At a time when many of San Francisco’s stately old houses are being gutted in favor of loft-style minimalism, a couple living in the heart of the city is choosing to steep themselves in local Victorian splendor. Gail Baugh and Jim Warshell bought their 5,000-square-foot, five-bedroom, late-19th-century house in 2003 for just under $1 million and have been working since to maintain the original look and feel of the three-story home. “This house can be a message—to respect the architectural details that are irreplaceable,” says Ms. Baugh, 68 years old, a part-time lecturer at San Francisco State University and a former buyer for Macy’s in San Francisco. “A lot of Victorians need updates, but they don’t need to be stripped.”
The house is located on a busy intersection in Hayes Valley, one of the fastest-changing neighborhoods in the city. Ms. Baugh and Mr. Warshell say their quest for authenticity means their renovations over the years have been kept to a minimum. When they first moved into the home, they focused on basic structural and mechanical reinforcements and waterproofing. One of the first things they recognized was that the house had redwood beams, which are just as strong as the steel ones that are often used to replace them. Both had learned lessons from renovations of their previous homes about recognizing historic elements that are worth preserving. They have kept many original details intact, including the ornate wooden carvings and the sliding doors that separate the front and back parlors, which they saw as integral to the rest of the structure. The home’s update, however, includes two offices, two full bathrooms and two half-baths. Paradoxically, the original details are what keeps the house looking fresh, says Mr. Warshell, age 64, a retired vice president of merchandising for Macy’s in New York and San Francisco. “When people use the year’s latest trend, they get a dated look instead of making it feel like part of the house’s integrity,” he adds. “People need to understand what they’re taking out of their house.” Where they have renovated, it has been with an eye toward environmental conservation and savings. (The couple doesn’t have an estimate for their renovation costs because projects were done over a long period.) They installed solar panels more than four years ago, which they say have nearly eliminated their electricity bills. Next year, they plan to start collecting gray water—from baths, sinks and washing appliances—as an experiment in conservation amid the continuing California drought. Almost all of the home’s furnishings and decorations are from flea markets or were bought second hand. Some of those items predate the house, such as the 1870s upright piano from Boston in the front parlor that the couple bought at an auction. They believe the piano was once owned by long-serving San Francisco Mayor James Rolph, who in 1915 built City Hall, symbolizing the city’s re-emergence after the 1906 earthquake. “As we bring things into the house, it’s like they’re coming home. We’re buying to create an environment, not a museum,” says Mr. Warshell. Examples of Asian furniture, art and woodwork can be found throughout the house—much of it bought in Hong Kong, where the couple met on a business trip in the 1980s when they both worked for Macy’s.
The five-bedroom, late-19th-century Victorian is located on a corner in the Hayes Valley district. Jason Henry for The Wall Street Journal Their collection includes a chest from Korea, a Chinese water vessel and Chinese coromandel screens. Chrysanthemum-like designs carved into the banister and the archway between the front and back parlors are reminiscent of a style from Japan. Such a detail has often become a casualty in San Francisco’s current interior renovation trend, says Ms. Baugh. The couple says their interest in preservation extends to ensuring the livability of the whole neighborhood, whose main challenge has gone from high crime to high prices. Through their involvement—Ms. Baugh is vice president of the Hayes Valley neighborhood association—they have helped support the renovation of a local park, the development of a playground, city plans for more public transportation and activities for underprivileged youths. They sometimes open their home for local gatherings. “Being part of the community is part of the total package,” says Mr. Washell. New residents in the area, many working in the tech industry, have brought with them fancy restaurants and a sharp increase in real-estate prices. In the end, the neighborhood has become a mix of historic homes alongside modern apartments and housing projects, as well as one of the city’s few remaining economically and ethnically diverse neighborhoods. “We’re leaving a place that will accommodate those who come next,” says Ms. Baugh. Corrections & Amplifications: The homeowner’s name is Jim Warshell. An earlier version of this article incorrectly spelled it Warshall. (April 6, 2016) This article originally appeared on The Wall Street Journal.