A Renter Finds Her Personal Boho-Chic Style
See how a designer helps a San Francisco renter find inspiration and invest in her decor
As many renters know, making your apartment feel like home can be a challenge. Restrictions on design and limited space can stand in the way of renovations or even a new coat of paint. But interior designer Christina Higham shows that key decisions can elevate the look of your home, even if you’re not a homeowner.
Before. Higham notes that many of us take a piecemeal approach to furnishing our apartments. In other words, we buy items as we find them. This works when accessorizing, but it usually doesn’t work for the large pieces, Higham says.
Instead, when reworking a space, you should first think about how your large elements and furniture work together, she says. You don’t want to add to the collection if you don’t have a plan in mind, and you don’t want to buy a piece that disrupts the room design.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, consulting a designer might be the right move, even if you’re renting. An interior designer can help you define your personal style and find pieces that will grow with you as your style develops or your location changes.
Higham’s goal for this living room and dining room was to figure out Walker’s style and create a space that would be functionally and visually relevant for years to come.
Instead, when reworking a space, you should first think about how your large elements and furniture work together, she says. You don’t want to add to the collection if you don’t have a plan in mind, and you don’t want to buy a piece that disrupts the room design.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, consulting a designer might be the right move, even if you’re renting. An interior designer can help you define your personal style and find pieces that will grow with you as your style develops or your location changes.
Higham’s goal for this living room and dining room was to figure out Walker’s style and create a space that would be functionally and visually relevant for years to come.
New floor plan. “When designing a small space, every square inch counts,” Higham says. Here, she’s planned out which pieces will fit in the living and dining areas.
To get to the floor plan stage, first note the room’s dimensions and list the pieces you want to keep or purchase. Then visually lay out the elements to ensure they create a cohesive look.
Pro tip: Higham recommends making a floor plan and mood board before purchasing anything for your project.
To get to the floor plan stage, first note the room’s dimensions and list the pieces you want to keep or purchase. Then visually lay out the elements to ensure they create a cohesive look.
Pro tip: Higham recommends making a floor plan and mood board before purchasing anything for your project.
After. Sleeker pieces replaced the dark, bulky furniture that Walker owned to create a more breathable, airy space.
Style. During the initial consultation, Higham helped Walker home in on her personal style. Walker learned that she was drawn to patterned textiles, cozy textures and light colors. Higham used that as a jumping-off point for the project.
In the end, the layout of the space didn’t change much, but its style and functionality did.
Function. Although style is an important part of interior design, Higham says, you need to also consider how the design will function in your day-to-day routine and social life.
For Walker, the dining table serves two purposes: It’s a workspace during the day when she works from home and an entertaining space when she has friends over.
Pro tip: If you’re someone who likes to stay in with a good book, consider a small sofa and a reading nook, Higham says.
Sofa: Brownstone Upholstery; striped pillows: Tammy Price of Fragments Identity; indigo lumbar pillow: mudcloth, Tammy Price of Fragments Identity (all via One Kings Lane); green pillow: St. Frank
Style. During the initial consultation, Higham helped Walker home in on her personal style. Walker learned that she was drawn to patterned textiles, cozy textures and light colors. Higham used that as a jumping-off point for the project.
In the end, the layout of the space didn’t change much, but its style and functionality did.
Function. Although style is an important part of interior design, Higham says, you need to also consider how the design will function in your day-to-day routine and social life.
For Walker, the dining table serves two purposes: It’s a workspace during the day when she works from home and an entertaining space when she has friends over.
Pro tip: If you’re someone who likes to stay in with a good book, consider a small sofa and a reading nook, Higham says.
Sofa: Brownstone Upholstery; striped pillows: Tammy Price of Fragments Identity; indigo lumbar pillow: mudcloth, Tammy Price of Fragments Identity (all via One Kings Lane); green pillow: St. Frank
Decorating. When you’re looking to redecorate, browse photos to identify looks you like and save them. You can use the photos as shopping inspiration or as examples when you meet with a designer.
Once you’ve identified the looks you like, Higham recommends you buy your large furniture pieces and art first.
“Accessories are pieces that can be more on-trend and thus don’t need to be the focus of your budget,” she says. “But these larger items will stay with you and are thus worth investing in.”
Sofa. A good sofa is a worthwhile investment if there’s room in your living space (and budget), Higham says. Many people spend a lot of time on the couch when at home, and if you purchase a sofa you truly love, you can take it with you to your next space. Choose one that fits your comfort needs and wants — there are plenty of options on the market.
Walls. Your walls are a great place to inject color into your space. Although Higham could have painted the walls in Walker’s apartment, she decided that the variety of textures and colors in the furnishings was enough. So if you can’t paint, take a page from Higham and layer on texture and color via the furnishings.
Coffee table and side table: Anthropologie; art: Judith Gigliotti; table lamp: West Elm
Things You Need to Know About Buying a Sofa
Once you’ve identified the looks you like, Higham recommends you buy your large furniture pieces and art first.
