After a pair of Silicon Valley tech pioneers built their dream home in an oak-studded area of Woodside, California, they needed a skilled interior designer who would understand their desire for both grandeur and simplicity. To achieve their elaborate vision, the clients called in designer Marcio Decker of Aspen Leaf Interiors, a firm based in Reno-Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area, with a reputation for crafting elegant, luxury interiors.
Decker incorporated compelling materials including natural stone, dark woods, and limestone — along with rich textures and fabrics — to bring depth to the airiness of the architecture. Underneath elegant custom lighting, comfortable furniture groupings offset the large scale of the space and offer opportunities for intimacy through careful space planning. Decker added a modern flair to the home’s transitional style to reflect the simple and casual, relaxed equestrian lifestyle of the large estates of Southern California that had inspired the clients. The result of the designer’s careful efforts is a Mediterranean-inspired space that encourages rest and rejuvenation, and flows into the surrounding natural environment.
In the following slides, see how Aspen Leaf Interiors created opportunities for relaxation and togetherness within the large estate.
When Aspen Leaf Interiors approached the project, they were tasked with completing the interior architecture and design planning. In the living area, a wood-beamed ceiling references traditional Mediterranean spaces, as does much of the interior design throughout the estate. Decker made use of the natural light that filters freely through the arched breezeways and loggias to create comfortable seating arrangements that maximize views of the courtyard and oak trees. Thoughtfully curated and scaled light fixtures offer a touch of personality to each room of the house.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Throughout the home, aged limestone flooring from Francois & Co. brings a natural touch to the interiors. Here facing the kitchen, two Gregorius|Pineo armchairs are paired with a table crafted by Robert James Collection. Pocket doors can close off the kitchen from the rest of the great room, allowing the clients the option of increased privacy.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Three custom sofas from Gregorius|Pineo provide ample space for relaxing. Other fine, detailed furnishings including Mimi London end tables and the metal-accented wood consoles and coffee table, also from Gregorius|Pineo, help to complete the space. Luxurious fabrics from Kravet, Savel, Samuel & Sons, Duralee, and Opuzen are layered throughout the space, ushering in warmth and personality. The quality of the overall craftsmanship is demonstrated by the sophisticated fireplace, constructed by Francois & Co.
Photo by Tom Zikas
A patterned ceramic tile backsplash brings a touch of playfulness to the kitchen area. Hand-painted decorative tiles, like these from Walker Zanger, are typical of Mediterranean design.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Enhancing the airiness of the space, white, built-in cabinetry surrounds the limestone-topped kitchen island while the glass encased shelving, bronze cabinet hardware from Rocky Mountain Hardware, and faucets from Grohe create contrast. To extend the kitchen island, Decker custom designed a breakfast table, creating a more casual, in-kitchen dining space.
Photo by Tom Zikas
A detailed plaster ceiling is an innovative touch in the dining room, and a custom glass and hammered iron chandelier highlights the space. Matching Alfonso Marina armoires stand guard on either side of the table; built-in glass wine storage is conveniently placed nearby.
Photo by Tom Zikas
A row of arched doorways along the open-concept living and kitchen area leading toward a hallway lined with tall windows helps create a beautiful transition into the outdoor areas of the property. Decker chose long, hanging lanterns to adorn the hallway, emphasizing the symmetry of the doorways and windows.
Photo by Tom Zikas
The courtyard includes a pool and an artfully designed garden and fire pit. Decker arranged various seating and dining areas to become al fresco on warm days. The clients enjoy grounding themselves in the outdoors, particularly through horseback riding — their horses reside on the property. The estate includes a barn, five stables, a caretaker’s house, and a pool house pictured here on the right.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Plush seating fills this section of the media room, while a sleekly designed glass wine room decoratively displays the clients’ bottles and acoustical panels perfect the sound. The sectional from Nathan Anthony Furniture — covered with taupe Robert Allen fabric — faces an ottoman coffee table from Thayer Coggin, upholstered in leather from Jerry Pair Leather. A blue area rug by Rosemary Hallgarten adds a dose of color to the space. The shuffleboard lighting and sconces are from Hammerton.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Decker designed this space as the music area; it includes a selection of guitars, a game table set up for chess and backgammon, and a wet bar. Delineating the music area is a bold rug from Angela Adams, as the royal blue and emerald green of the Charleston Forge bar stools, along with the Métaphores curtain fabric, punctuate the space with vibrant color. Functional and timeless concrete flooring flows continuously throughout the entire basement.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Glass and gunmetal Hammerton chandeliers hang above the classic blue pool table. The custom designed curved walnut bar is two-tiered and built with convenient USB ports, and the Charleston Forge bar stools provide additional seating.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Double doors and laser-cut screens open up into the master bath. Situated between the separate vanities, the free-standing tub by MTI Baths — set underneath an elaborate glass chandelier from Shakuff — takes center stage.
Photo by Tom Zikas
The mirrors above the vanities imitate the curves of the gridded windows, and also soften the space. The dark wood vanities are topped with veined Calacatta marble, as elegant Murray Iron Works sconces light the mirrors from either side. Featuring a Tuscan brass finish reflective of the home’s overall theme, the plumbing fixtures are from Rohl.
Photo by Tom Zikas
In the master bedroom, warm neutral colors are enriched with a wealth of texture. Paul Seftel artwork decorates the wall space above the bed, and Robert James Collection nightstands frame the bed. The draperies were sewn from Kravet fabric, and the pillows were created from Christopher Hyland fabric.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Quality, standout furnishings combined with rich fabrics and textures deliver a compelling guest bedroom. Hardwood flooring from Francois & Co. lays the groundwork of the design, while a Surya hair-on-hide rug amplifies the texture of the space. The chandelier is custom, and the chair is from Gregorius|Pineo.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Differently textured limestone and concrete gray tones complement the decorative mosaic tile in the downstairs bathroom. The tile and limestone countertop are from Walker Zanger. The satin nickel faucet and shower fixtures are from Watermark; Hammerton light fixtures offer a unique accent.
Photo by Tom Zikas
Inspired by Gothic architecture, this butler's pantry features an arched mosaic and marble backsplash in a purposely distorted scale. The tile and limestone countertop are from Walker Zanger, and accompanying the Rohl sink and Grohe faucet, the cabinet hardware in a silicon bronze dark finish is from Rocky Mountain Hardware.
Photo by Tom Zikas
