Name: Peter Reis
Location: SOMA - SF
Size: 1024 sq. ft
Years lived in: 4
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The moment we walked into Peter's apartment we were struck by the wall of light emanating from the space's gigantic windows. Well, actually it might have first been the homemade "Mr. T" duct tape portrait that struck us... then the horizontally mounted Ikea mirrors in the front hallway. As it turned out, though the layout and design of the place were top-notch, we couldn't help but be sidetracked by all the thoughtful details that had been worked in to the space...
From big projects to small space-saving solutions, there are clever, creative ideas all over. Notice the kitchen island, which on closer inspection is actually two shopping carts on end, fronts cut off and welded together. Or the jigsaw tables in the living area, a DIY project that can be easily reconfigured to form anywhere from four tables to one. On a smaller scale, the magnetic spice jars attached to the microwave save space and add a few little pops of color. Also, Peter's DVD player is housed in a drawer below the TV, effectively cutting out any clutter, and his "gym" is easily stored in a nearby bookshelf. These things add up and contribute greatly to the open, balanced feeling of the home.
Judging by these creative solutions, it may come as no surprise that Reis is from a family of artists (sister Klari's artwork can be seen throughout the house), and though Peter began his career in tech sales, he's now starting a consumer products company to put his creativity and design interest to further use. We just hope there's a home decor line in the works!
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My style: I try to follow some of the tenets of good logo design. Clean. Balanced. Everything having a reason for being there.
The inspiration for my home: George Hauser (architect of the building), Orla Kiely, Warhol, Rocky III. Maybe some OCD.
Favorite element: Invisible Gym:
- Pull-up bar that blends with decor
- SelectTech dumbbells (great space saver)
- Exercise ball doubles as work chair
Biggest challenge in designing my home: Being patient. Waiting for a sale or for a desired item to pop up on Craigslist
What friends say about my home: “I like the colors.” “Are those shopping carts?”
Biggest embarrassment in my home:
- Purchasing shampoo/conditioner based on whether or not it matches the decor.
- Not completely painting under the bathroom sink (only visible from a...uh...certain angle)
- dead plants on the patio
Proudest DIY: Coffee Table(s)
Biggest indulgence with respect to my home: Definitely the headboard.
Best advice given or received:
“Buy fewer items, but of high quality.”
“Buy heavy things.”
“Make your bed.” - Mom
Dream source for stuff: Limn
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Resources:
Bedroom:
Dresser/Bookcase/Console Table/Bed-side tables - Craigslist importer
Bed - Ligne Roset, Lumeo headboard paired with West Elm platform bed
Bed-side Lamps - Crate and Barrel
Art - “Ritalin” - epoxy polymer on aluminum, Klari Reis
Mirror - IKEA Hovet
Main room:
Kitchen Island - This thing is weird. Didn’t want to spend big bucks for an island, but needed more counter space and a way to break up the open layout. Keeping with the trend of bringing the outdoors in, I made the base out of shopping carts to reflect my “up and coming” SOMA neighborhood. It’s Derelique. The carts were cut above the wheels, turned on-end and re-welded. The top is part of an IKEA butcher block table flanked by some donated granite. Hanging stemware racks complete the rolling, kitchen island bar thing.
Cube Ottomans - DWR
Console Table - CB2
Sectional - Creative Fine Furniture
Coffee Table(s) - Wanted a table that would accommodate multiple configurations for entertaining purposes. The bases were found at online restaurant supply store. Wood is Boos butcher block found on Craigslist.
Shelving - Elfa
Credenza - Quovis DWR
Planters - Crate and Barrel
Art:
“Adderall” - epoxy polymer on aluminum, Klari Reis
“Pity” (Mr. T) - duct tape on formica, Peter Reis
>>See Slideshow
Thanks, Peter!
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Wow wow wow wow!!! I love the space. The colors, the simplicity, the use of space you wouldn't think of using (the bike comes to mind). It's gorgeous, and the light coming in is a breath of fresh air!
Nice Peter! Love the metal cabinet with two turn tables, drool. The living room is cozy and airy. Looks like a fun place to hang out on a Sunday listening to music.
Your kitchen island is the most brilliant thing I've seen in months.
Really creative kitchen island.. I am impressed with that!
wow, I second cupcakecemetery, the shopping cart island is incredible. did you think of it yourself? and the Mr. T, you're exceptionally talented. thanks for sharing!
Very ingenious coffee table idea! Nicely executed.
Love it. An overlying theme of light-hearted creativity tied together by cacti. Who woulda thought.
The coffee table, kitchen island and that beautiful art by Klari Reis (are you guys related? nice.) are highlights.
Also, Arrested Development on DVD is a hell of a choice. Awesome pad.
Why Mr. T?
Favorite upon favorite. Almost speechless, here.
It's all so creative. This home makes me giddy.
I pity the fool who dares question the beauty of The Mr. T!!!!
"why Mr. T?"
QUIT yo jibba jabba, fool!
VERY inspiring loft, from top to bottom....great job, man!
I love it. Especially the kitchen island.
This is nice. Well done--understated yet direct. This provides inspiration for the Mrs. and me. It really seems to speak to both of our sensibilities. We'll probably refer to it often as we work on our place. Thanks!
I love the art pieces by Klari! Simply beautiful.
This caught my eye...i don't usually read the whole interview/session but i particularly liked this one. well done AT/Peter.
LOVE the mr. t diy. that alone was enough to make this an inspiring post!
