Name: Vanessa Jeschke
Location: Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA
Size: 1,000 square feet, 2 bedroom
Years lived in: 3.5 months
We discovered the home of Apartment Therapy reader Vanessa on Flickr, and approached her about doing a house tour. Her clean aesthetic with careful attention to detail and cheerful vignettes throughout her home called out to us immediately. She was in the process of moving when we spoke to her in November, and promised to let us in once she was settled. Much to our delight, Vanessa has speedily made herself at home and is opening it up to her fellow readers!
It's not really much of a surprise that Vanessa was able to put her home together so beautifully so quickly after moving--she's a graphic designer with a keen sense of balance and detail. Originally from Portland, OR, she made a stop in Seattle before finally ending up in the Bay Area three years ago. She has settled in with her dog and roommate, and quickly made their new apartment their own. Take a look at the beautiful balance of minimalism with "real life," the soft but deliberate colors, and the cheerful vignettes filled with personality.
AT Survey:
My/Our style: Clean simple lines. Comfortable. Timeless. Modern. Color.
Inspiration: I am inspired by the urban neighborhoods that I have lived in, both in the northwest, and here in Oakland. The way that the new is layered on top of old is such an interesting aesthetic to me. Ultra modern buildings right alongside ornate pre-war structures; and the way that is is all so organic and slowly and contently evolving into something new, driven by the changing needs and lifestyles of the people living there. My training in graphic design is also a huge influence. All of the key elements of design—color, balance, scale, etc—apply no matter the application.
Favorite Element: The french doors and windows.
Biggest Challenge: Aside from everything that goes along with renting and being on a budget (the inability to paint or change fixtures and such) this was a single family home that has been divided into a duplex. As a result, the bedrooms are huge, and the other rooms are small and oddly shaped.
What Friends Say: : Mostly that my is very "Vanessa". I take that as a complement. I hope that people feel comfortable and welcome in my home.
Biggest Embarrassment: Lack of frames for the art.
Proudest DIY: I make a lot of stuff, most of it ends up being forced onto my friends and family in the form of "gifts". One of my goals is to have more handmade in my home.
Biggest Indulgence: I would say the Eames chairs, but they were gifts. I actually take a lot of pride in my thriftiness.
Best advice: Only bring things into your home that you love. Don't worry so much if something "matches". By choosing things that you truly love, your personal taste and style with show, and everything will have a since of "going" together.
Dream source: DWR, Craigslist, a local shop that sales vintage danish imports klassik by lynne, design public, velocity art and design.
Resources:
Living Room
Art: Poster from exhibit at SF MoMa.
Couch: Urban Outfitters
Pillows: Matte Stephens, Chris Bettig, Lotta Jansdotter
Coffee table: Urban Outfitters
Lamp: Ikea
TV Stand: Danish Mid Century Accent table from Cragslist.
Bathroom
Art: Photography: my own
Travel Post Cards: Urban Outfitters
Shower curtains: CB2
Bath Mat: CB2
Bedroom
Art: Sky Poster: from exhibit ad SF MoMa, Tiki Print: gift from Tim Oakley, Blue Triptych: my own painting, Boy and Girl print: from Etsy
Bed: Craiglist for $50. A simple mid-century teak platform, this is one of my favorite finds.
Bedding: West Elm, Ikea
Bedside table: Ikea (As-Is section)
Lamps: bedside lamp from a local shop, Klassik By Lynne
Desk: Craigs list, Free with purchase of sewing machine.
White Chair: DWR, gifted.
Black Chair: Street find, painted and re-covered.
Hallway
Art: Poster: Jennifer Morla, Photography: my own
Chair: DWR, gifted.
Entry
Poster: Ames Bros
Photography: my own
Dining Room
Art: Victoria Smith, Village, Ryan Jacob Smith, Imeus Design, Lisa Congdon, Yoshitomo Nara (postcards).
Table: Ikea
Chairs: Craigslist
Lounge Chair: EQ3
Credenza: Craigslist
Cart: Ikea
Radio: Target
Place mates: Matte Stephens
Kitchen
Art: sandra juto, Nikki McClure
Pot and Dish Racks: Ikea
(Thanks, Vanessa!)
Images: Vanessa Jeschke
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I love your yellow nightstand! Is it refurbished piece with the drawer taken out, or was it made that way? I just found a yellow shelf that I wanted to use as my nightstand, but it's super expensive. If yours is refurbished maybe I can copy you!
Anyway--cute place! Very airy and simple and pretty. I like.
Love the bicycle wheels and the row of little frames in the bathroom
Cute place (love the photos above the bed and sofa) but in my opinion this is one of those house tours that is WAY too heavy on the closeups and 'vignettes'.
Too cool.
The house is cute, but I agree these tours are getting crazy with the extreme close-ups. I had a giggle with the jar of buttons. Was that meant to signify something?
I mean, the pattern of the shower curtain? A little windowsill statue? A towel ring? Three pictures in increasingly close range of.... paintbrushes on a desk?
Please just show us the house!
The "Keep Calm" poster AND the "For Like Ever" poster in the same room? Oh jeez.....prepare for the deluge.
