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A Colorful, Eclectic, Maximalist Small/Cool Space

Name: Laura Buitrago

Blog or website: https://laurabuitrago.com/

Instagram: @l_p_sf

Size: 675 sq ft

Home type: Apartment

Location: San Francisco, CA

Years lived in: 2 years, rented

Household: No one

Have any design professionals worked on this space: No


How did you use color in your space? I love bright colors! Especially in art so I’ve tried to keep some elements neutral to balance things out. I also use colorful lights pretty extensively including some neon I made myself.

Describe your space:

Nothing in this place was particularly planned. I just bring home things that I love and I LOVE a DIY project. About half of my furniture is secondhand - some from local family and some from friends and Nextdoor. I love art. The art ranges from my own, my family’s, local artists, or art bought on my travels. When I moved in two years ago it was the light I fell in love with and the way I can make the two main rooms feel like one room but still be able to close them off when needed. I think the biggest testament to how cool my place is is that I’ve been here all year and I still love it so much.

Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?

Yes! So many things! My most recent was reupholstering a storage ottoman I got off of Nextdoor. I also love the mud cloth I stretched on some canvas and the rug I hung up in the living room as art. I do a ton of DIY stuff and art including the pom pom tapestry on the door and many of the prints on the walls. During quarantine I added stick on wallpaper and flooring to the bathroom too.

How do you make your small space work for you and feel bigger than it really is?

Yes! My storage ottoman and the wall control pegboard for my printmaking supplies has been excellent lately.

How does your home reflect you?

I feel like it’s full of art from people and places I have loved - it’s bright and optimistic and a little bit crazy too.