Second To None

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Anyon Interior Design spearheads the conversion of a nearly hundred year old home in Hillsborough into a wam modernist indoor-outdoor space perfect for an active family of five

A pendant from Bone Simple dangles over a table from Jenni Kayne and chairs from Shoppe Amber. The bar stools are from DWR.
Photo by Jonathan Michell.

Ah, the domino effect! A beach house that Anyon Interior Design and Light Space Architecture had recently completed for a San Francisco-based family of five had spoiled them for indoor-outdoor living—and to the benefits that great design can have on one’s quality of life. In fact, it prompted them to look for a new primary residence outside of the city. They discovered a home in Hillsborough, in San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco. Although the 1926 home had recently undergone an expansion, it would need significant work to bring it in line with their vision of a vibrant, light-filled home. To achieve that, the family once again turned to Anyon Interior Design and Light Space Architecture. 

A chandelier from Trueing illuminates dining chairs from Quintus and a dining table Yucca Stuff, sourced from Future Perfect. Leaning on top of a credenza is by Faithful Roots, is a photograph by Elisabeth Sunday a 3rd generation African American artist, via Anyon Atelier. Photo by Jonathan Michell. 

“We added warmth and welcome in order to express who they are as a family,” explains Anyon Interior Design principal, Lindsay Anyon Brier who filled the house with comfortable, inviting pieces. Bookcases and custom millwork turn the living room, originally a cold white box, into a cozy library, game room and craft room and highlight the original arched window with A. Rudin sofas covered in Otis Textile’s heavy natural linen. The pool house, dominated by a monumental artwork from artist Shauna Pickering, overlooks an expansive pool, lounging and play area. The edible garden, created by Pine House Edible Gardens, is a magical puzzle of fragrant smells and tastes.

The home’s open spaces needed to be flexible to accommodate the needs of a modern, active family including areas for homework, for working from home, for reading, for play, and for various types of entertaining. Separating the kitchen and dining room from the library-inspired living room, white steel doors can closed for privacy and quiet. The pool house can be used as a work space, an entertaining hub or it can be transformed into a guest room. 

Photo by Jonathan Michell
A monumental artwork by Shauna Pickering, sourced through Anyon Atelier, is balanced by Fong Brothers’ wicker chairs and an ottoman from St Frank. Photo by Jonathan Michell.

The house also showcases many of the tenets of “slow design” that are key to Anyon Interior Design’s work. There’s an emphasis on strong, simple shapes, on underlining the home’s connection to nature and the land, and on natural materials and artisan-made pieces. “At Anyon, we love to highlight our artisans and are proud to be able to tell their stories,” says Anyon Brier. “We believe that creates a strong connection to the pieces a client decides to live with.” 

Photo by Jonathan Michell

The result is a home that is beautiful, thoughtful, calm and considered. “They appreciate the impact and influence a well-designed home has on their appreciation and enjoyment of life,” says Anyon Brier. Here the house—and its lucky inhabitants—are clearly the winner.