Name: Jamie and Byron with Roux, Simone and Coco
Location: Cow Hollow — San Francisco, California
Size: 2,300 square feet
Years lived in: 1 — rented
We first saw Jamie and Byron's dining room in the 2011 room for color contest. Painted shades of grey, their apartment embodies a sense of mystery and glamour. Byron describes it as the canvas for Jamie's artworks, and they truly make a statement on these walls. Her whimsical pieces against the impressive grey walls create intriguing juxtaposition. Each room is a new exhibit, showcasing something curious and visually stimulating.
The combination of high ceilings, immaculately finished moldings, stately furniture and inspiring artwork in their beautifully refinished early 1900's apartment feels like something out of an old movie. Jamie and Byron have put great care into decorating their space, which is an ongoing endeavor, not to be rushed. Their design process involves Jamie initially coming up with different schemes for furniture layout and design. She sketches concepts and they discuss as a team. Decisions are made together and ideas continue to be generated throughout the process.
Jamie is an amazing artist. Her portraits of animals, collaged on the living room wall, are so magnificent, I couldn't help but think how cool that zebra would look in my own bedroom. The small office niche outside the dining room serves as Jamie's studio, which struck me as an interesting choice considering its size compared to the spare room. However, Jamie finds comfort in her little studio niche, as well as convenient access to the sink she uses for cleaning, and some of the best natural light in the house. This little corner at the heart of her home is where the creative process begins.
Jamie and Byron have created an environment that plays with scale to showcase the architecture as well as the art and little natural details woven throughout. I felt transported, immersed in the saturated walls. Their space exudes drama, beauty and elegance. It's completely breathtaking and dreamy in person.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: Modern traditional with an eclectic twist and a healthy dose of whimsy.
Inspiration: We find inspiration all over the place! It grows from those things that we love in life, such as gardening, plants, animals, history, travel, art, music, films, food, living, loving! We simply love to be surrounded by the things that we love. Particular inspirations over the past year while we were decorating the apartment include: plants and wildlife, French country décor, and a love for serendipitous surprises.
Favorite Element: We loved this apartment as soon as we saw it because it was such a huge contrast with the street life and feel of San Francisco — it made us feel like it was another world entirely, a European getaway with our own special flourishes.
Biggest Challenge: We like to take advantage of wall space and since we have a lot of it, it's been a bit of a challenge to fill it, where appropriate. We're in no rush to acquire artwork and objects, because we want to love everything that becomes a part of our life, but sometimes, bare walls can be sad walls!
What Friends Say: "It's like an art gallery!"
Biggest Embarrassment: We have two bedrooms we haven't really decorated or furnished yet, but more than that, while we love our three cats wholeheartedly, they are a constant source for clawed furniture, dozens of strangely abandoned cat toys, wild-west cat hair tumbleweeds, and the occasional accident. Cats will be cats!
Proudest DIY: We both really love the portrait that Jamie painted, which hangs above our dining table. It was lovingly made and is a truly unique addition to our home. It's our nerd flag!
Biggest Indulgence: The apartment itself is kind of an indulgence. Perhaps our giant entryway mirror framed with a beautifully old tin ceiling is our biggest indulgence.
Best Advice: Learn from others — start by flipping through books, catalogs and magazines to see what you like. Not only are these great sources for ideas, but they also let us communicate to each other about what we like and don't like, and why. To create a home we both really loved, we found our countless discussions of how to marry our tastes invaluable. PS Maxwell's outbox is genius.
Dream Sources: Flea markets, antique stores, estate sales...
Resources of Note:
ENTRY
- • Half Table: Craigslist
• Long Console: Pottery Barn
• Small Mirror: Antique
• Large Mirror: Big Daddies Antiques
LIVING ROOM
- • Animal Portraits: Miss Bojambo
• TV Cabinet: H.D. Buttercup
• Large Round Side Table: Big Daddies Antiques
• Small Bronze Side Table: Neiman Marcus
• Floor Lamp: DWR
• Love Chair: H.D. Buttercup
• Pouf: H.D. Buttercup
• Couch: H.D. Buttercup
• Sisal Rug: Pottery Barn
• Cat Tree: Hollywood Franklin
SITTING ROOM
- • Venetian Mirror: H.D. Buttercup
• Bookcases: Custom
• Leather Chairs: H.D. Buttercup
• Coffee Table: Big Daddies Antiques
• White Pouf: West Elm
• Sisal Rug: Pottery Barn
• Easel: Restoration Hardware
• Paper Sculptures: Miss Bojambo
DINING ROOM
- • Metal Cabinet: Big Daddies Antiques
• Dining Table + Chairs: H.D. Buttercup
• Lamps: Velocity Art and Design
• Credenza: Anthropologie
• Oil Portrait: Miss Bojambo
KITCHEN
- • Island: Crate and Barrel
BEDROOM
- • Bed: Anthropologie
• Side Tables: Antique
• Lamps: CB2
• Sisal Rug: Pottery Barn
CORNER OFFICE NICHE
- • Desk: Horchow
• Chair: Room and Board
Thanks, Jamie and Byron!
