Modern Oasis
Lafayette
For many parents, choosing a home is about more than curb appeal — it’s about logistics. The daily triangle of home, school, and work can make or break family life, which is why one Bay Area couple was willing to overlook a few flaws in a Lafayette property that happened to sit perfectly between their son’s school in Oakland and the wife’s job in Walnut Creek.
The home came with undeniable perks: a quiet, leafy neighborhood, a serene backyard shaded by a towering maple, and a peaceful creek running behind the lot. But the structure itself, originally built in the 1960s, felt clunky — dominated by a massive fireplace that blocked sightlines and hallways that zig-zagged with no clear logic. “It’s as if someone had made an addition without really thinking it through,” the homeowners joked.
The construction scope ultimately evolved into a full reimagining of the house: a new layout, new finishes throughout, and the addition of a complete second story.
Architect: Feldman Architecture
Interior Designer: Alicia Cheung Design
In the kitchen, it’s golden hour every hour. Custom walnut-veneer cabinetry by Precision Cabinets — paired with Emtek knobs and pulls — brings rich warmth to the space. Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, porcelain flooring, and Fireclay Tile’s Halite and Tempest Gloss backsplash reflect natural light beautifully, creating a soft, inviting glow throughout the day.
Drinks begin and end in the great room. “We love having family gatherings here,” says the wife — and with a bar like this, the sentiment is easy to understand. Clad in Verde Borgogna marble and fitted with a custom Iron Abode shelving unit, the bar becomes a sculptural centerpiece that draws the eye while grounding the surrounding Precision Cabinets millwork.
The new stairway is a quiet sculptural moment in the home — a warm wooden form illuminated by Bocci’s 21.11 Random pendant. The gentle light, crisp architectural lines, and understated detailing create a calm, modern transition between the first and second floors.
