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A 1920s house in Berkeley, California with an eclectic European sensibility
In an area of Berkeley in northern California where residents at the turn of the century would have been able to watch the construction of the San Francisco skyline from their porches, a young couple bought what is known as a 1920s ‘Bay Area Craftsman’; a three story redwood-shingle-clad property nestled on the hillside like a treehouse, with a large terraced garden overlooking the San Francisco Bay.
The owners, considering themselves stewards and caretakers, were conscientious about preserving as many of the original architectural details as possible, and making only interior alterations that felt authentic to the house. The wife, a native of Berkeley, who had spent time in France as a child, approached the interior designer Heidi Caillier with a moodboard full of the work of British designers, ‘who are great at combining vibrant colour with cosy elements. We all agreed that we wanted to put a new spin on some classic ideas.’
Heidi, who is based in Seattle, describes her style of decorating as embracing, ‘a love of tension; a play between masculine and feminine, old and new. I don’t like to use the word pretty to describe my work. I want it to feel unexpected, but rooted in tradition. Layered and eclectic.’
The panelled walls were a defining feature of the downstairs rooms, but one that the owners and designer embraced. ‘Working with the dark wood tones of a Craftsman can be tricky. I find the contrast between the deep stain and white paint to be too stark. To make it a little less severe, we covered the frieze area above the panelling in linen. The ceiling in the dining room, between the beams, is painted blush pink for the same reason.’
Just inside the front door, there’s a nook with tall, multi-paned windows and built-in daybeds. The main living area is divided into a sitting room with a fireplace to gather round in the evening, and a ‘listening room’ for playing music and relaxing. ‘We designed a built-in the bench that mimics the existing joinery. This is where they play records and enjoy the dappled sunlight that makes this property so special.’ Gossamer thin bamboo Indian chik blinds were added to diffuse the light and give the space a feeling of warmth and rusticity.
The glossy pink zellige tiles around the fireplace were introduced to make the dark-panelled sitting room feel ‘more youthful and fun’. Instead of a serious Arts and Crafts light fixture, Heidi installed a simple pendant light with a rattan shade, coupled with an antique Indian dhurrie. In the mix are plenty of textiles and furniture from British designers. A Pinch sofa is upholstered in a fabric from Robert Kime, lampshades are Penny Morrison, and an antique table was sourced from Westenholz.
‘I found a couple of spectacular vintage pieces before I had even had a chance to make a full presentation to the owners. I always want a house to feel like it was decorated with a mix of family heirlooms and inherited furniture to lend authenticity. To the clients’ credit, they trusted me enough to let me procure the items based on photos alone. The pomegranate ceramic lamp on the Audoux Minet console in the sitting room is a favourite and was a fantastic find. The hanging pendant light with the ruffled shade in the listening room was another.’
The couple are keen cooks and the design of a kitchen and dining area for convivial gatherings was essential. The space Heidi has designed has definite echoes of the French countryside. ‘They really abide by the tenets of “slow living,” says Heidi. ‘They love to work in the garden and make gorgeous meals together. The couple has a deliberate, intentional lifestyle that I admire.’
The vintage tiles around the LaCanche range were left by the previous owners. Heidi added Devol pendant lights above a new kitchen island from British designer Matthew Cox. Over the dining table a blue-and-white porcelain chandelier is, ‘actually a family heirloom. It works so beautifully in this room with the rush-backed dining chairs upholstered in a rich rose-toned linen.' The final flourish was the addition of copper counters, to ‘add a bit of reflective glow,’ and an antique Tuareg from Mehraban.
‘Because the first floor leans dark, the owners wanted the second floor - which houses a bedroom, bathroom, office and small garden room - to be airy and light. We kept the existing shutters, and chose some very pretty, feminine textiles, like a vintage quilt for the bed and an antique kilim rug in the main bedroom.’
The second-floor hallway is covered in a wallpaper by John Derian, ‘a stunning floral that feels both charming and modern.’ The garden room gets beautiful light and is surrounded on three sides by views of the garden. Heidi installed a casual sitting area and a games table in the corner. ‘It really is a lovely place to play a game of backgammon or curl up and read a book, and, like the rest of this unique and thoughtful home, it’s very reflective of the people who inhabit it.’
