Starting in the mid-1940s, the legendary Danish designer Hans Wegner created a series of chairs inspired by Ming dynasty furnishings, their streamlined frames a hybrid of imperial Chinese forms and Scandinavian modernism. One of those perches, the Wishbone, would rank among the most iconic designs of the 20th century, forever linking those traditions. Fast-forward to the present day: Another great Dane is sparking cross-cultural conversations, this time in the hills of San Francisco. Here, architect David Thulstrup recently completed a total update to a historic Pacific Heights house, his first residential project in the US and a radiant example of East-meets-West ingenuity.

To connect the home’s four levels, Thulstrup designed a circular staircase of Dinesen oak.

Thulstrup designed the living room’s sectional sofa and cocktail table; curtains of Jim Thompson fabric .

Architect David Thulstrup standing in the stairwell, which is bathed in natural light thanks to the tall, narrow window; sculpture by Zhan…