6 min readJust because a home is over a century old doesn’t mean it has to look like a time capsule. Designer Jay Jeffers knows this well, and he let this ethos guide his restoration of a 1925 Italian Renaissance-style residence in Piedmont, California. It was originally designed by renowned Bay Area architects Newsom & Newsom, so there was no need to touch the strong architectural bones.
“My goal was never to create a period-perfect restoration,” Jeffers says of the project, which is featured in his new book, Modern Classic: Tailored Homes, Timeless Style, out August 18. “Instead, I wanted to honor its history while making it feel fresh, personal, and relevant for the homeowners' next chapter.”
Indeed, the greatest joy and challenge of this project proved to be striking the right balance between preservation and modernization. That meant making necessary aesthetic updates, like restoring plaster moldings, refinishing ceiling beams and floors, and reviving original woodwork, then setting those foundational details against contemporary art and modern furnishings.
Luckily, in a home with so much history and a one-of-a-kind personality, some of the best design cues were already in situ. Green Fortuny silk draperies left by the previous owners were cleaned and relined, acting as the jumping-off point for the dining room; the living room’s hand-painted, fleur-de-lis ceiling remained untouched. “The painter happened to be a high school chum of our client, and she asked us to preserve it if we could. Of course we agreed,” Jeffers adds.
Where Jeffers made the most dramatic changes was in turning the home’s offbeat, lesser-used areas into hosting-ready spaces. A turn-of-the-century walk-in safe now enjoys a second life as the household’s wine cellar, while the covered porch morphed into an indoor-outdoor bar. “It's naturally where people gather and presents an opportunity to create a glamorous, memorable focal point,” the designer notes.
The house now effortlessly bridges past and present, its grand architecture and expansive square footage swathed in rich color and accented with modern wit. “The result isn't a museum or a period restoration,” Jeffers adds. “It's a timeless, deeply personal home that feels both historic and completely alive.”
FAST FACTS
Designer: Jay Jeffers
Location: Piedmont, California
The Space: A five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home spanning approximately 12,000 square feet
STAIRWELL AND FOYER
Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere of turn-of-the-century grandeur.
This home’s foyer and lionine staircase create a memorable first impression while setting a texture-rich tone for everything that follows.
“Here, the original Beaux Arts architecture takes center stage, while a carefully curated mix of art, furnishings, and lighting introduces the home's contemporary point of view,” Jeffers notes.
That thoroughly modern mindset is on full display in the foyer, where a pair of vintage corner cabinets, sourced from 1stDibs, were refreshed in chartreuse by artist Willem Racke. Eagle-eyed guests will also notice a portrait of the family’s beloved dog, Otis, painted on one of the fronts.
LIVING ROOM
Clever details span from floor to ceiling, giving the eye much to linger on.
This living room, with its ample seating, array of ambient light, and modern art accents, provides a soft landing for any occasion. “A great living room should feel just as comfortable with two people as it does with 20,” Jeffers says.
The room’s curved forms, custom millwork, and carefully layered furnishings aren’t the only elements that bring a fresh perspective to this historic space. Look up, and you’ll see the same ceiling beams from the entrance now framing an immersive fleur-de-lis pattern.
BAR
A dedicated home bar offers effortless entertaining and easy flow indoors and out.
One sign of a successful renovation is that a formerly unremarkable space now becomes the life of the party. For Jeffers, this covered porch leading to the outdoor garden was ready to be revamped into a dedicated bar. “Designed for entertaining, it allows guests to flow effortlessly between inside and out while adding another memorable gathering space to the home,” he says.
DINING ROOM
A space where historic details and contemporary finds mingle over dinner.
Designed to host any number of special-occasion meals, the dining room feels fresh and contemporary, thanks to its mix of new and original details set against verdant walls. Rather than being plucked from a paint swatch, the palette was inspired by a pair of green silk Fortuny drapes that came with the home—a happy coincidence that suited the homeowners’ tastes. “Luckily, green is the wife’s favorite color, and that set the tone for the rest of the room,” Jeffers says.
STUDY
A new hue highlights the timeless beauty of the room’s original millwork.
