Designer Ken Fulk Finds a Buyer for Midcentury Modern San Francisco ‘Tree House’—as Fully-Furnished Napa Valley Ranch Remains Up For Grabs

Celebrity designer Ken Fulk has found a buyer for his iconic San Francisco home, just two weeks after listing the property.

The Clarendon Heights abode is called the Duncan House, but Fulk lovingly named it the “Tree House." Although he told Realtor.com® he could not disclose details of the sale price, reports say the home was sold for $9,995,000—more than $2 million over the $7.9 million listing price.

Fulk and his husband, classical pianist Kurt Wootton, snapped up the property for $1.9 million in December 2010, according to The Real Deal. The couple scored the property at a discount, as the home was initially priced at $2.3 million that September.

The midcentury modern home was commissioned in 1959 and designed by Bay Area architect Charles Warren Callister.

"We are deeply honored to have been the stewards of that magnificent house for 16 years," Fulk told Realtor.com. "The next owner shares that same commitment. Meanwhile, we are tremendously excited to be moving into the heart of The City on a different hilltop."

“Hidden in the trees at one of the highest peaks in San Francisco, this midcentury architectural gem had been virtually untouched when Fulk purchased it and embarked on a respectful and lighthanded renovation,” a description on Fulk’s website reads.

“Leaving alone the soaring windows, the barrel-vaulted ceilings and the quirky layout, the amenities were modernized and the finishes were revitalized for a timeworn effect,” it continued. “Today, an otherworldly garden inspired by a Japanese hunting lodge surrounded the house.”

Fulk shared a tour of the stunning home with influencer Caleb Simpson, during which he explained that “the house only has two modes: It’s either a party palace or a temple.”

He also explained that the “whole house is made out of redwood,” but that the material is unfinished.

Adding that the wood requires quite a bit of maintenance, he even joked that when Wootton touches a surface after using hand lotion, it leaves a mark, and Fulk will quickly follow up with sandpaper to resolve it.

Still, the home has been thoroughly cared for since it was built, with Fulk claiming “every doorknob, every appliance, every tile” was in “pristine, original condition.”

Brilliantly decorated with all kinds of unique pieces—from a taxidermy giraffe mounted above the fireplace to an open-flame grill in the kitchen—the property is truly one-of-a-kind.

There's even a bedroom that's been completely converted into a dressing room, where racks of designer suits are carefully protected in garment bags with identifiable Polaroid photos displayed on the outside. Perfectly folded shirts are organized by color in pristine glass drawers, as is an extensive shoe collection.

In an Oct. 19 Instagram caption, Fulk opened up about the decision to leave the three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom dwelling he and his husband had called home for 16 years.

“So many things happening all at once! Kurt and I have made the big decision to leave our beloved Tree House high on the hill and move into the heart of the city,” he wrote. “We can’t wait to be more ingrained in the day to day life of this magical town.”

The designer shared a final look at the home in a Nov. 1 Instagram post.

"I took one last moment to soak it all in before entrusting this magical place to its next steward, who will love and care for it as we have," he captioned the post. "While we are tremendously excited for our next San Francisco adventure atop a different hill, we know there will never be another Tree House. Our hearts are full of gratitude, and our lives are all the richer for having spent these years beneath its magnificent roof."

In a comment on the post, Fulk confirmed that the couple will be relocating to Nob Hill, a historic neighborhood in San Francisco.

Fulk also noted that he is excited to be able to “ride the cable car” to his “new” flagship San Francisco studio. While the exact location has yet to be confirmed, it’s been reported that the new Ken Fulk location will be in Jackson Square and is expected to open in April 2027.

His previous headquarters—the “Magic Factory” in San Francisco’s SOMA district—was sold for $6 million in August of this year. The final sale price was under the initial asking price of $8.9 million. Fulk purchased the property in 2007 for $3 million.

Fulk also added that the couple’s five dogs will “spend most of their California time in the Napa Valley” but will occasionally visit the city.

“The idea of more country time for the dogs and more city for us feels like the perfect mix,” he added.

Currently, Fulk has another personal property on the market: a Napa Valley retreat on 76 private acres in Saint Helena, CA.

Fulk’s website describes Durham Ranch as his “beloved Napa Weekend escape” and the couple’s “satellite studio in the country,” noting that it’s been used as the “site of creative retreats, quiet weekends, and big celebrations.”

The home was listed for $4.5 million in July, and includes two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. It will be sold fully furnished, according to Galerie Magazine.

Fulk and Wootton bought the property in 2005 when it was in rough condition, and named it after their first golden retriever. Over time, it was transformed into a thoughtfully designed sanctuary with reclaimed materials and vintage finds.

The couple also own a waterfront estate in Provincetown, MA, and a Tribeca loft in New York City, which serves as a space to live as well as work.