I pity the fool who doesn't like this place! Gotta love Mr.T! Awesome space..thanks for sharing!
Wonderful. "Clean. Balanced." says it all. Very warm and inviting. Your apartment is spare without being Spartan. I wish I had your discipline.
The Klari Reis artwork is stunning.
There are so many wonderful, unique elements in your home.
And yet, I'm drawn most to your Elfa setup, which is not necessarily unique, but somehow the most elegant use of Elfa I've ever seen.
Love your kitchen, the island and turntable setup especially.
I'm glad I read the comments because I didn't get that they were shopping carts. Very unique. I also really like the coffee table.
whoa, great stuff! love the artwork.
What a great space! I love all the creative and unique touches throughout. I'm so interested to see what the new company's all about!
Yeah, I'm diggin it. Kitchen island--very cool. DVD player in a drawer--why didn't I think of that?
Peter, please....the brand and color of paint in your hallway. Photo #35??
Great Loft!
There is a lot about your place that I love. The plants above the kitchen cabinets are a nice tough, I've thought of doing something similar so it's nice to see it done well.
Great place, so creative! Love your coffee table!
I agree that that is the most attractive use of board and bracket shelving of any kind that I ever saw! If you can make that stuff look worthwhile, you definitely have talent!
Thanks to everyone for the kind words and to Lily from AT for your help with the tour.
omegarae - The paint color is Sherwin Williams' "Leapfrog."
Where did you source the shopping carts?
I second, third and fourth everyone's "well done" comments.
faith - Economy Restaurant Fixtures here in SF. You will probably find shopping carts at your local restaurant supply store as well.
What a creative loft! I look forward to your next art piece "Concerta".
Awesome restraint. Excellent eye. Green thumb, good for your air quality too. Clarity, cleanness, comfort, creativity: BEAUTY.
Perfection - truly! You have an amazing eye and damn boy - you are crafty! That kitchen island is inspired.
This is cool. Tell me, where did you get the Floor Lamp next to the couch and how long did it take for
I MISSed Ur last q rUSHmore, but the floor lamp is from CB2.
btoddster - LOL
Beautiful loft Peter. It has a very warm and welcoming vibe to it and I love the coffee tables!
Love Klari's artwork, your coffee table, the colors you used and all the plants/cacti you have around. Great place!
Gorgeous colors. Mr. T is amazing, and I love the shopping carts. I assume the wiring for the DVD player in the drawer requires coaxial cables and/or a smart technical mind, correct?
Does anyone know where I can find the San Francisco print in the bathroom? Thanks!
btoddster- hilarious.
I love the way those shelves look... so simple, could definitely have looked cheap or tacky in a different context, but there they look so retro and awesome here. I'm wondering if I could pull that look off in my own place.
pixelbruin - www.orkposters.com
The use of this space is great! I agree that the shelves are not the fanciest - but you really know how to arrange objects on them to make the whole thing seem amazing.
I'm also going to put the dvd player in the drawer (duh!) but am interested to know what you did with the cords? Tell me there's an alternative to drilling holes...
http://www.fthats.wordpress.com
misscorinne - I just balance the dvd player on top of the opened drawer and plug it into a nearby outlet.
curious about the siesta records on the wall? just art or more to it.
dhue - Siesta was one of my favorite house music labels while going to school in San Diego. The album colors and cactus theme go with my place.
REALLY enjoyed this one...thanks for sharing.
and where did you find those magnetic spice jars?? they would work so well on the side of my fridge!!
thanks, ichelemay. got them at the container store.
The bicycle pully system is the most magical thing I've ever seen. I love my cruiser, but boy is it in the way a lot!
What a creative and beautiful space. Thanks for the source for your art work too, though I doubt I could indulge in a painting of that quality. Many thanks.
This is great. Really nice sense of creativity and personality that comes through here. I don't really see why it's described as MCM in the lead-in. Is that what it becomes just because of the Eames chair?
Love: Coffee table(s), sofa (really works), Hall table, Metal sideboard, pull-up bar, KITCHEN ISLAND!
Not So Much: Shelving in the main room is a bit 'nick-nack'y: I would have preferred to see them full of books to add more weight to the overall area. Right now with the spindly Eames chair and thin shelving it all just seems a little rickety; Wish he'd done more with the outdoor area, which looks to have BRILLIANT potential; the TV doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the style; The plants don't seem to have a lot of personality - I'm not a big fan of greenery that's 'architectural' only.
Regardless, I still really like this tour, and this place.
Job well done! Simplistic in design and functional. A lot of emphasis on height, which is difficult to achieve. Love the shopping cart island, artwork, coffee tables, loft bedroom, furniture choices and bike "storage".
Personally not into Mr. T, but then not into Warhol's Marilyn either, so go for it!
Response to adamliaw: I have a feeling the shelves are not thin as appears, but if are, may sag under weight of heavy books. Placing the tall cacti next to shelves would give a sense of height. On the flip side, placement of "stuff" to symmetrical for me.
And, every home needs live plants, so make it architectural!
Tv area seems clustered but could have been just the pic.
Your mom gave you the best advice ever!
Awesome desk idea using shelving and I love the puzzle table.
Love it!! That elfa shelving is exactly what I have been looking for for my room! And the Ikea mirror, I love it. Thanks for the inspiration!
I really enjoyed every posted picture. Thanks for sharing them!
Wow, love the artwork and the creativity all around the place!