Bridget's Lively, Vintage Space
Name: Bridget Wack
Instagram: @bridgetwack
Size: 520 square feet
Home type: Apartment
Location: San Francisco, CA
What you're looking at:
When I saw this 6-foot-by-4-foot portrait of an anonymous 1950s businessman on an online vintage store, I knew I had to have him. He is a great conversation starter (Who is he? No one knows!) and was my first foray into what some might call "strange" interior design. The rest of my gallery wall was built organically around this imposing frame -- collected here and there from family, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy. My two velvet sofas, also vintage finds, delineate the "living room" in my small studio; they're perfect for long conversations with friends and double as extra sleeping spots. (Image credit: Bridget Wack)When I saw this 6-foot-by-4-foot portrait of an anonymous 1950s businessman on an online vintage store, I knew I had to have him. He is a great conversation starter (Who is he? No one knows!) and was my first foray into what some might call "strange" interior design. The rest of my gallery wall was built organically around this imposing frame -- collected here and there from family, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy. My two velvet sofas, also vintage finds, delineate the "living room" in my small studio; they're perfect for long conversations with friends and double as extra sleeping spots.
One of my favorite parts of my 12th-floor apartment is the large windows overlooking the lively Tenderloin neighborhood -- I love looking out the window while I cook in my cozy kitchen. Vertical storage and my easily tucked-away homemade bench (my first woodworking and upholstery project!) help maximize space.
Years lived in: 1 year, rented
Household: Just me!
Have any design professionals worked on this space? No
Do you currently live in your Small/Cool space full-time? Yes
Describe your space:
I moved here in winter 2021; after a year of pandemic isolation, I wanted to create a space that felt unique, warm, and above all, social. I dreamed of the parties I'd host when the pandemic ended and long talks with friends on my sofas. I tried to embody a sort of joyfulness in my decorating choices — from the colorful walls, to the vintage oil portraits, to my velvet sofas and quirky lamp accents. I also wanted to be sustainable and sourced most things from Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist — in a funny silver lining, I've met a bunch of new friends through my used furniture exploits!
Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?
I DIYed most aspects of my space: I painted the entire apartment over the course of a chaotic two weekends, and I also built the navy and cow print benches and a three-shelf wood bookcase by my bedroom nook. My favorite DIY is probably my decorative stove/entryway hutch/"bar cart." I picked it up for super cheap via Craigslist from a restaurant in Chinatown, and spent many, many hours deep cleaning it (it kind of smelled like fish). I wallpapered the inside in bright colors and filled it up with liquor bottles, wine, and my tiny TV. It's a little unusual but always makes me smile!
How do you make your small space work for you and feel bigger than it really is?
I've utilized vertical space where possible — mounting lucite shelves in my kitchen, stacking up pots and pans, and hanging everything I can. But my most significant small space innovation has been to commit to a bold interior design — I have a decorative stove, two velvet sofas, four bright paint colors, and over 20 vintage oil portraits! It's easy to psych yourself out about things feeling cramped or busy, but you won't know unless you try! I've found that large furniture, bold colors, and lots of mirrors to reflect light have made my small space feel much more spacious and inviting.
How does your home reflect you?
My mother and grandmother are my biggest design inspirations, and their presence can be felt throughout the apartment. My bedroom nook is decked out in quilts and pillowcases handmade by my grandmother, an avid quilter. My gallery wall features a portrait of her from the 1930s (guess which one!) and a number of thrifted portraits from my mother. I inherited a boldness and confidence in my design choices from my mom, which shows up in my choice of paint colors and quirky thrifted finds — she encourages me to purchase stoves, lady statue side tables, and mannequins alike!