Name: Andrew and Thao
Location: Diamond Heights, San Francisco
Size: 1200 square feet 2 bedroom
Years lived in: 2
Welcome to Andrew and Thao's Diamond Heights dwelling, a 1200 square foot home flooded with sunlight and white walls. While not a small space, they have made this two bedroom feel exactly the right size for two people (and their cat, Lucy!). Their clean design aesthetic allows for a relaxed feeling home that displays their art collection beautifully.
Andrew and Thao's home finds a balance that many strive for---an uncluttered and peaceful home that manages to still feel comfortable. You can tell that this home is lived in and used. However, the well appointed furniture (punctuated with some of our favorite modern design classics) and tidy, organized belongings remain unobtrusive to visitors. They have many books, and tons of CDs, but they are integrated into the home in a way that is charming, not busy. We think this is a home well done!
AT Survey:
My/Our style: Comfortable. Timeless.
Inspiration: Grandfather, color, east coast, and 60's American culture
Favorite Element: Daylight and our art collection.
Biggest Challenge: The layout of our kitchen.
What Friends Say: 'It's comfortable.'
Biggest Embarrassment: Our cat's litter box?
Proudest DIY: Garden in the back yard
Biggest Indulgence: Matching walnut bedroom furniture set + entirely custom framed art collection done by a good friend.
Best advice: Don't furnish a home all at once. One day at a time...
Dream source: Old family photo books from California 1960's.
Other Inspiration: My friend Geoff's home in LA. Unreal.
Resources:
Appliances: A very old fashioned stove from the 1950's.
Furniture: Various fiberglass Eames chairs, Bertoia wire chair, walnut LCM Eames, Milo Baughman desk, 2 Danish teak credenzas, one Danish dining table (with matching chairs), Danish planter, Noguchi (original) glass table, walnut bedroom set from Room and Board and couch/chair set from Pottery Barn.
Lighting: Mostly old light fixtures. One Nelson bubble lamp.
Rugs and Carpets: Various shag rugs.
Beds: From Room and Board.
Artwork: Tons! Thomas Campbell, Geoff McFetridge, Evan Hecox, Paul Schiek, Clare Rojas, Barry McGee, Bill Swanson, Matt Irving and Jim Jocoy.
Paint: We kept it the way it was. Old school and minimal in color.
Flooring: mostly hardwood from the 40's
(Thanks, Andrew and Thao!)
Images: Andrew and Thao Paynter
Weekend DIYs: 10 Wood Molding Projects for the Home
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
Why I Became a 1-Gallon Homebrewer
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
Love the photo of the foot in the lake!
That planter is great.
love it. just minimal enough to retain a special sunny coziness.
I love that planter!
I have that wooden monkey! I've never seen another! Hooray!
I love all the walnut. Thanks for sharing!
I also love the planter! Why don't they make furniture like that anymore?
Please please tell us where you got the planter. I love it and I live in SF.
This is a really cheerful place. I love that it's modern, yet cozy at the same time, like one thing out of place won't upset the whole decor. Perfect balance.
I remember that monkey from my parents' house, growing up in the 70s! I loved to play with it. What a flashback.
I love that bookcase next to the desk; I'm looking for something just like it. Where does that come from??
Very handsome. Could you please tell me about the dresser you have the stereo on?
I remember that monkey from my childhood, too! Also, I'd like to second the request for a source on the planter and add one of my own: that cool coat rack in picture #2. Are both vintage?
Love it all!
I love this apartment. If you like his art, you should see this guys collection:
http://personaleffects.tumblr.com/
I like the patina of the floors. People refinish reflexively, without realizing the depth that time adds. I also admire that you didn't hide the shoes or the skateboards for the photos- often I can't imagine how people live in a space, but those little details really brought the tour to life for me.
ahhh! Where did you get the planter . . . where can I find one like it! I love it!
Great job. I like the the bed. It looks very comfortable and inviting.
really great tour. especially the paining/woodblock on #15 is gorgeous.
who is the artist?
Apparently that monkey travelled to Germany, too, because my parents have one like that!
Any ideas on where it came from and when it might have been produced?
What a gorgeous chair collection...
the monkey seems to be remake of kay bojesen monkey.
More info on the planter please!
Kay Bojesen monkeys are a Danish design and are still in production. There are vintage knock-offs available on Ebay.
I'm curious about the print above the orange Eames shell chair in photo 7. I think the artist is Gauase. I have one of his prints but haven't been able to find any information on him at all. This is the first time I've seen another of his pieces, in fact. Can you tell me anything about him?
Gorgeous place, by the way!
1. Planter=hot
2. love the Alessi (?) cat feeder in the kitchen.
The Kay Bojesen monkey is produced by Rosendahl
http://www.rosendahl.com/Default.aspx?ID=506&ProductID=39250&VariantID=
A popular Norwegian blogger has one and she often posts pictures of him in different places in her home:
http://moderne-retro.blogspot.com/search/label/Apen%20vår
Just lovely and cleaner than a whistle...going home to scrub now.
could you tell me more about your nightstands? Im looking at room and board and cant find them. I hope they wernt discountinued!
Very cozy.....very "real people" decor....inviting and warm
don't know if your home is ringing my bells because it's so tastefully done or because it's in sf, my home town(probably both). . . just perfect--ah san francisco--what could not be attractive there?
I have not had internet due to blizzards for a week now---was hoping that Andrew and Thao would have come back by now to answer questions. Guys? Are you there?
thank you all for your nice words. i didn't know we were to respond, so I'll do my best. The planter, as many of you asked about is Danish and came from Klassik by Lynne in Berkeley. She has great pieces. The Danish monkey was found randomly at a store in Hayes Valley. The vintage print (orange) was found at an antique store in Petaluma. I too don't know anything about the artist, but Thao and I just really liked the design and color ways. The night stands came from Room and Board, which is where we bought most of our bedroom set. Another place we love to keep our eyes on are the guys that do 'eamesloft' just South of the city. Very nice and reasonable prices. Thank you again (kim!). cheers. AP Thao
PS - oh and the wood block print is from our friend Evan Hecox. We really love his work. You can contact him directly to buy his artwork: evanhecox.com
Love your house! What brand is your duvet cover on your bed? I've been searching for a new one and I love the simplicity of yours!