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Store Wine Beautifully

Aug 24, 2026 | Posted in Before & After |

Are you a wine lover? Do you want to have a beautiful place to store and enjoy wine at home or at the office? Here’s one way we delivered that for my San Francisco clients, with a before-and-after illustration.

A small round glass table is surrounded by dark microsuede modern chairs, atop an Asian rug. Behind are stacks of boxes and bins, and multiple mismatched chairs in front of a large window with a pull-down shade.
BEFORE: Photo by Kimball Starr

We created a wine storage solution in a San Francisco condo’s open plan dining area. The owners wanted something contemporary and sleek, while still welcoming and convenient.

After the renovation, two columns flank the space at the back wall, with a custom wine fridge set into the left column. In front, a set of 6 red chairs surround a glass pedestal table with live plants in vases on the table. Above is a chandelier of multiple round clear glass bowl lights with metal arms that looks a bit like Sputnik. Behind, on the wall, is a blue, orange, and grey modern artwork that fills the space between the built-in wine storage on the left and a column on the right, plus a countertop and under-counter storage behind frosted glass doors. The flooring is warm wood, and to the left is a large window with two red patterned Guatemalan pouf pillows in front of it, and light streaming in. To the far right is a hallway painted orange.
AFTER: Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

We sunk the wine storage into the wall for a clean look, with slide-out racks. Beside it, a built-in credenza makes it easy to serve a flight of wines for tasting, with hors d’oeuvres. We added a second column on the right to balance the wall space and contain the credenza.

The modern dining chairs and pedestal table are the perfect spot to sip or pair wine with a meal, beneath a gorgeous glass chandelier.

On the wall, a custom hand-painted mural ties in colors from their beloved vacation destination of Guatemala, so our retired couple can enjoy a glass of wine and share happy memories for many years to come.

Kimball Starr Interior Design creates wine storage in homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, and she can for you, too. Contact her today for a consultation by phone, video chat or in person!

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Lush Green Walls

Aug 10, 2026 | Posted in Inspirations |

If you like plants and living things, like I do, then you’ll love this fun way to bring more plants into your interiors, creating an indoor-outdoor look – with green walls!

A lush green living wall is the backdrop to this patio with a pair of outdoor sofas facing each other, with lime green cushions and colorful throw pillows. Two LED light up cubes sit between the sofas as tables, with a pitcher of water and two colored glasses. A hat hangs from a chair next to a towel, and a blue and white striped pouf is a footrest nearby. Overhead a lime green umbrella has a built-in light.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

My San Francisco client wanted a beautiful backdrop to their small patio space, so we highlighted the green living wall with bright fade-resistant pillows on outdoor seating, a lime-green umbrella with a built-in light, and these funky LED cubes used as tables.

Hallway across from a modern seating area with white bubble chairs in an office building. The hall flooring to the right has blue, green, and beige stripes running longways. The main visible hallway wall is a living green vertical wall filled with plants. Overhead lights shine down across the plants. A blue wall is visible at the rear, marking a turn into another hallway or room.
Photo courtesy Green Urban Life Gmbh

You can liven up a hallway with a green wall in a variety of plantings.

A living green wall of vines is used as a room divider between a seating area with dark leather chairs and round tables, and others spaces in the building. The flooring is dark tile, while the ceilings are white.
Photo courtesy Green Urban Life GmbH

Use a green wall as a room divider or separator. It cuts down on noise and dust, creating cleaner air.

A restaurant with multiple seating areas. White chairs with beige circle patterned fabric seats and backs surround round and square glass tables. A white column and white partial soffit are visible overhead of one table. To the left there is a large planter on a square cement stand, and beyond that is another dining area, with a wall of multi-colored plants at the very back. Bright sunlight streams in from a skylight above. A woman sits at one of the tables, reading.
Photo courtesy Green Urban Life GmbH

This green wall at the back of a room will draw people further into the space, great for a restaurant or bar.

