Larkspur_Residence_1_Interiors | Hyndman Studio

Larkspur Residence 1 - Interiors

MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

TYPE: Whole House Renovation

ARCHITECTURE: Hyndman Studio

INTERIOR DESIGN: Hyndman Studio

A sun-drenched contemporary kitchen with black-stained walnut custom cabinetry, cantilevered walnut table, large windows, oak floors and a custom ceiling light fixture.

Hyndman Studio significantly re-imagined, renovated and expanded this 1910s Craftsman vacation cottage to create a stunning and soulful modern home. The result boasts the full comforts of a custom new home, with all of the charm of the Craftsman period. "This project was very much a labor of love” describes Principal Designer Ruth Hyndman. “We employed faithful restorations, meticulous replications, and significant expansions that improved on the original while staying true to the fundamental architectural aesthetic. Inside and out, it is very hard to distinguish what is original and what is new. The home feels like an original in perfect condition, but with all the comforts and conveniences of a new home."

Originally a single-level home on a hillside, the bones of what is now the upper of three floors, remain strongly Craftsman in every detail. The style of the multi-lite windows, the Craftsman pillars at the front elevation, the siding, and all interior trims and moldings have been exquisitely restored or replicated. "It was clear that this home had the elements required to become something very special: visually interesting fundamental architectural elements, an emphasis on large areas of fenestration and an open-plan layout drenched with sun and natural light all day, all year. The challenges almost exclusively stemmed from the age-related condition of the property, in addition to some unfortunate modifications that had been performed over the decades."

A sun-drenched contemporary kitchen with black-stained walnut custom cabinetry, cantilevered walnut table, large windows, oak floors and built-in Miele ovens.

The pre-remodel kitchen had no cabinetry, its original cast-iron wall-hung sink, two primitive walk-in pantries and a painted floor. The room was reconfigured, walls moved and the two pantries absorbed into the kitchen. "Our brief for the kitchen was two-fold. The first was that it should look distinctly different from the majority of the kitchens in the area. The second was to consciously avoid conforming to the norms associated with kitchen design, to whatever extent was functionally possible. The simplicity of the pre-remodel kitchen was the inspiration driving a desire to have this room feel as much like a furnished living space, and as little like a conventional modern kitchen as was achievable. This led to us abandoning the convention of a backsplash and significantly limiting the quantity of upper cabinets in order to allow the room to breathe and have space. It also meant keeping the large areas of glass, allowing the outdoors to come inside, and approaching the cabinetry as one would custom furniture.

The new kitchen is simple and understated; a modern kitchen plugged into a period room containing cove ceilings, oak floors and period trims and moldings throughout. There is an effortlessness about the room that results from the fastidious attention that was paid to the details from conception to design and throughout construction. A two-inch thick slab of solid figured curly walnut, sealed with a natural oil, cantilevers from one wall without legs. The simple, crisp lines of this table align visually with the minimalist cabinetry design and its organic nature imbues all other elements in the room with its magic.

A contemporary kitchen with black-stained walnut custom cabinetry, cantilevered walnut table, oak floors and calacatta black marble counters.

The warm gold and brown tones throughout the room contrast with, and compliment, the walnut cabinetry that is stained and oiled to a very dark brown that reads as almost black. The walnut grain pattern is visible through the matte dark oil finish, resulting in a very organic and natural, yet modern and minimalist kitchen. The lower cabinetry is almost exclusively drawers. The crisp horizontal shadow lines that run between them, from corner to corner, is a defining feature and the surface of the cabinetry is interrupted by hardware only where appliances absolutely require it. "The Black Carrara counter is an essential touch of genius in this otherwise very simple and understated room. It sings like a piece of modern art in this space with its magnificent dynamic patterns and veining."

The central ceiling light fixture, made of custom steel and sand-blasted glass, pairs a coordinating aesthetic with optimum, highly diffused, light quality. The wires of the above-counter mini pendants emerge from the ceiling with no ceiling canopies. Niches for concealed motorized roller blinds are built into the walls above the windows and behind the window casing.

A contemporary kitchen with black-stained walnut custom cabinetry, calacatta black marble counters and Dornbracht faucet.

The dark gray enameled cast-iron sink is camouflaged within the dark grays of the Black Carrara counter, and is paired with a very contemporary dark platinum Dornbracht faucet.

This luxury primary bathroom features a walnut vanity and wall cabinetry with patinaed steel panels, marble floor and wall tile, and a slipper tub.

High ceilings are used to their full advantage in this primary bathroom. All elements in the room are grand in scale and terminate exactly 2 ½” from the ceiling. Dark cabinetry and tile balance throughout the room with light-toned stone, paint and fixtures in a carefully considered rhythm and symmetry.

Primary bathroom walnut wall cabinetry with patinaed steel panels. Marble floor tile and a slipper tub.

The walnut cabinetry is stained to a deep, warm brown and finished with a natural matte wax. Lower door panels are inlaid with hand-patinaed steel sheets and upper doors feature decorative 3-dimensional panels.

