Nicole Hollis, a SAN Francisco-based designer known for her rigorous interior designs, prefers neutral shades of black, white and gray. However, her rooms never feel dull, thanks to her unique, deft use of materials and sought-after textures, coupled with her keen eye for high-impact contemporary art and finding unique furniture. The Sausalito House, a collaboration between Nicole Hollis and John Lum Architecture, is a minimalist renovation that transforms a home overlooking San Francisco Bay into a modern wonder.

Nicole Hollis' bold and mature style has made her popular with clients in the tech and finance industries, one of whom recently returned to Sausalito after years of living on the East Coast. He was a man whose passion extended to social entrepreneurship, the arts and the outdoors, so he wanted a house overlooking the bay where he could entertain friends and spend time with his grown daughters.

At first, it was a Mediterranean-style house, not what the owners expected. Nicole Hollis and John Lum Architecture collaborated to give the home a stylish and modern makeover, both inside and out. The aim is to combine a sense of serenity with spectacular views.

The studio replanned some of the structures within the house, including the moving staircase, which was changed to create a strong, more central architectural element. The design team also removed some walls on the ground floor to create a spacious, free-flowing living and dining area, where Nicole Hollis installed limestone floors and finished the walls with warm white stucco.