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Kitchen Islands

Aug 21, 2023 | Posted in Trends |

Out with counter-height and bar-height, in with dining-height counters plus other kitchen island trends!

A white marble backsplash matches the white marble dining-height countertop that extends from the counter-height surface with cornflower blue cabinetry, and gold accents on the chair legs and inside the white pendant lights.
Photo courtesy Valerie Wilcox and Stacey Brandford for Sarah Richardson Design

Dining height end with a matching backboard. These colors make my heart SING!

A grey pill-shaped island is the center of this grey and white kitchen with grey cabinetry and light-colored-wood flooring. Two white pendant lamps hang above the island.
Design by Jean Stoffer Design | Photo by John Stoffer

Pill-shaped islands are HUGE this year, and practical.

A dining area with dark curtains and light-colored wood is organized into a long, low, horizontal space with cups and silverware at the back and a long white counter with under-counter display storage at the front. A dining-height island surface has black and wood dining chairs.
Photo courtesy Katrina Chambers

Dining and counter heights combined in a linear space with stylish display shelving underneath.

A white peaked roof with exposed wood beams is matched by a long waterfall counter that features counter height at one end and a dining height counter waterfalling off the taller surface. A pair of modern black barstools sits in front of the counter height end, while behind is a kitchen with two ovens, black cabinetry, a white farmhouse sink with gooseneck faucet, and open wood shelving on the wall behind, with herringbone white tile backsplash. Multiple pendant lights hang above the island and kitchen. A dining area is seen beyond the kitchen in an open plan space.
Photo courtesy Andrea Calo for Pavonetti Architecture

A one-surface waterfall island allows for multiple heights and shapes, echoing the exposed wood beams.

A dark wood counter surface butts up against a white marble counter surface with sink and silver gooseneck faucet as the center of this kitchen. In the background, grey cabinetry and open shelving, stainless steel double ovens and microwave, plus more white marble countertop and matching backsplash. Two large gold-tone globe pendant lights hang above the island, while two wall sconces are placed high above and either side of the cabinetry. White tiling and a beige floor complete the space.
Photo courtesy Andrea Calo for Pavonetti Architecture

Two materials: Espresso-finish wood combined with a striped marble for an elegant finish.

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

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Casual Elegance

Aug 07, 2023 | Posted in Inspirations |

What a difference color and texture can make! In this San Francisco home, we removed old wallpaper and replaced it with a green subway tile backsplash continued throughout the space to unify the kitchen and dining areas. Now they’re bright and stylish.

Angled view into a dining room with a long shiny rectangular dark wood dining table surrounded by 6 dining chairs in alternating chair back colors of off-white and green with a pattern that looks like the tips of tree branches or florals with only buds. A textural pierced globe pendant lamp hangs above the table. Warm cherry hardwood flooring planks run horizontally. A mirror is seen above the fireplace mantle, while the hearth is black. Green plants in stands are raised above the floor by legs.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

Alternating chair backs play with materials and a connection to nature in a simple and elegant dining room.

Looking down the length of an L-shaped kitchen with a matching island in the center. White quartz countertops, white cabinetry, deep green subway tiles wall finish, warm cherry hardwood flooring running longways, plenty of windows underneath the cabinets to let in natural light, a pot-filler faucet in a silver under-mount sink. 2 barn-style sing-bulb silver metal pendant lights hang above the island while recessed lights can be seen elsewhere.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

Green subway tiles throughout the kitchen and breakfast nook bridge transitional styles while exhibiting casual elegance.

Corner bench seat with blue-green velvet seat and floral back pillows, a light colored wood round breakfast table with a matching chair, green subway tiles behind floating shelves, a wine chiller under the white counter and more white cabinetry. There's a lanai with a view to the outdoors and a ceiling fan, plus multiple windows allowing in bright light. Warm cherry wood flooring runs both directions in this space.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

We matched the dining room wood flooring in the kitchen and breakfast corner to keep continuous materials throughout the house.

A light-colored, bright living room with pale furniture: Two tub chairs with dark wood legs, pink interior fabric and floral backs sit at the front facing away, an oversize tufted white fabric and dark wood footrest acts as a table, a blue sofa has blue and green throw pillows, while a white and light blue sofa faces you under a large window with greenery outside. A round pierced textural pendant light hangs in the center of the room. A black fireplace with white mantle is dressed with photos above and next to it is a glass cabinet of bookshelves. A green plant sits on a dark wood side table between the two sofas. Windows have roman blinds in a sheer white fabric.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Client

A bright, serene living room makes a statement with simplicity.