Bold color gives each room in the home a distinct personality, and the study is no exception. Jeffers preserved the original paneling but painted over its dated mahogany finish with a rich blue glaze—a move that “completely changed the room’s character.” Patterned wallpaper lining the built-ins adds another layer of interest, giving the space an erudite yet inviting feel.
KITCHEN
This refreshed cook space couples old-world details with modern conveniences.
“Rather than reinventing the kitchen, we refined it,” Jeffers says. Thoughtful updates like patterned tile, new lighting, and a substantial range hood helped bring this cook space into step with the rest of the home.
There was also an opportunity to refine the layout. “Throughout the home, flexibility for entertaining was a major priority, and the kitchen naturally supports that lifestyle,” the designer adds. The space now flows seamlessly into an adjacent breakfast room, where comfortable seating encourages guests to linger over meals.
BREAKFAST NOOK
Starting the day in this luxurious nook will turn anyone into a morning person.
“Beautiful spaces should invite you to stay awhile,” Jeffers notes. This nook, with its sunny garden view and generous dining surface, makes a strong case for bringing back the lost art of family breakfasts. A striking arrangement of Gregorius Pineo chairs, upholstered in Nobilis fabric, brings “comfort, craftsmanship, and understated elegance” to the inviting space.
OFFICE NOOK
A compact workspace makes clever use of every inch.
Through a distinctive archway off the kitchen, this compact office nook transforms an overlooked corner into a hardworking command center. Jeffers used custom millwork to fit the small space’s storage needs perfectly while keeping the feeling warm and inviting.
POWDER ROOM
An immersive wallcovering gives this petite washroom wild character.
Powder rooms are a home’s prime opportunity to pattern-drench. In this one, the jungle-themed Aux Abris wallpaper and custom, marble-framed mirror become the focal point, while a cleverly integrated corner sink maximizes every inch, creating what Jeffers calls “a true jewel-box moment.”
WINE CELLAR
A former safe becomes a dramatic wine cellar, with enough room for impromptu tastings.
This room may have once held priceless heirlooms in its past life as a walk-in safe. Now, it holds a very different kind of precious commodity: the homeowners’ collection of vino. Jeffers calls this wine tasting room “one of the home's most memorable transformations,” thanks to its polished Nero Marquina marble floors and internally illuminated shelving.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
The design of this main sleep space takes a subtle, restorative approach.
“In a home with so many richly layered spaces,” Jeffers says, “I wanted the primary bedroom to feel like an exhale.” The room’s soft silhouettes, understated patterns, and carefully selected artwork create a fittingly peaceful retreat for winding down at the end of the day.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
A calming space with ample details to appreciate during a long soak in the tub.
The primary bath exudes “quiet luxury,” according to Jeffers, but it’s far from one-note. An oak double vanity brings warmth to the design, while a generous soaking tub in the adjacent wet room provides a serene escape. Underfoot, intricate mosaic flooring adds an eye-catching flourish.
OFFICE
An awkward extra space becomes a comfortable place for getting business done.
Though this room has a slightly odd shape, its garden views made it worth reimagining into a dedicated home office. Jeffers outfitted it with custom shelving and built-in storage to maximize every inch and encourage peak productivity.
POOL
The backyard provides an idyllic setting for outdoor entertaining.
The Bay Area is a region known for its steep hillsides, making this expansive, completely level backyard a real rarity. The property’s surrounding gardens create a lush setting that invites indoor-outdoor living year-round, and the in-ground pool is the perfect party-ready amenity. “It makes entertaining more than 100 guests feel completely effortless,” Jeffers muses.
EXTERIOR
You’d be forgiven for mistaking this Bay Area home for a European countryside villa.
The magnificence of the home’s ornate Beaux Arts architecture is complemented by Italianate columns and climbing vines.
About the Designer
Jay Jeffers is the founder of JayJeffers Inc. and the designer and co-owner of the boutique hotel, The Madrona. Jay and his design team offer a full range of concept-to-installation services, including interior architecture, custom furniture design, art and antique acquisitions, and decoration. His third book, Modern Classic, is out this August.
