Main Facts: Redefining Northern California Luxury
Like a person, a house goes through distinct phases of life and identity. Consider an expansive, nearly 8,000-square-foot contemporary residence perched in the affluent enclave of Hillsborough, California. When the homeowner—a newly single creative professional with two children—first acquired the property, it was defined by stark, clean architectural lines and sweeping, panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay skyline stretching toward Mount Diablo.
Yet, for all its structural merit, the house began its life as what the homeowner’s creative director, Jenni Witt, describes as "basically a white box."
To infuse this sterile, brand-new construction with warmth, character, and a profound sense of soul, Witt and the client enlisted Los Angeles–based designer Luke Foss. Working alongside Pete Moffatt Construction and contemporary art consultant Nicolás Colón, founder of San Francisco art gallery Climate Control, the design team embarked on an ambitious, multi-year overhaul. The result is a masterclass in modern residential design that pairs blue-chip and emerging contemporary art with rich earth tones, tactile vintage furnishings, and a relaxed, unpretentious Northern California aesthetic designed to celebrate the unexpected.
Chronology: A Multi-Year, Phased Evolution
Because the homeowner was already settled in the property with his teenage and preteen children—having chosen the location specifically for its proximity to local schools—a traditional, disruptive gut-renovation was out of the question. Instead, the team adopted an iterative approach, mirroring the creative processes the client was accustomed to in his own professional career.
"The client did not mind living in a work-in-progress, because he understood it would get better and better over time," notes Witt.
Phase One: Establishing the Foundation
In the initial summer push, Foss and his collaborators prioritized foundational living spaces. They focused heavily on the primary suite and the downstairs living areas, establishing a welcoming hierarchy of public and private zones.
Phase Two: Expanding Upward and Inward
The following summer shifted focus to the upper living room, the kitchen, and the client’s private office. Wall panels were integrated to break up the vast drywall planes of the new construction, deliberately introducing a cozy, grounded architectural depth that Foss likens to "a little bit of a Midwest basement vibe."
Phase Three: Refining Details, Accessories, and Bathrooms
The final summer sweep concentrated on the finishing touches: specialized bathroom treatments, intricate accessories, and bespoke architectural elements like the staircase railing. Throughout this multi-phase evolution, the design leaned heavily into a "loose, comfortable, casual" ethos. Nothing in the home feels overly formal; instead, the layout invites guests to pull up a floor pillow, sit directly on a mohair rug, and engage in intimate conversation.
Supporting Data: A Curated Dialogue of Art, Craft, and Vintage Design
The transformation of the Hillsborough estate relies heavily on a sophisticated curation of materials, custom millwork, and rare design objects.
The Living Room and Public Spaces
- Living Room Seating: A modular chocolate-brown suede sofa by Piero Lissoni for Living Divani anchors the space, flanked by saddlebag pillows from Amadi Rugs.
- Centerpiece: A striking silver coffee table by Max Lamb acts as a reflective centerpiece, throwing light across the room and keeping the expansive space feeling dynamic and alive.
- Lighting & Art: Above, a giant vintage Isamu Noguchi paper lamp is fitted with color-changing smart bulbs, offering party lighting that remains tasteful from day to night. Walls feature prominent works, including pieces by Robert Rauschenberg.
The Entryway & Staircase
- Threshold Statement: Upon crossing the rough-edge bluestone tile floor in the entryway, visitors encounter a walnut and rosewood table by George Nakashima, balanced delicately on a single leg and topped with an Addison Woolsey ceramic vessel.
- The Bonsai Composition: What was once an oversized pit of rocks was transformed by Foss into an asymmetrical composition featuring an eight-foot limb of a schefflera bonsai reaching outward from a cement pedestal.
- The Staircase Transition: To move away from a sterile, "mall-like" all-glass railing, Foss replaced it with custom aluminum panels featuring precision cutouts. John Hogan was commissioned to create bespoke glass inserts—resembling "little melted pieces of candy"—that capture the shifting light as the sun moves across the house, mimicking a journey from a green forest floor to the golden canopy of trees.
Private Quarters & The Kitchen
- Primary Bedroom: The room features a custom cork bed by Doug McCollough, engineered with built-in custom aluminum speakers and analog switches reminiscent of 1970s audio setups. The system is manually toggled via physical switches, allowing the resident to shift playlists without reaching for a phone.
- The Kitchen: Outfitted with deep-stained plywood cabinetry, white oak flooring, and stained-glass pendants by Fabien Cappello, the kitchen pairs with a dining area featuring Mario Bellini’s iconic CAB 412 leather chairs for Cassina.
- The Children’s Rooms: Designed with high interactivity and vivid color palettes chosen by the children themselves, the rooms feature whimsical pieces such as a panda sculpture by Jasmin Anoschkin and a multimedia painting by Strauss Bourque-LaFrance.
Official Responses: Perspectives on Collaboration
The success of the Hillsborough home hinges on the seamless synergy between designer, client, art consultant, and creative director.
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Jenni Witt on the Client’s Vision:
"Because the client was used to creating things iteratively in his own career, he asked us to take a similar approach. Luke believes that what a person experiences as they step over the threshold sets their mood, deeply affecting the rest of their experience throughout the home. He was adamant about protecting the entry composition and putting extra time into some key artisanal touches, and he was right to do so."
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Luke Foss on Materiality and Local Roots:
"Originally I was going to pick a more muted, earthy color [for the coffee table], but I ended up going with something a little shinier and a little bolder. I think it acts as a really nice reflective centerpiece and throws the room off in just the right way that keeps it feeling alive… The goal was to really warm up this new build. So rather than slick finishes—shiny lacquers and blacks—it was more browns and earth tones and wood paneling." Having lived in San Francisco prior to relocating to Los Angeles in 2018, Foss emphasized his deep familiarity with Bay Area artisans and millworkers: "I wasn’t a fish out of water in the Bay."
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Nicolás Colón on Art Curation:
"When we began the process, Luke told me not to think too much about matching the art to the larger design. This gave me freedom to focus solely on finding quality pieces for the client that will stand the test of time. It was important for me that the artwork in the home reflected the wisdom of a life well lived. While some of the artists are definitely having their moments, we didn’t chase trends. The artists in the collection range from international blue-chip to local and emerging."
Implications: Setting a New Standard for California Modernism
The completion of the Hillsborough residence marks a significant philosophical shift in how high-end Northern California real estate approaches new construction. For decades, the dominant luxury paradigm favored pristine, minimalist white boxes, seamless glass walls, and immaculate, unblemished surfaces designed to frame the natural landscape.
However, the Foss-Witt collaboration proves that architectural restraint and high-design gloss can—and perhaps should—be softened by history, narrative, and human imperfection. By integrating analog technology, tactile organic materials like cork, rosewood, and bluestone, and an uncompromising art collection that spans generations, the design team has forged a blueprint for modern living.
The implications for contemporary interior architecture are clear: as homeowners increasingly seek spaces that reflect their personal evolutions, homes must be treated not as static, finished products, but as living, breathing environments capable of telling a multi-layered story over time. In Hillsborough, that story is one of soul, unexpected joy, and a deeply felt sense of home.