A living room with a glass coffee table dressed with books in the foreground. Behind that is a brown leather and fabric sofa with throw pillows. A painting is hung on the wall above. A round pendant lamp hangs in the center. To the right of the sofa is a round side table filled with pottery and a bird sculpture. To the left of that is a wall with a green living display of plants hung in vertical containers on the wall, which is a cream color with white baseboards.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Get creative by creating a hanging display of living greens, as we did here in my client’s city condo. The possibilities are endless.

Kimball Starr designs beautiful homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or in-person consultation.

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Design Your Home for Life

Jul 27, 2026 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

An accessible kitchen featuring cherry wood cabinet doors and drawers with easy-pull handles, a grey countertop that fits a walker or wheelchair underneath the L-shaped end of the counter, and an easy-to-use sink faucet fixture in silver. The counter is dressed with sliced melon and bowls, and a sprig of green plant next to the sink.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by David Duncan Livingston

Have you heard of living in place? Also known as aging in place, it’s the concept that people want to remain in their homes as long as possible, as we age and our health and lifestyle needs change. For example, in the kitchen above, a simple faucet with a pull-out nozzle will make washing up easy for people with arthritis, and a walker or wheelchair could fit underneath the countertop end. Here are a few more tips for setting up your forever home.

A pair of his-n-hers recliners in light tan leather, dressed with a white blanket on his and green pillow on hers. The chairs sit either side of a piano and a bright pink cushion on the seat. A modern artwork is propped up on the top of the piano, with red flowers in a clear vase, and an adjustable task light. A mirror and shiny brass side table are visible off to the right.
Photo courtesy Rachel Shingleton of Pencil Shavings Studio

Choose Gorgeous, Right-size Furniture

A couple where the husband is 5’10” and the wife is 5’ may have some challenges in making their home comfortable for them both, without health issues in the mix. Even if you aren’t so different in size, it’s important to have furniture that’s the right scale and fit for you. Adjustable tables and chairs can be a help in this, as can designing a bathroom or kitchen with multiple counter heights.

Also, specifying or customizing furniture to fit is a great solution. We found a smaller-scale recliner for an 85 y.o. grandmother who is only 5’. She had been struggling with a full-size recliner for years. Now she loves reading and relaxing in her right-size chair!

Senior gentleman wearing glasses in a grey sweater and tan pants walking with a walker indoors, in front of a grey sofa with lime green throw pillows on each end.
Photo courtesy Ljupco at Dreamstime.com

Create Accessible Flows

If you or your family member need to use a cane, walker, wheelchair or other ambulatory aid, it’s especially important to open up the circulation of your rooms. Ensure there’s at least a 3 to 3.5-foot pathway leading to doors and around furniture. Remove any trip hazards like loose rugs, and try to find rugs that have a low profile and rubber backing for places you still need them. Eliminate stairs and add ramps, or choose a one-level home, if you decide to relocate.

A modern kitchen with light vertically-striated wood cabinets, bronze metal handles, and a white marble countertop. One cabinet is open to reveal a pull-down metal shelving unit filled with dishes. The inside back of the cabinet is a creamy orange color, like a popsicle, and the countertops are dressed with a small framed artwork of purple flowers, a bowl of green apples, and a vase of fresh flowers in white, green, and light blue.
Photo courtesy Houzz.com

Bring It Down to Your Level

Think about how difficult it can be to get something down from a high shelf, especially if it’s heavy or bulky. Now imagine doing that while having bursitis, arthritis, or any number of painful conditions. Consider relocating heavy items to lower shelves, or installing a special pull-down shelf like the one above, allowing easy, safe access to upper shelves.

Photo of a light, bright kitchen with white cabinetry above and below, simple silver metal door handles and drawer pulls, grey countertops, and a very light diamond-shaped tiling on the vertical surfaces including backsplash. The kitchen flooring is hexagonal penny tiling in cream and tan tones with brown grout, which transitions to wood flooring in the dining space just barely visible at the bottom of the image. To the left a wooden butcher-block end counter has a wood seated stool with black metal legs. Above it hangs a circular black metal pendant with 4 lights. White recessed lights are visible at the top of the image, against a beige-painted ceiling. A window either side of the main cabinetry allows light to pour in. Shelves are dressed with ceramic pottery and plants.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Brighten Spaces with Lighting

As we grow older, our eyes change, and we need more light to see well. I recommend installing recessed lighting that’s centered over your task areas throughout your spaces for a bright, evenly lit tone. Next, add table lamps for adjustable accent and task lighting.

