This Shared Flat in a Gorgeous San Francisco Victorian Is Filled with Stories and Sentiments

Name: Britt Deyan, two friends / roommates
Location: Hayes Valley — San Francisco, California
Type of home: Flat in a Victorian house
Size: 1,200 square feet
Years lived in: 4 years, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Our humble little apartment is a 1900 Victorian home in the heart of San Francisco. It is filled with history, character, and all the quirks of living in a big city. I live here with two of my closest guy friends, Kevin and Jordan. We joke that our house is a bit of a hostel— constantly hosting friends and family. We wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve been in San Francisco 12 years, and fell in love with this neighborhood’s parks, coffee shops, small local shops, outdoor movie theater, and community feel. We love it so much.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Marie Kondo Protest

What is your favorite room and why? We always wanted [the room where our gallery wall is] to feel welcoming to all. When we first moved in, we decided to make a guest book-style Polaroid wall, and take a picture of every friend or family member that came to visit. Each person found a creative prop around the house, and posed for a picture in front of our brick fireplace. A few years later, that little wall is filled with 130 pictures of our favorite people. It truly makes me smile every time I walk past it.

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? I think anyone living in a big city that likes clothes might have the same answer… I’d love a closet. Or a mini horse stable for the mini horse I want one day.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I am a 12-year regular at our monthly Bay Area antique flea market. I mean, first to arrive when the gate opens, first name basis with most of the vendors (who are now friends), kind of flea market goer. It truly is my happiest place. The stories, the hidden treasures, the people you meet, all of it. I just love it.

We have a lot of really special treasures from there. One of my most recent favorites was this antique framed butterfly. When I started traveling, I knew I wanted to collect something from each place I went. I randomly decided that thing was going to be framed butterflies. Last month, I found an amazing California native butterfly—so, that felt special.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Fill it with stories, sentiments, and people you love.

This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.