Cozy on the Coast

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Step inside a waterfront Tiburon home crafted by Julie Rootes Interiors for a couple with East Coast roots

Custom swivel chairs face two chairs by Aesthetic from Hewn. Photo by Paul Dyer.
A custom Gregorious Fauchere table sits below a custom chandelier by Julie Neil. Photo by Paul Dyer.

“I wanted to tackle the project with a new traditional sensibility,” says designer Julie Rootes about a home on the Tiburon waterfront she recently designed for a pair of empty nesters.  “They have refined taste and love color, patterns, trims. This inspired me to showcase their love of color and their traditional sensibility while keeping everything fresh and simple.”

Perla Venata countertops hang below a pendant from Urban Electric Co. Photos by Paul Dyer.
Stools by McGuire and a custom bench offer seating in the kitchen and dining room. Photos by Paul Dyer.

Long term Tiburon residents, the clients spend a portion of the year in Sonoma and selected this home on the water for the unmatched coastal setting. “It is situated on the lagoon with views of both Mount Tamalpais and the Bay, plus a view of Old Saint Hilary’s church from the front,” says Rootes. “It’s pretty incredible to stand in there and take it all in. They have grown children and grandchildren so the goal was always to make it a family home where they could host family dinners, holidays and sleepovers with the grandchildren.”

The guest room features a bed from Jasper. Photos by Paul Dyer.
Wallpaper by Scalamandre and faucets by Waterworks shine in the guest bathroom. Photos by Paul Dyer.

Aside from from needing space for entertaining, the couple wanted to experience views throughout each room while still feeling a sense of privacy. “The size of the lot and FEMA regulations definitely impacted what we could and couldn’t do in terms of the overall design and build intent but we were still able to adapt and achieve the overall goals,” says Roots. “The home contains multiple use spaces—a guest bedroom also serving as an office, dining room off of the kitchen that serves as the main eating space.”

“The primary bedroom is my favorite room in the house with its sweeping views and amazing natural light,” says Rootes. The wallpaper is by Scalamandre. The bed is custom, flanked by Rose Tarlow nightstands. Photos by Paul Dyer.

The team infused each space with warmth through soft neutrals and added pops of personality with vibrantly printed textiles and wallpapers. With tons of the desired natural light flooding in, Rootes was cognizant of protecting these selections. “We had everything UV and stain treated before it was upholstered and all windows have dual treatments to filter sunlight,” she notes. “The clients didn’t want to worry about their small grandchildren ruining the furniture and rugs so we stain treated and UV protected everything to give them an extra layer of protection.”

Custom reed front cabinets complement the wallpaper by Soane in the primary bath.

The designer was able to realize the perfect amount of welcoming energy her clients wanted family and guests to feel the moment they arrived. “I think the fact that the builder took his parents in to tour the home and told them it was his favorite project he has ever built summed up the level of satisfaction on all levels,” she says. “The clients were blown away and the handwritten thank you note my client sent me is still one of my all-time favorites.”

An outdoor living space was created using pieces by Janus et Cie and Sutherland Home. Photos by Paul Dyer.