. We purposefully chose lighter, sunny and uplifting tones that were more on the muted side. Golden hues that play well with cool and warm-washed wood tones create a stand-out color story that is apparent but not in your face.”

Shannon Gaffney and her team from SkB Architects brilliantly blended indoor and outdoor living spaces.

THE PLAN

The SkB team redesigned the main living area, dining room, kitchen, primary bedrooms, guest bedrooms, patios and cottage. “We needed to revitalize the space and do something new, as various remodels attempted to capture a modern interior setting, leaving the space feeling sleek and soulless,” says Gaffney. “You won’t see a room that is specifically themed. There are no bold colors to represent a particular country or region. Rather than making this a literal interpretation, we chose some pieces because of their regionalism and the craftsman from that area, like the Bomma (bomma.cz) handmade crystal lights that are standout pieces that create a distinct mood.”

Since the Craftsman house boasted a new modern addition, Gaffney says her team had to strike a balance between the historic aesthetic and contemporary elements.

The design team carved out space for a breakfast nook.

LIVING AREAS

For each room, Gaffney says her team aimed for multifunctional space with versatility, a space for family gatherings or a workspace for colleagues. “We wanted something that can function and form to various needs, supporting the idea of each room having its own slightly different feeling,” she says.

Throughout the home, SkB preserved the original polished limestone flooring, enhancing its warmth while accentuating the unique quirks and character of the historic property. “Things like the diamond-shaped divided light windows with leaded glass were exaggerated features that paired well with varying woods, some sunny and refined—especially in the main house—while others, particularly in the cottage, are more rustic,” says Gaffney. “The main house becomes more lighthearted, while the cottage is a bit moody.”

The home benefits from incredible views, especially from an outdoor dining area.

The main living area features a relaxed and casual island vibe while the cottage feels like a getaway from the main house. “This is done through materiality and coloration to ensure each zone or area gives you a different feeling,” says Gaffney.

Standout pieces include a Cassina (cassina.com) table in the living room, a custom bench seating and a Moroso (moroso.it) Mathilda chair in the kitchen, an Ethnicraft (ethnicraft.com) table and Sibast (sibast-furniture.com) chair in the dining room and a Roche Bobois (roche-bobois.com) Bubble sofa and Sossego (sossegodesign.com) Duda bar stool in the den. The cottage boasts a Nanimarquina (nanimarquina.com) area rug crafted from tres vegetal hemp.

Natural hues grace the primary suite.

HOW THE HOME IS LIVING

“We want to think they’re happy in the home and will be there for a long time,” says Gaffney, knowing that her team established a gorgeous foundation for the family as they live daily and dream about their next trip.

The home’s cottage offers the family a reminder of one of their many vacation journeys.