Name: Chelsea Olson
Location: Presidio Heights — San Francisco, Ca
Size: 430 square feet
Years lived in: 2.5 — rented
Chelsea is a friend and coworker as well as a talented graphic designer, photographer, and fashion blogger. I've been looking forward to sharing her seamlessly styled, yet functional, space on the site. It's the perfect mix of elements collected over time, both vintage and modern, paired with many of her own creations, including some impressive refinished and repurposed furniture projects.
Entering Chelsea's space brings on a feeling of comfort and peacefulness. All the windows in her small yet open apartment look out to the garden, capturing light from the south and illuminating her space with a warm blanket of sun. Her open floor plan allows for flexibility, at the cost of challenging space planning. Somehow, within a mere 430 square feet, Chelsea has incorporated everything from a home office to dining and lounging areas for hosting guests. I think one of her most impressive feats is the way she dealt with a kitchen that features only a single upper and lower cabinet for storage. Her closet, overflowing with shoes and clothes, has also forced her to edit and get creative with storage solutions.
Chelsea's aesthetic shines through in everything she does, from her work, to her perfectly styled outfits, to her innovative home projects. The girl's a master diy'er, and I envy her motivation to move from one project to the next. After our photo shoot, she painted her bedroom wall a deep blue, and since then she's moved on to a handful of other projects all featured on her blog, heels and sunkissed curls. Chelsea's work is creative, without being crafty. She has an obvious passion for what she does, and it shows in her space and her style.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Vintage and eclectic with a hint of modern.
Inspiration: It's all in the details, I love details and originality. I love finding pieces at the flea market and making them my own, and there are so many great places to look in the bay area. I believe there is beauty and whimsy in the unexpected. I'm also a big do-it-yourselfer; I gather inspiration from all around — clothes, photographs, graphics, etc. I love all things artistic and creative, and I enjoy creating my own pieces. If I put my blood and sweat into it, then it's usually worth keeping around.
Favorite Element: The garden is definitely what sold me on the apartment. I also love the neighborhood and proximity to the Presidio. It's like I have my own little sanctuary in the city.
Biggest Challenge: My space is a bit awkward. The layout is open, so it's difficult to define the separate living areas while at the same time maximizing the light and space. I have tried to arrange everything in a way that works for me, and allows for work, play and relaxing. Each piece has lived in several different spots; so far this arrangement is the by far the best.
What Friends Say: Generally, everyone is very surprised at how much space I really have, but sometimes they comment that I must really like blue. My best friends say, "It's very Chelsea."
Biggest Embarrassment: Up until a week ago I had a filling cabinet full of clothes that I couldn't fit in my closet. A few days of purging, donating and reorganizing got rid of the filing cabinet and created much more space, with room for more clothes and shoes.
Proudest DIY: I am really into DIY's; every time I can't find a place for something I try to think of what else it could be used for. I love my lamp shade chandelier, my dining room table and newly nail head trimmed couch, but my proudest DIY would have to be my refinished cabinet that holds my T.V.
Biggest Indulgence: My shoes and clothes pretty much win. However, I have found that I do have a thing for lamps and pillows; they seem to be everywhere.
Best Advice: Only buy pieces you love; if you love it, you'll find a way to make it work in your space. Oh, and of course, quality over quantity.
Dream Sources: If I could live in an Anthropologie catalog I probably would.
Resources of Note:
ENTRY
- • Artwork: Artists own, Three Rabbits and Flea Markets
LIVING ROOM
- • Book shelves: Crate & Barrel
• Lamps and Shades: Anthropologie
• Couch: D Studio
• Leather Chair: World Market
• Desk: Pier One
DINING ROOM
- • Chairs: West Elm
• Table Top Mirror: EQ3
• Table Base: EQ3
• Glass Table Top: Pier One
KITCHEN
- • Cabinets: IKEA
BEDROOM
- • Bed: IKEA
• Bedding: Anthropologie
• Vintage Suit Cases: Alameda Flea
• Floor length mirror: IKEA
BATHROOM
- • Light Fixture: Urban Outfitters
Thanks, Chelsea!
(Images: Lindsay Tella)
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Not only does your aparment make me want to move to San Fran...............NOW, but I also wish I had more flats. Geez girl, I am loving your closet full of shoes. It's almost like a secret stash. I was not expecting that closet at all. Great light, great use of space, and great pieces. I really liked this tour! I thought the photographer did a great job at showcasing not only your use of space, but the little things that made you you.
My kitchen isnt much bigger than your, but even I don't have a dishwasher so I am SUPER jealous!! But in a good way.
I'm just going to say that having curtains right next to your stove top is a VERY unsafe idea. I'm hoping no cooking really happens. But if it does, this is one place to loose style for safety.
I like having the floor plan as the last item in these tours. You've been doing that lately.
I can't get the angle she's watching television in any of these pics.
The light, the light! How cheerful!
Hey you!!!! Love your place!!! super cute and a long way from Wisconsin!
Love this tour - it is very stylish and personal. My two favorite elements are the shelf above the couch and I especially love the necklace holder by the desk. Was that a DIY?
Love your apartment, it's super cute. best bits - the necklace holder in photo 15 - i want one! & the side of your bed with the suitcases and lovely lamp base <3
Gaak.
the drapes and lamp in the kitchen are very smart
Great space. I love it.
Hey - that thing you have necklaces hanging from near your desk... I have that thing! I think I got it at Ross. Never would have thought to use it as a jewelry organizer but it's sure cute! I love that you used it as a stencil (I think) to make that aqua canvas above your couch, too.
Your place looks really comfortable and fun, I like it a lot.
Awesome place Chelsea! I especially love all of the blue and what you've done in your bathroom! I also like the drapes in the kitchen, such a nice touch! Thanks for sharing
Sorry but I got to say it...
Chelsea = cute
Oh yeah, your place is great too!
I'm curious. Why two desks? (iMac by couch and MacBook on white desk) Also, would love to see the garden - so rare in SF!
This is very sweet, but I share the same concern as Adamadam regarding the curtains next to the stove. Sorry, I'm a mom. Gorgeous and colorful apartment, though.
Thank you all for your comments! The piece that I use to hang/organize my jewelry at my workstation was purchased from a consignment shop near my house, and used to be red. As @jancola noticed/mentioned is was used to create the painting on the shelf above my couch; so although it's not a DIY itself it has inspired a few DIY's around my apartment.
Where is the refrigerator?
oh girl this is one tiny place- but you made it soooo cute!
Tight fit- but everything works- the shoe closet is amazeballs.
@Sypage --
You can see the fridge in photo 8 - it's behind the lamp to the left of the loveseat.
love ur style.. u maximize ur space in a small san francisco apartment.
What exactly does "Gaak" mean, Artfemme11? I am just curious since so many of your other comments are much more articulate.
Where's the garden? You can't promise a garden apartment and then not show it...
Where is your coffee table from? I love it!
@lpost3698 Thanks! My coffee table is a flea market find, but it would definitely be an easy one to recreate with the right table base and some spray paint.