Architectural Digest: July 2021

Press

Jul 21

Written by Saiqa Ajmal | Photography by Paul Dyer

Located on Belvedere Bay in California, the waterside retreat has timeless appeal and an unbeatable setting

Belvedere is a chic Californian enclave, surrounded on three sides by the waters of San Francisco Bay; in 2017 it became a twin city with Portofino, Italy, and has a similar salt-tinged air of genteel glamour.

This handsome property has a postcard-pretty exterior (all board and batten, copper gutters and blue stone) and enjoys enviable views of both Belvedere lagoon and Mount Tamalpais. Inside, the coastal interiors by Julie Rootes are timelessly elegant (or ‘modern traditional’) with flashes of colour and pattern, which add warmth without competing with those sweeping views.

“The owners are empty nesters who have lovingly developed this beautiful piece of property overlooking the lagoon,” explains Rootes. “Due to the FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] regulations and restrictions it took several years to design.”

The upshot is a series of thoughtfully designed spaces that are perfect for hosting family gatherings and sleepovers with the duo’s grandchildren. Rootes has used myriad custom furniture pieces, area rugs and custom cabinetry throughout, and each fabric was stain treated and UV protected before any actual upholstery took place. “The clients love pattern and colour and have a real appreciation for quality furnishings which made it a dream project to work on,” she adds.

Here, Rootes takes AD on a tour of the rooms of this idyllic waterside getaway.

“The primary bedroom is my favourite room in the house with its sweeping views and amazing natural light,” says Rootes. The walls are covered with a Scalamandre grasscloth, and the custom bed is flanked by nightstands and table lamps by Rose Tarlow. The bespoke rug is from Holland + Sherry

The primary bathroom features custom cabinetry with reeded fronts and Waterworks fixtures and hardware. The bold coastal-chic wallpaper is from UK firm Soane.

The open-plan dining area has a custom Gregorious Fauchere dining table, topped with a Julie Neil chandelier.

The kitchen bridges the dining and living spaces. A herringbone Waterworks tile backsplash, subtly veined Perla Venata countertops and nautical Urban Electric lighting add interest to classic cabinets, some with engineered glass inserts. An upholstered storage bench is both pretty and practical, serving as additional seating when required.

“This room was designed for the homeowners to entertain, have family over and sit and enjoy the view,” says the designer of the living area. Custom swivel chairs are perfect for just that.

The guest room has its own deck with breathtaking lagoon and mountain views. The bed linens and Pierre Frey drapes and blinds echo the blue tones of the water which can be found throughout the house.