Eva and Cory’s San Francisco Victorian Dream Home
Photographs by Frank Frances
For a city that’s famously only seven-by-seven in square miles, San Francisco carries a lot of history, a lot of stories — and even more dreams. One dream that’s come true in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood is that of Swiss-born interior designer, Eva Bradley of Studio Heimat and her husband, artist Cory Bradley. The creative couple’s Victorian home boasts 3,000 square feet, including 5 bedrooms in addition to generous outdoor space, breathtaking views and a historic, century-old facade. But for them, the magic started years ago and thousands of miles away.
“I have been collecting art since moving to New York City for school,” Eva remembers. “It is even how I met Cory. He was the very first artist I purchased a commission from, before we ever started dating.” That first piece still hangs in the playroom of their two young sons, Brooklyn and Apollo, as part of the litany of artworks that fill the home. But before the space could become a reflection of the life they would build there, there was a small bit of work to do. “The home is over 100 years old and the front facade is original (as far as we know). It was renovated in 2013 to a more sleek, modern design. The remodel was originally done for a couple, so the choices in detailing and finishes were conducive to their lives.” Getting it into shape for a family of 5 — including, “Cashus,” the family’s beloved dog, meant a lot of work with organization and flow as well as paint colors and lighting.
Standing back from the home after all of their work, Eva is fast to name the living room her favorite space in the home. “The balance is perfect!” she cheers. “I love how everything came together. It feels inviting, comfortable, chic and playful all at the same time.” A beautiful mix of neutrals, cool blues and warm browns, it’s comfortable and cozy seating is designed with family time in mind. “It’s a wonderful room for the family to play games together,” she says, “and when the doors to the balcony are open on a nice day it is really the best feeling and best family time.”
Small architectural details like the short staircase between the living and dining rooms are part of what makes this home so charming. For Eva, it was a perfect foil to play against while crafting the look of the home. “Balancing the modern architecture of the interior with the historic facade to make it livable for my family and our lifestyle was a challenge,” she confesses. “We added softness in the choice of furniture, it’s texture, but also in the visual curves to help balance out the rectilinear architecture. “
A cozy yet elegant dining room for 4 is a perfect example of how a luxurious space can avoid feeling cold. Though Eva admits that her Swiss background prepared her for life with white walls, she felt the drive to surround her family with color, and art was the perfect remedy. The text based wall art in shades of green behind the dining room table was a commission the designer obtained with the message, “and remember I will always love you.” “A sentiment I feel deeply,” the designer says, “and tell my kids every day.” Accompanying the piece on the living room side of the wall are two pieces by Cory, the first celebrating their son Brooklyn and the second an enduring tribute to their love for Cashus, still practicing his model pose beside the Rio Dining Table by Charlotte Perriand, one of Eva’s favorite designers.
Fittingly for the heart of the home, the house’s front doors open into the open plan kitchen. Light and airy, the quintessentially California-style kitchen is another of Eva’s favorite design destinations. “The flamed black granite countertop is lined with Thomas Hayes’ Iron and Rolled stools—a convenient spot for the kids to sit for breakfast, lunch and snacks,” she muses. But the updates aren’t purely aesthetic. As a mom of two, there’s a purpose behind every addition in this room. “With 2 kids, a dog, and 2 working parents, the flows and schedules of each person is taken into consideration,” she explains. “There is a custom cabinet in the kitchen that serves as our breakfast center with coffee and morning staples where the kids can help themselves to cereal.”
Away from the functionality of the kitchen the home offers a space of infinitely greater whimsy: the boys’ room. Two A-frame poster beds placed end-to-end give the room a fun and adventurous feel. Meanwhile a special touch behind the beds is a wallpaper mural that Cory painted and Eva turned into digital wallpaper. “Cory did a mural that combined a mountain called, Hahnen, from my home in Switzerland with one of my favorite spots in California, Big Sur,” Eva smiles.
The mural isn’t the only painting Cory made for his kids’ room. Behind the adorable stuffed animal atop the equally adorable graphic nightstand from Made Goods, a small painting of a bee adds to the fun of the room — and the animal theme — possibly helping to inspire the family’s next generation of artists.
Eva and Corey’s own bedroom is just as colorful, energetic and adventurous as the one shared by their two boys. Patterns dance and play on nearly every significant surface, from the rugs and curtains to the wallpaper and dresser drawers. “I claimed this room as my oasis,” the designer states. An assortment of colorful artworks adorn the walls above the quirky and interesting tchotchkes that line the dresser. Among her favorite elements in the room Eva lists: “the wallpaper in the nook, the collection of art on the walls and my school thesis lounge chair in the corner.” Seen in the corner of the image, the chair, was part of Eva’s final project at FIT — made in homage to designer, Charlotte Perriand.
The oasis status that Eva confers on her bedroom extends equally into the main bath. A specifically minimalist space, the bathroom is hailed by the designer as her, “streamlined retreat and self-care haven.” The modern, sharp-angled tub combined with darkly tiled floors and a solitary, marble side table is comforting in its simplicity and its serenity. Still, despite the effectiveness of the room’s austerity, it’s one flourish, a line of colorful lip art tracing down the wall, ranks high on Eva’s list of favorite things.
If the main bath is Eva’s sanctuary, then Cory’s is most certainly his art studio. Built around a custom “cleat wall” that he built himself, the feature doubles as both storage space and display area. Equally visible among its holdings are the various tools of Cory’s trade — brushes, smocks and cameras — along with inspirational pieces, like a pair of sneakers or a toy car. Also on display is the wide variety of the artist’s subject matter, with pieces depicting everything from a box of Chinese food to pop-culture legends like Michael Jordan and painter, Bob Ross.
“I hope what comes through when you see this home, is that we are making this a space for our family to thrive in. Visually, showing our love through the personal art of the kids, for the kids, for ourselves- each piece moved us, and we felt it needed to be in our home.”
