Sirima’s Vintage Industrial Artist’s Loft

Name: Sirima Sataman
Location: Dogpatch, San Francisco, California
Size: 800 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years; Rented

Walking into Sirima’s loft, I was blown away by the openness of the space. Despite the fact that it is both her home and an artist’s studio where she teaches printmaking classes and workshops, a combination of smart, vertical storage (keep an eye out for a kayak, two surfboards and two bikes) and a collection of great vintage pieces makes everything flow together seamlessly.

Her kitchen and dining area, which are nested below the bedroom loft, are home to an enviable collection of vintage dishes. Her door is always open, quite literally, so the dining area is also a natural meeting place for the neighbors that stop in regularly to sample her baking.

My Style: My loft is an eclectic mix of salvaged items and collectibles scored from the street, Craigslist and thrift stores. I love to restore things and am a passionate collector of beautiful, functional objects.

Inspiration: Scandinavian and Japanese Wabi Sabi aesthetics.

Favorite Element: The natural light and openness of the space.

Biggest Challenge: When I found this raw industrial space, my biggest challenge was storage and the separation of personal living space from the public workspace where I work and teach classes. The solution was putting nearly every piece of furniture on wheels, so the space is extremely flexible. I built open storage systems, allowing me and my students to easily find supplies. The workbenches are topped with glass and double as palettes for mixing ink or paint or working with solvents. I also invested in a Rabbit Air purifier that filters the VOCs created from paints and solvents. All of my personal stuff was moved to storage upstairs in the sleeping loft. The downstairs is open for guests to work, read, and lounge.

What Friends Say: My friends love working and hanging in my space. The light is amazing, it feels warm and cozy, and inspires creativity.

Biggest Embarrassment: I have an embarrassingly large collection of vintage 1930’s –1940’s glassware, pottery and cookware — primarily Eva Zeisel, Ben Seibel, Jadeite/Delphite milk glass, pink depression-era glass, Hall pottery, Russel Wright, and Daniel Lax/Copco. Only a fraction of it is on display in the kitchen and hidden in the cabinets.

Proudest DIY: I’m proud of the storage solutions.

Biggest Indulgence: My printing presses — 30″x 48 Takach Combo Etching/Litho press, 48″x96″ motorized Takach Etching press (not pictured, stored at Hunters Point Shipyard Studio), 16″x20″ vintage Asbern Letterpress (circa 1968).

Best Advice: Is a combination of what I learned from retail merchandising and art school. Make a space look larger and more serene by harmonizing shapes/color and paying attention to sight lines/focal points.

Dream Sources: Lately, I’ve been pouring over Anthology Magazine and Pinterest boards for design ideas.

• Mismatched found industrial paint (white to off-white) I’m not really allowed to paint my space so work on harmonizing the neutral colors that I can’t change.

• 1940s ivory Brasscrafter’s nickel plated mirror: Edward & Son’s antiques
• Salvaged antique chair: found

• 1930’s birds eye maple writing desk: Santa Cruz Flea Market
• Vintage sleeper sofa: Craigslist
• 1930s–1940s Deco lounge chair: Craigslist
• Rolling library/magazine cabinet coffee table: street sale
• 2 mid century wing chairs (unmarked): Craigslist
• Teak coffee table: Craigslist

• Vintage Oak Library table: Craigslist
• Thornet dining chairs (only 2 shown): Craigslist
• Ikea Wood Shelving: Craigslist
• Vintage glassware, pottery and cookware: ebay, thrift stores, estate sales
• Will Henry photograph of an Oregon beach

• Upholstered bedframe: Room and Board
• Bookcase: found
• 2 1930’s waterfall nightstands: thrift store and Craigslist
• Antique Chinese Screen console table: Shen’s Gallery

Thanks, Sirima!

(Images: Kim Lucian)

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