MARIN HOME

In San Rafael, an Eichler remodeled with an Asian-inspired aesthetic radiates warmth, light and serenity.

BY LOTUS ABRAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL HOSPELT

After living in their Eichler for 30 years and celebrating their empty nest status, a San Rafael couple knew it was time for a change. While they loved the overall aesthetic of the 2,300 square-foot fourbedroom, two-bath Eichler, with its double gables elegantly flanking a light-filled atrium, the interior had become worn over the years, and some of the spaces were no longer meeting their needs. Among the couple’s frustrations were the dysfunctional kitchen and adjacent makeshift family room; the poorly designed closet in the primary bedroom, which was awkwardly accessed through a tiny bathroom; and the home’s outdated appearance.

Seeking a major update, they turned to Larkspur-based interior designer Candace Killman for help remodeling their home. “They first considered buying a different house, but then they decided they had been so happy with their Eichler and neighborhood that they would just fix it rather than buying something new,” says Killman, who has completed nearly three dozen full-scale projects in Marin.

In addition to improving the functionality of the home’s interior spaces, the couple wanted to update the decor with an Asian aesthetic inspired by a folding painted Chinese screen they already owned — the only major element of the original decor they ultimately decided to keep. With a team that included architect David Ludwig, con-tractor Landmark Builders and landscape designer Lynne Steinsieck, Killman set out to transform the home.

Eichlers can be challenging to update, so the approach had to be carefully considered. “They’re difficult technically to remodel because the concrete floors limit electrical and plumbing options,” Killman says.

Starting in the living room, where guests arrive by entering through the atrium, Killman replaced the dated yellow brick fireplace with one made of integral colored plaster that reaches all the way to the ceiling and added a gas insert. “I think it was the biggest improvement in the entire house,” she says. “It has a soulful quietness about it.” She also reframed the couple’s folding screen and mounted it on the wall, illuminated by surface-mounted canister lighting. Adding further warmth to the room is the custom-designed rug by Vaheed Taheri in San Francisco.

The kitchen also reflects Eastern influences with custom white oak cabinetry that echoes the look of Japanese tansu chests and details like Asian-inspired hardware. The striking peninsula top is constructed with both stone and walnut, which serves both an aesthetic and practical purpose. “Two-thirds of the countertop is stone to match the rest of the perimeter, and the part facing the bar stools is wood so that when you put your arms down on the surface it’s warm instead of cold,” Killman says.

The improvised family room adjacent to the kitchen, where the husband enjoys watching TV while having a bite to eat, needed a makeover as well. After removing an old pot belly stove, Killman outfitted the space with a love seat, as well as a table from Resource Furniture in San Francisco that converts from a coffee table to dining table with a simple touch.

In the primary suite, Killman and the team reconfigured the space to create a more organized closet and a larger tworoom bathroom. The vanity room features a Sonoma Cast Stone NuCrete countertop, and in the shower room, the team removed the exterior wall and replaced it with a large, frosted-glass panel and narrow, transparent awning window at the top that allows for ventilation and light while maintaining privacy.

The team also replaced the front of the home with a frosted-glass door and panels to fill the atrium with even more light. Throughout the home, the white oak flooring and tranquil taupe-beige color palette keep the spaces feeling warm, soothing and inviting, which was exactly what Killman’s clients set out to achieve.

“They said they wanted to make the house that they love into a jewel box, and that’s exactly what we did,” she says. “We did everything top-drawer with beautiful materials and the best craftsman. It’s such a pleasure to work with clients who feel this way.”

Top: Guests enter the house through the atrium; inside, a dated yellow brick fireplace was replaced with one made of integral colored plaster. Bottom: Custom kitchen cabinets evoke the look of tansu chests, and a coffee table in the adjacent family room transforms into a dining table.

Luxury and design unite in the offering of one of the Belvedere Lagoon’s finest estates. This custom residence blends the elegance and character of Santa Barbara with the coastal appeal of the Tiburon-Belvedere Peninsula.

• Unparalleled craftsmanship and refined finishes are shown throughout this incredible residence; upon entry you will be captivated by the inviting private courtyard, showcasing picturesque landscape, trumpet vines, mature greenery, incredible citrus trees and a tranquil water feature

• Grand scale living with multiple glass doors opening to the waterfront terrace and courtyard, oversized dining and living rooms, media room, newly updated kitchen with casual dining, private office with built in wet bar, gallery walls with custom lighting, and spectacular primary suite with extraordinary custom wardrobe closets

• The beautifully designed formal living room is complete with a gas fireplace, floor to ceiling bookshelves and cabinetry, and french doors opening to the entertainment terrace and dock

• The upstairs primary suite transports you to a private retreat featuring views of the lagoon, vaulted shiplap ceilings and a magazine worthy dressing area featuring two custom walk in wardrobe closets, built in shoe storage and drawers, and five additional closets; spa like primary bath with oversized shower and private bathrooms on each side

• The entertainment areas are designed to perfection offering a sprawling stone terrace, mature landscaping and a dock for all your water toys

