Text by: Kathryn Pritchett

The owners of this 1940s home in the Sunset District of San Francisco, a couple with two dogs, wanted to create one great room from their existing kitchen and the adjacent living and dining rooms. Designer John K. Anderson worked with a structural engineer to create a space that was both attractive and functional.  “Hiring a structural engineer is really necessary when you’re taking walls down to combine spaces,” says Anderson.  “It adds some cost but working with an engineer in these situations is essential.” Because the home had some mid-century modern elements, Anderson used materials that recall that era but used them in a thoroughly modern way. Furniture like walnut cabinets and Calcutta marble countertops are juxtaposed with a shimmering backsplash made from acid-etched mirror panels and back painted glass tile.  “The husband is a surfer and this diffused, reflective backsplash evokes the ocean,” says Anderson.  The walls were painted a pale blue grey color that works with the glass elements and provides a cool neutral backdrop for the cabinets. The hand blown glass light fixtures and rust-colored Cherner stools add a punch of color to the design. Top-notch appliances like the 48” Wolf range make this a cook’s dream kitchen. “This space is light, warm and comfortable—it has a great balance of form and function,” says Anderson.