I’m Taking Notes on How to Create a Warm and Cozy Vibe from This San Francisco Rental
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published Aug 1, 2024

I’m Taking Notes on How to Create a Warm and Cozy Vibe from This San Francisco Rental

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published Aug 1, 2024
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Bedrooms
Square feet

1000

Sq ft

1000

Helen Lim and her husband have lived in San Francisco for four years, but it is this 1000-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment they’ve rented for two years that she says is “what made us fall in love with the city. It’s located in Nob Hill, which is pretty central to everything from the Marina to Golden Gate Park. We love exploring the hilly neighborhood filled with good food and energy,” Helen writes.

Credit: Helen Lim
The couple has recently moved into a new home, but some of their furniture from this place moved to the new space.

“This apartment has touches of a mid-century-modern-style home — a gas fireplace, warm wooden floors, and huge windows,” Helen continues. “The curved floor-to-ceiling windows are truly the highlight of the space. It lets in so much light throughout the day and provides a great backdrop.”

Credit: Helen Lim
"This is one of my favorite photos of my home," Helen admits. "It captures the warm and cozy vibe of the space. It also features my favorite lamp: The Akari 24N by Isamu Noguchi!"

Although every room is gorgeous, Helen says it’s the living room that wins her title of favorite one: “Not just because of the curved windows, but also because it’s one big, open space. The living room has a dining area and bleeds into the home office area as well. It was a little tricky to decorate such a big space in the beginning, but I was able to still create separate zones for each purpose,” she explains.

Credit: Helen Lim

What’s Helen’s best decorating advice? “When it comes to decorating your space, take your time! It takes time to find pieces you love — especially if you’re looking to buy vintage or secondhand,” Helen writes. “Most of my furniture pieces are secondhand and I’m so glad I waited patiently and kept looking for my wish-list items because I was actually able to find some of my dream pieces secondhand!”

Resources

Credit: Helen Lim
  • Couch — Modani Furniture
  • Lounge Chair — West Elm
  • Console — West Elm
  • Dining Table — Fritz Hansen
  • Dining Chairs — Herman Miller/Design Within Reach
  • Rug — Nordic Knots
  • Akari 24N Lamp — Isamu Noguchi

Thanks, Helen!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.