Old House, New Tricks

When a Berkeley couple was faced with the choice to sell their empty nest or put in the time and resources to remodel, they chose the latter. The end result is pocket-size perfection that maximizes every square inch.

Story by CHRISTINE LENNON

Here’s a story that will sound familiar to anyone feeling the crunch of the West Coast housing market while staring their child-free future in the eye. After 15 years in their 1910 Edwardian Craftsman house, and having raised two now-grown daughters, a Berkeley couple arrived at a crossroads. Should they sell their beloved but somewhat tired 1,100-square-foot house, just a handful of blocks from Chez Panisse and the East Bay’s renowned culinary district? Should they cash in to the highest bidder and simplify their lives? Or could they dig in, take everything they’ve learned to love (and hate) about their house, and use that wisdom to make it the best version of itself? “It’s like seeing an old flame in a new light,” says Brett Foken, founder of Decorotation, the five-year-old Bay…

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Sunset (Digital) - 1 Issue, Wellness 2022

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