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SF House Call: Jill Pilotte of Small Stump

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She's a Jill-of-all-trades. She's an illustrator (she created the Sixty Forty Print Club, which splits its proceeds between the artist and a non-profit). She's a floral designer (it's in the genes — her mother, aunt, and uncle all had flower shops in her native Rhode Island). She's a small business owner (she runs Small Stump). She works at one of our favorite local shops (Rose and Radish). And Jill Pilotte also keeps a lovely home in Pacifica, which you can see more of below the jump.

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As the creative head of Rose and Radish, Jill manages the website and takes many of the photos for the store's online journal. She also helps come up with new show concepts and shape the overall feel of the installations. Last year, she scaled back her hours at the Hayes Valley shop in order to devote more time to Small Stump. "Now I feel like I have a great balance between my art and creating with a group of amazingly talented ladies at Rose and Radish," she said.

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How would you describe your decorating style? I would describe my decorating style as constantly changing vignettes. I have lots of little collections of objects, but our house is really small and I don't like things super cluttered. So I make little displays and change them all the time — putting some things away for a bit and takingothers back out. I also like to have fresh flowers around so I will often group a display around some beautiful orange tulips or a chunk of bright green moss.

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Favorite spot in your home and why? My favorite spot in the house is at my old wooden dining table. It is a beautiful color and I just love the worn and imperfect surface. It's also one of the only places in the house that gets good light.

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What's on your nightstand? There's a lot on my nightstand since it's more like a night-bookshelf. There is a notebook and pencil for late night ideas, a pile of books I am trying to read, a pot of yellow tulips, clock, phone, and a picture of my mom.

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Current inspiration(s) for your work? It's pretty easy to see that a lot of my work is inspired by nature, but I also tend to think in themes. Coming up with ideas for show installations at Rose and Radish is really exciting. Since we create brand-new shows every few months, my brain becomes engrossed in the next theme, and that definitely runs off into my own artwork.

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Favorite childhood memento that's in your home? When I moved to the west coast I didn't really bring that much with me. I have a collection of Rhode Island state plates that are really special to me. I think of my family that I miss very much whenever I look at them.

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Biggest splurge? Our biggest splurge in the house was when we finally got rid of our two old futons last Christmas and bought a new couch. We got it at IKEA and I love it. It's the perfect size for two people and two dogs. And man it felt good to get rid of those lumpy futons.

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Best bargain in your home and where did you get it? My favorite bargain piece in the house is a little dark green typewriter table. I found it while thrifting in Reno with a friend and I especially love it because it reminds me of her. I think it came from Savers for $5.

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What's at the top of your list of things to buy next for your home? The next thing I'd love to get for the house is some new lighting. I want a nice bright task lamp for my new work table. We also have a pretty terrible fluorescent light in the kitchen that looks like a beer keg cut in half that has got to go. In fact all our ceiling lights are kind of boring and ugly, we hardly ever turn them on. For now, until we become rich, we'll ignore the overheads and continue to use a lot of low table lamps.

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Favorite local resources for furniture and accessories? I love going to the Alameda Flea Market. There is also a little strip of great vintage shops on Palmetto Avenue in Pacifica that I stop in at least once a month. And of course Rose and Radish!

Thanks for giving us a peek into your space, Jill!

(Pssst ... More photos of Jill's home — and her adorable pups — can be viewed in her Flickr set.)

Comments (38)

Where did you find these unfinished floating shelves???

posted by joebelt on 2008-03-04 14:33:03
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Dogs - so - cute!

posted by cakekick on 2008-03-04 14:35:47
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i like the idea of painting magazine holders to be a mini tryptich, and the cloudlike accent painted on the wall above

posted by jenny! on 2008-03-04 14:37:03
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wow. I love your space. In fact, my wife and I have an all exposed brick soft loft, and we're struggling with the idea of painting our entire place white. We love the look of white brick. That being said, did you do the painting yourself? If so, was it really difficult? We need inspiration and encouragement!!! Thanks.

