What exactly is a 'charity shop'? Akin to Salvation Army?

Funky and cool with, dare I say, sort of a touch of grandma? I kinda love it!

Beautiful. Warm and quirky and stylish - just gorgeous. LOVE your use of colour.

I feel so at home looking at your tour - your taste is really similar to my best friend's (complete with little creatures flying around).

@ Granola Suicide - is charity shop an odd term? It's what we call them in the UK as well. The Salvation Army has loads, as do lots of other charities. People donate their old stuff and then it's sold on to raise money for charity. Maybe like your Goodwill?

@vvvxxx - we generally don't refer to them as Charity Shops in the US, but as Thrift Stores. But yes, they are the same, so Goodwill and Salvation Army could be termed Charity Shop.

The art above the bed in the olive bedroom is lovely, is it another photo printed on canvas?

i'm in LOVE with the duvet covers and that blue chair... it's my FAVORITE color! and you make use of it so well with the orange and green.

i'm also in love with your green chairs in the living room. we have the same style of chair in our living room, but we need new cushions... see here...

http://www.beyondthestoop.com/2011/11/thanksgiving.html

maybe i will go for a textured green fabric like yours! thanks for the inspiration :)

I have that exact owl table!!! We bought it at an estate sale about a year ago...

Looks like a really comfortable place to live! And I love diamond doves!

I'm not gonna lie, I am freaked out by birds, so I pretended that they are all porcelain or wood while I looked thru the pics which made viewing much more enjoyable.

Love the mix of funky and traditional. The space is youthful and hip as hell. Anywhere else I'd say no, but here, I'm all about that resin owl table. Very cool. Like it a lot.

I like it; nice balance of MCM and early 20th century. Like the vintage TV; trying to tell if it's bw or a round tube color TV. Charity shop, thrift shop, antq. shop; there is still honestly good stuff to be found with a sharp eye.

I have a free flying Cockatiel and I can't keep him off the art work -which I wouldn't mind him being there so much if he didn't then poop on it. I can't imagine having a whole flock on the loose!

Chrsitopher, I love your owl table! My apartment is whimsical too. I like joy and humor in my space. People are funny though, they seem to think I like tacky chotckes because of this.Yes, I have some, no I don't need more and they are carefully selected .I like to blend modern and vintage, you are so right about having a balance. Most importantly, my friends all tell me how much they love my place and don't want to leave! Then there's my amazingly comforatble sofa named Bob.....

Masculine but, not overbearing at all. Totally dig it : )

The birds are beautiful but how in the world do you prevent them from pooping all over everything!?

Love the space, LOVE the beard! ;) You've got great style!

I'm in LOVE with this! It's so bright and cheery. I half-expect Snow White to come round the corner, stick her head out the window and start calling the birds.

And as a cockatiel mommy I love the birdies and am THRILLED to see AT feature some non-cat/ dog pets.

mmwitzke,

You don't! They go where they want to go unfortunately lol. My Lucy will "ready" herself by shifting her feet and squatting her butt backwards before she lets load, so usually I can get her over a solid, non-porous surface lol. Clean as you go.

Christopher, I want to tell how you much pleasure, inspiration and joy I received from the tour of your apartment. Not just from the pictures but also from the text and your responses to the survey. It's rare to see a home that is so expressive of its occupant's interests, history, talents and values as yours and that expression of those factors as stated in your responses is as well done as I've ever seen. I was especially impressed since I share so many of those values around reuse, repurposing and budgeting. I believe that an approach such as yours is a way for those of us who like a nice home and have concern for the environment, but are of limited means can achieve those goals and support those values. Your home is so appealing that it may inspire others to adopt these values and approach. That is part of its excitement for me.

As to the matter of changing tastes and outgrowing things from an earlier period, Idon't believe that you need hold to them and force yourself to work around them if they no longer appeal to or serve you, such as the blue flower pots. Since you are such a shopper and supporter of charity shops, such items could always be donated back to them thus supporting your favorite venues and their causes and services. Or you could find ways to sell them and put those funds toward replacements that are more suitable to your present tastes and circumstances. You certainly have an excellent eye for good vintage and antique pieces and would make a good antique picker, especially with your luck in charity shops and on the street. (I will be using the new word I learned from you, "groundscore".)
When I let something go in this manner or even decide to put it back on the shelf at my area charity shops, I tell myself that I am releasing it or leaving it there to serve someone else or make them happy.

I would love to have seen your attempt to deal with the pink bathroom via the Nagel prints since the 80s are next up for revival and reuse. I get a kick out of seeing how some imaginative folks can reinterpret and refresh outmode or passe trends and items. You did so weel working around that 70's flooring in the WC that I would really loved to have seen the other.

Also, my favorite kitchen on AT yet, not just for the result but for the sources and process. Your land lord must love you and I hope you get a lot rent breaks for all your effort and expense.

