My Houzz: See How a Couple Transformed Their 1941 House
First-time California homeowners update their kitchen and add bedrooms, bathrooms and more
Megan Hansen
18 December 2017
Houzz Contributor // I love sharing the stories behind the homes of my favorite Marin County locals, and getting inspo for my own through the Houzz community. In my downtime you can usually find me entertaining friends and family in our home, going on hikes in NorCal and loving on my baby son Coast.
Houzz Contributor // I love sharing the stories behind the homes of my favorite Marin... More
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Kate and Graham Herbert; their 4-month-old son, Ford; and their golden retriever, “Hammy” Hambone
Location: San Rafael, California
Size: 1,730 square feet (161 square meters); four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Year built: 1941
After Kate and Graham Herbert bought their 1940s home in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2014, they took it down to the studs. The downstairs level was an empty basement with a concrete floor. The couple wanted to leverage every inch of the two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, and they reimagined the space as a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home. With help from both their fathers, Graham spent three years slowly remodeling the couple’s home by moving the basement staircase, creating a true en suite and adding the additional bedrooms and bathrooms and a second living area.
The first-time homeowners finished the last touches just in time to welcome their new son, Ford, and celebrate his first Christmas.
Getting Ford his matching family stocking in the living room was a top priority this holiday season. “We’ve had our stockings for years and actually tried to order his before he was even born. It turned out the Etsy seller who made them was on hiatus,” Kate says. “Fortunately she opened back up before the holidays, so now we have a complete set. And we’re officially ready to celebrate our first Christmas together.”
Custom applique stockings: Traci Peterson of No Whining Pleez
Who lives here: Kate and Graham Herbert; their 4-month-old son, Ford; and their golden retriever, “Hammy” Hambone
Location: San Rafael, California
Size: 1,730 square feet (161 square meters); four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Year built: 1941
After Kate and Graham Herbert bought their 1940s home in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2014, they took it down to the studs. The downstairs level was an empty basement with a concrete floor. The couple wanted to leverage every inch of the two-bedroom, one-bathroom house, and they reimagined the space as a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home. With help from both their fathers, Graham spent three years slowly remodeling the couple’s home by moving the basement staircase, creating a true en suite and adding the additional bedrooms and bathrooms and a second living area.
The first-time homeowners finished the last touches just in time to welcome their new son, Ford, and celebrate his first Christmas.
Getting Ford his matching family stocking in the living room was a top priority this holiday season. “We’ve had our stockings for years and actually tried to order his before he was even born. It turned out the Etsy seller who made them was on hiatus,” Kate says. “Fortunately she opened back up before the holidays, so now we have a complete set. And we’re officially ready to celebrate our first Christmas together.”
Custom applique stockings: Traci Peterson of No Whining Pleez
“We wanted a house we could grow with, not out of,” says Kate, a marketing executive. She’s pictured with Graham, a local radio personality, and their 4-month-old son Ford, outside their garage. Kate added seasonal wreaths over Thanksgiving weekend on the outside of the house to create a festive exterior.
The wreaths were a DIY project that Kate did three years ago with supplies from Michaels. What started as a temporary project became a staple for their home during the holidays.
Exterior paint: Swiss Coffee, Kelly-Moore
The wreaths were a DIY project that Kate did three years ago with supplies from Michaels. What started as a temporary project became a staple for their home during the holidays.
Exterior paint: Swiss Coffee, Kelly-Moore
Before Photo
Photo from Kate and Graham Herbert
Before. The living room had carpeting, and the couple wanted to install new flooring and built-in storage.
Before. The living room had carpeting, and the couple wanted to install new flooring and built-in storage.
After. Graham installed crown molding and board-and-batten siding to many of the walls in the home, including in the hallway. To make it more affordable, he skimmed the drywall smooth and added wood trim pieces instead of solid board and batten.
“It helps make a home feel like it has a history and charm, even if it’s manufactured. Don’t tell Graham, but I think by the time we’re done here, we’ll have board and batten up in every room,” Kate says.
Hallway runner: Halimod; light fixtures: Young House Love geometric diamond ceiling light, Shades of Light; find flush-mount ceiling lights
“It helps make a home feel like it has a history and charm, even if it’s manufactured. Don’t tell Graham, but I think by the time we’re done here, we’ll have board and batten up in every room,” Kate says.
