Modernizing a Traditional Craftsman
Baker
Berkeley, California | 2019
This is a gem of a house, a very old craftsman. The owners wanted to update the infrastructure—wiring, plumbing, HVAC—while maintaining the original feel of the home. The end result is a mix of traditional craftsman details with a modern sensibility and function.
Architect: Gary Earl Parsons
The house could easily be landmarked—it was designed by John Hudson Thomas (1878-1945), a well-known architect in northern California.
“I love this project because it represents the continuation and legacy of an ongoing client relationship. Current and past Carlen Co. iterations maintained a relationship with these great clients. We completed the kitchen renovation in 2007; the lower level unit in 2010; and the master bath and closet in 2019. There were so many difficult and precise design details in every stage of the job that were executed really well.”
The original kitchen was dark, outdated, and divided by interior walls. We opened the entire space and rebuilt the stairs to the lower level to create more ease, access, and flow.
The French doors and sidelites were added to give the kitchen more natural light, as well as access to the brick courtyard outside—a place where the homeowners often enjoy an al fresco meal.
The woodwork details were designed by Gary Parsons, an architect who has mastered the art of adding new details that complement and enhance the overall feel of a house.
Many of the wood trim details were custom fabricated by our talented carpenters.
The master bath is a jewel box.
It balances traditional Douglas fir trim and details with modern aesthetics, like a wall-wash skylight that illuminates the glass tile and brightens the marble walls.
“In a testament to just how unpredictable construction can be, a plumber put his foot through the ceiling of the main house entry while working on the master bath above. He was fine, and so was the ceiling—after we cleaned it up and fixed it!”
