Jesica’s Mix and Match Studio

Name: Jesica Ryzenberg
Location: Alamo Square, San Francisco, California
Size: Studio, 450 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 years; Rented

When the door to Jesica’s apartment swings open, you are greeted enthusiastically and welcomed in wholeheartedly (even when you happen to show up on the wrong day). The home of the spirited personality behind the fashion blog Ryzenberg On is the perfect example of what happens when you apply an eye for fashion and a knack for bargain shopping to interior design.

With quirky finishing touches and expertly piled on patterns, Jesica’s style is cheerful and feminine, with a serious dose of quirk. Peering into her wardrobe is enough to incite some serious closet envy, both for the rows of amazing shoes and the fact that she managed to score a walk-in in the city.

My Style: My style is very mix-and-match. When I first move into a new apartment, I need to get a feel for the place before I dive into full-on decorating, to get a feel for the aesthetic elements. For this apartment, I like to showcase pieces from flea markets, newer contemporary accessories and of course, color.

Inspiration: I am from Peru and have lived in a variety of places, so I try to bring in things from my travels and childhood so that I can have some mementos that remind me of family and friends from afar. Lately, I have been on a vintage kick, so I scouted local markets for a rotary phone and other authentic 1950s pieces. I also get a lot of inspiration from San Francisco and sustainable pieces.

Favorite Element: Definitely incorporating color into my living areas. My personal style and personality are pretty loud, so I try to incorporate that into my home. I like all aspects of my life to be synergetic. I also try to bring personality to my space – I have dubbed my studio the “Alamo Square Pad,” because it’s like a pied-a-terre in the middle of crazy San Francisco. My working area is known as ‘The Nook,’ because it’s where I do most of my work on a daily basis.

Biggest Challenge: SPACE! San Francisco is rather limited when it comes to spaces, so I need to find a way to let my living and sleeping areas co-exist while keeping it creative. I also would love more closet space for linens and miscellaneous items, since a lot of those items are stored underneath my bed.

What Friends Say: All my friends feel my apartment truly resembles my personality and personal style. It’s a combination of curated and thought-out pieces that are carefully put together to create a warm and cozy environment.

Biggest Embarrassment: I got locked out of my apartment a few months ago. I spent the night at a friend’s house and when I returned to the apartment in the morning, the handyman wasn’t able to come let me in until the afternoon. I remembered I left one of the windows unlocked, so I used my McGyver skills, asked a neighbor to let me in through the side, climbed up the roof and successfully opened the window. As soon as I got in, I found my keys lying on the floor. Needless to say, I never forgot my set again, and now ALL of my windows are locked on a daily basis.

Proudest DIY: It has to be my gallery wall. I spent a lot of time picking photos and cards, and I constantly switch it around. Also, I did it pretty much without planning anything, so that made it even more challenging. I must say this is always a work in progress, as I am constantly adding new artwork and photos.

Biggest Indulgence: Eating ice cream in bed! Actually, spending ALL DAY in bed – though this is something I don’t have the luxury to do very often.

Best Advice: Decorate with the heart but be practical. Remember, you’ll be spending quite a lot of time in your home, so be sure to bring some special touches. Also, don’t rush and take baby steps – don’t feel you need to do every corner at once, as it can be overwhelming.

Dream Sources: Kelly Wearstler, Karl Lagerfeld, Ricardo Bofill

•Couch: Crate and Barrel

•Vintage Dresser : Where Modern Was (In Noe)

• Vintage Chair and The Mason Jar Pillow: local boutique in SF

• Accents: Flea Market finds

• Table: Cost Plus World Market

• Pillows: Bloomingdales

• Boutique Bed Ledge: Where Modern Was

• Nightstand: Where Modern Was

•Picture Frames: Z.Gallery, Vintage, Etsy and DIY

CLOSET

• Dresser and Shoe Racks: Ikea

• Mirror: Therapy in SF

Thanks, Jesica!

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