Home Reflections

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This Cow Hollow condominium, created by Julia Goodwin Design, reflects her client’s passions and interests

Rafael Arana hand-painted the ombre mural that reaches around the room. The sectional, designed by Julia Goodwin Design, was custom made by Franciscan Interiors. The art above the sofa is by Marco Grassi. Photo by Margaret Austin Photography.

“He loved the light and the views of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance,” Julia Goodwin of Julia Goodwin Design articulates on what drew the client to a 1,900-square-foot condominium in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood. Apart from that, her first impression was that the space was, essentially, a white box. Fortunately, it was not the duo’s first rodeo. “This is our fourth project together,” Goodwin shares. “Because he’s a longtime client who’s trusted us across multiple projects, there was a shared point of view and an ease that meant the work felt clear right from the get-go.”

The central room’s hand-painted walls were created by artist Rafael Arana. The chandelier, created by John Pomp Studio, was purchased through De Sousa Hughes. Photo by Margaret Austin Photography.
Photo by Margaret Austin Photography.

The Bay Area-based interior design firm’s approach is rooted in the idea that a home should feel deeply personal. “It should feel collected over time rather than decorated all at once,” Goodwin shares. “We’re drawn to spaces that have a real point of view: Layered, expressive and grounded in craft. Our goal is to create a home that reflects who the client is, the way they actually live, and a space that feels like nowhere else.”

The wallpaper in the powder bath is from Calico. Photo by Margaret Austin Photography

“The home itself was basically a blank canvas so we needed to bring personality into the space,” Goodwin explains. An avid art collector, he was interested in bold color and custom furnishings. “He loves to host and wanted the home to feel fun and expressive—a true reflection of who he is.” This mantra was at the heart of every creative decision that the firm made. 

Photo by Margaret Austin Photography.

With that objective in mind, the firm commissioned artist Rafael Arana to create a mural that would stretch across the living room’s walls. The handpainted, ombre design that Arana drew shimmers across the main living areas, shifting with the light as the sun moves over it. “It functions as both artwork and atmosphere,” Goodwin explains, pointing out that it seems to reflect the kitchen’s pink cabinets. “It’s almost as if they’ve bled into the room,” she says. “It creates a seamless, immersive quality that ties the two spaces together in a way that feels intuitive rather than designed.”

A portrait of the client’s grandmother is framed in a custom double-stacked ornate frame in purple, designed by Julia Goodwin Design. Photo by Margaret Austin Photography.

The iridescent glass discs of the chandelier, created by John Pomp Studio—that enjoy their own dance with the light—seems to echo the movement of the walls, adding other layer of beauty to this vibrant interaction.

Photo by Margaret Austin Photography.

“Every element in the space feels like it’s in quiet conversation with the next one,” says Goodwin. The mesmerizing result is a visual domino effect of light and color. “The client loved how the colors and the art worked together so seamlessly; it’s bold and expressive yet, at the same time, it’s welcoming and approachable,” Goodwin notes. “Most of all, he loved how it felt truly him, a genuine reflection of his personality.” Isn’t that, after all, what home is all about? “That was reallly at heart of what we were going for,” says Goodwin, “So to hear him say that was truly rewarding.”

The sconces on either side of the bed are by Konekt, and were sourced through Coup D’état. The bed, designed by Julia Goodwin Design was custom made by Franciscan Interiors. Photo by Margaret Austin Photography.