Eastlake Galley

The 1886 house is a Victorian Revival jewel box, all in just 1700 square feet.

- Brian D. Coleman

For 25 years the San Francisco couple had lived together in the then 825-square-foot Victorian cottage. Eventually they decided to make over the unused daylight basement for a primary bedroom, adding on to accommodate an en-suite bathroom. The suite is in Aesthetic Movement Eastlake style, with rooms finished in custom-milled, tongue-and-groove paneling. Rooms throughout are filled with 19th-century furniture, museum-quality antique lighting, and collections of Victoriana.

It's no surprise that the next project-redoing the 145-square-foot galley kitchen-would follow suit. It had been modernized with an overbearing row of white laminate cabinets; white vinyl tiles covered the walls and vinyl hid the original fir floor. Architect Steve Rynerson understood his clients' vision: He would need to design a jewel box that celebrated the Aesthetic period. No granite countertops, no stainlesssteel appliances, no food-prep stations set within miles of countertop.