A California Home with the Soul of Provence

A California Home with the Soul of Provence

KENTFIELD, CALIFORNIA

Set on a terraced hillside, this 1940s residence was reimagined as a warm, layered retreat designed around hospitality, family life, and effortless entertaining. Rather than pursuing a complete modernization, frenchCALIFORNIA focused on preserving the soul and traditional architecture of the home while introducing a more atmospheric and emotionally resonant interior language.

The result is a residence that balances European sensibility with California ease — refined yet relaxed, sophisticated yet deeply livable.

SOULFUL COMFORT

Inspired by the golden light of Marin County and memories of the South of France, the design approach centered around creating a home that felt collected, soulful, and quietly cinematic. The clients envisioned a house where friends and family could gather comfortably and spontaneously — long dinners, weekends with guests, children moving freely between rooms, and spaces that encouraged connection rather than formality.

Instead of stark minimalism, the interiors were layered with texture, patina, warmth, and natural materials to create depth and softness throughout the home. Key inspirations included the Mediterranean atmosphere of Southern France; traditional European homes with layered histories; California’s openness, natural light, and relaxed lifestyle; and hospitality-driven residential design.

What We Did

Interior Design 
Art Selection 
Custom Paint
Custom Window Treatments

LAYERING ATMOSPHERE THROUGH MATERIALITY

One of the project’s defining gestures was the use of limewash finishes, scenic wallpapers, and richly toned paint colors throughout the residence.

Previously all-white interiors were transformed through hand-applied limewash textures, moody, enveloping paint tones, landscape-inspired murals, and organic materials and sculptural furnishings. These interventions introduced movement, warmth, and dimensionality while maintaining the architectural integrity of the original home.

THE DINING ROOM

The dining room became one of the emotional anchors of the project. The room was designed to accommodate both formal dinners and casual family gatherings with equal ease.

Wrapped floor-to-ceiling in a panoramic scenic wallpaper inspired by Dutch landscape paintings, the room blurs the boundary between interior and exterior. The mural reflects the surrounding oak trees and rolling hills visible beyond the windows, creating a dreamlike atmosphere for entertaining.

LIVING SPACES

The expansive living room was divided into multiple conversational zones to encourage intimacy within the larger footprint. One side of the room embraces the morning light with a curved blue sofa, vintage Vladimir Kagan chairs, soft bouclé textures, and sculptural lighting.

The opposite side was designed as a darker, more intimate retreat centered around books, collected objects, and contemporary artwork gathered during the clients’ travels. Throughout the space, organic forms and tactile materials reinforce the balance between sophistication and comfort

THE KITCHEN

Rather than fully renovating the kitchen, frenchCALIFORNIA embraced a more restrained and sustainable approach by enhancing existing architectural elements.

Original features such as the range alcove, polished nickel hardware, and Dacor appliances were preserved and elevated through updated lighting, new paint selections, refined styling, warm brass accents, and layered natural textures. The resulting space feels timeless, communal, and deeply connected to the rhythm of family life.

BEDROOMS & GUEST SPACES

The private spaces throughout the home were approached with softness and emotional warmth. The primary suite embraces muted sage tones and subtle texture to create a quiet retreat, while guest rooms were designed with hospitality in mind — reflecting the clients’ love of hosting overnight visitors.

A blush-toned room destined to become the daughter’s future bedroom was conceived intentionally as a space she could grow into over time — a more European approach to children’s interiors that avoids overly youthful design gestures.

THE OUTCOME

The completed residence feels deeply personal, layered, and timeless — a home that reflects both the clients’ lifestyle and frenchCALIFORNIA’s broader design philosophy. Rather than imposing a singular aesthetic, the project focused on atmosphere, emotion, and livability. It’s elevated but never rigid; collected rather than overly styled; sophisticated without feeling formal.

The result is a home where architecture, landscape, texture, and memory coexist naturally — merging European warmth with California lightness in a way that feels both intimate and enduring.

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