Jewelry for the Kitchen: Crafting a Personal Mid-Century Masterpiece in Oakland, CA
Project: The Cactus House
Location: Oakland, CA
Designer: William Adams, William Adams Design
General Contractor: AK Construction
Square Footage: 1,250 sq. ft. | Kitchen: 175 sq. ft.
Photography: Tetiana Sokolova – Capture Studios
Materials: Buster + Punch’s CAST cabinet hardware, Forked
pendants, kitchen faucet
Budget: $85,000
Completion Date: 2023
Step inside the Cactus House, and you’ll understand why this 1922 Oakland bungalow feels anything but ordinary. Designed by William Adams of William Adams Design, the home takes its name from the towering two-story cactus that anchors its entry—and sets the entire design narrative for the interiors.
Inside, Adams drew on mid-century modern architecture and Palm Springs’ ’70s chic to create an unapologetically original living space. The kitchen became the centerpiece of this vision. At only 175 square feet, it is a feast for the eyes: blush-toned geometric tile cascading up an entire wall, matte black oak cabinetry, a brass range hood, and three Buster + Punch product ranges, including solid brass Cast linear hardware, Forked pendants, and kitchen faucet in gun metal.
If Adams’ design choices feel personal, that’s because they are—the Cactus House is his own home. “It was five years in the making,” he reveals. “It wasn’t about doing it all at once—it was about doing it right.”
Each decision was part of a much bigger picture, especially in the kitchen—the space where Adams knew details would matter. Every product and material was chosen with intention: Did it have a timeless quality? Was it sustainable and durable? Did it feel authentic? The answers revealed themselves in the selections.
To bring visual interest to the kitchen’s compact footprint, Adams opted for a two-tone scheme for the semi-custom cabinetry by Nickels Cabinets—blush on the island and matte black along the perimeter. Viewing the cabinet hardware as the “jewelry for the cabinetry,” he selected Buster + Punch’s Cast collection for its hand-cast texture.
“It adds depth and craftsmanship, perfectly balancing the kitchen’s softer tones and geometric patterns,” he explains. Above the island, two of Buster + Punch’s Forked pendants in brass with smoked opal glass echo the bold lines of the hardware. “The Forked Lighting adds a warm, ambient glow that makes the kitchen feel inviting,” he says.
These touches layer seamlessly with other standout features: pink-and- white geometric tile that energizes the space, and a terracotta-veined Dekton countertop on the island that acts as both anchor and statement piece. Durability was another guiding principle, leading him to choose a Ruvati Gunmetal undermount sink and Buster + Punch faucet—fixtures selected for their long-lasting performance as much as their design appeal.
And then there’s the custom neon sign, He was sunshine most always, which Adams calls “a deeply personal, unexpected touch that makes the space feel uniquely ours.”
The result is proof that great kitchen design doesn’t require a massive footprint—just vision, craftsmanship, and a willingness to make personal choices.
“This kind of transformation takes time, patience, and love,” he says.
Learn more about William Adams and his lifelong passion for design and see his firm’s breathtaking portfolio here.
About Buster + Punch
Buster + Punch is the disruptive home fashion brand that has been revolutionizing interior design for over a decade – turning everyday architectural elements into premium, must-have pieces that remain relevant and unforgettable. Rooted in custom motorcycles and the vibrant energy of London’s subculture scene, the company was founded in 2013 by renowned architect Massimo Buster Minale. In 2015, Buster + Punch launched the world’s first-ever designer LED light bulb, further pushing the boundaries of design and functionality.
With an obsession for craftsmanship, the brand uses rare solid metals and precision engineering to create everything from cabinet and door hardware, switches, dimmers, and outlets, to lighting, kitchen faucets, and bespoke furniture—all designed to elevate any space.
Notable collaborations include influential figures and brands such as Travis Barker, Jon Olsson, Tom Sellers, Zwilling-Staub Cookware, and The Oppenheim Group from Selling Sunset. Buster + Punch has built a seamless sales, customer support, and operational structure to support the North American market, and full product inventory is fulfilled from within the United States.
Buster + Punch is a supporting member of Be Original Americas: a non-profit creative advocacy committed to informing, educating, and influencing manufacturers, artisans, design professionals, and consumers about the economic, ethical, and environmental value of authentic design.
Editor's Note:
In its Cactus House kitchen case study, Buster + Punch demonstrates how tactile metal details – from CAST hardware to sculptural lighting and a gun metal faucet – can define an entire space. That same ethos continues from its recent story, Buster + Punch’s Linear Switches Turn Utility into Art, introducing precision-crafted Linear toggle switches, dimmers, and outlets that extend the brand’s signature knurled design language to every wall and room. Together, they show how functional elements become the “jewelry of the home.” Read the full story here.