Marcus Lee | CA DRE# 01354869
Todd Montgomery | CA DRE# 01875716
Taking the better part of two years to design, permit, and execute, the renovation of 320 Alabama was a true labor of love by renowned San Francisco-based design studio Mark Lopez Designs, transforming raw San Francisco loft interiors into sophisticated modern spaces. Every room tells its own story with a unique expression of hand selected, showroom-grade fixtures and finishes sourced from as far afield as Bali and Italy.
“Part of the value in the materials is the aesthetic – the designs themselves. If you are limited to the standard patterns from big box stores, you're going to be limited in your expressive ability. Everything had to look polished, symmetrical, luxurious, but at the same time, out of the box and edgy.”
Mark Lopez chose to replace the existing iron stair railings with hand-crafted custom cut 1⁄2” Starphire tempered glass with custom steel handrails made right here in San Francisco.
“I wanted the space to feel fresh, open, modern, and chose to turn up the volume on some of the architectural details that were otherwise silent.”
The extensive custom glass-work broadens sight lines in each room for a true open concept grand-scale living space.
With wider view angles, Mark next focused on creating a cohesive story with lighting and wall accents to establish consistent visual interest from top to bottom as you move through the home.
“I saw potential in the 'bones' and layout of the home, and I wanted to not only elevate the space, but to give it a point of view. Whether it's in the color choices, tiles, wallpaper, or lighting, you'll notice a consistent sentiment. The surrounding neighborhood embodies the marriage between urban edge and chic sophistication I see evolving throughout San Francisco and I wanted to bring in elements that reflected that.”
Featuring a large tile back-splash with Kelly Wearslter tile, the central chef's kitchen embodies Mark's unique visual language, mixing handmade patterns with the sharp precision of mill grade custom cabinetry. A fully custom waterfall island/breakfast bar with Carrara marble, and a row of USB ports is the ultimate modern centerpiece.
The private downstairs guest suite offers a full kitchenette with custom cabinetry, marble counter tops, a wine fridge, a premium quality faucet by Newport Brass, and an “Ann Sacks” Backsplash.
The en-suite bath spares no expense with "Tineke Triggs" marble tile imported from Bali, a locally crafted vanity cabinet, a backlit mirror by “Electric Mirror” and copper free, corrosion resistant Newport Brass fixtures and hardware.
“Showroom quality hardware has advantages over standard hardware. Standard faucets are likely to have a plastic interior, showroom faucets are made from brass and won't corrode or rust. It's those differences that matter in the long run.”
The main floor master suite is generously-sized with two walk-in closets with California Closets organizers and an en-suite bath with herringbone marble tiles, and a marble tiled walk-in shower
Above the main floor is a spacious lofted bedroom with ample closet space, a luxurious en-suite bath with marble tiling, and a deep soaking tub with brass fixtures and multiple shower heads.
Mark tries not to think in terms of style and trends, instead allowing himself to respond to the unique nature of each space organically.
“I let each individual home tell its own story and respond with accessories, artwork, and furniture that I like. I don't subscribe to a specific school of design. I don't follow trends. It's a very organic process, just starting with one thing and building on it with the next."
Marcus Lee | CA DRE# 01354869
Todd Montgomery | CA DRE# 01875716