An Architect Uses Color in Fresh Ways in This San Fran Home
Anand Sheth has been renting this 1800-square-foot San Francisco home for 12 years, and shares it with dog, Gilligan: I am an architect and interior designer based in San Francisco with satellite offices in Echo Park, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn, NYC. My San Francisco office is located in a converted bedroom in my home. I focus on hospitality projects (restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels), single-family residential, workplace, and wellness (gym, mental health clinic) projects.
I moved into this apartment with roommates in 2011, right after graduating from architecture undergrad at California College of the Arts. Over 11 years I lived with roommates, friends, exes, strangers, a typical San Francisco house share story. And in 2021 I took the flat over and set up the studio for my then-new business.
I am a first-generation Indian American; my parents immigrated to California before I was born. I grew up in Lawndale, a small town in LA county. My childhood home was very utilitarian; we focused primarily on function and rarely changed anything aesthetically. Moving to San Francisco at a young age led me into dozens of apartments and house shares, where everything was designed-by-committee.
I never fully expressed myself in an apartment until I took over my flat — I began increasing the saturation of paint colors, and refinishing interior materials like hardwood floors, light fixtures, appliances, tiles, etc. Everything in my home has a little story. I rarely purchase something from a big-box store; the pieces you find in my home that are from major retailers are leftovers from past roommates or previous projects.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or fewer: Collected, storied, immersive, productive, experimental.
What is your favorite room and why? The attic guest bedroom is enchanting and charming. The ship’s ladder makes access difficult, but once you are up there it’s super dreamy and private. It has a custom operable bookshelf my friends built for me in indigo plywood. Sometimes I sleep up here to feel like I’m on a mini vacation.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? A bed frame from Four Hands.
I finally have an adult bed! I searched for something in my price range that felt unique and had some exposed structure with an upholstered headboard you can rest on and read a book.
Any advice for creating a home you love? Remember nothing is permanent. That’s a good and a bad thing, but more importantly it’s a reality. Bad things happen when you ignore reality.
This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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