posted by eddivegas on 2008-03-04 14:38:30
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So cute! I love the plate arrangement.. What kind of hardware did you use to hang those up?

posted by spaceagemouse on 2008-03-04 14:47:52
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I ADORE your home! Nothing is forced or too trendy. It feels welcoming, comfortable, and balanced. So, so lovely...

posted by Carmella on 2008-03-04 15:45:04
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hello, where is that sleek wooden lamp with the natural fabric shade from? the one in the pic next to the pink book.

thanks!

posted by auralay24 on 2008-03-04 16:54:13
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I'm envious of that crafting room. And the dog bed (and the dog) is to die for. I can't say that I'm wild over the empty frames, but to each her own.

posted by Erika in Seattle on 2008-03-04 17:57:03
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I'm thinking of that Ikea couch for my space! I have a fawn Malinois who sheds twice a year for six months.. .;) How does your couch hold up with your animal friends?

posted by summerinbrooklyn on 2008-03-04 18:18:41
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thanks for all your kind words about my little home! here's some answers...the floating shelves are the lack from ikea. we painted the brick ourselves- we used thick fluffy rollers and lots of primer! it is definitely a little more work than painting a flat wall but it is worth it. it makes the rooms seem larger and brighter instead of a dark little cave! the plates are hung with DISC adhesive hangers. my little wooden lamp is from ikea as well. i just finished re-doing my craft room so it is really amazing to have a devoted work space now. maybe not for everyone-but i love the shadows my empty frames make on the wall at night. and the couch has been great for us- the covers are washable! the dog hair is just something i have come to terms with because i love them so much. with a quick vacuum the couch cleans up very well. thanks again everybody!

posted by smallstump on 2008-03-04 20:46:17
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A very nice home - and wonderful photographs. Care to share some tips? The house has a very European look to it. Love Rose and Radish, too.

posted by DesignHole on 2008-03-04 21:23:49
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I love your home and am happy to see someone who admits ikea is a splurge!

thank you for sharing :)

posted by moni-ka in ky on 2008-03-04 21:24:29
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I love this! I love how most of the pieces are either Ikea, or Used! Your place is gorgeous, and it gives hope to us people who can't afford Herman Miller sofas

posted by chaseunchase on 2008-03-04 21:58:43
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i adore your place! and yes, it is nice to see someone who admits that ikea is a splurge...it's a splurge for me too.

love the little crocheted flowerpots on the windowsill. however, your best accessories are the dogs. SO cute :)
thanks for sharing! i'm inspired.

posted by leanne on 2008-03-04 22:14:51
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YEAH Little Rhody!

posted by ErMac on 2008-03-04 22:29:25
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I like the wispy little tree on your floating shelf.

posted by lightspeed on 2008-03-04 22:57:27
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I have white painted brick throughout my office...the first room the contractors did, they had to put on 8 coats. EIGHT! The next time, I called Benjamin Moore to see what they recommended. There is a product (like a primer) that they use to seal the pores in brick and concrete before the paint is applied...it's a primer and a sealer in one. My tired head cannot recall the name right now, but it's worth contacting BM about! They told me to expect just 2 coats of paint after the prime coat. Hope that helps.

posted by rusholme on 2008-03-04 23:30:41
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lovely home!

where did you get that branch/tree on your floating shelves?

ps - i bought some livingstones from rose and radish couple weeks ago, love them!

posted by samuelc on 2008-03-05 02:15:49
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All of my previous living spaces have been too small to have my sewing/crafting stuff in any kind of organized shape. Oh! It breaks my heart, the kind of fabric and thread I've had to get rid of over the last several years. I'm pretty good about purging stuff I don't use/have used most of, but it's becoming more and more important to me to make sure that my next living space has a suitable "craft area." It's encouraging to see that you -- and other folks featured here -- give more than the lower two shelves in a closet to this!

posted by artsandletters on 2008-03-05 05:22:23
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i like your house jill. i like it a lot. everything looks cozy, comfortable and well put together.

posted by SD913 on 2008-03-05 08:55:26
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So sweet.