I can think of the titles of 2 movie comedies from the 30s that could describe your apartment, "The Young in Heart" and "Joy of Living".
Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

"Incorporating old and used items. No matter the look, there are historical pieces that you can reference. What is modern now will be dated tomorrow, but using historical elements adds a sense of timelessness that won't go out of style. Conversely, incorporate some amount of new and current elements. No one wants to live in a museum of past looks." is about the awesomest thing I've ever read. Very interesting tour, not my style at all but extremely well done and unique.

The architectural features are so gorgeous, my jealousy nearly pains me.

L O V E the blue flowerpots!!! I wish I had more larger plants like those around my house...wow. : )

Love your back yard garden area.

That owl table is just too cute!

Very handsome bird man, my oh my :) I had zebra finches, I love the noise they make! If you're going to have caged birds, letting them free fly like this is only fair. Love the pics and the "Op Shop" (Aus. term) philosophy ...oh and San Fran...I fantasise about living there:P

Love it!!! The owl table is quite fantastic! I love your birds happily hanging out outside of their cage. It makes me miss my birds! I also have that black panther that's on your headboard! You've done a wonderful job on your place! Very impressed!

i super dig this place. and i really love the birds. but them pooping all over the place would drive me a little crazy. and WHAT A BEARD. every man needs a beard if you ask me.

Dude, this place is great! I have similar furniture to you, and I'm moving into a new space and I was worried that it was going to look too 1960's. You just gave me some really great ideas on how to schnazz the place up without lookin' too stylized. Your home looks like such a great place to chill! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much for sharing! It's hard to notice the birds at first because everything else is so eye-catching, so it's fun to go back through and play "spot the bird!"

I love hearing about the way you incorporate earlier design decisions into your current aesthetic. This is exactly what we need more of - anyone can go out and buy new things to make a home look appealing to current tastes - learning to live with and love what we have . Very inspiring - thanks!

HRHPRINCESSFIONA: Its true, part of San Francisco was distroyed in 1906 in the earthquake and fire. One of the great things about the Mission district is the intact Victorian architecture, and yes, lots of Queen Anne. Not sure if this is an historically acurate term, but it is widely used in SF

Love love love this apartment. Beautiful throughout. I'd love to run into Christophe at Tartine!

magical

Sigh...this joint is so right...in so many ways. Impressive flora and fauna. Great colors and the details really pop. Would love to chill in this home. Fantastic yard for that neck of the 'hood as well...

Love this! Who designed those chairs?
Thanks! j

the green chairs, that is!

Wait, where's the aviary in the pictures? Am I missing something obvious?

Love the space. Love the details and the design commentary. Love the beard.

My ex-husband used to have a bird that he would allow to fly around in the bedroom. The bird would perch on the curtain rods and poop, and it would land on the dresser drawer pulls and poop. What a mess. I was the one who had to clean it up. I like birds, but mainly in the trees outdoors or at least in cages. Lovely home. I just wonder how the owner deals with the bird mess.

It's so earthy! I love it!

@GRANOLA SUICIDE yes, Charity shop= thrift store (as in they sell used item to generate money for associated charities)

@ANNANOWA No, it is a vintage print. It is from a series of 3 oversized sepia prints that hung in the gym of a client's house in the late 70s. She graciously gave them to me after I complimented them.

@JQURBANA @CDICA002 @LITTLEMISSSUNSHINE and @MMWITZKE They do poop, but they are trained to stay on the mantel ( which I call the 'bird enrichment zone') and window sills. They aren't out all day. I let them out in the evenings when I get home from work. I wont let them settle on fabrics for fear of poo. They do poo on the mantel and sills and I wipe it up when I'm doing my chores (or before guests) Its not a big deal (my sweetie might argue...) and it's all love.

@RMBNN Zenith Space command 500 featuring the first remote control. B&W. the remote receiver is audio frequency based. It listens for one of 4 different 'pings' of aluminum rods for 4 different commands. Hence the slag 'the clicker' I had it rebuilt at Mission TV.

@JEN The aviary is the room with the grey day bed. The actual cabinet where the birds stay was in the proofs but didn't make the editorial cut, I guess... Bummer I'm quite proud of it.

@JULIANLAGE They are a super common form called the Swedish Lounge. These particular two are really fine examples- marked by the joints and the refining of the wood. They have no corners rather all on the edges have been bullnosed to create biomorphic lines. They reference the work of Maloof but they are not his.

