Cow Hollow Home Gets a Pro Makeover

Name: Broderick St.
Location: Cow Hollow; San Francisco, California
Size: Approximately 7580 square feet
About: Remodeled in 2013. 7 bed, 7 full baths/2 half baths.

My interior design firm just completed a project that I am practically drooling over. Our client gave me the ok to photograph the completed project and share it with you, so we can all drool together! The property is going for a cool $11.7 million, so while it just may be beyond both your budget and mine, it can sometimes be inspiring to get a glimpse into the world of high-end design and see how the pros like to do it.

The developer, Cindy O’Neill, was a blast to work with. Her visits became a highlight in our office, as they came with a generous helping of dramatic stories from her former life as a cop. Now she channels her kick-butt attitude into keeping contractors in line. Below are her thoughts on this project:

How did you come across this particular house and decide to renovate it?
Like most things in my life — completely by accident. I was all set to go back to my job as a police officer after taking ten years off to raise my kids, and this project fell into my dad’s lap. I think he knew I would be so tempted to be involved that I wouldn’t go back to the police department. He got his way. Two things I love in this life: being a cop, and building.

How was the process overall?
Not unlike delivering a baby. Starts with excitement, devolves into monotony, tedium and no sleep, becomes significantly uncomfortable and then downright painful, and then ends with a beautiful product (hopefully!) that is hard to leave. Like forgetting the pain of labor, you forget the four months you spent in the mud digging out the old foundation and pouring the new one while it was raining sideways.

What is your favorite feature?
The great room. It addresses how people with families (or who like to cook and entertain) actually live their lives. In my world, the kitchen is the hub, and everyone needs to be able to float around it in comfortable spaces to enjoy each other’s company.

What would you do differently?
I am not big on regrets, I prefer to just learn as I go and take it with me. There isn’t a lot I really would do differently EXCEPT there would be waaaaaay more Excel spreadsheets to keep window, door, tile, sink, paint, and appliance orders all organized.

What advice would you give other developers/home remodelers?
As a project manager, you can never be too organized. Seriously. No really. You can’t.

Designer Stephanie Fillbrandt, owner of Marsh & Clark Design, had a heavy hand in the remodel of this house as well. From Stephanie:

Why did you decide to take on this project?
Cindy and her dad had seen my work on another house and thought my aesthetic was right for the project. I’m always thrilled to get the opportunity to work on old San Francisco homes and help to reinvent them for today’s modern families — it’s a privilege. The decision was easy.

How was the process overall?
The process was great! Because Cindy had faith in our vision and was willing to invest in the design, the outcome of the project was beautiful.

As the designer, what are you most proud of in this project?
The ceiling detail in the master bedroom – it looks balanced and purposeful, but in truth it was necessary to hide some uncompromising beams which were located in really inconvenient locations. It was quite a balancing act to figure out just how to lay out the ceiling detail to achieve the right proportions. I love the math in this job. Oh, and I love the kitchen too!

FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES: Tamara Mack Designs

ALL CEILINGS, DOORS & TRIM: Decorator’s White

1st FLOOR:

• *GARAGE: Decorator’s White
• LAUNDRY ROOM: Full Moon
• *FITNESS ROOM: Whitestone
• REC ROOM: Horizon
• REC ROOM CABINETS: Nimbus
• *POWDER BATHROOM: Silver Satin
• *GUEST BEDROOM: Full Moon
• WINE CELLAR: Decorator’s White

2nd FLOOR:

• ENTRY / HALL: Wickham gray
• LIVING ROOM / DINING ROOM: Revere Pewter
• KITCHEN / BUTLER’S PANTRY / FAMILY ROOM*: Smoke Embers less 50%
• KITCHEN CABINETS: Smoke Embers

3rd FLOOR

• *STAIRWELL / HALLWAY: Wickham Gray
• MASTER BEDROOM: Silvery Moon
• MASTER BATHROOM: Silvery Moon
• BEDROOM 1: Ballet White
• BATHROOM 1: Ballet White
• BEDROOM 2: Marilyn’s Dress
• BATHROOM 2: Marilyn’s Dress
• BEDROOM 3: Nimbus
• BATHROOM 3: Numbus less 25%
• *LAUNDRY ROOM: Decorator’s White

4th FLOOR

• *HALLWAY: Horizon
• BEDROOM 4: Blue Springs
• BATHROOM 4: Blue Springs less 50%
• *OFFICE: Nimbus
• *POWDER BATHROOM: Britannia Blue
• REC ROOM / WET BAR: Horizon

*Room not pictured. For the full collection of photos, visit the Marsh & Clark Design “Projects” page.

Thanks, Team Broderick!

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