Gary Friedman and Kendall Agins Friedman

The residence features impressive volumes with high ceilings in the master bath skylight, substantial stone and plaster construction, and generous proportions throughout — the great room with mahogany pocket doors and companion screens, plus multi-level terraces carved into the hillside, all convey architectural weight without crossing into palatial excess.

Jerusalem stone floors, mahogany pocket doors, wide wood dining tables, linen and leather upholstery, terracotta-toned plaster walls, teak outdoor furniture, and warm candlelight throughout create an overwhelmingly tactile and natural material palette with virtually no cold surfaces.

The spaces feature layered objects — Buddha sculptures, antiques, artifacts from travels, stacked firewood, grouped candles, patterned pillows — but rooms maintain breathing room and the neutral palette keeps density feeling curated rather than crowded.

The Mediterranean-style architecture references Tuscan precedents and the article mentions a 'modern Tuscan-inspired house,' but the execution is thoroughly contemporary with steel trelliswork, modern kitchen appliances, and clean-lined furniture that only nods to historical forms.

The Friedmans collect Bay Area figurative artists and far-flung objects from English garden finials to a Japanese submarine periscope, and designer Agins Friedman's professional eye assembles these into a convincing narrative of accumulated life, though the new construction and coordinated palette betray recent assembly.

The great room designed to 'spill out onto what is essentially an at-home resort,' the 11-foot-long altar table for design-concept meetings, multiple outdoor terraces with seating for groups, pool, spa, gym, and guest room all indicate a house built for entertaining, with Friedman explicitly wanting people to 'sit at the table and have the feeling of being in the most important part of the house.'

Friedman explicitly states 'We didn't want anything formal' and 'We didn't want it to feel like you couldn't put your elbows on the table' — the deep cushioned outdoor seating, casual teak furniture, and resort-like atmosphere invite relaxation despite the quality of materials.

Agins Friedman is a professional interior designer and co-owner of Agins Interiors who met her husband while consulting on his penthouse; the three principals met every Tuesday, and the composed sight lines through to the Golden Gate Bridge, symmetrical candle arrangements, and styled vignettes throughout reveal professional direction.

The house's axis aligned with the Golden Gate Bridge is an unmistakable statement, and Friedman's role as Restoration Hardware CEO lends brand consciousness, but the neutral palette, personal collections, and emphasis on comfort over display keep the performance restrained — wealth is evident but not broadcasting.