'Heidi Caillier: Memories of Home' is published by Rizzoli and available to buy now
Haris Kenjar1/29Built in benches and panelled wooden windows have give the sitting area in the entrance an almost Japanese feeling.
Haris Kenjar2/29Pink zellige tiles around the fireplace are a playful counterpoint to the wood panelling.
Haris Kenjar3/29A vintage Audoux-Minet console sits under a painting by Antonella Radi. The vintage pomegranate lamp has a Penny Morrison shade.
Haris Kenjar4/29The curtains are in a Rose Uniacke fabric and the striped rug is an antique Indian dhurrie.
Haris Kenjar5/29Linen on the walls softens the contrast with the original dark wood
Haris Kenjar6/29The listening room, for lounging or playing records. Adding a built-in bench to the listening room was one of the few changes the homeowners felt strongly about. “Craftsman houses usually have a built-in window seat so this seemed appropriate, and Heidi and our contractor made it look like it had always been there,” the homeowner says. “We incorporated some drawers underneath and having that extra storage is always a plus.” The cushions are covered in Guy Goodfellow fabric while the pillows add pops of color and pattern with Decors Barbares and Robert Kime fabrics. Woven Indian blinds filter the light.
Haris Kenjar7/29Heidi used the same Nicholas Herbert floral print for the bathroom wallpaper, lamp shade, and pillows in the listening room creates a subtle flow of pattern.
Haris Kenjar8/29In a small bathroom an antique French marble sink floats on the wall. The Nicholas Herbert wall covering, antique brass scroll mirror, and Italian sconces continue the old-world feeling. The tiles are from Clé. The taps are from Waterworks.
Haris Kenjar9/29The vintage tilework around the LaCanche range was a design update made by the previous owners of the home. The rug is an antique Tuareg from Mehraban.
Haris Kenjar10/29Warm copper counters compliment vintage tiles.
Haris Kenjar11/29Food and wine are important to the owners, so having ample space to prepare meals was essential. Devol pendants hang above the Matthew Cox island and Apparatus flush mounts add another source of light to the space.
Haris Kenjar12/29Sheer cafe curtains cover he windows.
Haris Kenjar13/29The chair is from Blend Interiors with a Namay Samay textile seat and the lamp is a vintage Italian piece.
Haris Kenjar14/29The blue-and-white chandelier was a family heirloom, tucked away for decades in a parent’s garage, which the owners discovered and had refurbished. The sconces are from Urban Electric.
Haris Kenjar15/29Dining chairs’ brick-hued linen complements the soft blush ceiling. The dining chairs are from Hollywood at Hom. Soane curtains add texture and charm.
Haris Kenjar16/29A John Derian for Cisco Brothers armchair covered in blue-and-white Pierre Frey fabric.
Haris Kenjar17/29A large-scale floral wallpaper from John Derian adds a youthful touch to the upstairs landing. Antiques fill the space from Audoux-Minet sconces to a Swedish bench and a Tuareg rug from Mehraban.
Haris Kenjar18/29Heidie embraced the flood of natural light on the upper floor with an airy palette in the main bedroom.
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Haris Kenjar20/29The primary bedroom is a favorite room of the homeowners, who find the soothing gray green Farrow + Ball Cromarty walls and views looking out to the Bay very peaceful. The artwork is from Casa Gusto.
Haris Kenjar21/29Curtained French doors hide an office nook.
Haris Kenjar22/29The garden room, where the owners love to sit and have coffee in the morning, gives off a light, happy energy. It’s also a perfect example of where Caillier’s vision—that the room needed a green, skirted sofa (a custom piece covered in a Lisa Fine Textiles pattern)—paid off and is beloved by all.
Haris Kenjar23/29The rattan chairs are French antiques with cushions covered in Nicholas Herbert fabric. The ottoman is another custom piece covered in fabric from Jennifer Shorto. The rug is from Rush House.
Haris Kenjar24/29
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Haris Kenjar27/29A delicate floral paper on the landing leads to a sweet nursery.
Haris Kenjar28/29For dining outside, an iron-based Bailey’s Home table and more vintage French chairs set the scene.
