In the hills of Kentfield, California, a 1940s estate has been given a new character by interior design studio frenchCALIFORNIA. Founded by Guillaume Coutheillas, the practice has reimagined the traditional residence for a young family, drawing inspiration from the warmth of Provence and the relaxed lifestyle of Northern California.
“The starting point was never to transform the house into something it wasn’t,” explains Coutheillas. “It’s a 1940s home with a very traditional character, and we wanted to preserve that sense of history while making it feel natural for the way this family lives today.”
The designer found inspiration in the surrounding landscape and the particular quality of California sunlight, which reminded him of the South of France, where his mother is from. “The idea became this dialogue between European warmth and the openness and informality of California.”
Originally dominated by white interiors, the house has been transformed through colour and texture. Limewash finishes from Color Atelier, scenic wallcoverings and richly pigmented paints introduce depth, while natural woods and tactile fabrics lend warmth to the traditional architecture. “The house was originally very white, so color and texture became essential tools for giving it depth and soul,” says Coutheillas.
In the living room, walls finished in Color Atelier’s Terre provide a warm backdrop for a curved blue sofa by Soho Home, vintage Vladimir Kagan Nautilus armchairs and an asymmetric rug by cc tapis. A sculptural light fixture by Glustin Luminaires completes the composition.
The dining room takes a more decorative approach, with a scenic wallcovering by Boråstapeter Studio, Dark Olive trim by Benjamin Moore and a contemporary chandelier by Apparatus Studio.
Elsewhere, softer shades introduce a more intimate atmosphere. A bedroom finished in Color Atelier’s Muse features vintage artwork from the frenchCALIFORNIA collection, while the family banquette area is enveloped in the studio’s Selene finish. “The palette is very much informed by the landscape: soft greens, earthy browns, dusty pinks and deeper blues. But I wanted the colors to feel layered and slightly imperfect rather than overly coordinated.”
Throughout the residence, vintage discoveries sit alongside contemporary furniture, giving the interiors a character that feels accumulated rather than newly assembled.
But beyond the furniture and finishes, the project was conceived around the family’s everyday rituals, from informal gatherings to weekends spent entertaining friends.“More than anything, I wanted the house to feel lived in, generous and welcoming. Hospitality is incredibly important to this family, so nothing could feel too precious or formal.” It is an approach that recalls the comfortable elegance of older European houses, where beautiful objects coexist naturally with the demands of daily life.
“I love the way older European homes can feel refined without ever feeling untouchable, and that was very much the spirit here.” For Coutheillas, the result is a residence that preserves its architectural history while accommodating the spontaneity of contemporary family life.
