The Westerfeld Mansion

William Westerfeld, a German baker, built the Westerfeld House in 1889. As an iconic structure, the Westerfeld mansion has a rich history, characterized by a series of face-lifts throughout the ages. Following the 1906 earthquake, the demand for houses went through the ceiling, an aspect that prompted the second owner, Mahoney, to remodel the rose gardens into an apartment building. In 1928, Russian refuges purchased the Mansion and installed a discotheque on the ground floor, an aspect that transformed the Mansion into a social hub. Twenty years later, Westerfeld Mansion was bought by Jazz Musicians, who transformed it into a 14-unit apartment. In 1970, the modernization of the Mansion’s fourth floor took place. The Westerfeld House interior was transformed and developed to accommodate its residents throughout history. This paper highlights the interior design changes underpinned by societal beliefs, technology, culture, the role of family, and how they moved around the house.

Although the Westerfeld House was built mainly for his family, it symbolized their lavish and opulent lifestyle. The 28-room Mansion constructed to house people from diverse social backgrounds had to maintain the private lifestyle that was taking shape as well. This is exemplified not simply by occupants from diverse social classes and the role of children but also by how family members moved around the house. Although technological advancements shaped architectural changes, Victorian architecture borrowed more from historical precedents for inspiration. For instance, the polychrome bands of ornamental stonework reflected European culture.

What becomes apparent is that the Westerfeld Mansion consists of private and public spaces. The installation of the discotheque on the ground floor, for instance, is a design change aimed at meeting the social needs of the dwellers. Nevertheless, upper rooms provided the needed private moments for the nobles. Changing the Mansion into a 14-unit apartment boosted the needed privacy of the emerging middle class. While the combination of different design methods fueled the architectural changes of the 1970s, structural transformations were not just meant to realize the luxury needs of aristocrats but also to accommodate the social customs of this era.

The interior of the Mansion is informed by consistency and beautification. This perhaps reflects how color and adornment employed during the Victorian era exemplified nobility. The lavishly adorned cabinets make the dining room quite alluring. Nonetheless, the wall paint selection in the Mansion informs the room’s function. The doorway and staircase have gray paint to differentiate them from adjoining rooms. However, contemporary central furnishings include splendid and lavishly engraved woodwork in the rooms, reflecting the European noble class.

The Mansion’s library symbolizes a place for relaxation and where social norms are put on the periphery. This is where the hunger for information is satisfied. Moreover, the library stems from the model of creating formal and less formal rooms. Again, the Mansion has private rooms for family members and others. The many rooms represented the sleeping pattern and the difference between a collective family and an individual. During this era, aristocrats valued social and private lives as well. Private spaces provided room for self-thought and reflection. Family activities are organized vertically; downstairs is where social issues occur, while private affairs occur in the upper room. Movement in the Mansion does not suggest altering floors but simply leaving and connecting with other family members.

Wallpaper and paint that feature animals illustrate novelty, cultural values, and how technology shaped interior design. Nonetheless, technological influences and skills of this era are shown in the blocks of stones grained to match high-quality wood. The magnificent lighting and embellished lamps in Westerfeld House not only present additional color but are also influenced by the technology of the time. Nevertheless, before the advent of electricity, Victorian homes and cities were lit with gas.

Interior color themes are based on harmony and contrast and include; wainscoting on the bottom and cornices on the top, respectively. In addition, the wallpaper was stamped on a semi-liquid linseed oil and water-resistant canvas to represent the occupants’ affection. The Mansion spaces are covered with photographs, souvenirs, and flowers to break the monotony. This is also visible in the furniture and leather artwork, where the embroidery is at the core. The ceiling is decorated with colors, and light shade patterns contrast with the walls for beautification and desirability.

On the other hand, discolored glass underscored the elements of technologically motivated modernity. Decoration placed on the walls implied some departure from specific mental processes. While the furniture in the Mansion extends from heavy to delicate styles, possibly a depiction of Victorian culture, it emphasizes structure and artistic beauty. Moreover, the furniture reflects agility as well as sturdiness. The curled mahogany chairs were knob fastened, yet the cost variable reflected the newly amassed wealth at that time. Moreover, the distinct furniture choice confirms the preferences of the noble class and the emerging middle class.

Essentially, the Westerfeld House, defined by the cheap and mass production of items witnessed during the Industrial Revolution, is quite a masterpiece. The noble class used the available technology to make their lives better. This is also demonstrated through the creation of decorative doors, cabinet handles, and electric lights.

The discovery of electricity was a game changer in this era’s hardware design and architecture. It was during this period that designers broke away from the box-type of floor plan to embrace dynamic floor plans with elegant external features were embraced. The victorian decor was the design movement that shaped the Mansion’s interior design, as seen by the wooden surface, large goblet windows, wooden floor, and canopy entrance. Equally, the fabric design linked to heavily embroidered seat covers and velvet hangings portrays the social class. Consequently, interior improvements of the Mansion were used by blending various elements from different periods. The incomparable artwork used for intricate designs affirms this truth and

Final Remarks

Even after standing for more than 100 years and being inhabited by multiple occupants, the Westerfeld Mansion remains a classic example of how family structure and roles influenced the design and architecture of homes and houses in the Victorian era. An in-depth look into the house’s exquisite design and interior partitioning reveals the occupants’ social class and the aspects valued within a home, such as privacy. Hence, owing to its outstanding Victorian architecture, the Mansion is currently listed as one of San Francisco’s Historic places and landmarks. It is also one of the city’s valued attractions.

By Lucas Ngoya in Blog on February 11, 2022