Classically Cool

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Andrew Mann Architecture gives a traditional Edwardian home a more modern feel

Photos by Paul Dyer, styling by Mikhael Romain.

Located in the foggy, food-filled Sunset District of San Francisco, this Edwardian home was in need of an update for a family of four. The client—Jennifer VanderWeele—is a multi-faceted interior designer who wanted to work with an architecture firm that could help usher their home into a new era. They hired Andrew Mann Architecture to creatively add space for their active, daily lives while keeping the original bones in tact. “Our client sought to modernize the home without expanding its footprint,” recalls Andrew Mann, founding principal of the firm. “Key goals included enhancing the sense of spaciousness and interior connection, while preserving the historic character and detail of the Edwardian structure. The design needed to accommodate family life with growing kids, entertaining, and daily rhythms with warmth and flexibility.”

The kitchen features custom walnut and black painted casework, an induction range by AGA and a fridge by Miele. The stone was found at Da Vinci Marble. Photos by Paul Dyer, styling by Mikhael Romain.
The dining table is from Workstead. Photos by Paul Dyer, styling by Mikhael Romain.

The most significant change started with the kitchen that was divided from the dining room. They merged the two spaces by adding a thoughtfully positioned bar that now connects the two, encouraging interaction while preserving a sense of distinction, offering both openness and intimacy. “The design resolves this with a custom full-height bar cabinet—an architectural anchor which the spaces naturally flow around,” says Mann. “For the owners, who love entertaining, this casework piece grounds the connection between the rooms, encouraging interaction without compromising their distinct identities.”

The powder room is painted in a custom green by Benjamin Moore. A custom Calacatta Viola marble sink from Turkey sits below a handmade un-lacquered brass faucet from Morocco.
Photos by Paul Dyer, styling by Mikhael Romain.
The main kitchen and dining area leads straight to a deck that is made using TimberTech. Photos by Paul Dyer, styling by Mikhael Romain.

Beyond the kitchen, they worked with Arrow Builders to expand the main footprint by adding a new outdoor deck directly off the kitchen and family room that connects the home with the backyard. “The deck spans the full width of the family room, aligning seamlessly with the house to create a unified indoor-outdoor space that feels like a natural continuation of the interior,” he says. “With this addition, the home gains a sense of openness while providing a versatile setting for both everyday living and larger gatherings.”

Photos by Paul Dyer, styling by Mikhael Romain.
The primary bathroom is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee OC-45. The plumbing fixtures are by Kohler and the floor tile is by cle. Photos by Paul Dyer, styling by Mikhael Romain.

Throughout, the team collaborated with VanderWeele to select a palette of finishes and details that bridge the gap between the traditional exterior and more modern interior. A mix of vintage brass, refined profiles and meticulous craftsmanship enhances the client’s collection of curated pieces and her own artwork.

The kid’s bathroom features plumbing fixtures by Kohler. Photos by Paul Dyer, styling by Mikhael Romain.

The outcome is an environment that feels uniquely personal while remaining effortlessly timeless. “Together, these carefully considered elements create a layered composition of volumes, forms, finishes and proportions that balances rigor and flow—a modern counterpoint to the home’s traditional bones and a subtle through-line connecting past and present,” Mann proclaims. “The modernization is quiet yet transformative. Every change respects the home’s existing character while introducing new layers of comfort, function, and architectural precision. The result is a residence that feels both timeless and distinctly personal.”