(Images: Lindsay Tella)
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Such empty bookshelves! But, I do love it - all that grey is very inspiring.
Oh, and beautiful cats.
Love the wall color.
The bookshelves make me sad.
Things that are truly awesome: the paintings! the cats! the furniture! the light fixtures!
But I am so darned bored of seeing gray paint these days. In this particular apartment I wish some of the walls were another color. The woodwork looks amazing but the walls -- cheer up a bit please! Another, warmer neutral, linen maybe, would make this feel a little less severe to my eye.
Wow. This is beautiful. Love the cats. maybe they don't have time to read what with all the art making?
Love those kitties.
love the animal art- but i dont like the painting in the cover photo. it creeped me out a litte. Overall this house is gorgeous- stop hating on the gray-grey.
I love gray and the cats are really hilarious, especially the portly one in #39.
@PARNASSUS - I get what you mean about the gray, but even with a cool linen tone, it's too close to white and burlap is too close to brown for me to like it on walls. Maybe it's because the entire house is gray, but I think a darker neutral like gray should be balanced with a lot more color. Their chairs are gray, their appliances are steel, the kitchen floors are gray..there's a lot of gray. Perhaps a little more moderation would sway you :)
I'm a SF native and I must say that these folks must do financially well to be able to RENT 2300 Sq. ft. of space in the Cow Hollow section of SF.
The home is beautiful but it doesn't look lived in to me; it looks more like a display home. I don't mind the grey - I think it's really pretty but I personally do perfer more color.
My favorite art is anthromorphic so I really like her art; especially the cheetah pic.
I was very much hoping to see more of this space after the contest! Oh my, it's wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with us.
grays are gorgeous in context with color of life in the apt! And grays do have color- sometimes red, green, blue, etc undertones. I'm sure this is lovely in person, too.
Do tell... what are these grays?? Oh, i hope you say Benjamin Moore color & low voc paints-- THAT would make the whole thing perfect. Some of my faves: Copley
This is a really elegant space and I really like it, the art is humorous, the bones of the place are stunning and I do like the decor, there's some gorgeous stuff in there.
If it were mine, I'd have to color it up a bit. I'd contrast the dining room walls at the top (a super-pale yellow maybe), I'd add a bright runner in the hall (bright red!) and the kitchen would get serious color filled accoutrements to zing it up a bit. And buy some books! But it is a beautiful home, very serene.
not sure why my comment was deleted... anywho, this is a gorgeous space and i would kill to live here. HOWEVER, the lack of books bothers me. why have bookshelves at all?
Don't mind me, I work in consumer product design and I have been using these grays since spring of 2004. I was officially beyond over gray by last year, but don't let me wreck your fun.
@Parnassus - what colors are you into now?
This is one of my favorites! I am usually all about color, but this is so indulgently moody. I would love to hang out here, and kick it with some poppy tea and Keats. Just one note: I know they are super cute, but don't let your kittehs take over the dining table! ;)
I love it! The whimsical art plus the grown-up gray palette gives the impression of children taking over their parents' house.
I remember this room from Room for Color. It was one of my favorites. I don't even care for gray walls, but I like the way they were used here.
I love all the woodwork and built-ins. And the artwork.
perfection.
I just painted the downstairs of my new construction several shades of gray (Behr Granite & Smoky Mountain) for the express purpose of having a neutral backdrop for a revolving wardrobe of colorful accents. They don't seem to be doing that here, but I totally "get" the all-gray interior. I think it has a little more presence than the ubiquitous off-whites and tans, so that's why I picked it. Plus I love how it pairs with a really wide variety of accent colors.
@DC_MOM for me it's all about caramel right now as the new neutral. I especially love it with celadon green and a purple-y taupe that I am calling pauple since no one wants to see the word 'nipple' referenced on design boards.
I can't believe no one has picked up on the fact that the painting over the dining room table is a replica of the Frida Kahlo and Diego Luna self portrait but of them!!….ITs genius and speaks volumes about their taste/personality. Kudos on the great idea.
The furnishings, architecture, moulding, windows of this place are beautiful! And as someone who absolutely loves grays, and has it in her own home, this is the first time where it's just too much. Maybe it's because it's all the same gray everywhere. If there were different shades of it, I think it would add more charm and flow to it. The shade and intensity of it just doesn't feel right to me.
Otherwise a very lovely home, love the floors too.
