When Amy takes on a remodel in Union City, she starts by studying the way the home interacts with its surroundings, whether it’s the flat, sun-drenched vistas of the Bay Area’s eastern edge or the quieter, tree-lined streets near the San Leandro border. The city’s architecture is a mix of mid-century modernist homes with their clean lines and deep overhangs, alongside more recent developments that lean into sleek, contemporary styles with plenty of glass to catch the light. Amy often preserves the best of these existing structures, whether it’s salvaging original wood paneling from a 1960s ranch or keeping the exposed beams in a later-era home that frame the view of Mount Diablo. She believes in working *with* the architecture rather than against it, so if a home has a low-pitched roof or a specific window placement that takes advantage of the afternoon sun, she’ll design around those features, maybe adding built-in seating that aligns with the natural light or choosing materials that reflect the warmth of the climate without overheating the space. Union City’s proximity to the Bay means humidity and occasional fog can seep in, so she’s careful about ventilation, often incorporating cross-breeze-friendly layouts and moisture-resistant materials like sealed concrete, reclaimed redwood, or locally quarried stone that can handle the damp without looking out of place.
The materials Amy selects are always grounded in the region’s natural palette and practical needs. She frequently sources reclaimed barn wood from Northern California, its weathered grain adding character to living rooms and kitchens while nodding to the area’s agricultural roots. For countertops, she leans into Union City’s proximity to the Bay by specifying quartz or granite with subtle veining that mimics the stone found in local hills, think soft taupes and muted greys that keep spaces feeling airy, not heavy. Climate plays a huge role in her choices too; she avoids dark, heavy fabrics that trap heat in summer, opting instead for linen blends or breathable cotton in neutral tones, and she specifies cooling underfloor systems or high-performance insulation in older homes to combat the heat island effect that hits this part of the East Bay. Even the neighborhood’s character influences her work, whether it’s the mid-century modernist homes near the BART station, where she might incorporate terrazzo or brass fixtures for a retro-modern touch, or the more suburban streets near the library, where she softens edges with textured plaster walls and warm wood tones to create cozy, lived-in spaces. She’ll often walk the block with clients to observe how light shifts throughout the day and how neighbors style their homes, ensuring the design feels intentional for the street it’s on.
Ultimately, Amy tailors every project to Union City’s homeowners by blending their personal tastes with the city’s understated elegance. She’s noticed that many residents here appreciate a mix of modern functionality and timeless warmth, think open shelving in a kitchen to keep things airy, but with custom joinery that feels heirloom-quality, or a living room with a neutral palette that lets in the light but still feels rich with textured rugs and handwoven throws. She’ll push clients toward bold choices, like a statement terracotta tile backsplash or a deep emerald-green accent wall, only if it aligns with their vision and the home’s existing bones. For families, she might design flexible spaces that can shift from weekday work-from-home setups to weekend entertaining, using sliding barn doors or modular furniture to adapt to different needs. And because Union City is a city of first-time homebuyers and long-time residents alike, she balances investment-worthy updates (like energy-efficient windows or smart lighting) with personal touches that make a house feel like home, whether that’s a custom mural inspired by the nearby sunsets or a built-in bench that fits perfectly into a nook by the front window. Her goal is always to create spaces that reflect who her clients are while standing the test of time in this ever-evolving city.
Featured Neighborhoods