My South of San Francisco Studio
This 555* sq. ft. studio apartment really has been home for me, and not just a place to rent, for the past 6+ years. Built in 1931, I knew the first time I saw it that I wanted to live here. The coved and recessed ceilings, archways, and old-fashioned touches like a house phone, radiator and icebox are details that made me fall in love with it.
In January I decided that I would give my apartment a thorough cleaning. It took about 3 weekends, and at the end of that cleaning, I decided it was about time for me to really put the effort into decorating my place. I finally called it "done" in mid-March (though I think we all know that when it comes to decorating our homes, it's never really finished).
The above picture is the entry area of my studio. The little ledge has been well used for keys and sunglasses. The wall-mounted boxes were the call system to reach the apartment manager back in the building's early years.
My office corner includes a desk that I've had since I was 6 or 7 years old (previously owned by my mother's former boss). The bookcase doubles as a vanity and it's where I do my hair since the mirrors in my bathroom are too small. The mirror itself is from my parent's 1960's bedroom set. I made the frame about 15 years ago out of baseboards that I glued together, then painted and gold leafed. The black float frames hold part of a postcard collection that French Paper Co. sent out back in the mid/late 90's. The blue chair is probably my favorite piece in the apartment.
Living in a studio apartment is my preference and I embrace it! I prefer to use the "hotel room" method to arrange my work/sleep/live space. Studio living has taught me that while having the proper scale of furniture is good, it's also ok to pick one piece that's big or even oversized and make it the focal point. The bed is my one oversized piece and crawling into it at night makes me feel indulgent. The loveseat is overstuffed, but firm. Since I'm short, I'm able to sit up and stretch my legs across it comfortably to read a book or watch a movie. The bit of striped fabric behind the loveseat is an old bookcase that I sewed a slip cover for since it's color/style didn't fit with the redecorating.
The work/sleep/live area is subdued, with little pops of color, but I wanted the dining area to be lighter and brighter. I've had the table since I moved in, but I did buy two new chairs to be mis-matched with the original two. I'm pleased with the look of the layered rugs under the table and I sewed new curtains for the window. The wood cabinet is a hand-me-down from my parents (it's their old liquor cabinet).
I didn't do anything to the kitchen. For a studio apartment, the dining area and kitchen are fairly large, and I find myself using the dining table for crafts, sewing and baking more than actual dining.
Perhaps the best $20 investment in the whole apartment is the turntable for the television. I can rotate the tv so I can watch it from the loveseat, while I'm in bed and from my desk (I can see the tv reflected in the mirror while I'm at my desk).
The bathroom is another place I didn't update. The pinkish-purple tile wasn't my favorite when I moved in, but it's grown on me over the years. The shower curtain is two panels of embroidered sheers, sewn together and with grommets punched in. The second mirror that is hanging from the ribbon is because I'm too short to be able to use the one in the cabinet. The cat clock keeps me on time in the mornings when I'm getting ready for work.
There are additional pictures in my Flickr set. Most of the new things are from Target, BB&B, C&B, Ikea, Cost Plus World Market, HomeGoods and the local discount furniture store. Older things are from childhood, thrift stores or are found and refurbished items.
The one thing that I really, really am still looking for is a new desk chair. I like some of the ones at Ballard Designs, but they cost more than I want to spend. I figure I should just stop looking, because then I'll find the perfect desk chair.
Thanks for taking a peek!
EDIT: Thank you for the kind words and comments. :)
*I previously thought my apartment was 525 sq. ft. but I retook the measurements and made a floorplan using SketchUp. Turns out it's more like 554, but I'm going to round up by 1 sq. ft. 555 has a nice ring to it. :)