This Designer Turned a San Francisco Rental Apartment Into a Personal Family Home

Project by: Courtney Springer Interiors
Location: San Francisco, California

Renters can sometimes get boxed into the prefabricated design of their temporary dwelling. White walls, cheap commercial-grade flooring and a set floorplan leaves little to the imagination for curating a home that is respectively you, even if it just for the time-being. That’s the dilemma a growing young family faced as they viewed their bland San Francisco abode.

They knew they wanted a laid-back eclectic feel, but weren’t sure how to execute that vision. All their space needed was a few tricks of the trade (courtesy the creative hand of designer Courtney Springer) to bring the rental up to par to accurately reflect the California-cool vibe its owners so wished for. “My clients were a young couple with two small children who wanted a blend of light and sophisticated style, but with hard working finishes that their baby and toddler couldn’t destroy. I used a combination of high and low pieces throughout to create an eclectic mix without breaking the bank.”

The entry sets the tone for the rest of the home and welcomes its homeowners and guests with a plush, tactile experience courtesy an antiqued rug found on Etsy, a rope-wrapped bench from Design Within Reach flanked by a Moroccan bone-inlayed mirror from Tazi Designs, and basket—from The Future Perfect—for instant, on-hand storage.

Plants are aplenty throughout each room in the home where Courtney chose subtle planters to allow the greenery to become the star of the show. “I encourage people to go with larger plants than they might initially think can work indoors,” she says, “A larger, more mature plant makes a space feel more permanent, like it’s been there and been cared for for many years, even if it’s brand new.” In the dining room, plants add a pleasant color shock to the otherwise white space as they soak up the sun thanks to an abundance of windows that pour in lots of natural light. With no overhead lighting though, Courtney decided to add a larger-than-life plug-in sconce for additional task lighting that perfectly spotlights the iconic silhouettes of the Restoration Hardware dining chairs and Rove Concepts table when need be.

In the living room, a moody, oversize photograph, globally inspired coffee table from St. Frank, and a fresh mix of patterned throw pillows drive the inky palette. “Most renters don’t want to spend a ton on high end or custom furnishings that might not work in their next space, but splurging where it counts is key,” admits Courtney. Here, as in the rest of the home, she decided to utilize the budget on items packed with personality. Case in point: statement-making Eskayel pillows that liven up the neutral, wallet-conscious sofa that’s upholstered in indoor/outdoor fabric for easy wear.

Lupen Grainne’s photographs hang overhead a mix of globally inspired textiles from John Robshaw, West Elm and Anthropologie in the master bedroom, where Courtney took note of the relaxing hues from the snapshots and decided to pull the neutral, beachy tones out into the design to curate a soothing retreat.

Free standing storage pieces from Room & Board in the kids’ room mimics that of expensive built-in cabinetry and provides a home for books and toys. Courtney turned a built-in ledge into a cozy reading nook complete with a furry, shearling hide and lots of pillows to create the ultimate soft spot.

By utilizing neutral furnishings throughout, Courtney was able to employ a multitude of textiles and patterns without batting an eye. “The white walls create a clean canvas to layer colors and patterns onto. Sticking with a specific color palette in each space helped the look stay cohesive when mixing patterns,” she says. The end result is just what the clients had hoped for: a beautiful home that incorporates a thoughtful use of both bohemian and modern pieces into each space.

Thanks for sharing your project with us Courtney Springer Interiors!