Honor and Heritage

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Form + Field weaves cultural references with architectural integrity to curate a contemporary California Craftsman for a young family in Berkeley

The living room centers on a fireplace bookcase that features a mantle covered in tile from Inax Tile. A collection of ceramics above surround a sculpture by Akio Takamori. The green sofa is by Carl Hansen. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.

“I’m a first generation American who found self-expression and belonging from an early age in the arts and crafts,” says Christine Lin, founder and principal of San Francisco-based firm Form + Field. “I’ve always loved creating and the process of making things.” Having studied architecture and engineering at MIT, the designer took a career detour for ten years in tech but soon found her way back to design through side projects that inspired the launch of her firm. “Form + Field promotes joy and well-being through the design of empathetic interiors,” says Lin. “Empathy is our north star. This has informed our process which is rooted in reflecting the values, identity, and idiosyncrasies of our clients. Empathetic interiors is also a mindset that values curiosity and experimentation—we embrace the unconventional.”

A custom dining table by The Long Confidence sits below a pendant from Swadoh. The ceramic sculpture is by Marva Lee Pitchford-Jolly. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.
Lin lined the original built-in hutch with Kanoko Tile by Inax. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.

Built in 1918, the 2,600-square-foot California Craftsman home that sits in the heart of Berkeley had undergone a renovation and addition around 10 years ago by Eisenmann Architecture, who introduced Lin to the clients. “They were looking for a designer to create a cohesive look for the entire home and have a strong vision that reflects who they are,” she recalls. “The top priorities were making it feel comfortable and warm, practical for a family, soft lighting in the evenings, and respecting the craftsman architecture. The clients wanted to make it brighter, more modern this time around and also needed more space with older children—this would be making it their forever home.”

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The warm kitchen features Zinnia Blend Tile by Heath Ceramics on the backsplash. The appliances are from Sub-Zero.
Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.
A custom wet bar connects the kitchen and dining room. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.

Lin worked with the architects to configure a second floor addition that included a proper primary suite, an office and two bedrooms for the kids. This also created ample space downstairs to carve out a family room next to the kitchen. “The main challenge was the balance of high and low to hit budgets,” Lin notes. “What do we put the budget towards that will have the highest impact? For us, that was investing in really amazing tile for the kitchen and primary bath, beautifully detailed millwork throughout the home, and custom furniture pieces for where the family gathers the most—the family room sectional and expandable dining table, both created by Rafi Ajl.”

A custom sofa by The Long Confidence offers ample seating in the family room. The coffee tables are from Frama and the wall hanging is “Astra” by Christopher Wrobleski. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.
A powder room features floor tile by Cement Tile Shop. The faucet is by Watermark and the vanity is custom by Westwood Designs Inc. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.
The stair runner is from Paterson Floor Coverings. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.

The clients are Asian American (Chinese and Japanese descent) and have two school-age daughters, so honoring their heritage while paying respect to the original architecture was an important goal. “From the handmade vintage Japanese Sakiori rug in the entry to the sculpture made by Akio Takamori on the living room mantel, the textile weaving by local San Francisco artist Michelle Yi Martin in the dining room, the Japanese tile inlaid into the bar and sideboard backsplash and the Taiwanese lanterns hanging in the primary bedroom and bathroom,” Lin proclaims when asked how she incorporated elements of their cultures. “Also, we gave a nod to Japanese design in the indigo pillows from Kufri, indigo dyed rope artwork from Christopher Wrobleski and the futon-inspired custom sectional in the family room, and lastly the millwork throughout the home inspired by the traditional Japanese Tansu.”

In the primary bedroom, the bed is by Croft House, the nightstands are from Disc Interiors and the drape and shade fabric is by Schumacher. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.
The sunlit primary bathroom features Mia field tile from Ann Sacks and ROBERT A.M. STERN SNOW MATTE TILE found at Walker Zanger. The vanity is custom and the plumbing fixtures are by Watermark. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.
Medicine cabinets are flanked by Narrow Murano Glass and Brass Wall Sconces from Glustin Luminaires.
Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.
Form + Field and Eisenmann Architecture created a wood-clad volume, as a dressing room intervention into the primary bathroom. Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.

The finished result is a lasting design that infuses the true essence of California with thoughtful references, durability and soul. “The clients told us that we were right about everything,” says Lin. “We received an email from them that stated, ‘We’re so happy with everything. Your pieces are not only beautiful in pictures but live-able and realistic for everyday. A difficult balance to achieve. We recently went on vacation to a lovely resort, but all we wanted to do was to come home to the beautiful home you’ve created.’” A success indeed.

In the office, the millwork is by Westwood Designs Inc., the lamp is from Frama and the artwork is by Aysia Stieb.
Photos by Michael Clifford, styling by Kay Jaramillo.