the musings and desires of a Bay Area interior designer....

New Website!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 04:54:00 +0000

Please follow this link to see our newly launched website! I'll still use this site to blog and give more detail about projects, but our new website will feature our most current work and contact information.

www.lydialyonsdesigns.org

You may also view our portfolio on Houzz.

Recently posted ~ Recently completed new home. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, minutes from the Apple Campus. This home featured 3 floors, 7 bedrooms, 8 baths and a full basement with a kitchenette and an expansive work space for our client.

Westwood Park San Francisco

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 00:13:00 +0000

Our firm was recently hired to assist in the remodel of a 1920's Bungalow in the Westwood Park area of San Francisco. Previous to this I was not familiar with this wonderful little gem of a neighborhood!

From the Westwood Park Association website:

"Westwood Park is a neighborhood in the south western area of San Francisco, California. Designed as a “residence park” for middle class residents, it consists of more than 650 bungalow-style homes. Building in Westwood Park began in 1916, with the majority of homes completed in the 1920s.

The neighborhood lies within the borders of Monterey Boulevard, Phelan Avenue, Faxon Avenue and Ocean Avenue.

The 1918 completion of the Twin Peaks Tunnel in West Portal allowed for Westwood Park to become a reality as “a model home community for the family of average means.” An article from the 1923 magazine, “The Home Designer,” described Westwood Park as:

“..justly considered as one of the show places of San Francisco and a model of the modern American home community…Its beautiful name was suggested by its location in the “west” of the city and the high eucalyptus woods that surround the tract, tempering the invigorating and bracing breezes that sometimes sweep in from the Pacific Ocean.“

In 1995, Westwood Park became San Francisco’s only Residential Character District, providing the neighborhood with protection for its architectural integrity.

The Westwood Park Association (WPA), founded in 1917, keeps its members informed about activities taking place in and around Westwood Park (See Newsletters). Property owners in Westwood Park pay annual dues, which primarily go toward the maintenance of the historic gates, trees and landscaping throughout the neighborhood."

About the architecture -

"Although San Francisco is ordinarily cited for its Victorian and Edwardian houses, the 650-home tract of Westwood Park is the only neighborhood in The City with representations of nearly all styles of bungalows popular in the early 20th century: Mission, Craftsman, Prairie, Colonial Revival, English Cottage and Spanish Revival.

Some of the common architectural elements include: oak hardwood floors with Philippine mahogany trim, beveled glass French doors, built-in dining room buffets, gum wood wainscoting, coved ceilings, tiled and/or brick fireplaces, multiple windows, sun rooms and tile roofs."

We were able to restore some of the original millwork and keep the built in dining room buffet, coved ceilings, tile fireplace, sun room and curved, multiple wood windows, but the wood wainscot and some of the dark wood millwork was in pretty bad shape and had to be replaced.

See the before and after's

Exterior ~ Before

A fresh coat of paint, new wood windows and landscaping brought this beauty back to life!

The house still had it's original appliances, linoleum floor and a wall that separated the kitchen from the rest of the house. There was a staircase to the basement that we relocated and added 2 bedrooms + 2 baths to the house.

We wanted the design to reflect a modern, yet, traditional feel. We worked to bring back some dark & warm wood tones with the island and hardwood floor, while opening up walls making the interior brighter and functional for today's families.

The wood on the built-in buffet was in really bad shape, termites and lack of care had ruined its beauty. We cleaned it up, painted the wainscot and woodwork and kept the buffet & mirror in its original location.

The living room features curved, wood windows, the original coved ceiling and the original clay, fireplace tile, and all add to this bungalows historic charm.

Before and After ~ Peregrino Way Remodel

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 22:01:00 +0000

A 1960's Tudor-style home modernized for a family of 6 that loves the outdoors and to entertain. Very pleased!

Before - dark, kitchen located in the middle of the house.

After - An expanse of windows and sliders + white cabinets + a mix of walnut wood + a wall of Heath Ceramic Tile, modernized and transformed this house.

LZF Bentwood light fixture

LZF Bentwood Sconces

The Exterior got a make-over too!

Recently Completed Mid-Century Modern Custom Home

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 19:34:00 +0000

151 Atherwood Avenue, Redwood City, Completed May 2016

Custom home in a mid-century modern neighborhood in Redwood City.

We wanted to keep with the architectural style of the neighborhood

Stacked, aluminum windows and stained wood eaves add to the character

The kitchen has a nice open feel. We used a wood laminate cabinet with eggshell quartz countertops and stainless accents. The floor is a wide plank, white oak.

Bright, sunny dining area off the kitchen and living room

We used Benjamin Moore OC 5 Maritime White for the wall color to keep a warm, but bright feeling throughout.

A textured Porcelanosa wall tile made this small powder room feel modern & stylish

Kids Bath ~ Porcelanosa Wall tiles + Quartz countertops

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter was used on the master bedroom walls

Porcelanosa Borneo Sage porcelain tile was used in the master bath

White oak floors + OC 5 Maritime White make for light a bright office space

Feeling like, Wow..this is just so very nice...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 22:49:00 +0000

http://www.houzz.com/viewReview/628036/Lydia-Lyons-Designs-review

So, this happened..

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 May 2016 02:42:00 +0000

I won the 2016 Rave Reviews Award from Houzz!

I was beyond thrilled to learn I was getting this award.

So nice to be recognized by both your peers and most of all, your customers.

Cheers!

Los Gatos, Completed Project...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 03:55:00 +0000

Well almost, a few more details and furnishings yet to come.

