This penthouse, in one of San Francisco’s most prestigious buildings, was skillfully renovated by Julia Morgan in the 1940s. Our clients fell in love with the classic Beaux-Arts floorplan and detailing, and hired us to update its infrastructure and to create a luxurious interior that would highlight their extensive collection of art and antiques. When we asked them to choose one word that would describe their ideal interior, they responded: “exquisite”. That single word laid the groundwork for the entire decorative scheme.

The central hall had bedrooms along one side and service areas tucked along the other. We converted the two bedrooms here, one of which Morgan had already transformed into a library, into his-and-hers studies. We converted the smaller of two primary bedrooms into a second primary dressing room. A former maid’s room on the service side became their assistant’s office—command central for the clients’ busy lives.

The hall culminates in a second library, a semi-elliptical space elegantly designed by Morgan. From there, doors lead to the primary suite, the living and dining rooms, and the kitchen. We furnished the dining room as a third library to house their extensive collection of antique books, objets, and home theater.

The original boiserie and hardware were meticulously restored and hand glazed. State-of-the-art lighting, automated sun control panels, audio/visual systems, and climate control were subtly incorporated into the fabric of the interior as well. The clients’ love of warm colors resulted in a rich golden background that successfully sets off their astonishing collection of art and antiques.