I like the simplicity perked up with natural flair. And I like the use of style rather than trend. Love the workspace.

I want to live like that, but sub out the dogs for two toddlers.

posted by rosy on 2008-03-05 09:44:51
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I love your place AND your doggies! It looks so clean and organized, but also very cozy. You've done a great job of mixing beautiful, comfy fabrics with clean surfaces.
Did you make the knitted plant cozies yourself? They're adorable, and go so well with your style.

posted by mollybb on 2008-03-05 10:12:29
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I love everything about this. Your home is gorgeous, Jill!

I especially like the plant cozies, too. I assume its just like a tiny knitted hat thats then felted a bit? They are really adorable.

posted by suziegoombs on 2008-03-05 10:49:01
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What a wonderful environment. The exterior of your home is also quite lovely, with it's chartreuse trim and accents.

posted by karyn on 2008-03-05 11:19:28
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thanks again everyone! yes- i'll admit...the ikea couch was a splurge for us :)
i made the little tree on my shelf by drilling out a slice of log and glueing in a small branch of manzanita. the felt pods on my shelf were made by tara at project felt (check out her etsy shop!)
oh samuelc you are so lucky! the livingstones are one of my favorite designs at rose and radish but i could never have them with my dogs! they would think they were giant chew toys.
yes i think the dogs are the best part of the house too!

posted by smallstump on 2008-03-05 11:28:24
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I have a typewriter table just like Jill's! I love it so much. Jil's home is so happy and sunny, I'm loving the blanket on her bed.

posted by CarolinaEclectic on 2008-03-05 11:40:22
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this is place is super cute! i love it!

anyone know where the orange and white rug in the craft room is from? i would love one for my kitchen!

posted by commandQcommandZ on 2008-03-08 01:30:06
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Wow- this is probably one of my fav places I've seen in Apt Therapy! Your area rugs are awesome! It's so hard to find nice ones- they are all so "carpet-y". Thanks for the inspiration!

posted by Deidre88 on 2008-03-08 09:11:30
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Which Ikea couch is that? Your place is so nice.

posted by Simpson on 2008-03-14 12:27:52
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I love your home!

The rug in the photo with your computer is perfect- I've been looking for something that's simple like that but have yet to find it. Do you know what brand it is or where it came from?

posted by Erin Lang Norris/Yellow Canoe on 2008-04-05 11:04:41
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Enough money to buy an expensive iMac, but no comfortable, ergonomic workplace. Get your priorities right.

posted by Clap on 2008-04-10 14:38:11
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hey erin- that is a little throw rug from urban outfitters, its great because i can throw it in the washing machine when my dogs get it muddy:)
and my workspace is a work in progress clap, thanks for the nice suggestion though.

posted by smallstump on 2008-04-11 01:25:55
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the empty frames work beautifully here!

posted by *heather leaf* on 2008-04-11 19:04:42
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oops, and the sewing thread organizer is great atop the unit! i keep my sewing machine out as well. i love looking at it. now if only i'd get to work on the projects i've collected in my mind!

posted by *heather leaf* on 2008-04-11 19:06:51
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You have such a great sense of placement its an art form..lovely pad. Love your dogs so darn cute.

posted by LoriSF on 2008-04-24 12:15:47
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One comment always have the seam of the lamp shade facing the back..sorry its the ONLY thing I saw otherwise I love love your place, you have talent. Where did you get that great orange mobile bookcase in your craft room. Radish and Rose always has great fixtures.

posted by LoriSF on 2008-04-24 12:26:54
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do you know the name of that Ikea couch?

posted by kmacp on 2008-04-25 23:08:41
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Jill,
I Love your home!
I am a location scout in the Bay Area. I am always looking for great decorating stories for Better Homes & Gardens, Decorating Magazine, Home Magazine, Creative Home, amongst others. I would love the opportunity to submit your home to a couple magazines. Might you be interested in possibly being published? Feel free to contact me if you would like to hear a little more about it.
Thanks! Sarah Alba albaworks@gmail.com

posted by Sarah Alba on 2008-06-20 19:12:24
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