Very pleased with the backsplash tile which is made in Point Reyes, Calif. by artists Elmer Bischoff and Gordon Bryan. Blue Slide Art Tile is beautiful! Each tile is a work of art.

7" White Oak plank floor throughout

This bathroom located in the basement serves as a guest bath for a bedroom & for the family when they are entertaining friends and enjoying the media/playroom.

Porcelanosa backsplash tile

Powder Room Vanity waiting for mirror to be installed

Currey Maximus Chandelier, voted best in design for 2016!

Pratt & Larsen tile in Indigo + Cream

Master Bathroom almost done.

Great Room Fireplace combination of stacked stone and porcelain tile

Master Bath Shower

Powder Room Orb Chandelier

Knotty Alder Barn Doors separate the kids hall from the main room

Completed Project!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:48:00 +0000

I have been working on this project for 2 years and finally my clients are very close to moving into their dream home. I'll follow up with more photos once furniture and window coverings are in place.

Thankful for Encaustic Tile

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 16:26:00 +0000

One of the best trends to emerge in 2015 is the many offerings of beautiful, colorful, encaustic tiles.

I specified them for 2 different projects; a laundry room floor and an entry porch in the Mission area of San Francisco.

San Francisco - Ann Sacks tile ~ entry porch.

Who says a laundry room only has to be functional?

So Manny choices!

Love the crispness and elegance of this bathroom.

They are so versatile and offer many opportunities to be playful, yet sophisticated.

Follow us on Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:49:00 +0000

Posted by Lydia Lyons Designs on Monday, November 23, 2015

Happy Customers = Happy Lydia Lyons Designs!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 20:11:00 +0000

I'm an Influencer!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:21:00 +0000

I can't think of a nicer thing anyone can call me...

I'll take it!

Here are some of my favorite design Influencers

May we all be Influencers!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 02:13:00 +0000

Custom Furniture by Lydia Lyons Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 15:50:00 +0000

I've been so busy lately and I'm the worst at posting photos and updates of my work, but have to say I'm thrilled with these custom furniture pieces I designed for recent projects.

Custom Barstool ~ Walnut base with Jonathan Adler fabric design offered by Robert Allen

Have to say I am thrilled with how they turned out.

They work perfect with the Gravity Glass countertop

The "Lydia" table, a collaboration with Cimarron-Studio

The top is made of concrete, in a custom color with a high polish finish, the base is walnut.

Really love the justaposition of the simple clean lines mixed with the sturdy feel of concrete

Custom chair with mid-century modern lines

Custom Dining Chair

Ralph Lauren Fabric on a club chair

Gray velvet fabric with nailhead detail on barstool and dining chairs (in background)

Cozy window seat with Kravet Fabric on pillows and bench

2015 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:16:00 +0000

So many updates, so little time! Received this award from Houzz for 2015. More to come I promise!

See my full Houzz Profile here

And my latest review

Love what you do..

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 23:54:00 +0000

I'm very happy to announce that I have won an award from Houzz for the Best in Customer Satisfaction, category.

See my profile here

Feeling pretty good about 2014!

Modern, Floating Fireplaces, Limitless Design Possibilities!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 04:59:00 +0000

I'm working on a project that calls for an elegant, modern, retro fireplace and I'm very excited about the possibility of using a FireOrb fireplace.

There are many color options and they can be installed in virtually any space, indoor and outdoor. The design possibility are limitless! You are no longer left having to furnish a room around a traditional wall fireplace.

click on photo for link to specifications

Malm is another company that offers a sleek, modern fireplace.

And they also offer many wonderful colors.

I guess I'm in Fall sort of mood. All this talk of fireplaces has me longing to cozy up next to one with a cup of tea, warm socks and good book..

Happy weekend!

The Many Beautiful Outdoor Fabric Choices..

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:02:00 +0000

I am more than thrilled to be asked to work on a client's outdoor space, once we have completed the indoor design.

I'm currently working on updating a few porches, backyard patios, and a pool area and I am so impressed with the number of outdoor fabric choices.
Take a look!

Fashion Icon Trina Turk has an outdoor Fabric line with Schumacher

Barclay Butera for Kravet

Tommy Bahama for Sunbrella

Collection of fabrics I am using for a patio and pool area

Hope you are all enjoying summer!

Exciting News..

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:17:00 +0000

Stop by for a visit!

Jonathan Adler designs for Kravet Fabrics

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Iconic Designer, Jonathan Adler, has just introduced a new line of fabrics available exclusively through Kravet.

The colors are bold and the patterns are beautiful Adler style.

Here's a preview of what's to come.

A Few of My Favorite Benjamin Moore Colors..

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:43:00 +0000

Benjamin Moore 2122-40 Smoke

A perfect gray - blue

Sets the mood, acts a great neutral.

Looks beautiful with creamy white cabinets and trim.

Beguiling Blue Entry

Smoke looks great used in both a contemporary home

and it's beautiful in a traditional home

HC 30 Philadelphia Cream

Luminous, neutral, Yellow
(yes neutral!)

This color never ceases to amaze me.
It gives a perfect luminosity to almost any space
and it has more of a beige-tone, than yellow.

OC 5 Maritime White

Warm White
If you want your walls to be white,
but still have warmth and not feel too stark..
Maritime White is the perfect choice.

Smart, Small Kitchen Design

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:48:00 +0000

Really love this idea!

My love affair with Yellow..

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 19:46:00 +0000

Continues..

I think I'm preparing myself for Spring

Re-use, Recycle can be beautiful!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 23:51:00 +0000

Love when my clients are happy!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:35:00 +0000