Japonesque: a Pacific Heights flat

A Japanese bent is no surprise in San Francisco where Noguchi lanterns and Kanagawa waves abound. But how to bridge the aesthetic space between a client’s ‘Japonesque’ leanings and his new Edwardian home?

Forgoing a literal take, we introduced clean shapes wrapped in contrasting natural materials – stark minimalism kept at bay with a mix of wood, stone and tactile fabrics. White oak credenzas frame a blue limestone fireplace in the living room, fronted by a chocolate wool lounge chair. Black granite floors in the kitchen reflect the walnut cabinets above. And throughout the flat, silver gray walls mirror the fog that rolls over the hills and into view.