North Beach Flat

• About the project

  This was a classic example of North Beach architecture.  The design work was an exercise in how to make a small space feel larger and work well.  The existing third floor flat, built in 1912, contains some very nice period details.  The living room includes box-beam ceilings, a tall painted wainscott, parquet wood floor and elaborate window and door trims.

  However, similar to other North Beach architecture we’ve encountered, the living room was isolated from the rest of the unit.  From the kitchen, one had to walk through a narrow doorway to enter the living room.  There was a small breakfast nook located at one end of the kitchen, but no other dining area.

  Guests felt like they were eating in the kitchen, and similarly to the living room, this space also felt small and isolated.

  North Beach Architecture – Making Space

  We removed the breakfast nook, relocated a small laundry closet, and made the kitchen layout more compact and efficient.  In doing so, we were able to create a whole new dining room.  This new room opens to both the living room and kitchen.  We chose to replicate the living room details in the dining room to create a visual consistency between the spaces.  Once the laundry closet was removed, we were able to add light well windows to the dining room.  Though small, the space feels surprisingly spacious.  We were able to conceal venting from the two units below within new dining room built-ins.

  The kitchen shares some details with the dining room.  Here, too, the visual consistency makes the space feel larger and connected.  We were able to locate the sink next to an existing property line window with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

  By being clever with our space planning, we were also able to add a second, small guest bath to the unit.  Here, we went with a classic palette of marble, neutral colors, and classic fixtures.  We added a new skylight and coved ceiling to make the small bath feel bigger than it really is.

  We also added a new four-section, stained-glass skylight above the entry stair.  A new chandelier was centered on the skylight.  This chandelier not only provides a strong first impression to the space, but it also adds formality and much needed light to the stairwell.