Belvedere- The Hidden Island

By Mary Swift-Swan

Inside the Golden Gate, dotted around San Francisco Bay, are several islands. Alcatraz, Angel and Treasure Islands are well known, but there is another island jewel set on the Bay, a community that was once a separate island and still has feel of a remote and peaceful place. It’s a town called Belvedere.

The gap between the mainland and the Island of Belvedere was originally bridged by two roads, built over sand spits only visible at low tide, that formed a natural salt water lagoon. Just off the Tiburon shore in Marin County, Belvedere was the site of a biannual celebration when the Beach St. draw-bridge would raise to let house boats leave the lagoon in spring to enjoy anchoring in Belvedere Cove, returning in Fall for shelter from the fall and winter storms.

To get to Tiburon by car or wagon, one crossed the drawbridge to get on Tiburon’s Main Street. Beach Street, which faces Angel Island looking across Belvedere Cove. The Belvedere Lagoon still refreshes twice a day with the tides, but is pleasantly warm because it only averages 8’ deep. In the building boom of the 1950’s, Belvedere’s Mayor Corrine (Connie) Wileys’ parents built a home on the Lagoon. Forty-three years ago, Connie also moved to Belvedere with her two daughters. Connie rented a Beach Street Cottage 23 years ago, and though she has since inherited the family Lagoon home, she has stayed in the Cottage while developing her own career as a top Bay Area Interior Designer.

"Belvedere has one of the best microclimates in the Bay Area. There are regular gentle winds and warm sunshine even when the neighboring towns and cities are encased in fog. The only sad part is that it has become so expensive. There isn’t a house under a million dollars now and that is expensive in my book. None of our children can afford to live here, nor any of the police, teachers or firemen. Belvedere has the most expensive real estate in all the United States. You can understand why, with San Francisco only 20 minutes away by Ferry, parks, a community center, theaters, a great library, excellent schools, restaurants, shops, medical services, and the views are stunning."

Connie has fixed up her Cottage, not only addressing the expected maintennance issues of a soon-to-be, 100 year old structure but also, with the help of Ireland, Robinson and Hadley Construction, projects like redoing the upstairs shower, replacing the roof and gutters and adding a window seat to the front room that extends on to the deck.

The Hadley team also rebuilt and remodeled the deck. Connie’s Italian outdoor table is dressed in warm colors of a hand painted Italian tablecloth. The setting includes Italian family crest plates from Sienna, the Duck center piece is Fiaence from France, all complimented by American Red glass water goblets.

Out of every back window is a stunning view. Angel Island is to toward the sunrise and looking south through a forest of masts the San Francisco skyline defines the horizon. To enjoy the view, read or simply relax in the sun, the window seat built into the back wall of the front room beckons. The seat is covered in soft winter white with a cozy covering of New Zealand sheepskin. Bolster pillows define the edges of the seat with a soft leopard fabric accent pillows that pick up the warm tones of the color saturated walls and the black marble top circular table which is a handy place for books or binoculars. Outside, in complimentary sunset shades, is a cherisedVenetian Flag

Looking into Connie’s living room from the widow seat is a clear example of her exquisite taste. The primary wall continues the bold use color that changes with the light, sunrise to sunset or in the warm glow of the fireplace across the room. The wall color matches the age-softened coral tones of the antique Oushak rug from Turkey. Above the winter white couch is a fabulous antique Japanese Imari screen that depicts cranes in flight. Connie said, "I bought it because it reminds me of the pelicans that I see flying on fishing expeditions across Belvedere Cove." Accent pillows on the couch are made of Fortuny fabrics from Venice in a blue that brings in the light blue color of the screen’s water and that of Belvedere Cove viewed through the window seat’s picture window.

Connie Wiley has worked as a team with the 50 year old company, Ireland, Robinson and Hadley Construction of Belvedere on 15 home remodels. Projects last anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 years. "The firm (now owned by Larry Hadley) build most of Belvedere and now they are remodeling it!" Both John Chiapellone, IRH remodel project manager and Corrine said. A map, depicting homes built or remodeled, dramatically shows the IRH homes and commercial buildings worked on.

The philosophy that has made IRH a construction firm of choice is the respect they show to not only the home-owner’s ideas, but also the owner if trying to live in the home during a remodel and their neighbors. John showed great sensitivity to the area’s traffic issues. Building on a steep island that has walking lanes of stairs that criss-cross the island to homes built before cars, where roads were added later, is a unique challenge. He uses only 2 parking spaces unless arrangements are made with neighbors for a special effort. He has all workers park in a central spot. They are taken to the job by van leaving the other parking space open for subcontractors to drop in. "We do a lot of backing up to let people by on the narrow roads." John said. He has bought neighbors packs of10 car washes for periods when sawdust or dirt would be an irritant to those who live next door. He has had free minor repairs done for neighbors who’ve shared parking space or scheduled noisy construction such as demolition around a neighbor’s luncheon.

One of the projects that won the Remodeling Magazine’s Golden Acorn award, was a collaboration of Corrine Wiley Interior Designs, Ireland, Robinson and Hadley Construction plus a respected architect, shows a fabulous use of light with attention to the stunning views. Warm but light tones pervade creating a bright cheerful atmosphere of inviting warmth to call home. "When working for a client, a successful job is one that reflects their taste and choices." Said Connie. The warm sand tones of the marble fireplace is reflected in the couches, Persian rug, and walls. Added warmth comes from the antique side table. The colors change with the light sunrise to sunset and in the reflected light of the fireplace. Accent pillows bring shades of the fire into the room. Bright cheery with elegant simplicity creating an inviting warmth. It has all the makings of a wonderful place to live and enjoy holidays.

Connie got her start in Interior Design right out of college. After majoring in Interior Design, Connie joined Macy’s Interior Design training program. "I started selling pots and pans in the basement of Macy’s. My father said ‘Oh my goodness! Four years of college and that’s what you’re doing, working for Macy’s?’" she laughed, "But all the trainees worked in each department then we went into the interior design department. It was very good training. When you get out of college you think you know everything but you really don’t know anything. Experience is lacking but you do have that degree and that’s what’s important. You know how to learn. I worked there for 3 years gaining experience. I loved it

I left Macy’s after getting married to have children. When the children got older I started calling builders cold from the Yellow Pages in the 1950’s. I asked them if they needed to have their colors schemes done for spec building. There was a lot of spec building going on then. I started working a few days a week taking charge of their model home interiors."

Connie formed her own company, Corrine Wiley Interior Designer, 35 years ago. "I’m a member of ASID, American Society of Interior Designers. In that way I can present designs to a planning commission. Drafting is not my strong point but I have someone who works with me that can if needed. With the demands of being part of the 3 person elected Mayoral council for two terms and part of the Planning Commission for 4 years before that I’ve had a very full life. I’ve become a bit selective in the last few years only accepting no more than 4 clients, instead of 10-12 projects, at any one time. I have an assistant and bookkeeper but most people who hire me want to work directly with me, and not my assistant, so I’ve not gone the way of a large staff even though at times I have been encouraged to so. Results are best when I work directly with most clients with my staff helping in valued support areas."