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

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California Treehouses

Jul 24, 2023 | Posted in Inspirations |

What kid didn’t want to live among the treetops every summer? I sure did, and still do! Here are some inspiring treehouses in Northern California.

Post Ranch Inn Treehouse

A modern redwood treehouse with tall glass windows glowing with orange-colored inside lights stands on stilts inside a redwood forest.
Photo courtesy Post Ranch Inn

This treehouse is very modern, with full height glass windows and skylights.

A bedroom view with white angled ceilings above redwood-clad walls, an arched entrance to the bathroom, angled windows, one with a desk in front, a fireplace, a wooden table dressed with wine glasses and a bottle, a leather footstool by the fire, and a king size platform bed on matched redwood, with wall sconce bedside lamps at the head. The floor is grey.
Photo courtesy Post Ranch Inn

You’d expect a treehouse to be full of wood elements, but perhaps not to be as classy as this. LOVE the wood-burning stove and arched doorway.

A bathroom clad with redwood. A long yellow countertop holds 2 sinks with soap. Grey towels are layered on two separate racks. Grey ceramic floor tiles stand out underneath a square skylight in the white ceiling. Doors to a sauna and shower can be seen on the left. A huge mirror above the sinks reflects light around the space.
Photo courtesy Post Ranch Inn

Grab some me-time in a beautiful, relaxing wood-clad bathroom with a double sink and walk-in shower, plus a skylight for star-gazing.

Outside on a wooden balcony of the treehouse, with 2 adirondack-style loungers with seat and back pads in grey are facing out into the forest. A glass corner window is visible to the side, while exposed beams are held up by a wooden pole that rises through the wood floor. A metal rail extends towards you.
Photo courtesy Post Ranch Inn

Take in the dappled sunset through the forest in these Adirondack-style loungers.

Pinecone Treehouse

A spectacular pinecone-shaped treehouse formed out of metal, wood, and glass, with a ladder extending to it, hangs suspended in a redwood forest.
Photo courtesy O2treehouse.com

The Pinecone Treehouse will immerse you in 360-degree views of the upper canopy in the magnificent Redwood forests of Bonny Doon, 60 feet above the ground.

VIew from the inside of the pinecone treehouse, showing two single beds in white sheets and pillows leading to the exterior glass and metal views of the forest.
Photo courtesy O2treehouse.com

The calming effects of this wooded setting can lull you into deep rest and introspection by giving the impression you’re floating through the upper redwood canopy thanks to its two triangle-shaped see-through floor panels. Not for the faint of heart, though! A steep ladder must be traversed.

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

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A Taste of Wine Country

Jul 10, 2023 | Posted in Inspirations |

What’s more California than relaxing in a sunny space with a glass of wine in your hand? Here are two inspiring homes with tasting areas from Napa and Sonoma counties in California wine country.

Rustic Modern Villa

An open dining room with a built-in custom bar for wine tasting, and a high ceiling. The room is designed in off-whites, beiges, copper colors, and warm cherry wood. 8 off-white leather dining chairs from Roche Bobois surround a reclaimed wood rectangular dining table. A white, tiered, mod-style plaster light fixture from Bourgeouis Boheme counters the height of the ceilings and brings sophistication and lightness to the dining space.
Photo courtesy Jennifer Robin Interiors / Photo by John Merkl

I like the reclaimed wood dining table and walls treated by soda blasting, a process that brings extra grain and life to the wood in this custom bar.

A closeup view of the bar, with white oak wood custom cabinetry below and patina-mirrored tiles above reflecting the vineyard, with white oak open shelves and glass door cabinets above the counter. A wine chiller is visible through the glass door underneath the counter, between cabinet doors, one concealing a mini dishwasher.
Photo courtesy Jennifer Robin Interiors / Photo by John Merkl

White oak cabinetry creates a natural foundation for the built-in bar while mirrored tiles reflect the vineyard views.

