Tiffany's Tiny San Francisco Studio for Two
House Call

Name: Tiffany
Location: The Mission District, San Francisco

My boyfriend and I moved into this tiny studio apartment about five months ago. The overall style of the apartment is very much inspired by our jobs (which are conveniently located by our home). He works at Dog Eared Books, a used bookstore, and I work at Paxton Gate, a store that sells plants, taxidermy, and beautiful objects inspired by nature and science.

Needless to say, we're constantly bringing home things purchased from work. Every piece of furniture in the apartment with the exception of our bed and couch is second hand. Wine crates are our favorite thing to work with, and you'll find a whole lot of them scattered throughout. They're wonderfully versatile, and we're always able to find them for free at different wine companies in the city. The apartment itself is particularly narrow which has, for me, been the biggest obstacle to overcome, but I think we've found ourselves a comfortable layout... for the time being!

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Comments (36)

maybe it's just my computer...but i do not see any photos.

Same.

Of course you can't see any pictures. It's THAT tiny.

I can't see the photo either :/

sorry for the glitch - pics should be viewable now

cute!

i'm in love with that gramophone!

I'm in love with that giraffe!

Does this one have a home tour?

the first photo is so lovely!

It takes talent to work with such a tiny space! Wow!

I would love to see a floor plan/and or a full house tour for this one. It looks to be roughly the same size as my studio, and I'm very interested to see how everything fits together.

Where is the couch?

i adore paxton gate. and wine boxes.

Definitely need a floor plan to figure this one out!

I love the bookshelves, though! Very nice.

This is a lovely example of a well-designed studio.

Thanks, everyone! It was really tough to choose just five pictures to represent the apartment as a whole. There are a lot of things missing! For example, a large walk-in closet/studio, and a full kitchen and dining room (where the couch is!).

It looks very nice, but I would love a house tour.

You live in my favorite neighborhood in my favorite city, and work in one of my favorite stores. Cute place! Very creative set up.

ooh...you got me in the first pic! Use of colour is just dreamy!okay, now I'll check out the rest of the pics!

I know you didn't ask for suggestions, and I don't believe I've ever given it on AT, but here's my 2 cents anyway,....all those books?....well, since you have so many and are working with such a small space, they would look spectacular colour-grouped! Just try it and see what you think! Dea

Deanna, I've definitely been tempted to color group the books, but since our library is so vast, we have them categorized as they would be in a bookstore. It would be impossible to find a particular title, otherwise!

Hey, that's my bed! I'm probably moving into a 220 sq foot studio apartment (in Lynn MA, a block from the ocean and on the train line to Boston), and am hoping I can figure something out so I can keep my beloved memory foam mattress without having to resort to a loft bed.

I love the pendant lamp above the dining table, and the book storage!

Tiffany, are those wine crates? Or what do you have the books stored in?

You've inspired me. I never feel like I have enough room for all my books, but now I think I can find a way to cram them all in, somehow...

How can I possibly convey how absurdly happy it makes me that, even though you live in a tiny studio apartment, you have in it a ginormous paper mache (?) giraffe?

Yes, Kimberly! Half of the book storage is made up of about 14 stacked wine crates. The light in the kitchen is a jellyfish light made of cardboard that was laser cut by a friend of ours. The giraffe is indeed paper mache, made by the lovely artist Courtney Cerruti.

Tiffany your studio looks fantastic! And I am so glad you didn't put your books by color, what true book lover could do that? It's such a silly fad!
It was also a surprise and very cool to see someone I know featured on this site! I was hoping to spot some of your artwork. Terri

You can tell who reads their books and who just keeps some around as a design element. "Knew when to stop -- didn't cut the pages." (Fitzgerald, "The Great Gatsby.")

Or, just put white jackets on all the books -- then you REALLY wouldn't be able to find them to read! I was just in San Fran and SO happy to see all the small bookstores. Nice plants and plant holder too! Great color contrast!

I would like to see a house tour of this studio! I love how cozy and fun and lived-in this place looks. I'll be moving to a one-bedroom townhome with my daughter in March, and setting up the downstairs as my studio living area. I've been a little overwhelmed, but this studio has inspired me.

Love the character of your place. Not sure if you can do this but have you considered putting your awesome artifacts on wall shelves? Used Corbels made into shelves would keep the used furniture trend. It may free up some precious surface space and also bring the eye upward.

Where did you get that lampshade/swag lamp? in the last picture??? IT IS AMAZING!

Oh Tiffany! So cute! You would be our perfect client. We carry awesome vintage storage pieces. In fact, I see this one for your bathroom or kitchen in your future... :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79993383/clearance-sale-antique-hanging-curio

or this killer little box with drawer for your bedroom area:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80374429/antique-stationery-chest

Nice work with your space!
Amy

Ohmeursault, the lamp is laser cut cardboard jellyfish made by a friend of ours!

Woo , I love this studio so much !! Would you like to put more pics on the website?

Beautiful Space! Some places you see feel like home immediately.. that's the impression I got from your home..and also from my own of 6 months..a work in progress..and frustration!