How Can a Renovation Give a Victorian Home Unique Identity?
A renovation can look good and still feel generic. I wanted this 1902 Queen Anne Victorian to have an identity. It was going to be home for my daughter and me, so I cared as much about what went inside the walls as the details we would interact with every day. I wanted it to feel like a sanctuary for the two of us. That intention shaped everything, from the wool insulation and mineral paint to the flooring, stone, cabinetry and bathrooms. In the kitchen, Jenny at @ayumeconcepts killed it with the vision, and @swedekitchens brought it to life. The individual brands and finishes were never the point. What mattered was how every choice worked together to create a clean, energetic home. Transforming homes is my creative outlet. I see each one as a canvas. It gives me a chance to bring materials, color and function together while letting some of my personality shine through. I’ve lived here for the past year. Plans change, and I may be moving on soon, but I know what I’d repeat and what I wouldn’t. I care deeply about this house, but I don’t see it as the finish line. It brought together years of learning, taking risks and developing my point of view. I’ll also be going back through the other projects that shaped my eye and sharing what I’m still proud of, along with what I would change today. Everything I learned here will come with me into whatever I take on next. If you think homes should have personality, follow along. For Martinez, what should I break down first: the kitchen, the bathrooms or what went inside the walls? #BayAreaRealEstate #VictorianRenovation #HomeRenovation #HomeTransformation
October 8, 2026