Some homes deserve more than a renovation—they deserve a thoughtful restoration that honors their history while providing the comfort and functionality of modern living.

When we were contacted by the owner of this beautiful early-1900s home in Pacific Heights, San Francisco, her vision was clear: create a bright, elegant bathroom that felt as timeless as the home itself. She wanted natural marble throughout the space, preserving the character and sophistication that make San Francisco’s historic homes so special.

Designing for Timeless Beauty

To complement the home’s classic architecture, we selected a palette of light, airy tones paired with warm brass finishes. The result is a bathroom that feels refined, welcoming, and perfectly in harmony with the home’s original character.

One of the standout features of the project is the stunning marble shower. The shower walls were installed in a chevron pattern, creating movement and visual interest while showcasing the natural beauty of the stone. The shower floor continues the design with a matching chevron marble layout, bringing a cohesive and luxurious feel to the entire space.

Outside the shower, elegant hexagonal marble floor tiles add another layer of timeless design. The combination of geometric patterns and natural stone creates a sophisticated look that feels both classic and fresh.

Elegant Details Matter

To enhance the bathroom’s character, we installed a pair of decorative sconces on either side of the vanity mirror. This symmetrical arrangement provides beautiful ambient lighting while adding a touch of old-world elegance that perfectly suits the home’s historic roots.

Combined with the brass fixtures and light-colored finishes, these carefully selected details create a space that feels bright, luxurious, and enduring.

Unexpected Challenges Behind the Walls

As is often the case with century-old homes, the biggest challenges weren’t visible at the start of the project.

Once demolition began, we discovered significant deterioration in the existing subfloor. Years of moisture exposure had caused extensive rot, making it necessary to completely rebuild the floor structure before moving forward with the finish work. While unexpected, addressing these structural issues was essential to ensuring the longevity and safety of the renovation.

We also found aging plumbing systems that had reached the end of their service life. To provide our client with peace of mind for decades to come, we replaced all of the existing plumbing within the bathroom, bringing the infrastructure up to modern standards before installing the new finishes.

A Bathroom Built for the Next Century

Projects like this remind us why we love working on San Francisco’s historic homes. While preserving the charm and craftsmanship of the past, we have the opportunity to improve functionality, durability, and comfort for today’s homeowners.

The finished bathroom is bright, elegant, and timeless—a space that feels as though it has always belonged in this beautiful Pacific Heights home, while being built to serve its owners for many years to come.

If you’re considering a bathroom renovation in a historic San Francisco home, we’d love to help you create a space that respects the past while embracing the future.