Color Abounds

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Lotus Bleu Design Studio wraps a modern Edwardian-style home overlooking Golden Gate Park in color

The entry features a chandelier by Stray Dog Designs, a painting by MCXT (Monica Canilao and Xara Thustra) and a vintage bench reupholstered in Galbraith & Paul fabric. Photos by Vivian Johnson.

“I am known for my colorful, patterned, livable and playful interiors,” says Jeannie Fraise, founder and principal designer of Lotus Bleu Design Studio. “My work is informed by my international family, extensive travels and background in art. I have a market (and formerly a brick-and-mortar shop) of unique and sustainable textile finds from around the world made by artisans who infuse traditional methods with modern flair.”

Photos by Vivian Johnson.
In the breakfast nook, a series of prints on the wall are by Kelly Ording, the dining table is by Altura, the vintage dining chairs are by Arthur Umanoff and the rug is by Elizabeth Eakins for Holland & Sherry. Photos by Vivian Johnson.

Fraise and her team were initially hired over 15 years ago to overhaul the 3,800-square-foot, 4-level Edwardian -style home, then brought back to bring new life to each space wby changing the decor when the couple’s son left for college. “They wanted to refresh most of the furnishings and finishes of the well-loved and used house by their busy family of five over the years so that it would feel lighter and brighter with more sustainable options,” says associate designer Kaoru Hudachek. “We encouraged them to invest in well-made quality new and vintage furnishings and custom finishes during the first renovation, it meant everything had good bones and we could have them refinished and reupholstered. 

The Bensen sofa with pillows in Christophe Farr Cloth fabric make a soft splash in the sunroom while vintage chairs reupholstered in C.W. Stockwell and Christopher Farr Cloth fabrics sit atop a rug by Perennials. The floor lamp is by Woven and the rattan planters are by Ferm Living. Photos by Vivian Johnson.

The couple re-enlisted Rod Heisler of RHC—who worked on the first transformation—back to assist with all construction updates. “We finally got to renovate the last bedroom and bathroom at the top or former attic level,” Fraise remarks. “Now that they didn’t have to worry about the wear-and-tear of children, they also opted to upgrade a few areas with like their bedroom, which got a beautiful botanical-patterned cork wallpaper by Japanese ceramicist Makoto Kagoshima, a cozy and luxurious hand-painted alpaca rug by Rosemary Hallgarten and a custom bed by Lawson-Fenning.”

In the primary bedroom, a bed by Lawson-Fenning is covered in fabric by Christopher Farr Cloth, the wallpaper is Makoto Kagoshima for Christophe Farr Cloth and the rug is by Rosemary Hallgarten. Photos by Vivian Johnson.
Photos by Vivian Johnson.

The clients’ vibrant personalities and zest for life drove the color design direction throughout. Over the years they had amassed a dynamic collection of art. “They owned a combination of museum quality photographs, 20th Century paintings and sculptures inherited from family, and a colorful collection of contemporary paintings by emerging Bay Area talent,” Hudachek says. “During this round, we helped them add to their collection with fiber art sculptures in the kids’ bedrooms and by revamping the placement of their art throughout the house for a fresh feel.”

In the girl’s bedroom the bed and desk are by Blu Dot, the fiber art is by Meghan Shimek, the rug is Elizabeth Eakins for Holland and Sherry and the window shade fabric is from Christopher Farr Cloth. Photos by Vivian Johnson.

When the couple returned to home, they were thrilled with the outcome. Hudachek notes, “The house feels completely new and fresh to them while also staying comfortable, familiar and in-tune with their values of sustainability.”