Hugh-Jones Mackintosh bring an Australian design sensibility to a family home in San Francisco, California.
An American family sought Sydney-based interior design studio Hugh-Jones Mackintosh to design their home in San Francisco’s Bay Area, observing clear parallels between the two coastal cities and their outdoor-focused living. ‘Bay Blue’ seamlessly fuses the two distant corners of the world, reflecting its vibrant, cosmopolitan owners through a unique global lens.
Natural and neutral materials, such as the American oak and white stone in the kitchen underscore the interior palette. The Apparatus Arrow pendant features above the kitchen island, and the Apparatus Trapeze 1 wall sconce features in the pantry.
Aside from their like-connection to the outdoors, San Francisco and Sydney differ in their approaches to architecture and design. The clients chose to engage Hugh-Jones Mackintosh rather than a local design team to deviate from the traditional design aesthetic and bring a fresh Australian perspective. Confident that their approach resonated with the clients, Hugh-Jones Mackintosh embraced the opportunity, embarking on their first project outside Australia.
Through a measured approach to the interiors, Hugh-Jones Mackintosh were able to realise the clients’ vision for a “sanctuary in the shape of a home”. Being avid travellers, it was imperative that their home felt like somewhere they could escape from their busy lives. “The owners wanted to create balanced and calming spaces while infusing elements of their vibrant personalities through the choice of materials, furniture, art and lighting,” Justine Hugh-Jones says.
Steel-framed windows and doors bring the home’s leafy surroundings inside, creating a calming backdrop to family life. The dining space features the Sancal Pion dining table, Moroso Mathilda chair, Apparatus Trapeze 7 pendant and a vase by Tamsin Johnson.
The connecting family room features the Maxalto Lucrezia modular sofa, &Tradition Little Petra lounge chair, De La Espada Lianou side table and B&B Italia Toshi Ishi coffee table.
The palette consists of mostly natural and neutral materials punctuated by bold, somewhat unexpected colours. Notably, different shades of blue and green were used to evoke a sense of calm while paying homage to the coast. This is revealed in the study, painted a royal blue; the bar room painted deep teal-blue; and the master bedroom, painted a sage green.
In addition to choosing colours that echoed the home’s natural surroundings, Hugh-Jones Mackintosh strategically placed steel-framed glass windows and doors to frame views of the garden throughout. “By exercising restraint with the window furnishings, we ensured the threshold between inside and outside didn’t become too cluttered, allowing the interiors to breathe within the landscape,” Katrina Mackintosh says.
The living space features the B&B Italia Camaleonda sofa, The Future Project Nalgona chair, Baxter Loren coffee table and Apparatus Cloud 37 chandelier, among a selection of vibrant artworks by Bradley Sabin (above fireplace), Andres Torres Balaguer (back wall) and Deborah Oropallo (above Chris Wolston chair).
Hugh-Jones Mackintosh brought their Australian understanding of indoor-outdoor living to the home, establishing an open dialogue between the two realms. Artwork (right) by Elliott Routledge.
The formal dining room features the Carl Hansen & Son CH20 Elbow chair, a Ringvide credenza, the Allied Maker Alabaster wall sconce and an artwork by Jonny Niesche.
The clients’ affinity with the colour blue is revealed in the bar room, painted a deep teal-blue. The space features a custom integrated bar clad in blue onyx to match the walls.
Royal blue was chosen for the study, which features a Helen Aumont desk, Niko Koronis side table and the Poltrona Frau Ginger chair. Artwork by Julie Blackmon.
The sage-green master bedroom evokes a sense of calm while referencing the surrounding trees. The space features the De La Espada Classon credenza, &Tradition Fly ottoman, India Mahdavi Don Giovanni table lamp, Apparatus Cylinder Swing Arm sconce and Society Limonta bedding. Artwork by Danielle Nelson.
The ‘parents’ retreat’ features the Arflex Botolo chair and Form 2 rug by Tom Dixon for The Rug Company. Artwork by Cedrix Crespel.
The master ensuite features the Boffi Sabbia bath, India Madhavi Bishop stool and tapware by Piet Boon.
The powder room features the Gubi F.A.33 wall mirror and a custom marble vanity with a Piet Boon tap.
The guest ensuite features the Gubi F.A.33 wall mirror, Articolo Float wall sconce and a custom Piet Boon vanity with a Piet Boon tap.
Bay Blue is nestled in a leafy suburb of San Francisco’s Bay area with plenty of outdoor space. Pictured are Restoration Hardware sun loungers and a Paola Lenti umbrella.