@HRHPRINCESSFIONA The Mission south of Dolores Park was saved by the only serviceable hydrant at 20th and Church and everything west of Van Ness where the residents of the city fought the fire to save what was left by creating a firebreak and beating back the flames with brooms or drapes and such. So we do have Italianate, Stick, and Queen Anne examples in these areas. My house was built in 1900 but Queen Anne lasted into the teens, though it was of an old school by then. It can be spotted by it's Greek temple references, and feminine, florid plaster relief. It is a reaction to the stoic hard lines of Stick architecture where machine cut patterned wood trim was considered the modern look. @COOLJAKE i'd love to stop by, How would I recognize you?!

@RSR thank you for your kind words! Trust me, I am no stranger to purging. As my mother always said, 'purge your room, purge your soul' I meant that I hated them in their last context, which was super 90s. I think they're just fine now. My first inclination is to reinterpret but things that don't fit my life today go out on the street for others to groundscore. @SMURFBERRY with a handle like that, I suppose it is no wonder you like the blue pots!

I love your home. Reminds me of my grandmother's b/c it's vintage feeling and she owned those exact chairs in the living room & the black panther figurine you have in the bedroom. :)

very organic feeling, I love it, especially the bird perches around the rooms! I even like the acid green paint & furnishings. Nice job!

Christopher, yes, I was hoping to see the bird cabinet and am bummed that it didn't make it into the slideshow. I otherwise really enjoyed the tour and your design knowledge and perspective.

Not my style but that's what I call "house with soul'!! I hate houses that all look the same. Well done!

I feel so comfortable after visiting your space- like running into an old friend or slipping on heavy socks on a chilly day. I feel as if our homes could mingle happily. You have an amazing eye for detail- I love how you softened the intensity (boxiness?) of the old television with the animal hide. Also love the bones, driftwood, plants, etc mingling comfortably among the structured mid century furnishings. This home is perfection. Our styles are so similar in the most peculiar ways. I also try and work in those pieces that I no longer feel love for- I feel like they are a part of my imperfect, ever changing story- no regrets, right? This is -by far- my favorite tour. love.

Beautiful!!!! I'd love to see some fresh cut red flowers next to those green chairs.

I really liked your place. My first thought when I saw your picture and the bird perched on your finger was, "Hey, make a nest for that birdie in your beard!"

The thought of mutliple birds flying around and pooping everywhere does not thrill me, I am not exactly Martha Stewart but it really creeps me out.
Although I agree with the 'make do and reuse' philosophy, I guess I apply it more loosely. I do like the apartment - the balcony and the outdoor space especially - but not so much the furnishings (I have a different taste, I guess).
The owl table - my only reaction to it was that the location is somewhat unfortunate - I can;t tell what is the black box right behind it, is is a free-standing fireplace insert or something like that? The two pieces are mashed together.

Charity shop - I would have probably said 'thrift shop' or 'second hand shop' - whatever would spring to my mind first - but it's a perfectly understandable term.

Beautiful home with such a strong representation of occupants style. Eclectic, but so well incorporated. One of my favorite parts of the tour is the painting positioned in the window in liv. rm.

@ RSR: Thanks for your posting. You saved me from typing the exact words you used about Christopher's apartment. I apply the same principles as you for changing tastes and outgrowing items.

Hi Christopher: Toured your apartment several times, and loved each "click." Years ago, I lived on Dolores Street in the Mission District. Great apartment with great architectural detail. I feel homesick!!! The wall colors you chose for each room are making me think. A lover of nature, especially trees and birds, made me feel at home in your place. We might have been in a tug-of-war over the owl table if I were still living in SF!!! Happy times to your and your bird friends in this lovely home.

Really diggin' the stylish masculinity of your space. But your beard makes me a lil' uncomfy ;)

I love your home Christopher, so many beautiful details!

What really ties it together for me are the touches of silver, echoed by the greys (sometimes light, at times dark). It's a bold use of colour, but it works so well to bring out the architectural details in your gorgeous home.

Let's see the bird cabinet!

Really fun home. We're hoping eventually to get a Craftsman home but fill it with some MCM furniture -- as if someone bought a new home in 1928 but kept updating the furniture as they went. So thanks for the inspiration.

Oh dear, that beard! I've died and gone to heaven.

"it comes across as one-upmanship rather than actually being excited about your purchase. getting a great deal for a good piece is great - but it should be about the piece and your house, not about who didn't get it...???"

Have to agree. I wish I had just looked at the pictures because the homeowner's comments really spoiled the post for me. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but I find that kind of attitude unappealing.

@chinadoll and @Skippyandebsy I agree that my comments leave room enough to justify your interpretation. However, I meant only to offer a narrative as to how these things came into my possession as I think the story adds to their history. I offered other anecdotes, which were edited out and these are what remain. In both cases, I had already bought and was excited for the sake for the find and and no idea what or who would follow. I''m not psychic, so my decision to buy was base purely on my attachment to the piece, not the glory of winning.

As for the owl table specifically, I felt bad that there was a conflict of interests. I didn't know she was pulling over for the table as I paid, then considered surrendering it to her, only to decideI wanted it just as badly and had been first. Hence 'disculpame' which translates roughly to 'forgive me'.

