Amy’s Light & Bright Small Space

Name: Amy Yvonne Yu
Location: Downtown, San Francisco, California
Size: 400 square feet
Years lived in: 4 years; Rented

Amy lives downtown in the bustling hub of the city, and her innate energy and enthusiasm are a perfect match for her surroundings. As an art buyer, producer and creative consultant (she works with the Selby), her artistic eye and ability to edit carefully shines through in her space.

The things that do make the final cut? Original art, mementos from past projects and photo shoots, and furniture that does double duty as storage. Her space, in fact, is packed with smart storage solutions. Her office is contained in a Armoire just off the kitchen, and her coffee table hides away extras, including her yoga mat. She has also installed shelves along the ceiling on one side of the main living area to house her books, and her closet shelves extend to the ceiling and are filled with coordinating storage bins.

It’s also worth mentioning that Amy is funny, infectiously enthusiastic, and has managed to toilet train her cat, a la Meet the Parents. This is a fact that I can attest to, as I happened to witness it personally.

My Style: Simple. Classic. But very personal.

Inspiration: I am very visually inspired by everything — things I see on a daily basis whereever I am. I would say my Pinterest boards are pretty good sources of inspiration as well.

Favorite Element: Original artwork I have collected throughout the years.

Biggest Challenge: Size! I have a small studio, so finding space for everything is always the biggest challenge. I also try to buy things that are multifunctional.

What Friends Say: That I am a neat freak. I did toilet train my cat so I don’t have to have a litter box.

Proudest DIY: The extra shelf I made on the top left side of my walk in closet so I have more storage space.

Biggest Indulgence: Original art work.

Best Advice: You should buy things that you love.

Dream Sources: ABC Carpet and Home in New York.

• Kelly-Moore Frost all over the apartment.

• Tiffany Bozic “Insecurity” acrylic on wood 2003

• Kate Powers “Edda” (woman on beach)
• Chloe Aftel lavender fashion print
• Kelly Tunstall “Blush” acrylic on canvas age 23: she doesn’t date her pieces, but does it by her age at the time

• Tiffany Bozic commissioned painting (blue floral) acrylic on wood 2003
• Amy Sol “The Tumbling”watercolor and guache on paper 2008
• Tiffany Bozic “The Dancer” acrylic on wood 2003
• Anthropologie Edo curtain (which is hiding the other door to my walk in closet)
• Mexican rustic night stands that are acting as end tables and trunk that also acts as my coffee table & storage (books, yoga mat, etc.)
• Fresh Sugar Lychee candle

• IKEA computer armoir
• I chose to not have a dining area as I have a small space so I’d rather eat on my coffee table and use this as my office instead. This is especially crucial now that I work from home.

• Roost wooden stag head
• Larissa Martin painting (smaller one) bought at a benefit for the Indonesian earthquake
• Kurt Halsey Frederiksen “No Matter” drawing on paper 2012
• Various trinkets from shoots I have done throughout the years. The Selby heavy right now. That snowman I made for a stop motion music video I was pitching.
• Danny Roberts “My Girl Wears Chanel” print: trust me, if he sold originals I would buy one.

Thanks, Amy!

(Images: Kim Lucian)

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