Custom walnut wall cabinetry with decorative 3-dimensional panels above an open display niche, and patinaed steel panels below.

The wall cabinetry features an open display niche, and the attention to detail and the high quality of craftsmanship throughout is evident.

Custom walnut double vanity with patinaed steel panels. Features marble wall and floor tile, large mirrors and three bronze and glass sconces.

The double vanity is backed by Caffe Bruno honed marble overlaid with large mirrors, each flanked by grand bronze and glass sconces. These elements are contrasted by the light marble counter and floor tile.

This luxury primary bathroom features a walnut double vanity and a large walnut decorative wall panel. The shower has marble tile walls and floor, and brass fixtures.

“We installed a decorative walnut panel to the left of the dark tile wall in the shower. This allows the dark portion of this wall to bleed beyond the confines of the glass enclosure, as a way of visually suggesting that the shower space belongs to the whole room and is not an entirely separate or individual space.”

This luxury primary bathroom features a walnut double vanity with marble counter, and a large walnut decorative wall panel. The shower has marble tile walls and floor, and brass fixtures.

A floating upholstered bench is installed opposite the vanity. Not only is this functionally convenient but it also provides some softness in a room of otherwise hard surfaces.

This luxury primary bathroom features walnut wall cabinetry with decorative 3-dimensional panels above an open display niche, and patinaed steel panels below. Below the casement windows is a white slipper tub.

Mahogany window frames are stained to mimic a dark walnut tone and a slipper tub sits beneath.

“We designed the Larkspur primary bathroom to be a comforting and serene space, offering a complex and dynamic mix of contrasting tones and textures in addition to premium comforts such as hydronic floor heat and customized showerhead heights.”

The enclosed front porch features expansive multi-lite windows, Craftsman paneling and a custom steel, walnut and brass stair guardrail.

The space you see in the photograph above was originally an exterior porch with low walls and pillars supporting the roof above. At some point in its history, single-paned windows were installed between the pillars and it became an enclosed porch with the original exterior siding on what had become interior walls, and a sloped floor. “Hyndman Studio took this enclosed porch to the next level by designing new, structurally sound exterior walls, specifying insulated glass windows, and by meticulously replicating the pillars and associated architectural detailing. In the case of the pillars, they are now pilasters at the interior and exterior with structural sheer panels behind, and which to the observer appear to be the full depth originals.”

The enclosed front porch features expansive multi-lite double hung and picture windows. It adjoins the living room and both feature Craftsman paneling, cove ceilings and oak floors.

Fundamental proportions within the enclosed porch remain the same, with low sill heights and tall windows, replicating the original porch proportions. The window style and configuration is a modern-day interpretation of what the original architect would likely have designed into this space, had it been an enclosed porch in the original home. The addition of a stairwell at the front of the house, joining the three floors of the house for the first time is a significant upgrade.

The enclosed porch is now a seamless addition to the original living room. The wall separating the two rooms has been fully removed and the paneling, cove ceilings and oak flooring now extend into this space.

The sun-drenched living room features Craftsman paneling, cove ceilings and oak floors.

Where sections of original living room paneling remained viable, they were blended with replicated new sections. Original paneling was carefully restored and new paneling was finished in such a way as to ensure the blend was indistinguishable.

Custom steel, walnut and brass curved stair guardrail. The stairwell features Craftsman paneling and oak stairs and floors.

The custom balustrade for the new stairwell combines powder-coated steel, walnut and brass. The structural strength of the steel allows for minimal bulk and a very light and airy design. Walnut elements add warmth, color and an organic quality. Decorative brass pieces add a more formal element, making the balustrade seem just a little bit more special.

The new paneling in the stairwell matches that of the original living room and is painted a luscious, creamy white that is full of warmth.

The curve of the balustrade where it turns towards the stairs is ergonomic and is the source of a pleasing visual and spacial flow. The oak floor has a smooth arc at that same location and the walnut top rail features a tactile hand-carved curve section.

Close-up of the custom steel, walnut and brass stair guardrail.

The balustrade epitomizes the attention to detail that can be seen throughout this project. From the graphic, linear design, to the care taken with the steel welds, and as can be seen where the steel disappears through the paneling to its structural bracket beyond, a detail that is finished to perfection.

The serene primary bedroom with its calming colors, cove ceilings, stained mahogany windows, oak floors and upholstered custom closet doors.

The primary bedroom is serene and calming; an escape from the world and a place that fosters good sleep and rest. “We recessed the blinds into the wall structure above all three windows, allowing for the most low-profile valances possible. The sheer blinds offer a diffused quality of light. Black-out roller shades behind the sheers darken the room for sleep.”

Reconfigured to extend into the rear section of the house, the primary bedroom now has easterly windows and golden morning light. Mahogany window frames are stained a deep, warm brown and the walls are a soothing, full spectrum gray-tan.