I was having trouble deciding whether to buy the dining table or not and I justified it with saying 'Can't you see it for $15000 at Monument?' to my shopping companion. So the fact that he then came in is super funny. Furthermore, Sam, the buyer in question is a friend of mine who never shares where he came by anything in his showroom (presumably to keep anyone from heading straight to the source). So, yes, I took great pleasure in beating him at his own game and still do. Where's the crime?

As for the birds, @skippyanddebsy, they are pets, not graphic T's. I love them dearly and I am not oblivious to popular culture. Do you think that is the first time I've taken flack for 'put a bird on it' We'll it's not and I just take it in stride. They bring me great happiness and I don't mind them as a popular motif. I can respond in kind using your Portlandia reference, since they also made fun of all the anti-hipsters who hate anything that has made its way into the popular vernacular simply for the sake of hating that is popular. I really don't take myself that seriously

http://www.thebolditalic.com/mollydee/stories/2001-put-a-bird-on-it Relax, if it's a joke, I'm laughing right along side you

I didn't even know it was possible to fit so much awesome into 1200 sqft. Love everything, especially the birds.

I really like how you've interpreted the things you are passionate about--nature, ecology, animals--into your decor with the colors, wood, photos, natural elements. The birds are beautiful.

Oh, I also wanted to say that even as a renter, it's important to make your space into a home, so all the work you've put into the architecture has made it really gorgeous.

I'm comforted to know that a landscaper has a "messy" landscape like mine, which I interpret as Christopher loving plants immensely. Adore the fan aloes!! I'm sure I could spend hours going through everything. Very lovely.

oh thank you @angryredhead It is a bit of a collector's garden so I'm glad you picked up on the plant lover thing. However, as a measure of my professional life, it makes me kind of self-conscious. My work is very structured. As a hobby and a place for experimentation, this garden is not a refection of my professional sensibilities. (please google my website if you'd like to see my work)

The birds are the best part of the house! They've got such personality, and I bet they enjoy being able to fly around as they please. The owl table is great. I hope that lady eventually found one, but congratulations for swooping in first :)

Well done- it's a gorgeous home.

Quite nice! But out of curiosity, if you hate the cobalt blue pots why not ditch/donate them? They are not a permanent element... Why go to the trouble of designing a theme around something non-permanent that you hate?

@cara100 I expanded on that a little above. I hated them in their original interpretation; I think they are neutral now. But it really isn't that simple (apart from the cost which would be like $1000 worth of new ceramics) they are full of large established plants the biggest of which are too heavy to move.

I have nearly the same green chair - it was left behind by a previous owner. It's upholstered in green vinyl rather than fabric.

As for having the birds out of their cages, I had a cockatiel for 10 years and I was lucky that she only pooped in certain favorite places, so it was easy enough to put something wipeable there. I don't know how you deal with having a whole flock flying free.

I'm of the camp that loves the Owl table. Very unique decor and the art is calming.

I have the white owl table that is in the living room! I found it at a thrift store a few months back minus its top. So I made a new top for it and painted it bright yellow! So cool to know there is another one out there!

Hey AT! Please post the aviary itself. I'd love to see it.

-Another bird loving design enthusiast

I love the vintage modern furniture collection. Great pieces. Also artfully put together with an obvious attention to detail. What luck to have such beautiful architecture and the wonderful patio garden! A lot of people in the city have to do without. By the way, I would totally have that owl table in my house.

Sorry, Christopher! Didn't intend to make you uncomfortable. Seeing your garden is a comfort because it's akin to seeing a fancy chef eat McDonald's. Like, "Phew! Not perfectly strict and elegant all the time!" That might sound bad, but maybe it'd be like discovering pasta sauce on Martha Stewart's kitchen ceiling? Not a "Gotcha!" but rather a permission to be human? Plus it's your personal space, and you should do as you please. I enjoyed the diversity, and I'm sure it's even more enjoyable in person. :)

Love your living room so much! The design/style of the house paired with your furniture, accessories, and color schemes looks so fresh! Thanks for sharing!

This is my kind of tour, funky as hell! Bravo, dude...for the tour
andnd your beard!

I am in love. The house is nice, too.

Charity shops: Goodwill, Purple Heart, Viet Nam Veterans, some orphan homes have second hand shops.

You nailed it totally! Grand collection of furniture and accent pieces. Color is husky and soothing!

The nature photos on the wall with the glass and tin objects are my favorite!!
Great lighthearted, and funny! Did you take them?

Can tell you are a fun person to be around with.

Mega kuddos on the cool space.

Yes, they are of a forest dump near my business partner's father's ranch. Things were dumped into a creek ravine from the 1920s to the 1970s.