(Out in the Bay Area, where it's real sunny right now, Leslie takes us on a house tour. Comment away.)
Heather had specific things that she was looking for in a home: Two bedrooms, natural light, a cross-breeze, a window in the bathroom, a gas range, washer/dryer, parking. She didnt prioritize; all of these things were non-negotiable.
What she found was an 850-square foot, two-story condo built in the 1980s. She looked beyond the pastel paint colors, gray ceilings, slippery gray polyester carpeting, fussy blinds, and artificial plants, and saw the place where she wanted to live. Heathers new neighbors were surprised that she renovated right after the seller had done his own renovations. Her friends were not.
A year and a half later, Heathers condo is a sunny, quiet oasis in the middle of busy Mission Dolores. There are warm hardwood floors. The ceilings are creamy white. Dated, rounded skylights have been replaced with contemporary ones, and light streams through them and the sliding glass doors that look out onto a garden space and deck, and beyond, a grassy common area for all 10 units.
Heather moved to what she describes as an edgy, culturally mixed neighborhood because she liked its location and its ambience. Her neighbors are stay-at-home writers and artists. Its a short walk to BART or Muni, or to trendy Hayes Valley, the hip Mission, the Castro, or downtown Market Street. She also likes that her house is located in what many consider the gourmet center of San Francisco. Oh, and of course, she is in the Sunbelt. Other residents of the City covet her lack of fog.
One thing the previous owner did do right was replace the existing kitchen with Ikea cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. He also removed the ladder leading up to a loft space, currently used for storage, and installed a stairway. While her neighbors use their lofts as offices, Heather turned one of the bedrooms into an office so she can look outside while she works. Future projects include making the loft into a guest room.
Heather lives somewhat minimally, yet comfortably. She says that she doesnt have a lot of stuff because she has moved so many times. There is original art hanging on the walls, a few plants, some books, but the lack of clutter is refreshing. The living room, with its neutral walls, bamboo blinds, and funky fireplace, is a comfortable place to relax.
Downstairs, the bedroom and office are clutter-free. The walls are painted a calm sage, the drapes made from fabric found at the Design Center. Coir carpeting, surprisingly soft, covers the floors. Closets were built out in both rooms, Elfa shelving was installed, and a stacked washer/dryer is hidden behind the white doors.
Guests who visit Heather remark on the comfortable, soothing feel of her home. They frequently tell her they want to move in and stay a while. She knows how lucky she is to have found the perfect place to retreat at the end of the day. - Leslie
Very nice! What kind of woodstove is that in the living room corner?
using the loft as a guest room sounds perfect. i'm very curious about the garden space, deck, and grassy common area...what a huge draw that is.
This is one great place, very spacious, the way you have it designed/decorated. Really great!! Can I steal your chairs? Are they west elm?
Love it! It as a great feeling. I want to be there. I wonder what the seller had done besides the kitchen. I love the draperies in the office and the white botanical pillow sham on the bed. May I ask where you got them?
You have done a splendid job of making this space exceptionally enticing , warm, and inviting. The lack of clutter is Bliss for the eyes and your sense of space, light and color is most refreshing......
It has been delightful viewing your images, Heather.......
Excellent work as always; we cant wait for the full-blown San Francisco edition.
And thank you for dropping the "Golden Gate City reference! If you really want to sound like you know the city, try using Baghdad by the Bay (seriously).
Two thumbs up on Heather's hideaway! Being all too familiar with the 80s Condo look, I'm really impressed with how a good floor and the right paint and curtains changes the feel.
Ah, Baghdad by the Bay... RIP Herb Caen.
Nice space, it seems very serene. I especially like the bed/side tables/lamp combo (is that the Orly Lamp from C&B?). Being in the Sunbelt is no small thing. I used to work on the sunny side of Potrero Hill and I was a much happier person those 9 foggy months of the year because of it.
There is something funky with the slideshow, it won't let me go at my own pace so I have to keep pausing it on every screen.
kyra, click on the thumbnail link, then click on any picture. You will then be able to move the the next or previous pic at your own pace by pressing the right or left arrow key.
P.s. I like what Heather did to her condo and also like Leslie's post.
love those green curtains with the matching pillow in the bedroom! i must say, being in nyc, it was really nice to look out on your outdoor space and see such an abundance of beautiful green color in the trees! really nice space: modern, clean, and looks really comfortable as well.
Beautiful. I love the kitchen we have selected the same cabinets for our upcoming project in SF.
Did you get them installed? Or were they already installed.
Also I really like the 2 pictures over the sofa.
So fresh. Love the scale/size/shape of the bedside tables. An unusual choice that works. Lots of things to like here. Nice place, nice post.
