Playfully Perfect

Author:Lindsey Shook

Katie Raffetto Design adds bold color and new life into this San Francisco home

“I approach each project by getting to know the client, how they live and how they aspire to live in their space,” says Katie Raffetto, founder and principal designer of Katie Raffetto Interior Design. “My goal is always to make spaces beautiful while simultaneously functioning at a high level for their lifestyle. This was very true on this project. As I got to know the family more I was able to drive the design in a direction that satisfied their desire for a refined yet playful home.”

When she and her team were enlisted to transform this 2,000-square-foot San Francisco home, the design focused on color, texture and all-around fun. “The client set out to make a home for their family to play, work, relax and entertain in a spacious and elegant way while staying within the envelope of this classic San Francisco home,” she recalls. “They wanted the house to feel comfortable and representative of them.” To accomplish their desired direction, they made bold choices with color and materials that would create unexpected, joyful moments.

Before the clients purchased the home, they were ready to renovate. The original floor plan needed to be adjusted to accommodate their busy lifestyle. Raffetto worked with architect Sven Lavine Architecture and High Ground Construction to completely re-think how the house functions. “The original house had an industrial kitchen on the ground level behind the garage and a fairly sloped unusable yard,” Raffetto says. “We transformed the kitchen space into a primary suite, kids bedroom and laundry room. All with easy access to the backyard which was terraced and added opportunities for play like the slide and climbing wall.”

Transforming the kitchen into the primary suite was nothing short of tough. The new space was supported by building into the lower level that had foundation walls cutting into the room and an existing ceiling height that was not generous. “The client who happens to be rather tall wanted to be sure the room felt elegant and not basement like,” she notes. “In order to achieve this we paneled the bedroom and closet space floor to ceiling in white oak. We also built the headboard into the foundation walls, covering up all of the angled walls to take away that basement feel. Finding the balance of form and function by creating a beautiful space that the clients could really live well in.”

One of the most pivotal changes is the entry room. Originally an outdoor area with a metal gate—often found in San Francisco homes—they decided to build this out adding more interior space. “We decided to capture this space as an interior entry to house all the gear an active family has, but do it in a cheerful and sophisticated way,” she proclaims. The original terrazzo stairs were maintained and the metal gate was transformed into a large custom entry door, with a custom stained glass window. “We added custom green cabinetry for sports equipment, shoes and jackets,” she says. Puncturing the space with color and light made this somewhat dreary entry come to life.

When asked how the family felt about their new home that now had much more space and life—Raffetto says, “There was space for all of them to live beautifully and they put this house to work immediately, hosting friends and family.”