Orinda Estate Revival

A classic 1930’s estate in Orinda, CA, east of San Francisco, was in need of repairs and updating to revive its gracious, storied past. The property, which in the past had been the prized home of newspaper publisher Dean Lesher and his wife Margaret, was remodeled to edit and merge the best parts of its history with the needs of current lifestyles. The kitchen was enlarged with an addition while other areas were altered or restored, as appropriate. Rigorous attention was given to the palette of materials, proportions and the layering of moldings in wood and stone. Occasionally we just had to go ‘over the top’ with colors or finishes, to keep up with the flamboyant legacy of this home.

From the Owners: “Kurt found a way to solve problems while also creating a “win” out of it for us – by creatively adding square footage or remodeling an area to create a much better outcome. In short, the problems we inherited were turned into not just repairs, but artful solutions. His attention to detail is masterful.”

Photography by Indivar Sivanathan and by Cherie Cordellos
Interiors by Cyndi Devereaux
Built by Canyon Construction