Lanz, Michael and Brent’s Evolving History House (Part 2)
Name: Lanz Brooks with roommates Michael and Brent
Location: Hayes Valley, San Francisco
Size: 4,000 square feet
Years lived in: Lanz for 4½ years (Michael since 1994)
Last Thursday, we had a glimpse into half of Lanz, Michael and Brent’s amazing Hayes Valley home with Part 1 of their House Tour. The first part focused on the first floor of their two story Hayes Valley apartment and many of the common areas. Now, a look at the light filled second floor shows what makes this 1888 home truly stand out — its phenomenal skylights.
(To see the first half of the House Tour, visit Lanz, Michael and Brent’s Evolving History House – Part I.)
Lanz’s role as “head stylist” continues throughout the dining room, kitchen and sun room / laundry room. From the collection of chairs and wine boxes in the dining room to one of the cheeriest little laundry rooms we’ve encountered, the roommates continue to be resourceful in their quest to decorate their 4,000 square foot home.
As one enters the second floor, there is a sense that a sort of heaviness is lifted. Inspired by the immense amount of light the space receives during the day, the roommates decided to paint the majority of the floors (less Michael’s room) a glossy white. With an almost Scandinavian sensibility, the bedrooms of the second floor feel light, airy and comfortable (a big thanks to the amazing skylights for that!). Due to the two levels and the size of the space, the styles of all roommates can be explored without feeling like a collection of disparate spaces.
While the sheer size of the home make it unique to San Francisco, the home’s most endearing quality continues to be its past. As a historic building, Michael always wondered who had lived in this house during the past 130 or so years. A few months ago, a couple approached him as he returning home. The couple was Australian and had been referred to this address due to a public records search at City Hall. The woman’s grandfather had crossed the Pacific on a steam ship in search of work. After the Great Earthquake of 1906 and the subsequent fire, he lived in the house as it was converted in a boarding house for workers rebuilding the city.
Today’s tour focuses on the dining room, kitchen and laundry room downstairs and then travels upstairs for looks at Brent and Michael’s bedrooms.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
For the full Survey, visit the previous tour. Below is a bit more information about Michael and Brent’s bedrooms.
Brent on His Bedroom:
I love earth tones with dark wood accents. With the large skylights and bay windows, this room is always flooded with light. I decided to keep the walls an off white color to give it an open, airy feel. I love travel ling and my room is filled with memorabilia from my trips. Like the rest of the house, my room is a mix of new, borrowed and “found on street” furniture. My favorite part of the room is the view. Although I think I take it for granted sometimes, it definitely influences my mood and outlook on things when I wake up every day.
Michael on His Bedroom:
My room is filled with lots of light. From skylights and the adjoining deck. My bedroom is a place where I spend a lot of time, I love its’ simple beauty. It also has to serve a very utilitarian function as it has limited closet space. The art which is dotted about my room is my grandfather’s and it reminds me of what is simple and beautiful about life—sun and flowers and family.
Resources: Most of my stuff is from discarded items off the street. Most of the art work is mine. There are far to many paints colors to cover. Feel free to leave comments with questions about particular items and Lanz will try to get the necessary info for you.
(Thanks, Lanz, Michael and Brent!)
Images: Jessica Watson