“Accessories are pieces that can be more on-trend and thus don’t need to be the focus of your budget,” she says. “But these larger items will stay with you and are thus worth investing in.”
Sofa. A good sofa is a worthwhile investment if there’s room in your living space (and budget), Higham says. Many people spend a lot of time on the couch when at home, and if you purchase a sofa you truly love, you can take it with you to your next space. Choose one that fits your comfort needs and wants — there are plenty of options on the market.
Walls. Your walls are a great place to inject color into your space. Although Higham could have painted the walls in Walker’s apartment, she decided that the variety of textures and colors in the furnishings was enough. So if you can’t paint, take a page from Higham and layer on texture and color via the furnishings.
Coffee table and side table: Anthropologie; art: Judith Gigliotti; table lamp: West Elm
Things You Need to Know About Buying a Sofa
Wall sconces. The designer initially wanted to change the sconces on the walls. She thought they looked too old for the redesigned apartment. But once the other elements were in place, she thought the sconces actually fit in well.
Rugs. Higham used different vintage rugs in the living area and under the dining table. With an open layout like this, she says, rugs are a great way to designate different spaces.
“I think the key to mixing rugs in one room is making sure the palette is consistent with the rest of the space,” Higham says.
Television console and area rug: One Kings Lane
Browse rugs
Rugs. Higham used different vintage rugs in the living area and under the dining table. With an open layout like this, she says, rugs are a great way to designate different spaces.
“I think the key to mixing rugs in one room is making sure the palette is consistent with the rest of the space,” Higham says.
Television console and area rug: One Kings Lane
Browse rugs
Window treatments. “We didn’t change any paint color — but one thing we did change that made a massive difference was the window treatments,” Higham says.
They replaced outdated vertical blinds with woven grass roller shades because they blend in better with the walls and gently filter the light. Such shades are an investment, Higham says, so she recommends using white curtains if you’re seeking a lower-cost option.
Accent chair: Brownstone Upholstery; ottoman: Tammy Price of Fragments Identity (both via One Kings Lane); side table: Anthropologie; pompom pillow: Gaia Empowered Women; floor lamp: West Elm; shades: The Shade Store
They replaced outdated vertical blinds with woven grass roller shades because they blend in better with the walls and gently filter the light. Such shades are an investment, Higham says, so she recommends using white curtains if you’re seeking a lower-cost option.
Accent chair: Brownstone Upholstery; ottoman: Tammy Price of Fragments Identity (both via One Kings Lane); side table: Anthropologie; pompom pillow: Gaia Empowered Women; floor lamp: West Elm; shades: The Shade Store
Dining table. The designer and client chose a round dining table because it fit comfortably in the alcove. The extra space around the table makes the area look larger than it did before, Higham notes. She and Walker loved the weight and finish of the plank table, and it connects nicely with the other natural elements in the space.
“Uh-oh” moment. Higham wanted the pendant light to hang directly over the dining table. Unfortunately, the existing fixture was about 3 feet to the left of where it needed to be. If Walker owned the apartment, the project team could have rewired the light. But because she rents, the team had to find a less invasive option. Edward Winslow, the electrician and handyman for the project, offered an affordable solution. He used a track and pendant adapter to run the electricty source from its original spot to the desired location. (You can see this work-around on the ceiling in the first image.)
Dining table: RH; dining chairs: Wayfair; pendant light: One Kings Lane; area rug: vintage, Etsy
“Uh-oh” moment. Higham wanted the pendant light to hang directly over the dining table. Unfortunately, the existing fixture was about 3 feet to the left of where it needed to be. If Walker owned the apartment, the project team could have rewired the light. But because she rents, the team had to find a less invasive option. Edward Winslow, the electrician and handyman for the project, offered an affordable solution. He used a track and pendant adapter to run the electricty source from its original spot to the desired location. (You can see this work-around on the ceiling in the first image.)
Dining table: RH; dining chairs: Wayfair; pendant light: One Kings Lane; area rug: vintage, Etsy
Credenza. The white credenza in front of the window serves as both storage cabinet and bar. Walker keeps items such as her printer and paperwork inside and out of sight. After hours, the bar on top allows her to easily unwind with friends.
Credenza: Hooker Furniture
Electrician: Edward Winslow
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Credenza: Hooker Furniture
Electrician: Edward Winslow
More
Read more apartment life stories
Find an interior designer
Browse living room products
Living and Dining Room at a Glance
Who lives here: Hilary Walker
Location: Marina District neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Designer: Christina Higham, owner of Sun Soul Style
Hilary Walker lives and sometimes works from home in this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in San Francisco. Because of her busy schedule, she had never given much thought to the interior design of her space. Knowing she’d never have the time to spruce it up herself, she brought in Higham to assist.
Higham took the lead and helped Walker create a peaceful, bohemian sanctuary that’s also a tribute to her free-spirited mom, who passed away before the redesign started.