Up in Northern Cali, It's All About That "Quirky Berkeley" Vibe

A couple with two young children loved their 1964 home in North Berkeley Hills, California, but they saw that there was potential to make it even better. They wanted to keep the house's "quirky Berkeley-ness," but create a home with a more modern layout, cohesive finishes, and plenty of wall space to showcase their extensive art collection. Architect David Yama of the San Francisco–based firm Yamamar took inspiration from the unique features, particularly the living room's cast-concrete fireplace, which according to the home's original architect, was made by a local hippie. The fireplace, along with the cast concrete floor, influenced the renovation's organic but modern point of view. Yama updated the layout, expanding the kitchen and devising a serene master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom.

Interior designer Alison Damonte added texture and color to the home, choosing furnishings and accessories that complemented the new art-filled walls and geometric elements throughout Yama's design. The finished project preserves the best parts of the original design while tailoring the space for a modern family. Yama recently started on phase two of the renovation, which will help the exterior look as incredible as the interior.