Also seems a great background to introduce new things to, seasonally.
This is an absolutely wonderful place. Excellent light, furnishings - wonderful taste.
Inspiring and clean, clean, clean.
What color paint is that in the bedroom?
what is the fabric for the bedroom curtains and pillow? so great against the neutrals!
Where did you get the botanical sheets, they are wonderful!
Loved the slide show. Loved the bedroom color and the bed and bedside tables. I am amazed at how clutter free your desk area is!! I, sadly, am a clutter bug who has great difficulty throwing papers away as I'm afraid I'll need them.
Overall I love your little place it is warm and cozy. Kudos!
Great space! I'd want to move in, too.
Where did you find the bedside tables? They are what I've been looking for.
Thanks
Thanks, everyone, for the great comments! I've passed them on to Heather.
I tried to ask her about everything when I was there, so I could answer questions. Here are my notes:
Upstairs:
Walls: Pale Portobello/Kelly Moore
Ceilings: Swiss Coffee/Kelly Moore
Bamboo blinds: Smith & Noble
Silver pharmacy lamp: Room and Board
Chair: older, from defunct goodhome.com
Ottoman: Cost Plus World Market
Couch: Quatrine, SF
Coffee table: Ikea
Television Stand: CB2
Bar stools: West Elm
Paintings over sofa: Heather saw the artist's work at the Headlands Open Studios and commissioned the paintings
Wood stove: Was already in the condo
Kitchen cabinets: Ikea, installed by seller
Downstairs:
Walls: Sage/Kelly Moore (H. cannot recall exact color but will try to get it)
Desk: CB2
Bed: Crate & Barrel
Paintings over bed: Canvas Gallery, SF
Bedside tables: Crate & Barrel
Bedside lamps: Crate & Barrel
Botanical pillows: Kate Spade
White bedding: Bed Bath & Beyond
Curtain fabrics: Design Center, SF
The seller had actually installed the polyester gray carpeting, painted everything pastel, and had frou-frou blinds made, upon the suggestion of his real estate broker, while prepping the condo for sale.
If you have other questions, please ask away.
And not to rub it in, but I couldn't take photos of the lovely outdoor space because -- it was too sunny!
i'd love to know the name of that artist from the headlands open studio. any chance she'd share that?
thanks!
Love the bedroom!
Very nice! I especially like your bedroom!
Here are some more details from Heather:
What kind of woodstove? Dunno.
Office window coverings were made with fabric by Mokum Textiles out of New Zealand. It's called Partere Stripe, Artichoke.
Bedside Lamps are in fact Orly lamps from C&B.
Bedside Tables also from C&B, Lotus side tables.http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=982&f=3242&q=Lotus&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1
The paintings over the sofa were done by Jen Garrido, http://www.hangart.com/art/artist_directory/artist.cfm?ArtistId=223&st=1
Bedroom Paint is Kelly Moore Cypress (Leslie's note: I remember it being more green than it appears in these photos).
Bedroom window coverings/pillow are from fabric ordered through F.Schumacher & Co., called Harmon Manor II, Green.
This is such a crisp, fresh space - I covet it!
Great job, a very refreshing space - I really appreciate the spare, simple vibe and am impressed that it still looks like it would feel warm; not an easy achievement. Thanks for all of the details - Yay Leslie!
Tiny, TINY point... living room sofa needs a side table if space allows.
Actually just suggesting this cuz I love your taste in side tables, and want to see what you'd come up with! :)
A really nice place. I especially like the lime accents in the bedroom and the skylights.
Hey, can we make sure to get square footage on home tours and Inside/Outs?
I love the art work over your sofa! Chic Chic!
Looking forward to visiting S.F. again - haven't been since our honeymoon so it's time to return - San Francisco is a real gem!
very nice
I like the look...clean and tidy. Well done.
What a fresh, lovely & totally inviting space! It has such a happy vibe... I'm comin' over!
I love, love, love the bedroom curtains/pillow fabric. Now I just have to figure out how to get some without a designer!
where can i find the floor plan?
What an awesome place.
I have been in Heathers condo (I made the paintings over the couch) and the space it is sooooooo cute. It is a perfect SF place with a good, quite feeling. The location is great. It is definately like a little "hideaway". She has really made some nice choices.
I'm surprised the mercury glass lamps in the bedroom came from Crate & Barrel. They look just like the ones from Koo de Kir. In any case, excellent choice. And the paintings in the living room are awesome, too!
GREAT TASTE!!!!
weather looks good why don't you hang out your washing?
Looks really comfortable. I love those three pictures...
Cool design - and nice taste as well!
There's a nice plant on the picture... I enjoy using greenery for the design!