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Name: Anne, Alex, and Augie
Location: Inner Mission, San Francisco
Size: About 1500 square feet
Years lived in: Almost 3 years, owned

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tour2009.jpgThe thing that really strikes you upon meeting Anne and Alex (and baby Augie too, for that matter) is that they love a lot of things. Bond movies (Alex). Flea markets (Anne). The new ice cream place down the block (everybody). A great cocktail (everybody but Augie). Poking through their lovely Edwardian flat, you'll find evidence of all these particular interests, but more than that, you'll really feel that this is a home where curious, enthusiastic people hang out and have fun.

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In the three years since Anne and Alex bought their place, they’ve made it into a stylish, inviting home, decked out in various shades of aqua blue and orange, and furnished with mid-century classics: craigslist and flea market finds that fit together just as beautifully as the family that uses them. Artwork from talented friends and framed family heirlooms, like Anne’s grandfather’s autograph collection, lend warmth and vitality to every corner.

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Granted, the bones of the house are extraordinary in themselves, from the sets of old French doors to the traditional butler’s pantry. Between Anne, who works for Friends of the SF Public Library, and lawyer and avid reader Alex, the couple has quite a collection of books amassed in the gorgeous original built-ins that flank their fireplace. Currently Anne is lamenting the fact that they may have to temporarily remove the French doors, since Augie’s just getting to the age where breaking glass might seem like fun.

Fortunately for Augie, he’s got the best room in the house already to himself. A rocking chair in a sunny window for storytime; a goose-shaped lamp that lit up his mom’s bedroom when she was his age. His aunt Molly created some stencils that trail along the molding, so he can gaze at horses and skyscrapers while he falls asleep.

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AT Survey:

Our Style: Mid-century modern mix.

Inspiration: Hitchcock, the ceiling of Grand Central Station, my sister, flea markets, too many design blogs.

Favorite Element: The living room built-ins and butler’s pantry. Original shelving is amazing.

Biggest Challenge: The bathroom—it is tiny.

What Friends Say: They wonder how our place is so neat with a baby, and don’t believe that it's Alex’s doing.

Biggest Embarrassment: The backyard. It’s a mess. We’ve got amazing Mission sun and could grow anything—our poor lemon tree has been abused for years and still manages to produce stunning lemons all year round. This is the year we’re getting it together.

Proudest DIY: The stencils in Augie’s room, done by my sister Molly Della, whom I am very proud of.

Biggest Indulgence: Art, particularly the two big pieces. Never a moment’s regret.

Best advice: Walk away, and if you are still obsessing 24 hours later it’s time to buy (I’m talking smallish purchases here). If it’s a flea market find, give it five minutes.

Dream source: Monument, Zinc Details, The Other Shop, Flora Grubb Gardens, Art Deco Fair, antique stores far from San Francisco.

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Resources:

Furniture: Craigslist (every chair in the house, coffee table, credenzas, desk), Alameda Flea Market (dining room table), Room and Board (sofa), Ikea (bookshelves and dressers in Augie’s room, bedside tables in ours) and old family pieces.

Accessories: Alameda Flea Market, Zinc Details, Room 4 on Valencia, antique stores, garage sales and family.

Lighting: Living room lamps—mid-century lamp was a $10 garage sale find, modern one from Zinc Details; dining room lamps from CB2; overhead from The Other Shop; bedroom lamps and overheads from Ikea.

Rugs and Carpets: Living room from Williams-Sonoma Home; Augie’s room from FLOR.

Window Treatments: Blinds were here when we moved in.

Artwork: Christo Braun did the piece in the dining room, it's resin on steel. He’s a lovely man and an amazing artist. Deborah Gibbon, just the most wonderful woman, did the piece above the couch. The three autographs in the living room are part of my grandfather’s enormous autograph collection. The prints in the kitchen are by Robin Rosenthal and Wayne Pate. The cigar in the dining room is from the Alameda Flea market, the Venice painting is from the Alemany flea market. I found the Marimekko wall hanging in the hallway at a garage sale ($5!). The entry way is a collection of Etsy prints. The bedroom is an assortment of Etsy prints, family pieces, and a sweet small painting by Hannah Stouffer. The collages in Augie’s room are by Lorena Siminovich.

Paint: Benjamin Moore barely teal (dining room) and ivory tusk (living room and Augie’s room). Bedroom was a 75% mix of a color I can’t remember. The rest of the house we’ve yet to get to.

Thanks, Anne, Alex, and Augie!

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