Van Buren

A craftsman remodel with a modern twist

Located in the historic East End neighborhood of Alameda, this craftsman home is full of original character and classic charm. We wanted to retain the elements of the home that add personality, like original windows and shingle siding, while updating the house for comfort, style, and livability.

ALAMEDA, CA

4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 1736 sqft. | built 1912

Materials & design elements

  • Geometric & herringbone tile
  • Natural wood cabinets
  • Traditional color schemes
  • Wood shingles
  • Custom-built chevron wall accents

Materials & design elements

  • Geometric & herringbone tile
  • Natural wood cabinets
  • Traditional color schemes
  • Wood shingles
  • Custom-built chevron wall accents

What we updated:

  • Created a fireplace accent wall, combining traditional tile with custom wood paneling in a modern chevron pattern
  • Extended herringbone tile from the shower to the back bathroom wall to help the space feel larger
  • Contrasted natural light with darker colors to add interest
  • Used decorative tile to create a focal point in the laundry room, distracting the eye from the washer and dryer
  • In the kitchen, paired natural wood and white shaker cabinets to balance modern and rustic styles
  • Painted exterior with a traditional craftsman color scheme of dark blue and off white for detail and flare

We always think about how a future family will use the space. Since the laundry room had the only access to the backyard and would be a high traffic area, we wanted to distract the eye from the washer and dryer area with a decorative tile.

Wendy Thysell

Design Director