Name: Melissa
Location: San Francisco
Size: 835 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 3
Melissa achieved her dream of city living by moving into her Cole Valley condo three years ago. Shortly afterwards, she started a slow but steady remodeling and decorating project, turning what had been a bland bachelor pad into a warm and stylish home. Unfortunately she won't be able to enjoy her hard work for long - the condo is currently on the market. So someone else will get to benefit from all of Melissa's hard work (you can find her listing agent's contact info below the jump.)
Says Melissa about her space: "I bought this condo about 3 years ago. I always wanted to live in the city and fell in love with Cole Valley. I bit the bullet and made the move from a 3 bedroom, 1,600 sq ft house in the suburbs to a 835 sq ft condo in the city.
I spent the next 3 years slowly but surely putting my personal stamp on this place. The condo is small, and as a former bachelor pad, it lacked character, but I knew I could make it my own.
I saved the toughest job for last - the kitchen remodel. In the middle of the remodel, I found I needed to move and decided to sell my place. The new owner is going to get a virgin kitchen. I haven't even used the oven yet!"
Want more information? Contact Melissa's listing agent:
Jeff Marples
jeff@jeffmarples.com
415.336.9695
The inspiration for my home: City living. I wanted something comfortable yet slightly glamorous since I think I live in one of the most glamorous cities in the world.
Favorite element: The fireplace. The mood and look drastically changed once I added that architectural element.
Biggest challenge in designing my home: Choosing the perfect shade of blue.
What friends say about my home: It’s very me.
Biggest embarrassment in my home: It used to be the kitchen before the remodel.
Proudest DIY: White mirror in the guest room. I found the frame for $10 at Goodwill and painted it white. I bought plexi mirror and had it cut down to size to fit the frame.
Biggest indulgence with respect to my home: My bedding. I spoil myself with 400 TC sheets and a very expensive down comforter.
Best advice given or received: Your home is your refuge. It nurtures and revitalizes you. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to create a beautiful, restful environment. By taking care of your home, you take care of yourself.
Dream source for stuff: Craigslist. I can always find something interesting at a bargain.
Resources:
Appliances:
Microwave – craigslist
Stove – Sears
Dishwasher - Sears
Hardware:
Kitchen pulls – Home Depot
Furniture:
Macy’s (couch)
IKEA (dining table, media console)
Craigslist (all mirrors, fireplace mantle)
Accessories:
Craigslist
Gifts from friends
Lighting:
Home Depot
Paint:
Behr Blue Cypress
Rugs and Carpets:
West Elm
Window Treatments:
IKEA
Beds:
Craigslist
Artwork:
Paul Norman
Gifts from friends
Thanks, Melissa!
(Editor's reminder: When leaving comments, play nice or you'll be asked to leave the sandbox.)
Do you have an idea for a house tour? Let us know! Email us:
sf (at) apartmenttherapy (dot) com
You got your living room lights from Home Depot? They're fantastic!!
view canadian_ginger's profile
Melissa, you have impeccable taste. I know this because it matches mine ;). Seriously though - that's a beautiful and peaceful home you've made there, and I hope you enjoy making your new home just as "you" as this one is.
view JR in Sweden's profile
Ooh, I am looking online at Macys.com and still can't find that great sectional of yours.
Do you know which model it was? Its exactly what I'm looking for myself.
Great pad - and I wish you luck on selling and your new pad.
view KG's profile
Very nice. I find calmness and ease the minimal look.
Nice livingroom wall color, it reminds me if BM's Palladian Blue.
Can you tell me where one can find plexi mirror?
view callbob's profile
*drool*
If I could afford the $679,000 I totally would buy your place! How does $500,000 sound???
I <3 cole valley...I'm right over the 17th street hill!
view kimbobo's profile
LOVE itall ( esp the fireplace-kudos) Except....
the 'IKEA' corner workstation takes away from the overall elegance!! sorry....and deep red/garnet tosses on the sofa would work to tie in the lully rug!!
view bgball's profile
Melissa, how you renovated your place is A-MAZ-ING! Your next place I'm sure will be just as wonderful since you have that natural ability to transform a home into a beautiful living space. I live in Orange County now but grew up just up the hill from Cole Valley off of Clayton. Love that neighborhood. Wish I could move back. Thanks for sharing photos of your place and good luck on your move! =)
view HulaGirl's profile
It's lovely, and should sell easily.
And how clever to use AT to increase your resale exposure!
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
Minor pick" I would have centered (and lowered) the sconces and mirror on the sofa, not on the wall. It would make the home office "zone" be more separate.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
That IS a great blue... what is it?
But, um, slight offense taken by the "bachelor pad = bland box" equation! ;)
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
Very lovely room. Nice job on the fireplace. I think I would have rotated the sectional sofa so that it's facing the window and fireplace, for more of a focal point, and also to give visual separation to your work space.
view nazrd's profile
A lovely homely tour. Thanks.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
Your living room looks a lot like ours. I was wondering if you could tell me the paint colors that you used in your living room and the rest of your apartment. I don't want to paint the entire apartment blue but I'm having problems finding a complementary colors. Thanks.
view nix's profile
i love craigslist shopping too. ur place is sophisticated and well put together.
view SD913's profile
Oh my gosh!!! You house is definitely on my top 5 list!!!! A- freakin'- mazing. I love the dining room... with the upholstered chairs! I love the upholstered headboard (next years big splurge! I'm dying for one from Z-Gallerie). The fire place is hot! The kitchen is neat and clean.... if only I had a high paying job and lived in San Fran!!! Well done and good luck getting a good sale.
X- Julia
view JuliaL's profile
It's beautiful, warm and inviting. I think you've done a wonderful job with scale and color. The blue is perfect.
view alitris's profile
The resources list is hard to read - I think the formatting got messed up, but doesn't it say that the paint is Behr Blue Cypress?
view ARC's profile
I sweat your house!
view Lettuce227's profile
Ah, yes, ARC, I missed the paint color. Thanks.
view patrick (the other one)'s profile