A tall, corner aspect window with a view out to the mountains and vineyards frames a comfortable living room with a stone fireplace and stone walls extending up towards exposed beams and a white ceiling. A dark blue sofa sits at a 90-degree angle to a double-sided leather bench seat. Behind the blue sofa is a console table with a pair of blue table lamps and white lampshades. An antique mirror sits above the fireplace without a mantel, on a shelf.
Photo courtesy Jennifer Robin Interiors / Photo by John Merkl

A bench in the living room faces both sides, to connect two seating zones and the gorgeous view.

A white oak kitchen with white ceilings and medium-brown wood exposed beams. Large windows that wrap around the room are outlined in black metal and have no blinds or dressing. A deep farmhouse sink in stainless steel has a gooseneck faucet and the cook top's hood is also in stainless steel. A pair of modern white stools on black metal legs sit at the close end of the large kitchen island with a second small sink at the far end of the white concrete countertop.
Photo courtesy Jennifer Robin Interiors / Photo by John Merkl

For entertaining in the kitchen, durable concrete countertops balance the reclaimed wood ceiling beams’ rustic aesthetic. Chic stools provide a hint of industrial glamour.

Wine Country Farmhouse

A very high ceiling of exposed wood beams warms up a wine tasting space created by metal window frames, looking out to a view of green trees and orchards. Natural off-white curtains are gathered next to a concrete post on the sides of the windows. Oversized floor tiles in bronze with darker patina support a dining set on delicate black metal legs, which a wooden top on the rectangular dining table, dressed with 3 vases of greens, a flask full of wine, and table settings for 5 that we can see -- the end of the table on the right is cut off by the camera. One chair is pulled out as if ready to welcome you.
Photo courtesy Jute Interior Design / Photo by Lisa Romerein

Large expanses of metal-frame windows take in the gorgeous views of rolling hills and vineyards for tasting sessions here.

An outdoor tasting table and set of chairs on silver metal legs that form a rounded X shape. The chairs have slatted wooden back and simple pads atop the wooden seats. A carafe of water sits in a round serving tray with other items. A block of cheese and bunch of grapes are spilling off to the side from a dark wooden bowl. Concrete blocks are textured to ensure the flooring isn't too slippery when it rains. A large metal overhead pendant hangs from a warm, wood ceiling. A single concrete column holds up the ceiling and frames the view beyond of the mountains and green hills. A corner window is just visible to the right, showing off the edge of another space nearby that also shares the view.
Photo courtesy Jute Interior Design / Photo by Lisa Romerein

Or you could move to an indoor-outdoor tasting area with a more expansive view.

A dark woven outdoor sofa and pair of matching chairs sit facing each other, with off-white, natural-color seat cushions and matching loose back pillows, plus same-size throw pillows in dark brown. On the low table between, a serving tray holds a carafe of lemon water and 3 unopened bottles of spritzer. A book and a plate of fruit also adorn the table. Behind the sofa (on the left) is a light-colored stone wall with grey grout. Above the seating area is a warm wood ceiling and dark metal pendant light hanging down on a chain. Beyond the seating area is a swimming pool, and beyond that are vines and green hills reaching towards the green mountains in the distance, with blue skies above and a single puffy white cloud.
Photo courtesy Jute Interior Design / Photo by Lisa Romerein

If you have a place in wine country, I can help!

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

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Increase Curb Appeal

Jun 19, 2023 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

Summer is here, along with warmer, drier weather! Home buyers will be looking for potential real estate purchases.

Even if you’re not selling, you want to think about how your home looks from the street, so you aren’t dragging down the neighborhood! Here are some tips.

A midcentury modern exterior appeals with stonework on the front wall around the door, exposed wood beams around the windows and below the ceiling, and neatly trimmed natural plantings surround the approach to the front door.
Photo courtesy First Lamp via Houzz

What I love here is the stonework and manicured plantings with wood highlights on the ceiling, windows, and door. Make sure your approach to the entrance is uncluttered and has varied interest like this one.

Herringbone pattern on the orangey wooden front door that matches the neighbor's door, with a potted plant outside, a white sconce downlight and brass mail slot, finished with a sisal front door mat to be welcoming.
Photo courtesy MarthaStewart.com

Here’s a tidy front door with a wood pattern that matches the neighbors’ place in an outdoor apartment approach. If you’re in an HOA or neighborhood association, make sure you’re keeping any required features. It can be the neighborhood as a whole that sells individual houses.

