My House: How a Designer Couple Are Weathering the Pandemic in Their Berkeley Home

ByMyProperty Life

After treating their fixer-upper to a four-year remodel, creatives Danielle Moore and Bryan Wang are adapting to a new normal.

After treating their fixer-upper in Berkeley to a four-year remodel, creatives Danielle Moore and Bryan Wang are adapting to a new normal.

Luck was on Danielle Moore and Bryan Wang’s side when they found their Berkeley home after a six-month search—a “real fixer” according to Danielle, who’s an art director and graphic designer. Their broker’s father happened to be the seller’s agent, so they were able to place a bid under the radar. It was a win-win situation: Bryan, an architect and designer, wanted something they could remodel, and the seller didn’t want to have to prepare the house for sale. 

In the intervening four years, the creative couple have been revamping the house, turning what was bare drywall into a ’70s-infused sanctuary with “midcentury accents, feminine vibes, and some Star Wars,” as Danielle describes.

When Danielle and Bryan moved in, they had most of their furniture already.
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When Danielle and Bryan moved in, they had most of their furniture already. “We have been collecting our furniture for years; some of it was even brought to California from Brooklyn,” says Danielle, who’s a houseplant enthusiast with a special love for pots and accessories from Capra Designs and Crimson in Oakland. A West Perro wall hanging adorns a sunny corner.

Courtesy of Danielle Moore and Bryan Wang

Bryan, who specializes in high-end residential interiors, tackled the design and construction with the help of his father. They’ve renovated most of the house and the rear yard and made smaller upgrades, too, such as swapping in new windows.

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“We wanted to open the house up, so we vaulted the ceiling and moved some walls,” says Danielle. “We were inspired by the challenge of renovating a small home into something that really utilizes the space better.”

When shelter-in-place orders first took effect, Bryan was working in the dining room, though he’s recently transitioned to sharing the office with Danielle in order to have separation between work and home.

When shelter-in-place orders first took effect, Bryan was working in the dining room, though he’s recently transitioned to sharing the office with Danielle in order to have separation between work and home. 

Courtesy of Danielle Moore and Bryan Wang

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They say that while they don’t always share the same taste, they each appreciate having a partner that is as aesthetically driven as the other.

“Bryan is so organized—during construction, he would narrow down options to his top five to 10, and we would discuss from there,” says Danielle. “He loves everything super clean and modern, and I am a collector for sure—I am constantly adding little touches. I think we found a balance of both of us in this house. It’s my favorite when you can see a little of each of us.” 

With shelter-in-place in effect, they’re now focused on making the home more usable as a live/work space, which meant developing an office that worked for both of them as well as a separate area for Bryan to focus on projects like lighting fabrication, woodwork, and leather work. 

The couple’s pup, Freddie, loves the window seat in the living room.

The couple’s pup, Freddie, loves the window seat in the living room.

Courtesy of Danielle Moore and Bryan Wang

See the full story on Dwell.com: My House: How a Designer Couple Are Weathering the Pandemic in Their Berkeley Home
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