Elyse and George Pasha have lived in San Rafael for nearly 30 years — the last 20 of them in the same Lucas Valley home — and they have no intention of moving anytime soon. “We love our house,” Elyse says. “We raised our three children in it!” After two decades of family life, however, the 4,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath contemporary home was starting to show its age. “We were having some structural issues that warranted repairs, and we were ready for an updated design,” Elyse says.
Led by a team that included Corte Madera design firm Julie Rootes Interiors, San Rafael-based Wilkinson Architectural Group and Tiburon construction company Hadley General Contractors, the project got underway. But what started as a simple kitchen remodel quickly expanded in scope, requiring more aesthetic direction. “It became a fairly complicated project, and as we found some issues to address along the way, Julie took on more responsibility,” Elyse says. “She helped us create a personalized aesthetic from faucets to flooring, and she helped with layout and design features to create the look and feel we wanted.”
Upgrading the kitchen was the first order of business. “Elyse is an avid chef and baker, so that was at the forefront with the design,” Rootes says. Before outfitting the space, the team closed off an unnecessary pass-through entry from the dining room into the kitchen and removed the large, dated copper hood over the island. A new peninsula between the kitchen and family room adds entertaining space apart from the island, and an enlarged window highlights the view of the garden outside and brings additional light into the room.
With functionality in mind, Rootes then organized the kitchen into different zones for prep, baking, cooking and cleanup: There are two farmhouse sinks, two dishwashers, three ovens, and a dedicated baking pantry with pocket doors that houses appliances, equipment and supplies. The centerpiece of the kitchen is the pale blue La Cornue range, which guided all other aesthetic choices. “We based the entire palette on it, including the backsplash and the fabrics for the window treatments,” Rootes says. White painted cabinetry, Calacatta Oro marble countertops, a Waterworks ceramic tile backsplash, a runner from Oushak Chic and the shiplap-wrapped island complete the workspace design.
Upstairs, Rootes re-envisioned the entire primary suite. “The bathroom had a lot of random pitches in the ceiling before, so it felt closed off and small,” she says. In addition, the tub was tucked away in a corner. After modifying the pitches to open up the space, they installed a large window and a new freestanding tub, optimally positioned to take advantage of the views. The spacious room also features a custom makeup vanity with plenty of storage.
The team made a number of other upgrades throughout the house as well. “Overall, we wanted to make the house feel lighter, brighter and airier,” Rootes says. To improve the connections between the kitchen, family room and outdoor areas, the team installed bifold doors in the family room and enlarged the windows near the kitchen table, further illuminated by a new Urban Electric chandelier. New shiplap on the ceiling in the kitchen and family room seamlessly joins the spaces. The powder room was refreshed with a custom reclaimed wood door, plaster walls, a vessel sink and wall-mounted plumbing. The laundry room is equipped for flower arranging — another one of Elyse’s passions — with a rustic washbasin and tumbled slate flooring. New fireplace surrounds, Susan Lind Chastain window treatments, base and case moldings, and enhanced lighting were among the other improvements.
Now, Elyse and George’s home is ready for a new era of family memory-making. “Julie was a great listener,” Elyse says. “She was able to guide us gently to a wonderfully updated home that feels personalized — it’s warm and welcoming, but it also has personality and charm.”
Details
Architect: Rob Wilkinson
Interior designer: Julie Rootes Interiors
Contractor: Hadley Construction
Landscape architect: Imprints Landscape Architecture
Lotus Abrams has covered everything from beauty to business to tech in her editorial career, but it might be writing about her native Bay Area that inspires her most. She lives with her husband and two daughters in the San Francisco Peninsula, where they enjoy spending time outdoors at the area’s many open spaces protected and preserved by her favorite local nonprofit, the Peninsula Open Space Trust.