One place you really need to see well is the kitchen. Recessed lights create a great foundation; then add under-cabinet lighting to illuminate your countertop workspace, making prep and cooking a delight. For soft, ambient light when task lights aren’t in use, finish off with a stylish pendant light or chandelier.

A modern bathroom featuring a curbless walk-in shower surrounded by clear glass, with a silver metal grab bar on the wall next to a niche dressed with green plant and loufah. The far wall shows a hand-held shower fixture in silver against hexagonal grey and white toned tiling. Below a line of horizontal dark grey tiles, the bottom half is plain white subway tiling in a medium-size scale, and the flooring is a warm beige and tan toned porcelain, laid at an angle to make the space feel more open. To the right of the shower is a corner of the dark wood cabinetry with silver metal drawer and door pulls, and a beige countertop, dressed with a vase of orangey-white roses.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

Beautify Bathroom Safety

Grab bars don’t have to be clinical-looking. There are a wide range of ADA-approved grab bars that are both beautiful and safe. You can use them as additional towel rails to conceal their purpose.

Ideally, you want a curbless, step-in shower, like this one I designed for a couple in St. Francis Woods, San Francisco. Curbless showers are highly desirable even for those who don’t medically require them, creating a beautiful, flowing look for your bathroom. Selecting gorgeous, handmade ceramic tiles like the ones above will also elevate your space.

These are just a few ways to make your home a place you can remain for as long as you wish, with independence and freedom, into your golden years.

For more ideas on how to create YOUR forever home, contact Kimball Starr for a consultation today!

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Before and After 5-Star Review

Jul 13, 2026 | Posted in Before & After, Starr Spotlight |

In January I shared photos of a recently-renovated kitchen belonging to my San Francisco clients. Now I’m here to share the glowing review they left me, and show a few before-and-after photos. Enjoy the transformation!

Kitchen before the changes was mismatched, dark marble pill-shaped counter end with black legs, a fridge behind, flooring running front to back, and some counter-height chairs with orangey wood backs and seats on black legs. Lots of paperwork and books strewn around, and an open shelf on the wall to the left full of books.
BEFORE – Photo by Kimball Starr
AFTER the kitchen is lighter, brighter, and more coordinated, with white marble-look counters and light oak uppers and lower cabinetry. The owner's counter-height chairs surround a longer, more accessible countertop that can be reached from the living room, or guests can sit in the chairs and talk with the cook. Reddish-orange pendant lights that coordinate with the chairs hang from the ceiling towards the dining room doorway. The fridge has moved to make space for the sink and dishwasher. The upper cabinets extend all the way to the ceiling now. White marble-look backsplash and counters have replaced the heavy black marble.
AFTER – Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Gao’s Cabinets

The kitchen is so much more light, open, and functional now.

BEFORE in the kitchen, looking towards the corner with the sink and dishwasher, and cherry wood upper and lower cabinets. The upper cabs don't extend to the ceiling, gathering dust and oils from cooking. The flooring is a light oak finish hardwood. A large oven and cooktop in stainless steel is visible with a kettle on the surface.
BEFORE – Photo by Kimball Starr
AFTER the renovation, there's a new prep sink in place of the full sink, and the dishwasher has moved to make space for more light oak cabinets. The oven and cooktop now has a matching upside-down-T-shaped vent hood, and the counters are white marble-look quartzite. The hardwood flooring now runs side to side to make the space feel bigger. Two orangey-red pendant lights hang from the ceiling, and you can look all the way through because part of the wall and the upper cabinets that used to be there have been removed.
AFTER – Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Gao’s Cabinetry

We opened up the wall in front of the new prep sink, creating a more unified space.

