Luxury Redefined: Studio AHEAD's Stunning Ceramic-Filled House

Revamping the Hillsborough Residence

The Hillsborough Residence, a 6,000-square-foot dwelling from the mid-20th century located in the San Francisco Bay Area, had experienced several disjointed renovations over the years. Instead of discarding the layers of past modifications, Studio AHEAD, a prominent San Francisco-based interior design firm led by Homan Rajai and Elena Dendiberia, joined forces with the renowned architectural firm Marmol Radziner. This collaboration aimed to thoroughly transform the residence by integrating the various elements into a unified story that speaks to both the place and its inhabitants.

Rajai and Dendiberia skillfully curated interactions among diverse items, bridging gaps across time and geography. A 1960s Pierre Chapo chair from France is paired with modern ceramics crafted by Nathan Lynch, a West Marin artist. Works by Bauhaus icon Josef Albers, known for his geometric abstractions, are displayed next to the naturalistic wooden sculptures by JB Blunk. The dining area features a celestial-inspired mobile chandelier by Michael Anastassiades, reflecting the homeowner’s passion for astronomy, and custom-designed rugs by the studio add a sense of softness, smoothing the transitions from one area to another.

Ceramics throughout the residence are not only utilitarian but also serve as key artistic focal points. Works by Peter Voulkos, a pioneer of the ceramics program at the University of California, Berkeley, are showcased alongside tableware from Heath Ceramics and pieces by contemporary ceramicists such as Ben Peterson and Liza Riddle. The understated tones of the walls and ceilings, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Clunch No. 2009, provide a serene backdrop that enhances the visibility and impact of these earth-colored artworks.

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The redesign of the primary bedroom stands out as a particularly innovative aspect of the project. Here, floor-to-ceiling windows blur the lines between the indoors and the surrounding landscape. The designers explained their approach: “Positioning the bed against any of the walls made it impossible to appreciate the stunning views outside while reclining. Our solution was to place the bed centrally and incorporate a bespoke bedframe with an integrated desk behind the headboard. Above this arrangement hangs a large painting by Gordon Onslow Ford, a notable Surrealist invited by Andre Breton and a former Inverness resident closely associated with J.B. Blunk. This painting presides over the room, setting the stage for nightly journeys into the dream world.”

In this extensive renovation, the creative synergy between Studio AHEAD and Marmol Radziner has not only preserved the essence of the Hillsborough Residence but also enhanced its narrative, making it a true embodiment of both its historical context and its modern-day inhabitants.