Houzz Tour: A Mid-Century Modern Getaway
Charles DeLisle Transforms a William Wurster Ranch into a Dream Home for Today
Pure serendipity led San Francisco-based designer Charles DeLisle to redesign this this mid-century home in Portola Valley, just outside California's Silicon Valley. While at an event in the city, he was chatting with his soon-to-be client when she mentioned she was buying a 1950s William Wurster ranch. DeLisle was ecstatic. A longtime admirer of Wurster's work, he knew a space like that would be beyond inspiring to work in. He crossed his fingers … and about a year later, the client called to ask for his help.
Now, when asked to describe the style of this home, DeLisle says something unexpected: "unrecognizable." While this might catch you off guard, it begins to make sense when you start poring over the photos from this home. The design doesn't necessarily feel indicative of an era or a genre — it just feels personal. It's a perfect representation of how a designer can use his style to illustrate a client's essence.
Now, when asked to describe the style of this home, DeLisle says something unexpected: "unrecognizable." While this might catch you off guard, it begins to make sense when you start poring over the photos from this home. The design doesn't necessarily feel indicative of an era or a genre — it just feels personal. It's a perfect representation of how a designer can use his style to illustrate a client's essence.
A product designer as well as an interior designer, DeLisle designed quite a few pieces in the space per his client's request. The kitchen table, which DeLisle had made out of four-inch thick Douglas fir, is accented by bright white chairs from Magis, and illuminated by an elegant and modern teardrop-shaped pendant, designed for the family.
This cabinet in the master bedroom is a great example of DeLisle's unique twists on furniture with classic lines. Composed out of a smooth mahogany, DeLisle applied a piece of silk with a digital print of golden hillsides. The photograph is by Oakland photographer Paul Schiek.
The upholstered walls in the media room are another example of DeLisle's custom work. He designed the pattern, then had it applied (much like a wallpaper) to the walls. This surprising splash of pink actually has a quite un-feminine feel — and is part of what makes this DeLisle's favorite room in the house. The B&B Italia sofa and custom George Nakashima table provide a sense of balance in the room. Alias desk chairs sit against EZ shelving for a clean and compartmentalized desk area.
Working on a home designed by an architect he admired inspired DeLisle to take risks, but also to make sure each aspect of his design was executed with painstaking detail. "The history of the house was my favorite part about designing the home," says DeLisle.
William Wilson Wurster was an architect, and architectural professor at UC Berkeley and MIT. He is best known for his residential designs in California (including what became known as prototypical ranch houses), several university buildings at Berkeley and Stanford, as well as the redevelopment of Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. He is one of only 54 architects to win the prestigious Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects.
William Wilson Wurster was an architect, and architectural professor at UC Berkeley and MIT. He is best known for his residential designs in California (including what became known as prototypical ranch houses), several university buildings at Berkeley and Stanford, as well as the redevelopment of Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. He is one of only 54 architects to win the prestigious Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects.
The home is in Portola Valley, a rural area not far from the San Francisco Bay. The family is a young professional couple with children; this ranch is their summer home. Because it was only going to be used seasonally, the couple wanted the home to be modern and playful, but sophisticated and long-lasting — something suiting their style that also could be used for generations.
This outdoor fire pit with Adirondack-style chairs is a quintessential element for a summer home. The large French doors allow for an ample presence of natural light.
Bringing the outdoors in, DeLisle used wood paneling to offset another of his custom creations: a soft daybed set against wood stump tables cut from trees on the property.
The kitchen was completely remodeled and outfitted with efficient high-end appliances. Backsplash tile from Heath Ceramics adds to the home's unique color palette. DeLisle decided to choose brisk and bold colors such as Prussian blue, grass green and pink, combined with more earthy tones such as terracotta, gold and sand. The combination is decidedly fresh but understated. McGuire barstools at the kitchen counter were reupholstered in colorful fabric from Lee Jofa.
Products were chosen a bit randomly, DeLisle admits. Inspired by old photographs, he used a combination of custom designs, vintage pieces, and more modern purchases from high-end showrooms. This deep navy Erwan and Ronan Bourollec chair and ottoman are incredibly modern, but flow perfectly with the accenting Grete Jalk stool and simple floor lamp from Luceplan.
The living room is a soothing space done in organic colors and forms. Charles and architect Ian Moller used a rich cedar wood paneling for the interior. The color is soft, and almost glows in the abundance of the home's natural light. DeLisle chose functional and sturdy pieces for this room, including a custom reproduction of a Dunbar sofa, French Art Deco chairs from Jasper by Michael Smith, accented by the client's own coffee table and a custom "stump" by DeLisle.
Vintage lighting is a common theme throughout the house. DeLisle was able to achieve a quirky sense of elegance in this house, that isn't always attainable with more standard lighting choices. A rug from Morocco adds a touch of international flair to this vignette, where a vintage sconce and lamp illuminate photography by Catherine Wagner.
This cozy fireplace, built into the home's 12-inch thick adobe walls, was created into a snug sitting area with a 1940s Danish chair, French vintage table, and a unique Gio Ponti light fixture above the mantle.
DeLisle chose simple urns and vases from Los Angeles antique shop Denmark 50 to accent the minimalistic mantle.
A lighting expert with an imaginative and unique eye, DeLisle also designed the dining room chandelier. This geometric light fixture is made of raw brass hexagonal tubing hung with handwoven rope. The dining table is another one of his creations. He chose vintage T.H Robsjohn-Gibbings chairs for extensive seating. The artwork — which is actually a photograph — is from Catherine Wagner, and the classic bookends resting on the built-in console are from Carl Aubock.
This bathroom is a perfect representation of the aesthetic DeLisle and his clients wanted in this house: simple, functional and beautiful. This cabinet is customized with laminate from Abet Laminati, making it moisture-resistant and easy to clean. The hardware is vintage, and DeLisle chose a classic faucet from Michael Smith for the single sink.
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