I came on board this project along with fellow Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets designer, Ward Wildanger, when the homeowner became frustrated with delays and setbacks in his remodel. He wanted storage solutions in the large, open area on his bottom floor to provide functionality, but wanted those solutions to be aesthetically pleasing as well. His general contractor had not provided him with viable options, so he started researching online. He found Valet Custom Closets & Cabinets. We were able to come alongside, work with the contractor, and make this space everything the homeowner hoped for, on time, beautifully designed, and expertly installed. He was so pleased with our involvement, that he asked us to design other rooms as well, providing a uniform look throughout the home with high-quality storage in the master bedroom, bathroom, pantry and media center.

Topics: Custom Wardrobes, Dual Purpose Rooms, Standalone Closet, External Wardrobe, Freestanding Closet System, condos, custom media center

With the winter solstice behind us and the holidays over, it may feel like spring is just around the corner. But for the next month or two, those long, dark winter evenings invite us to settle in, put up our feet, pour a tall glass of our favorite adult beverage and turn on a binge-worthy show. Or maybe you want to level-up on that new video game you got for Christmas, battling aliens or racing exotic cars against the kids. Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets can create a perfect built-in entertainment center to make those cozy evenings at home even better. Since in many houses, the home theater is also the main living area or the bedroom, the versatility that comes with a built-in media center means a peaceful atmosphere when the T.V. is off and cutting-edge viewing and gaming when the time is right.

Topics: custom home theater, component storage, Living Rooms, media center, custom media center

City living has many benefits and delights, especially in the Russian Hill area with Fisherman’s Wharf just blocks away. There’s lots to do, lots to see, and all of it close by. There is also a palatable sense of excitement that attracts many of us to live in downtown San Francisco. Having an abundance of space in your condominium or studio is one of the things we sacrifice for these other benefits. Although space may be limited, Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets can make the most of that space, taking city-dwelling to a new level. For this home owner in Russian Hill, elegance and functionality were the primary goals for her studio remodel.

Topics: Custom Wall Beds, Custom Kitchen Design, custom media center, Custom Home Offices, Russian Hill, San Francisco

Super Bowl season is coming up fast. The final ten teams have emerged, and although the Raiders aren’t going to feature in the playoffs (too soon?), there are still a lot of fantastic games in store for football fans. If you’re of a mind to entertain at home, a custom-designed man cave complete with entertainment center, built-in bar, and all the bells and whistles will be just the place to watch the games unfold.

Topics: custom media center, Custom Entertainment Centers, Custom Home Bar, Custom Shelving, Built-in Media Cabinetry

There’s nothing like having family home for the holidays to make you really notice all the home improvement projects you never quite got around to this year. Between crazy road work on Tassajara (which is finally ending) and the massive fire scare the area endured this year, it may have been difficult to find the motivation to get larger projects started. However, the holidays are the perfect time to step back and take a look at how your family uses your space, and dream up ways it can be improved.

Topics: Dublin, Tassajara, custom media center, Custom Entertainment Centers, component storage, Built-in Media Cabinetry

After years of working in Northern California, I know what kinds of homes to expect in different areas. In Sunnyvale, you’ll see Eichlers. In San Francisco, condos and beautiful “painted ladies”. But in Willow Glen, one of my favorite little areas of San Jose, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. Many blocks are a melange of housing styles, from Victorian to Colonial, or Prairie to Spanish Eclectic, built with only the dreams and wishes of the original owner in mind.

Topics: Custom Cabinets, Willow Glen, custom media center, Custom Wardrobes, Custom Home Offices

We’ve done projects all around Pleasanton, and it really is one of my favorite areas in the East Bay, combining the charm of a small town with the upscale nightlife of the city. The downside, of course, is the terrible commute. It’s bad enough driving to San Jose or Oakland, but if you work further west in the Valley, you’re in for a rough time.

Topics: Custom Cabinets, Home Exercise Rooms, Home Gyms, Pleasanton, custom media center

It was an exciting year for the Golden State Warriors (and the Sharks), even if we did come up short at the end. And it’s still a great time to be a Bay Area sports fan. We can keep rooting for the San Francisco Giants, and we’ve been lucky enough to have great teams across the board (Okay, football hasn’t been a strength lately, but the Raiders and 49ers are young teams with lots of potential).

Topics: custom media center, bay area, Custom Cabinets, Custom Entertainment Centers

We were contacted by a couple who had retired, moved from the Peninsula to San Francisco, and purchased a lovely 2-bedroom condominium near the ballpark with incredible views of downtown San Francisco. They wanted to update their space to fit their style and needs. With the help of interior designer Kimball Starr, they worked with Larry Fox and went with very contemporary styling throughout their new home. 

Topics: Custom Wall Beds, Custom Home Offices, San Francisco, condos, custom media center

I’ve got a soft spot for modern styling. There’s just something about clean, straight lines that makes modern homes like livable pieces of art. I was reminded of this a couple of weeks ago by the Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour, which showcased homes in Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Saratoga. Some of these houses were like walking into a late Mondrian painting – breathtaking.

Topics: Custom Wall Beds, Custom Cabinets, Modern Home Tour, Silicon Valley, custom media center