With our Book Club series, we hand over the proverbial mic to our Experts—letting them share their work, thought process, and tips in their own words. The following is an excerpt from Banner Day’s new book, Storied Homes, published next month with Gibbs Smith.

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This revival-style Berkeley home was designed by renowned Bay Area architect Henry Gutterson in 1916.

Funny enough, I toured the house when it was for sale—I had other clients who were interested in purchasing it. Immediately, I was impressed by its elegance—original fireplaces, intricate millwork, and built-ins. A couple of months later, after my initial clients lost out on the house, Katie and Chris, the new (victorious) buyers, called me for design assistance. Fate is funny in that way.

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Unlike many of our other projects, we didn’t do any renovation. But we did touch every single room with decoration, illustrating the transformative power of thoughtfully-chosen furniture, lighting, and wallpaper. This is a vibrant, creative young family—it was fun to mix their eclectic vibe with the more formal aspects of this historic home.

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Through the front door, the living room is immediately to the left. The centerpiece here is the expansive, double-columned original fireplace. I suggested we arrange the room in what was likely the original intent of this room—a place to sit down for a conversation. So we placed the two sofas facing each other to encourage intimacy. Purposely, this style of furniture is just slightly more casual than the formal architectural details. Strong wallpaper with a netted pattern brings in color and layers to the background. And to complete the fireplace vignette, I sourced ceramic pieces from a local artist, Ariel Clute, utilizing the “unexpected blue theory” to inject the color in an unconventional way. The varying shapes and figurative illustrations entice you to come into the room and take a closer look.

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To the right of the front door is a statement dining room, featuring stunning original built-ins. Originally white, we painted them a vibrant green for a bolder look that matches the panoramic wallpaper. In contrast to the living room, we leaned into the formality of the architecture here. This is a room that’s meant to impress. One of my favorite elements is the antique Limoges French China—the rust and light blue floral motif complements the room perfectly. We added modernity via the table, credenza, and lighting. It’s the intermingling of old and new that creates the perfect design potion.

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The kitchen and the rear wing of the house were recently redone by the former owner, an architect. We warmed up the spaces with vintage artwork and an unexpected wash in color called “Picture Gallery Red.” Utilizing strictly furniture, we transformed this space into a working mudroom. When the sun is overhead in the hallway, there’s a prism light show through the window cutouts—an especially neat feature of this home. The adjacent family room is petite yet well-used, so to add depth and ensure it remained a destination, we intentionally chose jewel tones in the wallpaper and seating.

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Upstairs, you can find my take on a plant room. I had no idea that this would become a thing, but I’m here for it. The bedrooms are fun and infused with personality. Chris is a writer, so we carved out a corner in the primary bedroom alongside built-in bookcases as his working space. The room almost seemed fated to have a writer occupant. It’s a dream to have an original working fireplace in a bedroom, so we made that space extra special by reupholstering an original Plycraft chair and ottoman in a brocade fabric.

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We were thrilled that we were able to finish the house in time for Katie and Chris to host Thanksgiving. In fact, as we sourced for the dining room, we had this very image in mind: a large and lively family meal surrounded by a lush Italian panoramic.

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Many things have changed since the original construction of this house in 1916, and I’m thrilled we were able to usher it into a new era for this vibrant family. Contemporary sensibilities mixed with traditional architecture are always a winning combination.

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Order Banner Day Interiors' new book for more inspiration, or book a consultation with Clara to get personalized advice for your space.