The challenge of living in an old property with great (albeit worn-out) structure is determining when and how to breathe new life into it. For a couple in San Francisco, the turning point came when their kitchen was on the brink of demise, described by interior designer Christine Lin as “nonresponsive.” The house, built in 1906 in Shingle style, is home to the couple, who are now empty nesters with grown children, residing in one of the three flats. Christine, the founder of San Francisco-based Form + Field design studio, was recommended to them through a mutual contact. The couple’s love for the home as their forever sanctuary clashed with the dismal state it was in. Dysfunctional layouts, lackluster bathrooms, and weary walls prompted them to revitalize the home while respecting its heritage.
The vision was an artist’s retreat filled with collected treasures. “Since the clients are both artists, we envisioned a space with vibrant colors and patterns,” says Christine. She first focused on updating the original Shingle-style architecture with cleaner elements. Drawing inspiration from their past trip to Italy, the couple’s love for rich colors and warmth influenced the palette. This palette was brought to life with their existing furniture, the husband’s photography, and the couple’s art collection, previously understated. Christine, along with designers Gabrielle Barnard-Eads and Claire Riordan, introduced vintage pieces to enhance the space, displayed on custom shelves in the kitchen alongside the couple’s cherished book collection. “The wife often writes in there, so creating a cozy atmosphere was essential,” notes Christine.