When designer, Tineke Triggs, was hired to update her client’s San Franciscan Victorian house, they asked her to maintain its traditional design elements wherever possible. ‘The
home had exceptionally well preserved period details, and the client really wanted to retain that classic Victorian feel,’ says Triggs.
Triggs, whose eclectic interiors span a wide range of styles, had begun selecting traditional materials for the home’s new kitchen and baths when the project took an unexpected turn. ‘A few months into the project, the client came to visit our room at the San Francisco Decorator’s Showcase,’ says Triggs. ‘After they saw how well its bold and contemporary design worked within a traditional setting, they called the next day with an admission. ‘Tineke, we think we’ve been holding you back...’’ The rest, as they say, is history.
With a new design direction and more freedom to roam, Triggs and her talented team at Artistic Designs For Living began pushing the envelope with more daring designs. ‘The client was ready to take more risks,’ says Triggs, ‘and the dining room was a terrific place to start. We stuck with classic lines and vintage fi nishes to maintain a timeless feel, but opted for more contemporary lighting, vibrant textiles and dramatic wall colours to add a whole new layer of interest to the space.’
Triggs also opened up the kitchen to create a new light filled room for the family to gather. Classic white cabinetry keeps this room bright and airy while deep blue tiles deliver a striking contrast. Dramatic lighting inspired by turn of the century French lanterns provides a historic nod to the past.
For the living room design, Triggs shifted to a more tranquil colour palette to set an overall tone of relaxation. ‘We wanted to carry through the rich textures from the dining room while creating a quiet and luxurious space to unwind at the end of the day.’
The result is an original design that blends the best of old world traditions with new world style. Triggs tells us, ‘the client is absolutely thrilled, and while this truly is a transitional design, the overall feel remains timeless.’
