A residence is rarely a static entity; much like its inhabitants, it undergoes a series of metamorphoses, maturing from a blank canvas into a reflection of personal history and aspiration. This architectural philosophy is perfectly exemplified in a sprawling 8,000-square-foot home nestled in the affluent enclave of Hillsborough, California. Originally completed as a modern, minimalist structure, the residence initially lacked the warmth and narrative depth required to turn a house into a true home. With its clean, rigid lines and expansive, panoramic vistas of the San Francisco Bay and the distant silhouette of Mount Diablo, the property was, as described by the homeowner’s creative director, Jenni Witt, “basically a white box.”
The transformation of this residence was not a singular event but a multi-year, iterative process. Recognizing that the property needed a soul to match its sophisticated skeleton, the homeowner enlisted the expertise of Los Angeles–based designer Luke Foss. The objective was to cultivate an environment that balanced high-end artistic sensibility with the functional realities of a family home—specifically, one shared by a father and his two children, a teen and a preteen.
A Phased Architectural Evolution
The renovation strategy was dictated by the rhythm of the family’s life. Because the client was deeply involved in the process and lived on-site throughout the transformation, the project was executed in distinct, tactical phases. These "big pushes" were strategically scheduled during the summer months when the family was away, allowing Foss to dismantle and reconstruct the interior identity of the home room by room.
This approach mirrored the homeowner’s professional background, where iterative design is a hallmark of success. According to Witt, the client embraced the concept of living in a work-in-progress, finding beauty in the gradual layering of materials, art, and furniture. This methodology ensured that the home did not feel "decorated" in a superficial sense but rather felt curated over time, with each addition serving as a deliberate chapter in the residence’s ongoing story.
The Ground Floor: Establishing a Hierarchy of Space
The first phase of the renovation focused on the primary living areas, establishing a hierarchy of space that prioritized communal interaction. The goal was to pivot away from the clinical "white box" aesthetic toward a palette that was tactile, grounded, and inherently human.
In the living room, the design team selected a modular, chocolate-brown suede sofa by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani. The piece is highly versatile; when joined, it creates an intimate setting for conversation, but when separated, it clears the floor for social gatherings. Beneath it, a gold mohair rug adds a layer of opulence that contrasts with the architectural sobriety of the room. A centerpiece of the room is a silver coffee table by Max Lamb, a bold choice that serves as a reflective anchor. Foss noted that while he initially considered more muted, earthy tones, he chose the silver table specifically because its reflective quality introduces an element of the unexpected, keeping the room’s energy dynamic and alive.
The lighting throughout the residence further emphasizes this blend of the industrial and the organic. A large, vintage Isamu Noguchi lamp serves as the primary overhead fixture, equipped with color-changing bulbs that allow the room to transition from a tranquil daytime retreat to a vibrant evening space without sacrificing its sophisticated atmosphere.
The Art of Curated Living
Central to the project was the integration of a significant art collection, facilitated by Nicolás Colón, founder of the San Francisco–based contemporary art gallery Climate Control. The philosophy behind the art placement was to prioritize quality and longevity over trend-chasing. By refusing to force a strict match between the artwork and the furniture, the design team allowed both elements to coexist in a dialogue of contrasting styles and textures.
In the foyer, for instance, a rough-edged bluestone tile floor provides a stark, earthy foundation for a George Nakashima table in walnut and rosewood. This piece, which appears to defy gravity by balancing on a single leg, serves as a focal point, holding a polka-dot ceramic vessel by Addison Woolsey. Above a cement pedestal, a schefflera bonsai limb extends across the space, transforming a previously underutilized area into an asymmetrical, sculptural composition. This entry experience is critical, as Foss believes that the transition over the threshold sets the mood for the entire home.
Technical Craftsmanship and Customization
A defining feature of the home is its bespoke woodwork and custom-engineered installations. In the client’s study, a custom bookcase constructed from old-growth cherry wood provides a warm, tactile counterpoint to the home’s otherwise light-filled, airy aesthetic. The primary bedroom features an integrated sound system with custom aluminum speakers embedded into a cork bed frame designed by Doug McCollough. This piece, which channels a 1970s aesthetic with its manual toggles and switches, was a collaborative effort between the designer and a sound engineer. It allows the homeowner to curate music throughout the house via analog controls, intentionally bypassing the need for digital screens—a move that underscores the client’s desire for a more tactile, intentional life.
The staircase, which connects the cool, green-toned lower level to the warm, golden-hued upper floor, was treated as a metaphorical journey from the forest floor to the canopy. The original glass railing, which Foss likened to a shopping mall aesthetic, was replaced with a custom aluminum rail featuring glass inserts by artist John Hogan. The composition of these inserts was refined over an entire day to ensure that as the sun passed over the house, the light filtered through the glass in a way that mimicked "little melted pieces of candy."
The Kids’ Perspective: Color and Comfort
The children’s rooms were treated with the same level of design rigor as the adult spaces, with the added benefit of their personal input regarding color schemes. The aesthetic in these rooms is playful yet sophisticated, featuring pieces such as a Papa Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch and Caviar sconces by Chen Chen and Kai Williams. These spaces are designed to evolve with the children, ensuring that the home remains a comfortable environment for their developing interests and social needs.
Implications and Broader Design Trends
The renovation of this Hillsborough residence highlights a shift in luxury residential design. The era of the "turnkey" interior, where a home is fully furnished by a designer in a single stroke, is increasingly being challenged by clients who seek a more involved, personal, and time-intensive process. This "slow design" approach, characterized by the inclusion of vintage furniture, high-end art with provenance, and custom-made millwork, reflects a broader desire for authenticity.
By prioritizing craftsmanship—evidenced by the use of materials like washed canvas, deep-stained plywood, and patinated copper—Foss has successfully softened the architecture of the home without losing the clarity of its original form. The project stands as a testament to the fact that a home’s value is not just in its square footage or its architectural pedigree, but in its ability to facilitate the daily rituals and evolving narrative of its inhabitants.
Conclusion: A Soulful Residence
Ultimately, the home in Hillsborough serves as a successful study in the power of restraint and the importance of professional collaboration. By integrating the visions of a seasoned designer, a skilled art consultant, and talented local artisans, the homeowner has created a space that feels deeply personal and eternally relevant.
As Foss noted, if one is not immersed in the world of high-end furniture and art, one might not immediately recognize the provenance of every object—the Flos Snoopy lamp, the Ettore Sottsass armchair, or the Rauschenberg prints. However, the result of such thoughtful curation is palpable. There is a weight to the history, a soul in the craftsmanship, and a comfort in the functionality. The house has successfully transitioned from a static "white box" into a living, breathing testament to its owner’s life and the unexpected beauty of the creative journey. In this Northern California residence, the unexpected is not merely an aesthetic choice—it is the very foundation of its existence.
