California Retro: Will Wick and Jen Kelly Wick Add Style and Verve to Their Sausalito Residence

Two design dynamos create a knowing retro glance at sixties and seventies California style directions and San Francisco’s laid-back luxe.

Jen Kelly Wick and Will Wick rented a spectacular California retro house high above Sausalito.

Jen is the VP of Creative Development at RH and has worked there for seven years. Her small team works on everything creative within the company.

Will is a leading interior designer based in San Francisco, with work all over the US.

The three bedroom house was said to have been built in the early 70s by an Italian ship builder. Clear redwood, terracotta tiles, boat fittings.

The top level is a large beautiful roof terrace with fireplaces in both the living room and master suite. Additionally, there is an elevator from rooftop to the master suite.

About Will Wick

I spoke to Will recently about changes in his business:

Will told me:  “Our team recently looked inward and refreshed our brand design presence. We also transitioned from Wick Design to Will Wick to encompass a greater variety of work. The result is a fresher, more modern take and better reflects where we are as a design house today. Our offices are in the SF Design Center in The Mission, located in the same place as Battersea, my antiques showroom that’s named after a centuries old, now defunct power plant in South London.

Will Wick and Battersea operate independently of each other, and they are deeply intertwined, as I often use what is on the showroom floor of Battersea in my designs.

Battersea is a visual chronicle and repository for all my travel finds. I buy what speaks to me – from 18th century lighting, to French Art Deco club chairs, to saber tooth tiger skulls. I founded the design portion of my company in 2000, and Battersea opened in 2008. Between the two, we’re a team of eight.”

Design Credits — List of All Major Furniture

LIVING ROOM :

Custom shearling and silk velvet sofas designed by Will and Jen (silk velvet B Mori, shearling Auskin)Floor Lamp — Restoration Hardware 

Carl Springer Parchment Side Table

Sergio Rodrigues Sherriff Chair — Battersea

Hanging Table — Coup d’Etat

Petrified tree stumps — Artefact Design and Salvage

Carved hand chair — BatterseaCollection of skulls amassed over the past 8-10 years

Black painting contemporary — RHCA

DINING ROOM:

Saarinen Tulip Table

Bega Dining Chairs with Scalamandre Tiger Silk

Vintage Bar

Will and Jen’s Approach to Design

“We rented the house empty. It felt like a vintage 70s Italian cruise liner, so we wanted to keep that feel and add some sex appeal. The topless fire dancer we hired for a party for newly engaged friends was very fitting. 

We decided to embrace the architectural era of the house and run with it. Think 70s party pad. We heard stories of the current owner’s dad who had the house built — huge parties, naked hot tub parties on the roof, etc. Most of our art went into storage because we didn’t want to cover the stunning clear redwood walls.”

Living the Dream

Will told me:  “It took us a full year to get it all in place. Just in time for us to decide to move out. It was spectacular. We had insane views, across Angel Island, the city, the bay, the hillsides, open sky, sunrise, moonrise, rain, storms, bright sun, and unbelievable vibe. It was less than perfect for the 4 kids who had much less privacy in this house. We had more open spaces and we sort of stashed them in nooks.

The house lies on one of the best blocks in Sausalito’s Banana Belt, on the southern end of town. From most rooms in the house the views span from Tiburon all the way to San Francisco. Directly in front, Angel Island, and from the roof deck you can see the tops of the Golden Gate Bridge spires to Mt. Tamalpais.”

California Living

Jen has the final word:  “We lived on the roof deck all weekend and lit fires most every night in the living room while listening to music. 

It was very peaceful, calming and quiet. It was so relaxing it felt like being on holiday every single day.

We were never able to find the name of the architect. There was clear heart redwood everywhere and oak accents. And glass — tons of floor-to-ceiling glass on every level of the house.

This place was like a little rebellious, sexy hideaway. Made you feel somewhat naughty.”

CREDITS:

The design and décor was created by Will Wick and Jen Kelly Wick.

Will Wick

wickdesign.com and willwick.com

Jennifer Kelly Wick is VP Creative Development, RH.


PHOTOGRAPHY:

Patrik Argast

argast.com