03 February 2026
In Conversation with Office of Tangible Space
Welcome to the Sun at Six interview series. Growing up, so much of our point of view was shaped by interviews - people's intimate perspectives on their interior or exterior world captured in a specific slice of time. Much of what we draw from today still comes from those articles and stories. We're excited to make our foray into sparking those moments of discoveries for others while getting to know some of our favorite creatives from the design world and beyond.
Office of Tangible Space is an interdisciplinary design studio founded by Michael Yarinsky and Kelley Perumbeti. Based across Brooklyn and San Francisco, their multi-faceted work spans residential and commercial interiors and architecture, hospitality, object design, and curation. We've long been drawn to their work for its beautiful interplay of proportion and materiality all grounded and enveloped by their deep attention to the human connections fostered within any physical environment.
We sat down with Michael and Kelley to ask about one of our favorite projects, the Mandalay Residence in San Antonio, a home in which we were honored to have spotted our Ora Dining Table. Read on to hear how they brought new life into this 1949 modernist home originally designed by O'Neil Ford and their best advice for anyone tackling their own home or space renovation.
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What inspired the overall look and feel of the space?
We always begin our design process with a feeling, and for this project, it was important to capture the warmth and light of the surrounding landscape. This was expressed spatially through the addition of new skylights and a thoughtful mix of natural materials --- terracotta, wood, fiberglass, ceramic, and leather are woven throughout the space. The result is an art-filled Texas home that draws from its modernist origins while feeling tactile, vibrant yet calm, and inviting - grounded in the present.
What was your first reaction walking into the home for the first time? Did you immediately have a vision for the space?
The project involved transforming a modernist one-story home in San Antonio, originally designed in 1949 by the acclaimed regional modernist O'Neil Ford. Our goal was to honor the home's architectural heritage while creating a warm, light-filled, and livable space for a young family of four.
We worked closely with the renowned Austin-based Lake Flato Architects, who led the home's structural redesign while we focused on the interior. Lake Flato and our studio both recognized the potential within its mid-century origins --- a modest, one-story brick structure with a wide, flat roof. For us, that became the starting point to a vision of airiness that would thoughtfully respond to the family's way of living. The renovation is sensitive yet transformative, embracing the home's existing character while reconfiguring the layout to better suit the homeowners' needs.
How do you bring a client's personality into the space without being literal?
We respond to the rhythms and the needs of the homeowner's day-to-day. It's less about their favorite color and more about how a space can truly hold and support life. This plays out through spatial programming: our clients had specific requirements for spaces to rest, entertain (the dining table seats 16 people!), work, and play with their young children. Material choices are equally important and we selected surfaces that could stand up to everyday use while bringing texture and tactility to the space. The furniture, objects, and art (including a custom mural painted by an artist) form a final layer, adding personality and emotion to a foundation designed specifically for their lifestyle.
Was there one room that came together effortlessly and one that gave you a harder time?
One of our favorite rooms to design was the den / playroom: a very large, sunken room at the back of the house, just off the kitchen and overlooking the pool. This is where the family spends most of their time together, so we designed an enormous two-sided custom sofa upholstered in orange fabric that can adapt to many different uses --- from movie nights to hosting friends and family. While many of the other spaces came together quite naturally, we spent more time refining this room, making sure it felt approachable, flexible and a reflection of the family's playful energy.
Is there one piece of advice you'd give to someone tackling a whole-home renovation? Something you always remind clients (or yourself) of?
We encourage clients to avoid material applications that may feel dated in the near future. A home should feel personal and enduring, not tied to a specific moment or trend. When you design around how you live - your habits, rituals, and needs - rather than what's currently popular, the result will always have longevity and feel relevant.
