A World Away

LOS GATOS, CA – January 27, 2026 —

A complete home renovation in San Mateo Park showcases a family’s love of travel, art, comfort and warmth.

By MICHAEL McCARTHY
Photographed by AGNIESZKA JAKUBOWICZ

THE PROJECT

After years of living in a 4,000-square-foot home in San Mateo, a couple with three children (two teenagers and one away at college) knew their residence needed a significant renovation and aesthetic upgrade. They wanted to improve the home’s layout to better suit their lifestyle, including a dedicated office space to work from home. They also wanted each room to feel warm, connected and inviting for family life.

THE TEAM

The couple chose Ambiance Interiors (ambianceinteriors.net) for the ambitious project, which was led by designer Amy Kopp. “Our team doesn’t adhere to a single defined aesthetic,” says Kopp, who adds Ambiance Interiors thoughtfully modernizes each home while tailoring it to the clients’ taste and lifestyle. “We want the result to feel current, beautiful and deeply personal, as we focus on building relationships rooted in trust, collaboration and consistency. We aim to stay several steps ahead of the construction process and bring a high level of organization to what can otherwise feel like a chaotic experience—giving our clients confidence and peace of mind throughout the remodel.”

Sea foam countertops from DaVinci Marble anchor the bright kitchen. Opposite page: The living room benefits from a sofa and swivel chairs from Bernhardt and a colorful rug from Stark Carpet, brought together by the team at Ambiance Interiors and Amy Kopp.

THE GOALS

“While everything was updated, it was important to our clients that the house still felt like their home—not a showroom stamped by a design team,” says Kopp. “Having lived and traveled in many places, they had amassed a meaningful collection of art and accessories. We used those pieces as a foundation, layering in updated upholstery, lighting and finishes that complemented their existing collection and brought everything together seamlessly.”

LIVING & DINING ROOMS

“The living room was designed as a peaceful gathering space—ideal for family get-togethers, book clubs and tea parties,” says Kopp. “We focused on comfort and warmth, incorporating an upholstered sofa and swivel chairs from Bernhardt (bernhardt.com), a rug from Stark (starkcarpet.com), and an updated fireplace with new tile and mantel. Both homeowners love gardening and surrounded themselves with plants, so a palette of greens with subtle pinks and blues felt like a natural extension of that passion.”

Because the clients often entertain, Kopp says she and her team provided ample seating and a large table in the dining room. “The final layer was an eclectic mix of the clients’ art and accessories, which brought depth, personality and warmth to the space,” she says.

KITCHEN

Rift-cut white oak cabinetry stained in a natural tone keeps the kitchen feeling both updated and cozy. Ample storage, sea foam quartzite countertops from DaVinci (davincimarble.com) and polished nickel hardware from Belmont Hardware (belmonthardware.com) strike a balance between function and elegance, says Kopp. “The eat-in pedestal table naturally became a nightly hub where one of the homeowners, a math teacher, often grades papers while staying connected to the family.”

POWDER & LAUNDRY ROOMS

“We leaned into the couple’s love of nature and greenery with a botanical wallpaper from Brabbu (brabbu.com) for the powder room,” says Kopp. “A Calacatta marble apron sink from DaVinci, paired with a brass faucet and Visual Comfort (visualcomfort.com) sconces, transforms the room into a jewel box moment.”

Kopp says the laundry room offered another opportunity to introduce an unexpected pop of the clients’ favorite color. “The star-and-cross tile is subtle yet charming in the arched doorway that offers a peek into the adjacent cozy room finished in Heath Ceramics (heathceramics.com) tile,” says Kopp.

PRIMARY SUITE

“This space was designed as a quieter, more restorative retreat,” says Kopp, who added a soothing cream upholstered bed from Bernhardt, paired with oak nightstands and a dresser from Alice Lane (alicelanehome.com). “A statement light fixture from Visual Comfort adds soft, atmospheric lighting that enhances the calm, serene feel,” she says.

From top: The primary suite’s spacious bath features a soaking tub; the primary suite boasts natural-hued nightstands and a dresser from Alice Lane.

PRIVATE, COZY ROOM

At the center of the house is a sunken space, dubbed “the hobbit hole,” with a wraparound built-in sofa, a round wood-burning brick fireplace, and wood-paneled walls and trim. Above it was a large, failing skylight—which EDR discovered was retractable. We replaced it and collaborated with Ted Ellison (theodoreellison.com) to create custom rondel windows in rich blues and greens. At night, with the fire lit and soft LED lighting illuminating the rondels, the effect is truly magical,” says Kopp.

BILLIARDS ROOM

Since the formal entry had mainly gone unused, Kopp and her team reimagined it as a space the family would enjoy daily: a billiards room. “We designed a custom billiards table and painted the walls and ceiling a moody blue, filling the space with family photographs and memories spanning generations. It has become a favorite gathering spot.”

From top: A custom billiards table takes center stage in a new room the design team carved out from what was previously the entry; the home offers plenty of quiet spaces for reading and relaxation.

HOW THE HOME IS LIVING

“They’re incredibly generous and expressive people, and they regularly share how much they love the home and the special spaces created for their family,” says Kopp. “Seeing photos from gatherings and hearing how the house is being lived in and enjoyed makes all the hard work truly worthwhile.”