Frieda Kahlo and Diego Rivera (Diego Luna is an actor).
I didn't realize rentals could have such amazing kitchens! Lovely home. What is the kitchen backsplash? It looks like marble tile in a diamond pattern, but that could just be my dirty laptop screen :)
Did all the light fixtures come with the apartment? I am curious about the lovely ones hanging in the the living room....
And I gotta say, the little throw rug in the bedroom looked like a glass of milk spilled on the sisal, especially after the note about the kitty messes :) It made me look twice.
Great home & adorable kitties!
such a cat friendly house.. love it
Beautiful house, beautiful furniture - simply stunning. I couldn't help but get a bit distracted by the thought of how much money they must have to be able to afford such an amazing, large apartment in cow hollow but a year ago....
I really love the moody vibe with all of the grays used. But my favorite room has to be the dining room. I love the credenza, dining table & chairs, & the art.
I have been looking at the Anthropologie credenza for my joint living/dining area for extra storage. I saw something similar to this in a local vintage/antique shop a few months ago, but it was too wide for my space & had already sold. So finding something similar (but smaller) at Anthro was exciting, & seeing it in your space makes me want to order it ASAP.
Excellent job on your beautiful space.
I could totally live here, what with those animal portraits (I painted kooky animals on my living room wall too,), although I have to agree with the overkill with grey, I think in places like the kitchen I would have done a red or blue that was also dark and moody to keep the theme but warm it up? or maybe add those dark rich colours to fabrics and what not. Just me though.
i echo someone who commented above...love the moodiness of the grays. i've got gray on my kitchen walls and love it's richness. definitely must have a lot of light in this place to pull off all the gray tones. beautiful. do wish it looked a little more lived in though. ah, those empty bookshelves!
its not it's. lol.
Very nice. And all that space - makes my 927 square feet place look like a closet! I think the book shelves need a bit of dressing - books, plants, photos, knick-knacks, or whatever. Not packed and crammed, mind you, but some eye candy on those empty shelves. I see books in other areas of the home, so maybe the owners use Kindles or Nooks. Still, the bookshelves look a bit bare.
Love the cats! The big black and white baby is so cute, and I love the shiny sleekness of the black kitty.
I usually go for more of a cluttered and colorful house, but this is just beautiful. So peaceful, yet so fun and whimsical with the artwork. I love it!
i love the light fixtures & color of the whole place, it's elegant & calm- my one tiny quibble- i think the animal artwork in the living room would look even better clustered together a bit more, in an asymmetrical pattern. but that's just me.
@Parnassus: I hear you re: greys. Can you please recommend paint colours/brands in caramel? Also, any suggestions for accent colours to update beige (i.e. BM "desert tan")? I love your comments on AP and might be interested in hiring you for an online consultation if you do that kind of work. (I'm based in Vancouver, Canada.)
Very cool, love all your things. I also love all the gray, but perhaps a pop of color here and there would cheer things up a bit, like lavender or and amethyst. They tend too look great with gray.
Whoops - I meant AT.
Love the grey walls against the artwork www.sharedesign.com
Wonderful. If I had a kitchen like that, I would die happy. I love the mood you set with the grays.
What were the paint colors used?
This is truly stunning! It does feel very European and classic to me, but then you add the wonderful art and it becomes so fresh and modern at the same time. Well done!
2300 sq ft. in Cow Hollow. rented from one year ago. and all the high end furnishings.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!
it is nice, though... (and the paintings are awesome)
I'm a little depressed after looking at the photos. Too much gray. Love the color..but in every single room? And they live in SF? Love the bright artwork against the gray though. I would add more bright colors so that it would be less gloomy..but that's just me..to each their own. :)
I am curious what is actually done by the couple though since it is rented? Is it wrong to assume the floors, cabinets (kitchen and bath), and the white and black moldings were all done by the owners while the movable furnishings and possibly (perhaps not?) the paint on the walls done by the renters?
Don't get me wrong, it is furnished beautifully, I am just wondering what the couple actually did themselves besides their own personal furniture and paintings. Heck, with all the grey naysayers, we aren't even positive they actually painted everything grey themselves.
This is what I go to Apartment Therapy for -- original ideas. I liked the gray. I liked the art. I agree it was clear that the first picture was a la the Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera wedding picture. It must have been the marriage picture the resident artist painted to celebrate her own marriage. How nice.
I thought the apartment was serene, cerebral yet sensual. Good job. Let's not hate them because they have assets, visual and otherwise.
This apartment has gorgeous bones, but the relentlessness use of grey throughout felt oppressive to me (and I really like grey!). The kitchen seemed particularly cold, although aesthetically it is beautiful.
Grey is the 21 century perfect neutral. I love how it works with wood tones and also looks great with any pop of color you put next to it.
