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Retiro Design Co transforms a Gothic-style property into a Modern Mecca

In the dining room, the rug is by Stark Carpet, the sideboard is from Arhaus and the Lucia chandelier is by Luxe Lighting.
Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.

“Soon after moving into the neighborhood, I hosted a casual open house to meet my neighbors.  My would-be clients attended my open house and were immediately drawn to my aesthetic.  The following week, they called me and wanted to chat about the possibility of working together,” says Ritu Nagpal, founder and principal designer at Retiro Design Co on how she was hired to transform this home in San Francisco’s Marina District for a young, growing family.

In the kitchen, the range is Lacanche, the stone was found at IRG, the counter stools are from Denver Modern and the plumbing fixtures are by Brizo and Zip. Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.
The powder room features a vanity and sconces from Stone Forest. The wall mounted faucet is by Watermark and the wallpaper is by Kravet. Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.

At the time, the 5,500-square-foot, Gothic-revival-style home was under construction and the couple needed help envisioning their forever home. “They wanted to build a home suitable for their toddler son (and future kids) plus, their social lifestyle,” she notes. “In addition to entertaining, this dynamic couple loves to cook and exercise, they love the outdoors and are musicians—so the home needed to be a haven for all these things, as well as a comfortable place to raise their family.”

In the primary suite, a custom Bed sits below sconces by In Common With, the rug is by Custom Stark Carpet.
Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.
The primary bathroom features dramatic stone found at IRG stone, the bathtub is by Native Trails, the chandelier over the tub is from Bella Figura and the sconces are by Hinkley. Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.

They embraced the traditional architectural details while adding modern finishes and furnishes that would allow the home to grow with them. ‘We preserved the original fireplace in the living room as well as crown moldings in the living and dining rooms and carried millwork into the appropriate spaces for consistency,” she says. “We balanced the traditional with transitional furnishings to create inviting spaces that have both a modern feel and old world charm. Additionally, with small children growing up in the space we needed to focus on safety and durability.”

In the nursery, the wallpaper is by Milton & King and the ceiling pain is Benjamin Moore’s Avon Green.
Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.

One of the greatest challenges when designing a new home in San Francisco, are the narrow lot sizes and this property was a perfect example of that feat. “San Francisco lots are typically 25ft-wide,” Nagpal says. “Incorporating the clients’ wish list of amenities meant we needed to do a vertical expansion and make the best of tight spaces.” This included the addition of a fourth floor, where the teams carved out ample space for entertainment and rejuvenation.

A custom pool table hangs below a chandelier from BR Home. Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.
Another powder room features wallpaper by Schumacher. Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.
The powder room next to the hot tub, opens to an outdoor shower that is lined with a living wall. Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.

“The home is chock-full of unique features but the 4th floor addition is spectacular,” she proclaims. “It boasts a powder room with an attached outdoor shower, a gym with an infrared sauna and a hot tub surrounded by a custom art installation by Aaron Taylor Kuffner, a wet bar, custom pool table and a screening room.”

Above the hot tub is an art installation by Aaron Taylor Kuffner. Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.
The backyard features furniture and a chandlier by RH. The checkerboard stone floor tile is from All Natural Stone.
Photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.

The final result is an oasis in the bustling city that offers the family many ways to escape and re-energize. Nagpal boasts of their reaction during the big reveal, “The clients were thrilled and felt the design perfectly captured their vision while also exceeding their expectations in terms of functionality and beauty. It was incredibly rewarding to see their excitement as the space came together.”