Hallway runner: Halimod; light fixtures: Young House Love geometric diamond ceiling light, Shades of Light; find flush-mount ceiling lights
Kate believes pillows can transform any room and has used them in a variety of styles and patterns in each space. Extras are tucked away in closets. “In case of emergency,” she says.
Custom sofa: Furniture Envy; picture: One Kings Lane; pillow covers: H&M Home; fur throw: Pottery Barn
Custom sofa: Furniture Envy; picture: One Kings Lane; pillow covers: H&M Home; fur throw: Pottery Barn
They placed houseplants throughout the house for a touch of green. In the corner is a fiddleleaf fig.
Leather chair: Sven, Article; curtains: Ikea; fiddleleaf fig: Home Depot
Leather chair: Sven, Article; curtains: Ikea; fiddleleaf fig: Home Depot
The built-in shelves in the living room are one of the couple’s favorite design features. “We designed them together,” Kate says. The shelves are used to display holiday decor and mementos.
Custom cabinetry: Cabinet Joint
Custom cabinetry: Cabinet Joint
Kate added this graphic octopus-patterned wallpaper to the guest bathroom, which features new brass fixtures.
Wallpaper: Octopus Oasis in Charcoal, Spoonflower; hand towel: McGee & Co.
Wallpaper: Octopus Oasis in Charcoal, Spoonflower; hand towel: McGee & Co.
Before Photo
Photo by owners
Before. The existing kitchen was relatively untouched for decades and had linoleum floors and outdated appliances. There were few cabinets for storage and the space was closed in. “The original owner actually added the window there so she could watch the train go by,” Kate says. Today, the train has been replaced by the local “Miracle Mile,” a stretch of businesses between San Anselmo and San Rafael. “Both Graham and I are from the North Bay, and one of the things we love most about Marin is its history and charm,” Kate says.
Before. The existing kitchen was relatively untouched for decades and had linoleum floors and outdated appliances. There were few cabinets for storage and the space was closed in. “The original owner actually added the window there so she could watch the train go by,” Kate says. Today, the train has been replaced by the local “Miracle Mile,” a stretch of businesses between San Anselmo and San Rafael. “Both Graham and I are from the North Bay, and one of the things we love most about Marin is its history and charm,” Kate says.
After. The updated kitchen now features a completely new layout featuring a kitchen island with seating, new appliances and new cabinetry. Graham designed and installed the kitchen, including the custom cabinets. The island is a remnant of honed Calacatta marble and the remaining countertops are white quartz, chosen for durability. The farm sink is from Ikea.
“Some of my fondest memories [during the renovation] are brushing my teeth on the front lawn with the garden hose and doing the dishes in a bathtub,” Kate says. “Well, it wasn’t so much fun at the time, but it is things like that I look back on with fondness now.”
Sink light fixture: Shades of Light; custom cabinets: Cabinet Joint; countertops: Uni Marble; sink: Domsjo, Ikea; see similar barstools
“Some of my fondest memories [during the renovation] are brushing my teeth on the front lawn with the garden hose and doing the dishes in a bathtub,” Kate says. “Well, it wasn’t so much fun at the time, but it is things like that I look back on with fondness now.”
Sink light fixture: Shades of Light; custom cabinets: Cabinet Joint; countertops: Uni Marble; sink: Domsjo, Ikea; see similar barstools
Kate added holiday touches throughout the home, including mini trees for their dining table. “I feel like each year becomes more and more festive. This year is especially festive now that we’ve welcomed our son,” she says.
Dining room chairs: World Market; dining table: One Kings Lane; Chandelier: World Market; see more orb chandeliers
Dining room chairs: World Market; dining table: One Kings Lane; Chandelier: World Market; see more orb chandeliers
Before. This is the unfinished basement, which the couple has remade into a space with a living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom.
After. The renovated basement features this new living area. Kate describes their interior style as “approachable transitional,” inspired by traditional with modern touches, but done in a way that is accessible.
Bull photo: Minted; custom sectional: Furniture Envy; rawhide rug: Overstock
Bull photo: Minted; custom sectional: Furniture Envy; rawhide rug: Overstock
The art on their walls is a mix of local artists they love, including this piece by Harold Boxer from Cedars center’s Artist Within program.
The couple spent seven months sleeping on a mattress in the concrete basement during the master bedroom and kitchen renovations.