Craftsman home with light grey shingles across a pointed roof with a circle center window above the front door. The shingles are repeated on the mailbox support. Alternating pavers lead to the front porch and door with green plantings all around.
Photo courtesy HGTV

Look at this great pathway to the front door under a Craftsman roof! A memorable feature is repeating the wooden shingles on the mailbox. You need at least one standout feature that sets you apart from the competition.

A double set of garage doors lit with down-lights underneath green shiplap cladding on one side of a home's entrance, with the other side being the front door, surrounded in stone cladding. A horizontal wheel-shaped pendant of bulbs lights the entrance more brightly than the rest of the house.
Photo courtesy HGTV

This double-aspect entrance and garage looks great on a clean, unbroken driveway. Resurface your driveway if you need to.

A yellow house with a gabled roof and white detailing around windows, doors, and porch railings that repeats on the which picket fence surrounding the green yard with a rosebush at the corner.
Photo courtesy Chiayacat at iStockphoto

A white picket fence is the dream for many. Rails along the front porch echo the lines from the fence, giving the impression of an organized home that won’t need lots of repairs. Make sure you do any needed repairs before you put your home on the market.

A light blue cottage with an arched white front gate entrance and a red gate, with pink flowers growing over the arch. A pair of blue birdhouses with red roofs form the mailboxes, labeled with the family's name are at the front.
Photo courtesy Flickr user Lynda Yvonne

This cottage twee arched gate fits this house perfectly and would really stand out from a standard entrance. The gate is the first thing buyers may see, the definition of curb appeal.

A brown modern square wood house with a railed balcony overlooks a yard of grasses and trees with rocks and brushes in varying shades of green, tan, and purple flowers.
Casa Pedregosa garden photo courtesy Grace Designs Associates

Drought-resistant plantings offer easy upkeep to a prospective buyer. If your yard doesn’t hit the right note, hire a landscape architect. The investment will pay off when you sell your home quickly and at top dollar.

To transform your home into your dream destination, Kimball Starr can help! Contact her today for an in-person socially-distanced or remote meeting.

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Create a Patio Oasis

Jun 05, 2023 | Posted in How To & Decorating Tips |

A bright lime-green umbrella hangs overhead, shading a pair of outdoor loveseats with colorful floral throw pillows on lime-colored seats. Two light-up cubes in blue and pink hold drinks between the sofas. A white and dark-blue striped footrest pillow sits in the foreground on the grass.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

There’s a reason everyone dreams about living in California – the weather is great! Home design here isn’t just about interiors. Outdoor spaces can complement your interior rooms, too, and really add to your quality of life.

Below are my top tips for creating a beautiful and functional patio in Northern California:

Choose the right materials for your site climate and local environment. If you live in a hot area with direct sun like the desert or Napa, I suggest materials that stay cool, such as concrete or stone. If your neighborhood is cooler like in the mountains or forest, choose materials that will retain heat, such as brick or wood.

    Outdoor patio with succulent wall hanging plants on a trellis wall, a water fountain imported from Morocco, and large-scale tiles
    Kimball Starr Interior Design / Photo by Eric Rorer

    Make it functional. Patios should be more than just a place to sit and relax. Consider adding a grill, a fire pit, or a water feature to your patio. When entertaining, you’ll need a space that’s big enough to accommodate your guests.

    NorCal gets a lot of sunshine, so pick patio furniture that can withstand the elements. Look for tables and seating made from wicker, teak, or aluminum, and use solution-dyed fabrics such as Sunbrella that resist fading or mildew.

    A pair of teak outdoor chairs with blue, green, and white striped seat pads to welcome you. A small round wooden table sits between the two chairs, with a vase of red flowers.
    Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

    Add some shade. If you don’t want to be baking in the sun all summer, ensure there’s shade. This could be a pergola, a patio umbrella, a few large trees, or a shade sail. Your guests will thank you!

    Use drought-tolerant plants. Northern California is a Mediterranean climate, which means hot, dry summers. Drought-tolerant plants are a great way to save water and keep your patio looking lush and green all year long.

    Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer

    Showcase your personality! Add some personal touches, such as plants and flowers, sculpture or artwork. Then ensure you have good lighting design to show off these features at night.

    Make it a gathering place. Patios are the perfect place to entertain friends and family, so invite them while the time and weather are right.

    Kimball Starr creates beautiful and functional patios in homes across the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a socially-distanced or remote meeting!

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