Interiors for the Bay Area Estate
From the oak-studded hills of Woodside to the avenues of Palo Alto, the California house asks for a different kind of precision. On scale, light, and the quiet authority of proportion.
A home on the Peninsula carries a different weight. Whether set low against the valley floor in Saratoga or framed by the mature oaks of Woodside, these estates are not designed to rise or announce themselves. They are meant to endure. The architecture is generous, the proportions deliberate, and the rooms ask for restraint rather than excess.
Across the Peninsula, from Saratoga and Los Gatos to Woodside, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto, the architecture changes quietly but the expectations remain the same. This is the Bay Area at its most composed: Peninsula and South Bay homes where proportion, material, and light do the work.
At Reeva Sethi Home, our approach to Bay Area estate interiors is defined by this context. A room with twelve-foot ceilings—common in the historic estates of Hillsborough or the modern compounds of Los Altos Hills—does not need more things; it needs things with presence. We turn to mahogany, unlacquered brass, and hand-knotted wool to hold their own against the architecture.
The Anchoring of Space
In a large estate, light furniture gets lost. The eye needs an anchor. We ground our living spaces with pieces that feel permanent: a solid walnut chest, a deep Chesterfield sofa, or a hand-knotted artisan rug that defines the conversation area.
This is the "collected" aesthetic. It avoids the showroom look in favor of items that feel inherited. A 19th-century English wingback chair placed near a modern limestone fireplace—a balance often required in Menlo Park renovations—creates a tension that feels timeless, not trendy.
Light in the South Bay
The light in Los Gatos and the foothills is distinct—warm, golden, and relentless in the late afternoon. Conversely, the light in Palo Alto can be cooler and more diffused by the canopy. We design our palettes to catch this specific light, not fight it.
We avoid stark, cold whites. Instead, we layer creams, oats, and parchments that glow when the sun hits them. We use velvet because it absorbs the light, creating depth. We use antique brass because it reflects it warmly. The result is a home that feels native to Northern California—luxury that is felt, not just seen.
The Peninsula Register
In Woodside, the architecture is often submerged in the landscape. Here, we favor darker woods, heavier textures, and materials that can stand up to the imposing scale of the oaks. The interiors must feel as grounded as the land itself.
The light in Palo Alto is often diffused by the dense canopy of the streets. Homes here, from Professorsville to Crescent Park, require a more tailored approach. We lean into structured upholstery and refined antiques that honor the academic history of the town.
The light in Los Gatos is distinct—warm, golden, and relentless in the late afternoon. We design palettes here to catch this specific light, avoiding stark whites in favor of oats, parchments, and warm velvets that glow when the sun hits them.
REEVA SETHI, founder and principal designer of RS Studio, creates interiors rooted in classical proportion and material restraint. Her work reflects Northern California light, favoring permanence, craftsmanship, and composed spaces designed to endure beyond trend.
