A 1895 Victorian Apartment Is Taken from Traditional to Transitional
Looking at the before pictures of this Victorian apartment, located in San Francisco’s NOPA neighborhood (North of the Panhandle), it reads very… Victorian. It is still a beautiful space, well-loved and lived-in, but traditional, very much in keeping with the building’s original 19th-century charm. And after two decades of living in this home, the owner wanted a change, to move the balance toward something that still worked with the quirks and uniqueness, but felt more up to date – transitional, rather than traditional.
The homeowner brought on Fiona Bronte Burr and Johanna Vente Anderson of design studio Saffron + Poe to tastefully, sensitively transform this well-loved home into a fresher, more modern space that would still work as a backdrop for their antiques and vintage pieces.
‘Our client had lived in his 1895 Victorian home for more than two decades,’ explains the design team. ‘After years of gradual updates, he was ready for a full transformation – one that would honor the home’s history while creating a space that felt deeply personal, refined, and reflective of his aesthetic today.’
‘He wanted the home to feel like a true sanctuary – calm, layered, and deeply personal. He was hoping for an updated, bold living room that could transition easily from a space for entertaining to a cozy media room for movie nights. It was also important to find thoughtful ways to incorporate his family heirlooms, especially the portraits that inspired much of the design direction. And finally, he wanted to open up the wall between the dining room and kitchen to create a more open space that would make hosting and gathering feel effortless.’
Here, Fiona and Johanna talk us through the transformation – how they made the most of this space, taking out walls, using sliding doors, and creating drama with a darker color scheme. It’s far from the small, antique-filled rooms they started with, and yet it definitely still has that same heritage feel that nods to the building’s history.
(Image credit: Margaret Austin Photography)
‘Before, the home was lovingly lived-in but stylistically dated, with mismatched renovations over the years. The living room, in particular, hadn’t changed much from the era of peach walls and inherited furnishings. Key changes we made include fully reimagining the living room, custom millwork and built-ins, including the sliding bookcase, restored family heirloom portraits, and a layered, open concept kitchen/dining room, and cohesive materials and color story throughout.’
‘The home was so old that nothing was level, so all of the millwork had to be custom-built on site to create the illusion of straight, clean lines. Each time we opened a wall, we uncovered a new surprise – one of the most memorable was finding five layers of wallpaper from different eras, a little time capsule of the home’s history.’
‘The inspiration began with two heirloom portraits of the client’s great-grandparents, passed down through his family for generations. The two paintings had never lived together in the same room until now, and their palette, history, and emotional presence set the tone for the entire project. From the millwork details to the color story, we aimed to create a space that felt collected rather than decorated – a thoughtful blend of heritage and modernity. The goal was to layer in contemporary function while letting the home’s original architectural character shine.’
(Image credit: Margaret Austin Photography)
‘The living room is our favorite space, with the large custom sliding bookcase to enter it being a standout – functional, architectural, and unexpectedly dramatic. We also love the bespoke built-ins that now frame the restored heirloom portraits, turning the original fireplace into a powerful visual anchor. The layered textiles and warm, moody palette also speak beautifully to the character of the home.’
‘The most dramatic transformation in the home was this space, once defined by peach walls and outdated, floral upholstered furniture, now reimagined as a dark charcoal, elevated man cave and media room. Rich, warm tones and layered textures give it depth and a sense of intimacy. A large custom sliding bookcase, built by Brehm Brothers, provides a striking entry into the room and has quickly become a favorite feature of every visitor.’
(Image credit: Margaret Austin Photography)
‘The walls and ceiling are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain, with a high-gloss finish on the ceiling for an unexpected shine. Furnishings include a tufted Chesterfield camel leather sofa, ebony Captain’s chairs upholstered in mohair from Baker-McGuire Furniture, and a custom Beni-Ourain rug crafted by our Saffron + Poe artisan partners in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. Custom rolling ottomans were designed to fit perfectly in the bay window, yet can also be rolled out to serve as footrests at the sofa during movie nights, blending function with thoughtful design.’
(Image credit: Margaret Austin Photography)
‘We opened up the once completely closed-off kitchen to connect it with the dining area, expanding the space and adding a peninsula with counter stools. The kitchen features two-toned cabinetry, with soft greige paint on the uppers and rich walnut on the lowers. Rolled-leather counter stools from Thomas Hayes Studio, pendants from Lostine, and Zellige tile from Zia add texture and warmth. Custom cabinetry provides increased storage and a cleaner, more functional layout, including a hidden stacking washer and dryer for added convenience.’
(Image credit: Margaret Austin Photography)
‘Designed as a transition space between the moody living room and brighter kitchen, we kept the palette earthy and warm in the dining room. We highlighted the Victorian architectural elements with a custom olive-green mohair banquette and a custom walnut dining table, paired with a mid-century modern chandelier from Circa Lighting. In one corner, we created a small built-in bar for entertaining and to display and store his vintage glassware, adding both function and character to the room.’
(Image credit: Margaret Austin Photography)
‘Soft, serene, and tailored, the bedroom was designed as a calming retreat using layered linens and natural textures. The palette is intentionally restrained to provide a soothing contrast to the richer tones of the living spaces. Key design elements include a textured silk wallcovering and a custom upholstered bed from De Sousa Hughes, creating a space that feels both elegant and restful.’
(Image credit: Margaret Austin Photography)
‘We took on this project in two phases, first beginning with the living room and then later the kitchen remodel. Each phase took about a year from initial concept to final installation. We’re thrilled with the result. The home now feels both timeless and unmistakably personal to the client. He was especially moved by how the heirloom portraits were integrated – bringing a sense of lineage and storytelling into daily life.’
‘This project reaffirmed how meaningful design can be when guided by personal history. It also reinforced the power of thoughtful custom elements – like the sliding bookcase – to completely shift how a historic home functions.’
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