Alex & Zack’s Inspired Cole Valley Edwardian

Name: Alex Bronstad & Zack Suhadolnik
Location: Cole Valley; San Francisco, California
Size: 620 square feet
Years lived in: 4.5 years; Rented

Alex and Zack sit tucked against bright bay windows while I take photos of their place. They’re planning a summer road trip, a sort of wilderness sabbatical, and sketching floor plans of the camper they’ll call home. Their Cole Valley one-bedroom is home base for many weekend adventures, but for three months this summer they’ll be living out of the back of a truck. And if it’s anything like their apartment, it’ll be a spirited (albeit cozy) three months.

This sense of adventure and togetherness is rare among couples, and even rarer when it manifests as a balanced living space where both styles are present. Zack, a designer at Awasu and gifted painter, covers the walls with surreal and striking work. Alex, marketing director for Hello!Lucky Cards and perfector of workspaces, has assembled an impressive collection of flea market finds and furnishings. Together, they’ve taken an iconic San Francisco Edwardian and filled it with pieces from around the world. Because sometimes no matter how well-appointed your liquor cabinet or deep your pride for West Coast breweries, you still need a bottle of Laotian snake whisky.

If you take away anything from spending time with them, besides apartment envy, it’s the reassurance that you don’t have to decide between settling into a space or living out of a backpack. Instead, let your adventures inform your homequarters — build something you’re proud to call home after time spent on the road.

My Style: Constantly changing, but always some version of hipster chic.

Inspiration: 1960’s Palm Springs, Dieter Rams, Wes Anderson, and last, but not least, the great outdoors.

Favorite Element: We scored a top floor south-facing apartment—that vitamin D is our prize possession! The wood-burning fireplace and hardwood floors are close behind.

Biggest Challenge: Champagne taste on a beer budget.

What Friends Say: Feels like home.

Biggest Embarrassment: Kitchen tiles, and the light-saber ceiling light in our bedroom.

Proudest DIY: The office set-up. We painted the wall black, Put up a few cheeseboards-turned-shelves, and furnished it with an IKEA countertop.

Biggest Indulgence: The couch. It was a one off from an antique shop so we got a good deal, but still a relatively hefty purchase.

Best Advice: Less is more!

Dream Sources: Schoolhouse Electric, Modernica, Heath Ceramics, Jonathan Adler

• Metal Stools – vintage

• Couch – Harrington Galleries
• Coffee Table – craigslist
• Dining Table – craigslist (IKEA)
• Dining Chairs – Restoration Hardware
• Orange Chair – estate sale
• Eames Style Rocker – Onward
• Cowhide – vintage
• Arch Floor Lamp – Amazon
• Baskets – Schoolhouse Electric
• Mountain Print – Schoolhouse Electric
• Jackalope – Sweaty Taxidermy
• Bull Skull – Alameda Flea Market
• Mirror – IKEA

• Ferris Wheel – Anthropologie
• Ceramics – Jonathan Adler & vintage
• Large Print – Paxton Gate
• Small Print – Shepard Fairey

• Bedding – West Elm, Restoration Hardware, Chanee Viyaj Textiles
• Dresser – vintage
• Wood Sculpture – Probably our favorite item! Made by a friend (he did the couch sleeve too)

• Chairs – vintage
• Desk – IKEA hack
• Shelves – CB2
• Square Print – Curiot
• B&W Photo – Black Bronstad
• Painting – Zack

Thanks, Alex & Zack!

• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE: Check out past house tours here.
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.

Follow Apartment Therapy’s board House Tours Apartment Therapy on Pinterest.

Updated daily with fresh tours full of photos for you to pin & enjoy!