Description

This remodel reflects the unique character of the neighborhood as well as the clients. One client is an amateur magician and has a nationally-recognized collection of magic paraphernalia, as well as an extensive collection of art nouveau and historic European magic posters. The house was to become a showcase for these museum quality pieces. The project was completed just prior to the tragic Rockridge Oakland Fire of 1993, in which 1800 homes were lost, and with no communication for a week after the fire, we feared that all the art and architecture had been lost. We were relieved to hear from the clients that in fact all was well, primarily because they had sneaked back across the fire lines and personally fought the fire as it approached the homes on either side of them. The project is a beautiful blend of California Mission Style and Arts and Crafts.