Those greys are very calming, and this place is beautiful. I like how the skirting boards are also painted grey, thus avoiding that 'iced cake' effect that you sometimes get with dark walls and bright white trim. I love the artwork, and the fact that the shelves are not burgeoning - as someone said, maybe they are Kindle users, or just not book hoarders
I love the grey (gray?)!! I wish the colors and brands of paint had been included
Serious kitchen envy here!
This home is very inspiring to me, I love the light fixtures, the calm, the different materials you combined and the cats, of course. The bedroom looks divine, so uncluttered and relaxing.
I miss the 3th cat, as the pics only show the black beauty and Mr. or Ms. Handsome in his/her tuxedo. If this would be my home I would remove the empty bookcases in the living room and enjoy the empty walls. Otherwise this home tour makes me want to try out grey in my pad, too.
Love the art. Apartment feels a little like it's out of the Restoration Hardware catalog.
Loving the grays.
Felines on the dining table? Not so much.
Although this is not at all my style, I was very drawn to this home. It is just lovely! Thanks for the tour.
I love the Frida Kahlo-inspired portrait. A genius appropriation! I may have to do one of me and my husband (I better do it soon as he has been working out more-he won't be very Diego Rivera-like soon!). Thanks for sharing.
It's a beautiful house. Kitties make it a beautiful home.
one of my favorites ever.
A lot of people wouldn't know what to do with 2300sq ft and this type of budget, but you guys really pulled it together well. You've got great style!
i love your home. and i don't like gray at all. but in your home, it's perfect. and as your home looks wonderfully like the couple who is lovingly putting it together, kudos. i don't hand them out lightly.... truly, it's magnificent.
I love the gray - very soothing. Your animal pictures (espec. the bear & fox) make me smile.. Please tell me you weren't deliberately matching your headband to your living room pillows ;) Those leather side chairs are amazing!! I couldn't find where you listed your paint source. Would you please provide? Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely home. How well does that cat tree work for large kitties? Been looking for one with a small footprint that isn't wobbly.
I love your fireplace with the venetian mirror over it. I've seen a lot of fireplaces w/ mirrors, but the venetian gives it the right touch.
The entry way mirror is amazing! If I could "pin" this whole house I would... AND the artwork is so fun and wonderful. You are definitely a very talented artist. I seriously love everything about this home...now off to imagine my house looking a little more like that one. LOL!
I love the entire space! Can you share the name and brand of the paint color please?
I normally dislike gray but here I'm finding it beautiful and ethereal. This is like being in a dream. I see some violet hints in these particular gray tones.
original and elegant. i love the negative spaces in the book cases.
This is the most AMAZING apartment. I can't believe all the woodwork, moldings, hardwood- it's incredible. Well done, you.
Oh I thought those were Ryan Berkley paintings... I guess she does animals in suits ALSO. Hm.
The animal portraits are really cute - and do you not think the black cat looks like the shadow of the white cat in the first pic? Identical poses!
Thank you for an exceptional house tour. I love everything about this space!
No white walls!!!!!!!! Bravo!
>>>"I'm a SF native and I must say that these folks must do financially well to be able to RENT 2300 Sq. ft. of space in the Cow Hollow section of SF. " <<<
since when are the financial means of people who graciously open their homes to the house tours on AT for all of us to ogle and give feedback--sometimes brutally so-- any of our concern?
THIS APARTMENT IS BOOTYLICIOUS. Easily, one of my favorite AT house tours ever. Love the color, love the character, love the cats, love the way it looks like it came out of a high end furniture catalog but still looks lived in. The art has so much to do with that (I have seen her paintings on Etsy before..going to check them out now). This apartment makes me want to be nicer to my house.
Although my personal style is a bit more modern and simple, this is the most care & time I've taken while looking through a house tour. I love the way the gray flows through the whole house, I don't agree with those that have said to add color. There's a reason that this moody color scheme speaks to both of you, it reflects your energy and the calm calling of the soul. Seeing color in your home I believe would be constantly distracting. I love the old world charm, and the way the natural pieces & elements balance the rooms from feeling too cold. The subtle details are so romantic, without being overly feminine.
It's beautiful. Great job.
Outstanding! Like a hazy, sophisticated grey dream world.
OMG. I'm so glad another commentator caught it. First you copy a Frida Kahlo painting (we'll let that slide, maybe you were being cute) but then you outright plagiarize Ryan Berkley's paintings (Google images people) and happily pass them off as your own in this piece. Quote"Jamie is an amazing artist. Her portraits of animals, collaged on the living room wall, are so magnificent". I'm sorry, but that doesn't make you an artist. It makes you a housewife who paints. Shame on you.
Bwahahahaha!! ^