Marianne Arnerich, Interior Designer

Marianne was a talented interior designer.  When I first met her, she worked as a designer for the furniture store, Thomasville.  She also taught a class in furniture selection at a community college.  After working at Thomasville for a number of years, she dreamt of striking out on her own.  Eventually, she left intending to devote her energies to her own business.  And she gave generously of her time and energy with any of her friends who sought advice.  I was lucky to be able to accompany her on many of her junkets in the Bay Area when she was looking for special treasures that would suit the needs and tastes of her clients.  Our special favorite was the Alameda Point Antiques Faire and the booth that sold prints.  We spent many hours diving through boxes of old prints for her clients and I would end up hopelessly smitten with a few for myself.  Some of my happiest hours were spent there with her.  Her sensitivity to design and to her clients never failed to amaze me and I learned a lot when I accompanied her on these buying trips.

In 2005, Marianne leased her condo in Moraga to me so that she could pursue flipping a house in her hometown, San Leandro.  It was a joy to watch her transform a fairly commonplace house to a cozy residence.  I watched her bring the elements of her living room together and always loved visiting to see what was new.  I would love to look at the fabric samples and tile, wood as she envisioned her next projects.

Marianne's supreme achievement was this home for a lovely family in Palo Alto.  Marianne spent several years on this project and she was passionate about it.  As with everyone she met, the family became friends as well as clients and soon their friends asked to employ Marianne's design expertise in achieving new looks for their homes.

Coleridge Avenue Home

California living at its best

Spanish Colonial

Two lots were purchased so the house could be extended and a swimming pool added.

Outdoor dining space

Entrance to the mud room

Entry hall with circular, tiled staircase

Living room

Spanish style kitchen

Father's study

Boys' bathroom

Mom and Dad's Bathroom

Children's playroom

From the website of FGY: Fergus Garber Young

Style: Spanish Colonial    Location: Palo Alto, CA    Area: 7,200 sq-ft

General Contractor: Larson Hoffman 
Structural Engineering: Hohbach-Lewin, Inc.
Landscape Architecture: Joni L. Janecki & Associates
Interior Design: Marianne Arnerich

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Byron Street Home

Marianne also worked on this interior for a home on Byron Street in Palo Alto.  Although less grand than the previous residence, I think this home really embodies the warm qualities that Marianne brought to her work.  She was a color master who was able to bring soft light and comfort to any room by her color selection and choice of color combinations.  I am struck by the glowing light in these rooms. Her rooms also had a hint of whimsy without being cutesy or self-conscious.

The first room, a den, has the colors of an impressionist masterpiece.  It reminds me of a Monet painting. 

A child's room, bathed in sunny light

This bathroom is bright, refreshing and the blue is uplifting.  There is simplicity and a feeling that each choice from cabinetry to fixtures, floor tile and lighting was just right.   No detail is unnecessary.

The kitchen is well organized and bathed in light.  

Marianne gave a lot of thought to how the spaces would be used by the family and created spaces that were
cozy and inviting yet uncomplicated in their design.  There is a simplicity and elegance in her work.

The family room is earthy and down to earth, clean and cozy.

This would be a model for how I want my office to be.  I have been planning my own in-home office for two years and have looked at hundreds

of pictures of remodels.  I had something almost identical to this in mind.  I hadn't seen this photo and it is exactly what I have been envisioning.  

Exactly.  I find that interesting.  I sense Marianne has been trying to tell me something!            Light, Mary Anne, light!

I remember Marianne describing the sparkling glass tiles she chose for this bathroom.  I was never able to see the project in person but was intrigued.  

Now, I see, for the first time, what she was describing....Great job,   Marianne!  I love it!  Love the cabinets and sconces, too!

From the website of FGY: Fergus Garber Young

Style: Craftsman    Location: Palo Alto, CA    Area: 4,500 sq-ft

General Contractor: Harwood Construction
Structural Engineering: Hohbach-Lewin, Inc.
Interior Design: Marianne Arnerich

Marianne Pauline Arnerich Born in Oakland, CA, August 27, 1950, Marianne set off on a new adventure, unexpectedly, on December 12, 2008. She grew up in San Leandro, the youngest child of John and Marion Arnerich. She attended Assumption School and Bishop O'Dowd High School. She received her B.A. from Humbolt State University in 1973 with a major in European History and minors in Design and Vocal Music. After college Marianne, following in the path of her beloved Irish Aunt Kitty, traveled extensively throughout the Emerald Isle, Europe and Asia, meeting people and forming lifelong friendships wherever she went. By the mid-1970's she had begun her career in Interior Design in which, for over thirty years, she built her business and became an expert in her field, designing elegant and tasteful interiors and exteriors for many friends and clients. In recent years she had begun to place her own exquisite mark of distinction and taste in her lovely home in San Leandro. Marianne was a voracious reader, especially of "good literature" and all things spiritual. Ranging far and wide, she could take a long hike during the day and enjoy an opera that same evening. She loved beautiful music, her new garden and indeed all of nature, as exhibited by her long-time membership with the Sierra Club and her trip in 1999 with Earthwatch to record the habits of dolphins at the Strait of Gibraltar. Along with her beloved mother, Marion, and sister, Katie, she was an ardent devotee of "Masterpiece Theater", British mysteries and "TCM." She was devoted to her beloved cats, past and present: Brenda, Smittens, Gracie, Beauford, Harry, Blacky and Tiger. Finally, she cherished her countless friendships, many going back to her childhood. Marianne was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, and numerous aunts and uncles. She is survived by her loving brother and sister, Bill and Katie; loving sister-in-law Carol; loving nephews Stephen and Jeffrey Hough, of Portland, OR; loving nieces Colleen Arnerich, of Brooklyn, NY, and Cathleen Arnerich, of Portland, each to whom she was an especially proud aunt and close confidant. Marianne was elegant, warm, generous, kind, and especially honest to the life she chose to live, with acceptance of all life's choices and chances encountered. May her memory remain as a blessing to her family and many friends. Marianne was privately interred at Fernwood Cemetery, 301 Tennessee Valley Rd., Mill Valley on December 19, 2008. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service celebrating Marianne's life on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 11:00 AM at Lakeside Temple of Practical Christianity, 144 Athol Ave., Oakland, CA 94606. Luncheon to follow at Francesco's Restaurant, Hegenberger Rd. & Pardee Dr., Oakland. Please consider a donation in Marianne's name to: Fix Our Ferals, P.O. Box 13083, Berkeley, CA 94712, or Earthwatch Institute, 3 Clock Tower Place, Suite 100, Box 75, Maynard, MA, 01754, or to a charity of choice.