A 450-Square-Foot San Francisco Studio Gets Great Lighting for Lots of Plants

Name: Lydia
Location: San Francisco
Type of home: Studio apartment
Size: 450 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I moved into my studio during the pandemic and wanted to create a creative and thriving space that was a living space, work space, hangout space, and art space in one. I had been looking at apartments online for nearly a year, and this 1927 building was the first and only one I looked at! From the south-facing windows to the French doors and beautiful high ceilings with crown moulding, I immediately fell in love.

Decoration-wise, I’ve focused on building a clean template with dark wood accents meant to be complemented by lots and lots of greenery! I love all my plants, and with the amount of sun the apartment was getting, loading up on them to make my own little mini jungle was a must. I’m also a big collector of vintage and antique items, so I’ve blended more contemporary items, such as the acrylic coffee table and black metal hanging lights, with tarnished brass vases and old textiles for a mix of old warmth and clean newness. I’m an apparel designer, so it was important to me to create a space I felt inspired by and could also work in. The apartment has a walk-in closet that I’ve fit my industrial sewing machine in, and I adapted my big maple work table with new legs to let it double as a work station as well as a dining and prep space.

I identify as a creative, and I feel like that definitely shows through with my love for the old masters. I’ve highlighted a lot of art and old painting books. Texture is so important to me, and I’ve blended that into my decor with different blanket types, antique hat hangings, and blending things like velvet pillows with linen bedsheets.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Contemporary antiquity jungle

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room (there’s only so many to choose from) is my main living area. I love how even in a smaller space I’ve been able to create several distinct zones that I can enjoy for different reasons, whether I want to lie in bed and nap, spread out on my couch to read and look out on the street below, or get some work done on my computer at my little bistro table corner. I’ve managed to fit many rooms into one!

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? My most recent addition is the bench in my dining nook that my friends were looking to get rid of for a while, so I was able to take it off their hands at the great price of free.

Any advice for creating a home you love? When you’re faced with filling up a new empty space and making it yours, don’t try to fill it all in at once. Get the basics down, and fill it with your own little findings over time. It’ll feel more personal that way!

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form