Alicia’s “Flea Market Faboosh”
Name: Alicia Peat
Location: San Francisco, California (Inner Richmond District)
Size: 1,000 square feet (2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms)
Years lived in: 3 years
Alicia tells us the story of her colorful San Francisco home in her own words: “My house. Even after 3 years, it is still pretty awesome to say ‘my house;’ as in I own it. I knew the moment I walked in that this was the place. I’m a big believer in ‘everything happens for a reason’ and purchasing this house was no exception. I moved in with this lofty idea that I’d have the place whipped into tip top shop in 3 months; however, I quickly realized I would need help.”
“I initially recruited my best friend, Jenika Kurtz, to help with the paint palette. Later Jenika helped with staging and arranging furniture. I asked my mother for help because she has amazing sewing and design abilities and completes projects in lightening speed. Furthermore, she is in the art world and supplied me with many of my art pieces.
With the help of my parents (beyond grateful for them), friends, and family, each room slowly came together. It’s been 3 years and the house is still evolving. I often seek out inspiration while visiting a new city or flipping through a decor book. As soon as I find inspiration in something new, I want to continue the process of designing my home.
I am very proud of how much of the design was DIY and how much my friends have influenced each room in their own way. I love that I was able to collect things for years, all the while knowing they would have a place someday. I have a funny quirk that whenever I travel I pick something up, whether it be a cheap postcard or print, a small piece of artwork or a photograph. I chose items that remind me that I’m blessed to have all that I have. When loved ones visit and enjoy all San Francisco has to offer and then come back to a colorful, relaxed house, I am reminded what this home is all about and what makes me happy.”
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: Flea Market Faboosh
Inspiration: The paint color in each room definitely inspired me to branch out. Color in general paired with patterns, flowers, and flower arrangements inspire me. There was always one element that I started with, such as a painting, a postcard, or bedding. From the inspiration item the rooms slowly evolved.
Favorite Element: The house was built just after the turn of the century; therefore, it is fitted with hardwood floors and pocket doors. I love my hardwood floors.
Biggest Challenge: The biggest challenge is defining the function of all the rooms and having NO closet space. Because it is an older home; unfortunately, the windows are inefficient.
What Friends Say: My friends say my house is very “me.” I believe this house and I were meant to have each other. My friends also love the colors.
Biggest Embarrassment: There once was a rat problem, but now the rats no longer trespass in the home. You could hear them at night and I’m sure my house guests were slightly alarmed, as was I!
Proudest DIY: I love my guest bedroom headboard that my mom and I made. Another product DIY project is my kitchen hutch. It was my Dad’s old TV/entertainment hutch.
Biggest Indulgence: How about the home itself?! Other than that, my biggest indulgence is my sofa, with back cushions re-upholstered in Tricia Guild fabric, and my TV.
Best advice: You can’t rush this process, trust me one day it will all come together.
Dream source: The Alameda and Sacramento, California, flea market. Heaven.
Resources of Note:
FURNITURE
- Craigslist
- Anthropologie
- Pottery Barn
- Ikea
- My Grandmother
- My parents Old Furniture
- Flea Markets
ACCESSORIES
Some of my accessories are flea market finds. I also do a lot of shopping all over San Francisco. Some of the stores I frequent often are Nest, Paxton Gate, and Molte Cose. I pick up accessories when traveling and make sure I always take home at least 1 object. Something as small as a postcard can have major inspiration!
LIGHTING
All purchased chandeliers are from E-bay and the remaining chandeliers came with the home. Most of the chandeliers are vintage.
PAINT
- Living Room and Guest Bedroom: Benjamin Moore Wales Green
- Master Bedroom and Bathroom: Benjamin Moore Tropicana Cabana
- Kitchen: Benjamin Moore Pale Iris
- Dining Room: Benjamin Moore Baby Chick
- Hallway: Benjamin Moore Pacific Ocean Blue
- Guest bathroom: Sherwin-Williams In the Pink
FLOORING
The hardwood flooring is original to the house. The kitchen flooring is linoleum and the bathroom flooring is white hex tiles.
RUGS & CARPETS
The dining room and guest bedroom rugs are Mary Kate & Ashley Olson. The living room and hallway rugs were purchased from Anthropologie. The master bedroom features a Gaiam recycled plastic reversible rug.
BEDS
My bed is a plush pillow top, the only way to go! My mom made the bed skirt in the master bedroom with fabric from Fabrix, a great discount fabric store on Clement Street and 2nd Avenue in San Francisco.
ARTWORK
Much of the artwork consists of pieces by family and friends. Also, I should note my mother has been in the art business for a while – lucky for me. The remaining artwork is John Ng, Holly Berry, D. Renee, Susan Hartenhoff, Raina Gentry, and Marylou Falstreau.
APPLIANCES
The refrigerator and stove are Kenmore.
WINDOW TREATMENTS
I envy my mother’s sewing skills: she is genius. I pick the fabric, she creates the vision. My mother made all the window treatments, except the living room. The living room window treatments were created by someone in Arizona.
The fabric was sourced from Tricia Guild and Fabrix. Tablecloths from Anthropologie make some of the best and most inexpensive fabric finds out there!
TILE & STONE
The only tile or stone is the white hex tile in the bathrooms.
HARDWARE
Most of the hardware is from Anthropologie or it was original to the house.
OTHER
My mother made the bathroom shower curtain with fabric from Urban Outfitters.
Thanks, Alicia!
Images: Alicia Peat
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