The charm is hard to miss. The Tudor cottage is an iconic architectural style. Originally constructed in 1929, this cottage had great bones and beautiful views of San Francisco and Mount Tamalpais. When purchased by the clients, they reveled in the charm and location but understood that the home felt dated and was organized for a bygone era. The challenge was transforming this Tudor house into one that corresponded with today’s modern tastes while retaining its original charisma. Such an overhaul requires sure-handed design work.

Richardson Pribuss Architects set about modernization efforts with deliberate interventions. The most drastic of these changes came in rescaling the top floor. The ceiling height of the primary bedroom was raised three feet, creating a more open, airy room that exposed the underside of the handsome existing roof rafters and reinforced the storybook interior.

A new layout included rearranging the living and kitchen space for an 18′ marble-clad island. Additionally, two large dormers were added to the bedroom’s east and west sides, increasing light, airflow, and, most importantly, views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.

An updated interior fit-out focused on simplicity with a controlled color palette. Contrasting materials from different eras were used in concert to honor the Tudor spirit while introducing a modern attitude. Large steel windows, salvaged from other parts of the house, were incorporated along the exterior-facing wall.

A deep green was applied in monochrome across the exterior to complete the renovation. This paint job modernized the outside of the building while still leaving the texture of original half-timbering and stucco as an homage to its cottage roots.

Interior Design by Studio Montemayor

Photos by Eric Rorer and Shade Degges