This 550-Square-Foot Studio Is on the Top Floor of a San Francisco Victorian

Name: Courtney McGregor
Location: San Francisco, California
Type of home: Studio Apartment
Size: 550 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 live in a studio nestled on the top floor of an old San Francisco Victorian.

The kitchen is no wider than my arms can spread, but is character rich, with wood shelving painted pale blue. Typical to old homes, the bathroom is separated into a water closet.

The character of the space is what drew me in, and made me want to live here.

A little bit about me: I am 23 and new to the San Francisco area! I recently moved to the city from the East Coast.

I really wanted the space to feel like me while also honoring my budget, so I took time finding furniture from flea markets, Facebook, yard sales, etc.

When I look around my apartment everything has a little story behind it, and represents a piece of me. I personally love dramatic contrasts, so I decided to paint a super moody color on one of the walls.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Minimalistic moody studio with vintage inspiration

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite spot is the desk nook! I got the oak desk and chair from two different Facebook sellers and they happen to go perfectly together. The desk chair was broken when I bought it but my dad helped me fix it.

The sun tends to show this nook a lot of love during the day (hence the happy snake plants), and in the evenings when the sun sets there is no beating the views.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The teak coffee table was one of my latest and favorite finds. I bought it before I moved to San Francisco from someone in New York who had gotten it when he lived in Thailand. You could tell the piece meant a lot to him, which made it all the more meaningful to me.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Don’t rush to furnish your home as soon as you move in! You should take time to find pieces that bring meaning and value to your space.

I personally love things with a story and history behind them, so I prefer secondhand.

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