BEFORE showing the kitchen wall and passageway to the dining room, painted a bright yellow. A large medium-colored wood cabinet is next to the wall, and a dark marble counter top is visible above drawers. On the right, the kitchen counter is rounded, with a view through the living room (sofa on the left) to the backyard patio, and green space with seating and plants. Collectible masks hang on the wall above the opening.
BEFORE – Photo by Kimball Starr
AFTER looking from the dining room through the light, bright kitchen to the living room and into the exterior yard and patio. The wall has been removed to the right and left, opening up the passage further. The light oak cabinets now extend all the way to the ceiling. The white marble countertops form a U-shape to allow you into the kitchen, and provide seating and prep space. 4 pendant lights in orangey-red hang above the counter. Light streams in from a window on the left between the new cabinets. The stainless steel microwave is under the counter on the left, next to drawers and more cabinets. The light wood flooring runs left to right now.
AFTER – Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Goa’s Cabinetry

The view into the backyard is now a feature, with the kitchen and living areas feeling harmonious with each other and nature. Great result and happy client! Read for the review below or on Google.

Header for a Google Review, with the label reading: Kimball Starr Interior Design Interior Designer San Francisco Design District A photo of a lime-green corner sofa and glass table from one of Kimball's other projects is inside a circle at the top right. On the bottom left is a circle with the letter M and the name Misha W, with 5 yellow stars underneath.

Despite being a residential real estate broker with decades of experience, I knew my wife and I would need help redesigning the kitchen of our Noe Valley home, which had seen us through 25 years of hard use.

Our primary interest was in getting help on the interior design and layout aspects of our new kitchen, and here Kimball really excelled. She was meticulous in her measurements and had a great eye for the practical necessities of a busy kitchen (my wife and I both like to cook).

One small detail as an example: Making sure there’d be enough room between the open door of the dishwasher and the end of our peninsula countertop to allow easy access.

She also helped us think through the specific uses of our custom cabinets and drawers so that we’d know we had room for all of our “stuff.”

Though our primary focus was on help with layout, Kimball also helped us select finishes. My wife’s and my design aesthetics are often not the same, and Kimball was very careful to be respectful of both of us. In fact, at a certain point we asked her to be more assertive of her own opinions and she responded accordingly.

As others have said, Kimball is not interested in pushing her own views; rather, she listens to what you want and helps to execute it. We really appreciated that.

The proof of the pudding is that we absolutely love our new kitchen! It “works” in all the ways we wanted it to. Besides this, Kimball was available, organized, always pleasant, easy to deal with, and very affordable. Easy 5 stars!

~ Google Review from user Misha W.

Kimball Starr designs contemporary homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or in-person consultation.

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Tahoe Dreams

Jun 22, 2026 | Posted in Inspirations |

Do you want to live or vacation at Lake Tahoe?

A neutral light-colored beige, tan, brown, and grey living room with beige exposed-beam vaulted ceilings, two cream sofas at a 90-degree angle, a dark wooden coffee table in front of them. There's a smaller seating area in front of the window with a view to the lake, and behind the sofas there's another smaller dark striped sofa and seating area near some art. The hardwood flooring is medium brown, and a grey striped rug anchors the bigger sofas and chairs. Lighting is cast by wall sconces and table lamps scattered through the space, as well as the large window with a view to the lake and blue sky.
Photo courtesy Leeder Real Estate

A relaxing living room to enjoy the view is essential.

A kitchen with no visible upper cabinets, lower cabinets in dark grey, appliances in stainless steel, and light grey countertops contrasts with the light tan exposed beam vaulted ceiling. A window to the left shows greenery with a grey roman blind pulled up to expose the view. Open shelves are on one wall with a wall sconce above that extends out and is adjustable. A large window at the back shows the blue sky and water.
Photo courtesy Leeder Real Estate

Welcome friends and family into the modern kitchen with a window out to the sky and water.

