This Blank Slate San Mateo Home Was Turned into a Playful, Eco-Friendly Space

A remodel that prioritizes function, longevity, and a little bit of fun.

Kitchen in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC

Margaret Austin

Written by Sarah Yang August 6, 2025

Originally built in 1940, this San Mateo home was too small for its owners and their growing family. It had a lot of small rooms, no natural flow, and limited access to the backyard. It was definitely in need of a remodel, so 780 square feet was added, bringing its total square footage to 2,400 square feet. But while more space was added, half of its exterior walls were saved, plus some of its foundation and floor joists.

Living Room in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
The living room is filled with light.

Margaret Austin

“Since the home is situated on a corner, they wanted to take advantage of their double front yards with their edible garden, but they also wanted privacy from the two streets, which prompted us to turn the home inward toward a new central courtyard—a place where the kids could play safely and be visible from all three sides of the interior of the home,” explains architect Meghan Dorrian of YAC, who worked with interior designer Clara Jung of Banner Day Interiors on the project. “Additionally, since this was technically a remodel, they didn’t want their house to stand out from the character and scale of the existing neighborhood but still wanted it to feel like a contemporary home. Most of our clients would go up, but these clients were committed to maintaining a single-story home for age-in place reasons, and that helps maintain the original scale of the neighborhood.”

Dining Room in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
“The dining room wallpaper was last-minute, and we are so glad the clients decided to go bold since it’s a standout moment in the space,” Clara says.

Margaret Austin

Meghan and team changed up the floor plan completely, turning the kitchen toward the new courtyard. The additional space was allocated as a “wing” of four bedrooms, with a large pocket door that closes off the area.

Kitchen Island in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
“We wanted to ensure there was consistent flow, color stories that made sense and played well with each other,” says Clara.

Margaret Austin

Bar in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
A bar area in the kitchen.

Margaret Austin

“Almost all the rooms receive amazing natural light which is a testament to the courtyard floor plan,” says Clara. “The kitchen was placed in the literal center of the home which was ideal conceptually.”

Meghan and Clara’s clients were also committed to constructing a home with the environment in mind. Some of the eco-friendly features include an HRV air system and heat pump that was added to improve air quality in the event of future wildfires; ZIP paneling to exceed the thermal ratings required; sound proofing features; and high-quality windows and finishes. Additionally, a trellis was installed on the south facade to provide shade, allowing for more passive cooling.

Laundry Room in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
Patterned wallpaper lines the laundry room.

Margaret Austin

Storage in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
Built-in storage pieces are much-needed for a growing family.

Margaret Austin

As for the home’s aesthetic, the owners favored clean lines and minimalism, but nothing too sterile. “With essentially nothing being salvaged from the prior home, we had a blank canvas for this home,” Clara says. “In some ways that’s a treat and in other ways, a bit daunting. However, it helped that the clients had a strong voice in the vibe they wanted to achieve in the home.”

Green Tile Bathroom in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
Green tile adds color to a bathroom.

Margaret Austin

Bathroom in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
Another eye-catching wallpaper moment in a bathroom.

Margaret Austin

Clara brought in warmth, color, and depth through details like colorful tile, eye-catching wallpaper, unique light fixtures, and the interesting furniture. She also ensured the family home was functional, integrating closed storage into the space.

Pass-Through Window in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
A pass-through window connects the kitchen to the courtyard.

Margaret Austin

Indoor-outdoor living also played a big role in the home’s overall design, which you can see through the new courtyard, light-filled rooms, and respect for its natural surroundings.

Courtyard in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
“The family really embraced their love of indoor/outdoor living and this is well represented in the general flow and architecture of the space,” Clara says.

Margaret Austin

“The clients have one of the most beautiful oak trees I have ever seen on their property,” explains Meghan. “Every time I came to site, I visited that oak. We pushed the rear of the home out as far as we could without disturbing the oak. I really like how the siding that was selected, with small inflections of silver in it, speaks to the silver bark of that oak.”

Front Door in San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
A bold front door.

Margaret Austin

Exterior San Mateo Remodel by Banner Day Interiors and YAC
The siding has small inflections of silver in it.

Margaret Austin

Clara says the owners wanted noteworthy moments in the house, but to prioritize functionality and longevity. The finished design ticks off all those asks. The formerly blank-slate space perfectly balances clean lines and minimalism with subtle, yet impactful, color and pattern.

Builder/Contractor: William Lisac of Lisac of Lisac Construction
Structural: Larry Wong
Landscape: Machtinger Landscaping and Garden Route
Custom Millwork: LoNardos

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