When Amy takes on a second home renovation in Millbrae, whether it’s a sprawling estate on the slopes of the Berkeley Hills or a mid-century modern retreat tucked against the East Bay foothills, her approach begins with a deep dive into the site’s inherent drama and the quiet stories the land already tells. She starts by studying the topography, because in this region, elevation isn’t just about views; it’s about how the home interacts with the climate. The fog rolling in from the Bay can cling to hillside properties like a damp blanket, so she often specifies materials that breathe, think reclaimed redwood for cladding, which resists moisture while aging gracefully, or locally quarried bluestone for patios that stays cool underfoot even as the afternoon sun bakes the hills. If the home is nestled in the older, more established pockets of Millbrae, like near the ridge above the original 1920s bungalows, she’ll pull from the neighborhood’s architectural DNA, maybe incorporating leaded glass or brass hardware to nod to the Arts & Crafts details that still define the area. But her style leans toward a refined, lived-in modernism, less about rigid lines and more about organic shapes and textures, so she’ll soften those nods with warm, matte finishes or hand-thrown ceramic tiles that feel as much at home in a Sonoma vineyard as they do in a Berkeley study.
Amy’s process for remote estate-scale renovations is built on trust and precision, starting with a series of virtual site walks where she maps out the home’s relationship to its surroundings. In Millbrae, where the microclimates shift dramatically, cool, damp mornings giving way to dry, sun-scorched afternoons, she designs with airflow and light in mind. She’ll often advocate for high ceilings in primary living areas to create a sense of openness, but she’ll pair them with deep overhangs or pergolas to shade glass doors and windows from the relentless afternoon sun that funnels down the canyons. For materials, she sources locally when possible: FSC-certified Douglas fir for built-ins, which holds up against the humidity without warping, or recycled glass countertops that reflect the surrounding greenery. If the homeowner loves the idea of a grand fireplace, she’ll specify a soapstone hearth that retains heat efficiently, or a modern wood-burning stove for cozier evenings when the fog rolls in. She’s also meticulous about outdoor living spaces, designing covered terraces with retractable screens to keep the breeze moving but the bugs out, or integrating drought-tolerant native plants like toyon and manzanita into the landscaping to honor the region’s ecology.
Ultimately, Amy’s designs for second homes in Millbrae are about creating a sanctuary that feels intentional, not just impressive. She starts by asking homeowners what they truly want to do in these spaces, whether it’s hosting dinner parties with views of the Bay, curling up with a book in a sunlit nook, or entertaining outdoors under the stars. If a client loves the idea of a grand entryway but also wants it to feel welcoming, she might design a double-height foyer with a floating staircase wrapped in local oak, paired with a custom console that doubles as a charging station for guests. For a kitchen, she’ll balance high-end appliances with warm, handmade details like a butcher block island sourced from a nearby mill or a backsplash of glazed quarry tile that picks up the earthy tones of the hills. And because these are second homes, she always includes a few personal touches, maybe a hidden bar cart in the library or a Murphy bed in the guest room, to make the space feel like a retreat, not just a showpiece. Her goal is to blend the grandeur of the estate with the soul of the place, so every detail, from the choice of a locally made rug to the way light filters through the trees, feels like it belongs.
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