The bedroom features a white slatted wooden ceiling running towards the window at the far end with a view of the water. A seating area with a sofa and two chairs plus a side table and television has a dresser behind the sofa, all of which is near the view. Towards the front right, the bed is dressed in white linens with an oversize tan pillow and a medium-brown wood bedside table. Beyond the bed, a map appears on the wall next to an open doorway.
Photo courtesy Leeder Real Estate

A bedroom with a seating area is a luxury, plus another stunning view of the water.

A cream and beige bathroom with grey tiling and black fixtures in the glass-walled shower, light-colored countertops that match the kitchen, and pale wood cabinetry underneath the double trough sink. Towels hang on hooks on the opposite wall, beneath a long framed piece of art, which is all visible in the large mirror. Recessed lighting shines down from the light-colored ceiling, and a framed blue and turquoise bathing suit hangs on the wall near the shower. A posey of red flowers sits in the corner of the counter by the sink.
Photo courtesy Leeder Real Estate

The spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom is a must.

Two armchairs with brown and black striped pillows against the backs and a blanket over the arm of one sit with a small glass table between them, and a round footstool in front. Behind the chairs is a floor-to-ceiling arched window to the bright blue lake and sky outside. Two wall sconces either side of the window provide additional light. A tan and black checkered rug grounds the seating area. A framed piece of art hangs on the wall to the left, while to the right is a door to an exterior deck with an umbrella, table and seating.
Photo courtesy Leeder Real Estate

Enjoy your time at Lake Tahoe! When you want help designing a space like this one, get in touch.

Kimball Starr designs beautiful homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or in-person consultation.

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Vacation Rental at Home

Jun 08, 2026 | Posted in Inspirations |

Want a vacation escape at your home, with no traveling required? Even better, a space you can rent out when you need extra income. Here are some ideas.

Exterior of a white-sided backyard building or ADU with string lights, outdoor seating and dining, and a BBQ.
Photo by Hansphoto via unsplash.com/license

Do you have a shed, exterior home office, or outbuilding? Convert to a mini-vacay spot!

A person in motion walking through a living room with white wood panelled walls, a wood-burning fireplace in the corner, a standing lamp next to a blue two seater sofa, and two arm chairs with woven blankets on the backs. A wooden coffee table is placed between the seating, and there's a table lamp visible below a round mirror on the wall. A large window to a patio or exterior space allows bright light to stream into the room.
Photo by Hansphoto via unsplash.com/license

This isn’t a full rental, so you don’t need to provide a kitchen. People don’t want to cook on vacation! Just give them a cozy spot to relax, and a table for take-out.

A white bedroom with two walls of curtains, one behind a white wooden bed and purple pillows, a purple blanket across the foot of the bed, and the rest in white linens. Two sets of towels are on the bed, one is pink and one is white in each set. A pair of matching bedside tables with lamps sit either side of the bed. A small white desk with a black chair is visible at the end of the room, and a white dresser with a television and fan is nearby the desk. Three black ceiling lights are angled at the desk and dresser. The flooring is light-colored hardwood.
Photo by Hello Aesthe via unsplash.com/license

If the bedroom is light and breezy, sleep will be easy.

An exterior view of a tree-lined small wooden deck with 2 chairs, a side table, exterior rug, and a large potted plant with flowers. Behind is a screened porch with a dining or seating area and string lights overhead. You can see through to the green trees beyond, and a red building in the distance. Grasses surround the edges of the wooden deck, with two more large potted green plants at the front.
Photo by Hansphoto via unsplash.com/license

Outside seating is perfect for relaxation and enjoying nature.

Outside a white wooden paneled building are two dark-colored outdoor loveseats with off-white cushions and a square firepit table on a small rug on the dark wood decking. In the corner sits a silver and black BBQ. String lights hang from the corner of the building into the trees, over the deck and seating.
Photo by Hansphoto via unsplash.com/license

Amenities like a dry bar, fire pit, or BBQ will attract vacationers, and be fun for you, too!

Kimball Starr designs beautiful homes with backyard buildings / ADUs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or in-person consultation!

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