Hidden Gem

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A compelling and colorful junior ADU in Alameda, created by interior designer Ramona Tan, embodies the concept of timeless design

The entryway’s floor tile is by Fireclay. The ceiling light fixture was found at Visual Comfort.
Photos by Vivian Johnson Photography.

“I create timeless spaces that my clients can enjoy now and for years to come,” interior designer Ramona Tan explains. That philosophy is beautifully demonstrated in the renovation of an unfinished basement in a Victorian Home in the Gold Coast of Alameda that she shouldered for a repeat client. 

The lounge features a pair of green sculpted chairs and mid-century tufted sofa discovered at the Alameda Flea. The indoor-outdoor rug is from Rugs Direct, the ceiling wallpaper is by Mitchel Black and the window treatments and drapery are by The Shade Store. 
Photos by Vivian Johnson Photography
The bar features stools by CB2, wall sconces by West Elm and an accent chair by New Pacific Direct. 
Photos by Vivian Johnson Photography.

“The house that they purchased had an unfinished basement,” Tan notes. “We felt that the space offered a unique opportunity to extend the home’s usability.” Now, it could serve as the backdrop for game nights and gatherings with the couple’s adult children and, later, it can accommodate the client’s mother, who lives with dementia. The couple, fun-loving college sweethearts, envisioned a warm, welcoming retreat in which to relax and unwind. Tan’s work brought this to life with cozy textures, layered lighting and personal touches that reflect their story. “Their vision was James Bond meets The Great Gatsby.

Photos by Vivian Johnson Photography.

“The design prioritized both present day enjoyment and long-term flexibility and considers how the space will evolve over time,” Tan shares. “It was essential that the environment be easy to maintain yet feel warm and personal—we didn’t want anything that felt sterile or institutional.” The layout supports the presence of a caretaker while also encouraging guided independence, striking a careful balance between accessibility, comfort and a sense of home. Functionally, the space follows universal design and aging-in-place principles. The wet room doubles as a laundry space, with wall-hung fixtures and sloped, barrier-free flooring. Thresholds were banished and pocket doors were incorporated.

In the kitchen, custom cabinetry painted in Elder White by Sherwin Williams and Antiquarian by Dunn Edwards, is paired with Cambria quartz countertops in Blackpool. The hardware is by Rejuvenation.
Photos by Vivian Johnson Photography
Photos by Vivian Johnson Photography.

Inspired by that Bond-meets-Gatsby aesthetic, the space blends luxury with whimsy: a “Yellow Submarine” kitchen includes porthole-style pocket doors, and the bathroom’s penny tiles pick out the clients’ names in Morse code. A motorized world map conceals the TV, while dramatic foyer tile work leads to a lounge hidden behind velvet green curtains, complete with a full bar. A sliding bookcase disguises the entry to the homeowner’s workshop, while a similar feature reveals  a hidden kitchen service window. The original under-stairs door was salvaged and reinstalled. The client refers to it as the “‘Harry Potter closet!,” Tan laughs.

Wood nightstands by Crate and Barrel, velvet bedding by Pottery Barn and a rug from World Market bring warmth in the bedroom.
Photos by Vivian Johnson Photography.

Honoring the spirit of the original home was key. “To preserve the home’s character, all existing windows were retained except one, which we converted into an entry door that we designed to feel original. Embracing the space’s subterranean moodiness, the design features rich textures, bold patterns, and saturated colors. That’s highlighted by stained mahogany paneling, a wallpapered ceiling, custom cabinetry, and a jewel-toned palette.

In the bathroom, custom cabinetry is painted in Sherwin Williams’ Gale Force. A custom shower curtain matches the flat Roman shades from the Shade Store, the plumbing fixtures are by Watermark Designs, the wall tile is by Fireclay and the picture light is by Hinkley.
Photos by Vivian Johnson Photography.

The clients were delighted with the finished space! They particularly love how the design and the finishes impart a Speakeasy vibe infused with fun, beauty, playfulness and modern convenience. Between the natural light, fixtures, and lustered ceiling wallpaper, the mood feels just right any time of day.”