Name: James Nestor
Location: Bernal Heights, San Francisco, CA
Size: 930 square feet
Years lived in: 2.5 years, owned

We were elated that James Nestor agreed to do a house tour of his amazing home. Initially, he seemed surprised that we'd want to showcase his diminutive, but unique Bernal Heights digs, but we were able to detect the deserved pride he has for his place, a house that he transformed from an unlivable dump into an inviting, visually-appealing, and space-efficient home.

Name: Kelly Colchin, Jonathan Skaggs and Marco the cat
Location: The Mission, S.F.
Size: 850 square feet
Years lived in: 5 years rented

Recent newlyweds Kelly and Jonathan moved to San Francisco from Austin six years ago. Their years of cohabitation have solidified their unified sense of decor, and their current home in the Mission District is proof of the stylistic harmony they've achieved.

Our recycling is full of junk mail and election flyers. Hating to see all that colorful and heavy card stock paper just go to waste, we decided to create something from them. Here are the results of our endeavor. After the jump, find out more about how we made this simple junk mail triptych...

Name: Angelique Lalonde, Catherine Lalonde, Jessica Ziakin
Location: East Burnside, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Size: 3 Bedrooms
Years lived in: 3 years rented

Our friend and photographer Phillip was recently in Victoria, B.C. visiting his friend Angelique. During his stay he learned that the landlord was selling the house and that Angelique, her sister Catherine and roommate Jessica would soon have to move out and find new homes. Phillip -- who has always loved the place for its charming, homey feel and the wonderful times he's spent in it -- decided to document it, so he could always revisit his dear friend's former home, and so he could share it with you.

Name: Lisa Congdon and Clay Walsh
Location: Mission District, San Francisco
Size: 1,000 square feet
Years lived in: 6 years

Artist and Rare Device store owner Lisa Congdon is no stranger to Apartment Therapy. We've featured her art, the products based on her works, her store displays, and even a tour of her house a few years ago. But as with any creative person, Lisa has changed the decor of her home several times since we last visited, and especially since her partner, Clay moved in this year.

Name: Dan Johnson Lake
Location: San Francisco, CA
Size: 3-4 bedrooms, including a dining room
Years lived in: 12 years, rented

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Twelve years ago, Dan Johnson became the fifth roommate in this 4-bedroom apartment. His prior living situation came to a tragic end when his apartment building was set ablaze, and he found himself desperate for a place to live. He found a room, but he soon learned that it wasn't always easy living with others with differing ideas of decor and cleanliness. But Dan compromised, and over the years, roommates moved out until, finally, he found himself the sole resident of this spacious flat. Finally liberated from other people's stuff and taste, Dan was able to create a unique space of his own.

Name: Erin Cullerton and Melanie McGraw
Location: San Francisco, CA
Size: 750 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 4 years, rented

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Erin and Melanie have made an enviably sweet nest together in this one bedroom Mission District apartment. We love their awesome, sunny backyard and the way the light from outside generously pours into their kitchen. We also appreciate the clean, minimal design scheme they've got going throughout the inside of the home.

Name: Leslie Bamburg, Adam Polakoff, and Alex Trebek the cat
Location: San Francisco, CA
Size: About 650 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 6 years, rented
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Leslie and Adam first became friends while attending UC Santa Cruz. After their college days ended they split ways, but eventually Leslie, an interior design consultant and Adam, an attorney, reunited in San Francisco and decided to share a home together. They, along with Leslie's handsome cat, Alex Trebek, have been in this Bernal Heights two-bedroom since 2002. And although Leslie can claim credit for most of their apartment’s overall look, Adam’s personal sense of design is noticeable, especially in his own bedroom and in the art works hung throughout the home that come from both of the friends' collections.

Name: Mariah Gardner
Location: San Francisco’s Mission District
Size: 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bath apartment
Years lived in: 4 ½ years rented

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Mariah is a Jack of all trades. She's the kind of person who can fix her own boat, sew her own clothes, whip up a meal for 30 or more friends, and whistle Dixie, all the while looking cool and composed. She manages to be put together without being over the top, old-fashioned without being outdated, and classic without being square. So we weren't surprised when we first visited her apartment that it was a mirror to her self, outfitted with carefully culled curiosities, fun and vibrant artwork, and enviable vintage finds and doo-dads.

We were walking in the Castro this past weekend and came across two noteworthy houses. One was this house with an Obama-inspired stained glass window. We wondered if the home owner had it specially made, or if s/he made it him/herself. And will s/he keep it up after Obama's presidency ends? If nothing else, the stained glass inspires so many questions. Is this stained glass you can believe in?
And after the jump, check out the cool mural painted on the exterior of a house ...