That said, I am glad to finally see that Urban Outfitters in more detail. And the coffee table, too.
i love that little print of the espresso makers on your fridge and the throw on your couch. where are they from?
First: kudos to Vanessa. Great job on the apartment. But I have to say the photographer didn't do you any favors. A blurry close-up of the shower curtain?! I know a lot of people would love to work for AT and this type of photography just doesn't show the the place to its full advantage. By the way, the photos aren't arty or avant garde. They're just frustrating!!!! Thanks again to Vanessa for sharing her beautiful home and pitch perfect sense of style.
BlackFrancine, I think that the yellow table is from Ikea, it is the Trollsta table.
Such a cute home! I wish I could move in! Love the bedside table lamp and the wall mounted dish drainer. Can you tell me where you got them? Thanks!
Agree totally with Sharpette. I am so tired of excessive vignettes on this site. I don't need to see someone's cute charming "finds" up-close (and in such large number) to get that they have good taste. And they do nothing to give me a sense of how a room hangs together overall.
There are some nice things going on here...but for the most part I was distracted by all the Dunnys and some of the art being hung too high. I won't even comment on the two Posters That Shall Not Be Named.
Thanks, suzy8track! I'm a girl of simple means: Ikea still impresses me.
vanessa here,
I am the one responsible for the photos, and I had the choice of a 50mm lens (not great for wide shots) or a rather crappy point and shoot. I think that Jessica decided to show more of the nicer/bright shots from 50mm lens. You can see more wide angle shots here on flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21169071@N00/sets/72157613250722511/
To answer a few questions:
1) Yellow table is Ikea.
2) espresso makers print on the fridge is Sandra Juto, and the throw on the couch is from DWR.
3) bedside lamp is from local store Klassik By Lynne and the dish racks are Ikea.
thank you all for the complementary words.
yay for kidRobot <3
Love the Frank Kozik pieces and your moppy little dog! Great house overall, and in the up-and-coming Lake Merritt area, too. And now... a question. Is Klassik by Lynne as pricey as I fear? In other words, when I finally make it there, should I resign myself to coveting things I can't afford?
I agree--way too many close-ups of stuff! Also, why no photos of the favorite French doors?
Hurray for your SF 2012 poster! I have the same one! Love the apartment, too. Very clean look, great use of color without overwhelming the senses.
Great, simply laid-out apartment, but I must agree with the majority of commenters. A few two many close-ups... and I'd like to see those french doors.
Maybe we can see an update of your lovely home, Vanessa, if you decide to add to the decor, paint, or whathaveyou. :)
the worst photographed house tour i've seen. waaay too many distance and then close-up shots of stuff.
Need more shots of entire rooms as a whole... twas the same issue with that nice studio apartment from the other day!!!
I spy a Smorking Labbit and an anerable doggie! Lovely home.
Hello! I was wondering where you bought/who makes the clock on your bedside table? Also, the little man on the table is cute! Where is he from? Thanks!
rosenatti: prepare yourself for high prices at Klassik by Lynne, that is why it is on my "dream source" list. ;) But that shouldn't stop you from looking around. They do have warehouse sales form time to time, which is where I got the lamp.
jullietjuliet: the clock is a vintage thrift store find, and the little guy is from kidrobot.
I always love clutter-free apartments! Yay! One small suggestion? Do not keep that spikey snake plant in your bedroom, especially near your head. It goes by the nickname "Mother-in-law's Tongue", btw. In any case, it's not good feng shui in your bedroom. You want gentle yin curvy leaved plants if any.
Great place and cute doggie. Thanks for sharing.
Great tray under your toaster. I think I'll do that to make mine look less cluttery. I admire your editing eye and clean place.
love this space--simple and modern with personality and color! thanks for sharing :)
Nice cookbook collection!
Sorry to have to say this ... but ... terrible photography.
I LOVE the house tours on AT. But someone needs to edit the excessive pictures of tiny objects, that show no sense of the overall design in people's home. If this were a sight on photography, they'd be appropriate. But it's not.
No offense to her house tour.
relax, people... the owner has the right to show what he/she wants to show.
Beautiful place and I love your Discardian attitude! With "bring nothing into your home that you do not love" as a touchstone, I think the detail photos make absolute sense. (Don't let the snarking get you down. Some folks don't always remember that the web is made of people and that Apartment Therapy is about apartments first and foremost. I'm sure there are plenty of nice photo sites elsewhere for anyone requiring perfection in that department.)
Thank you for giving us such a personal tour of your lovely home and things! Very inspiring!
You must be one organized lady and your ability to edit is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
I would love to see the building. Lake Merritt -Oakland has wonderful architecture that inspires me greatly. I used to live on Grand Ave by the bike shop and Margie's Bridal store. Going for walks and just admiring the building would make me want to go home and re-decorate!
Back to your apartment, I really love the sewing area and your white and Yellow combo throughout! Your minimalist aesthetic is very fun. I love the yellow side table in your room. I always see at Ikea and have wondered how "one"could use it. You are giving me ideas! Oh , I live in Seattle now : )
Where can I purchase the SF 2012 poster?
Great Apartment!