• This extraordinary residence evokes sophistication and style, located in one of the most sought after Belvedere neighborhoods

• Close proximity to downtown Tiburon’s shops, gourmet restaurants, waterfront pathways, San Francisco and Angel Island ferries, and the Boardwalk shopping center, home to the popular Rustic Bakery and gourmet Woodland Market, the Belvedere Community Center, Belvedere Park, and the San Francisco and Corinthian yacht clubs

MILL VALLEY | $3,200,000

Kim Strub 415.218.4255 kstrub@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #01402651

COVER PROPERTY

SAN ANSELMO | $2,875,000

Darlene Hanley 415.717.7531 darlene.hanley@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #00945576

SAN ANSELMO | $2,285,000

Splendid

Lynnette Kling 415.847.2576

LK@FindaMarinHome.com

CalRE #01318366

TIBURON | $6,650,000 Gated 7br/4.5ba home w/expansive views!

Tamara Fisher 415.871.7737 tamara@tamararealestate.com

CalRE #01376345 guiding you home since 1906

SAN RAFAEL | $2,699,000

Newly remodeled 4br/3.5ba single level home with water views!

Aileen Tong 415.806.7086 aileen.tong@cbnorcal.com

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SAN RAFAEL | $3,330,000 Loch Lomond: Gorgeous home with pool, lot, views.

Rose Capurro 415.690.6762 rosecapurro@yahoo.com

CalRE #01911774

NOVATO | $2,288,500

Expansive 4br/3.5ba solar & green home with hillside views!

Julie Widergren 415.827.8727 julie.widergren@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #01402872

SAN RAFAEL | $2,225,000

Timeless elegance meets modern luxury. Single-level townhome.

Jennifer Kuleto 415.940.1548 jennifer.kuleto@cbrealty.com

CalRE #01834112

NOVATO | $2,195,000 Single-level gem with office and atrium!

Abby Tanem 415.497.9542

John Hendricks 415.306.3060

CalRE #01301798 | CalRE #01914863

NOVATO | $1,950,000

Stunning 3br/3ba waterfront property boasting breathtaking views!

Lorraine Watkins 415.328.6797 lorraine.watkins@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #01321761

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3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch-style home in Villa Real!

Susan Coleman 415.378.2350 coleman.susan@comcast.net

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Stunning property w/backyard oasis w/heated pool & tiki bar.

Kristie Martinelli 415.412.4720 krissrose12@gmail.com

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CORTE MADERA | $1,695,000

West side 3br/2ba, Kitchen/Family Room, Flat yard & Mt. Tam views!

Peter Pickrel 415.385.8800 ppickrel@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #01156183

NOVATO | $1,459,000

Beautifully designed 4br/4.5ba Auberge Model Home in Hamilton!

Manju Devi 415.595.3018 manjudevihomes@gmail.com

CalRE #02040789

FAIRFAX | $1,250,000

Rare 3 bedroom, 3 bath spacious single-family home.

Keith Hennessey 415.450.0260 keith.hennessey@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #01952073

SAN RAFAEL | $999,000 Lincoln Hill 4br/2ba home w/panoramic views of the bay and beyond.

Peter Pickrel 415.385.8800 ppickrel@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #01156183 guiding you home since 1906

NOVATO | $820,000

Rare 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath move-in ready home.

Bruce Wilmott 415.378.2751 brucewilmott@aol.com

CalRE #02069282

CORTE MADERA | $899,000

Delightful 4br/2.5ba boho-chic townhome w/south-facing patio!

Andrea Dyer 415.786.7997

Jennifer Chou 415.847.8880 CalRE #02004989 | CalRE #01979201

SANTA ROSA | $799,000

Newly updated 3br/2ba home with an atrium, patio and garden!

Karyn Asfour Kambur 415.516.3221 kkambur@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #01785669

LARKSPUR | $636,000

Updated 2br/2ba condo w/contemporary kitchen & water views!

Angie Maroevich 415.328.5293 angela.maroevich@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #02001526

SAN RAFAEL | $615,000

Updated 2br/2ba end unit home w/views.

Johnson Team 415.899.9260 britt.johnson@cbnorcal.com

CalRE #00985355

SAUSALITO | $565,000 Well-maintained 2br/1ba poolside condo!

Dorsi Bonner 415.497.7944 dorsibonner@gmail.com

CalRE #02031458

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

An exceptional property perched above Roundhill Country Club on 1.32 acres with stunning 180° picturesque views. This five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home features walls of windows which give an abundance of natural light, 4,987+/- square feet of living space over two stories which have been completely remodeled from top to bottom with luxury finishes. It includes executive office, bonus room, hobby room, and a large wrap around deck on both levels.

JILL FUSARI

#1 TOP PRODUCING AGENT IN OFFICE 2020-2022 JILL.FUSARI@THEAGENCYRE.COM 925.817.7818 | LIC. #01775608 THEAGENCYRE.COM | JILLFUSARI.COM

CalDRE #01904054

BY JIM WOOD