Pencil drawing: Cedars Artist Within program; reindeer pillow: Target; lamps: HomeGoods
Pencil drawing: Cedars Artist Within program; reindeer pillow: Target; lamps: HomeGoods
Holiday touches are found in each space of the house. The couple’s golden retriever Hambone, nicknamed “Hammy,” gets cozy on the couple’s bed.
Light fixture: Driftwood ball pendant light, Shades of Light; wall paint: Silver Drop, Behr; trim paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
Light fixture: Driftwood ball pendant light, Shades of Light; wall paint: Silver Drop, Behr; trim paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
The couple created a gallery wall of family photos and favorite art pieces in the master bedroom above their dresser and next to the walk-in closet.
“My biggest design inspiration is Shea McGee of Studio McGee. I love a neutral base with a mix of pattern and color for accents and utilizing greenery or textiles to make spaces pop,” Kate says. “I wanted each room to have a clean look, but with comfort in mind.” Pictured here is a guest bedroom, one of the additional rooms that was added during the basement renovation.
For the nursery, Kate went for a dramatic dark paint color on the walls. “We definitely wanted something a bit more playful, without being childish,” Kate says.
The nursery is right across from the couple’s bedroom for access to Ford. During the renovation the couple used space from this tiny room to ensure they had a master walk-in closet. When Ford moves into the renovated toddler room downstairs, they will probably redecorate this space as a home office.
Wall paint: Asphalt, Behr; Juju Hat: Etsy
The nursery is right across from the couple’s bedroom for access to Ford. During the renovation the couple used space from this tiny room to ensure they had a master walk-in closet. When Ford moves into the renovated toddler room downstairs, they will probably redecorate this space as a home office.
Wall paint: Asphalt, Behr; Juju Hat: Etsy
Favorite books for bedtime, including some Christmas-related titles, are displayed on lucite wall shelves.
The oversize painting was a gift from an artist friend, Matthew Olyphant. “That painting really made the whole room. It was just the pop of color we needed in a mostly black-and-white space,” Kate says.
Bakersfield rocking chair, Land of Nod; crib: Ikea; holiday pillow: Target; area rug: Moroccan Tribal Trellis rug, Amazon; find similar Moroccan rugs
Bakersfield rocking chair, Land of Nod; crib: Ikea; holiday pillow: Target; area rug: Moroccan Tribal Trellis rug, Amazon; find similar Moroccan rugs
Before. There was an awkward little nook in a corner of the basement under the front staircase, and the couple saw it as an opportunity to create a fun space for their son.
After. “We measured it and it turned out to be the perfect square footage for a twin mattress, so we built a bed for Ford with that in mind,” Kate says. This elevated corner area is a cozy sleeping space with built-in storage. The walls feature a shiplap detail.
Although Ford won’t be old enough to sleep in there for awhile, in the interim it has made for a napping nook and office.
Painting: Matthew Olyphant
Painting: Matthew Olyphant
Before Photo
Before. The exterior was painted a dull beige and the landscape needed some updating. “There wasn’t much curb appeal,” Kate says.
After. The couple had the exterior painted with a fresh coat of white, replaced the windows, added shutters and poured new concrete to replace the cracked driveway and sidewalk. They also added a pergola to frame the garage, built the hog wire fence and planted new plants to add some charm.
Kate’s DIY holiday wreaths with red ribbon add a festive touch.
Kate’s DIY holiday wreaths with red ribbon add a festive touch.
Before. The existing backyard had room to be reimagined as a place to entertain and create an outdoor living area.
After. The couple built a fire pit surrounded by trees to create a cozy, lush feel. A custom concrete bench and new hardscaping made the space more functional to be used year-round.
Set Up Your Patio for Ultimate Lounging, Whatever Its Size
Browse outdoor fire pits
Set Up Your Patio for Ultimate Lounging, Whatever Its Size
Browse outdoor fire pits
Graham added the woodworking detail for their rustic-yet-modern outdoor grill area, using old fence boards from the home.
How to Get a Built-In Outdoor Grill
How to Get a Built-In Outdoor Grill
Graham built this outdoor table under a pergola using original wood from the 1941 house saved from the renovation.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
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These results make 3 years of hard work and deprivation worth it! (Big smiles at brushing your teeth on the front lawn!) This turned into a wonderful spacious inviting home, inside and out! The 4 of you are a lovely family!
Bridget Sexton, using shutters as a decorative accent added immensely to the charm of this house. Most appealing homes have some elements that are decorative only.
Love it when the home looks real and lived in, not staged. Awesome renovation.