My Houzz: Collections and Color for Crafty San Francisco Parents

Playful figurines and plenty of artwork brighten a Victorian rental for a creative California couple with a 1-year-old

March 5, 2013
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Finding an affordable apartment in San Francisco these days is stressful enough, let alone with a baby on the way. That's what San Francisco couple Matthew and Sandy Lynn Davis, who together run the eclectic arts and crafts business Treatzone, were facing as they scoured the city in search of a home. But as luck would have it, just one month before their son's due date, they found a beautiful Victorian-style apartment in the Mission District with just the right amount of space. "It's gigantic by San Francisco standards; it had storage space and a garage," Sandy says. After they added their colorful artwork and eclectic collections, it ended up being the perfect place in which to start their new family. "It really started to feel like home when we brought Dylan home from the hospital," she says.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Matthew and Sandy Lynn Davis, 1-year-old son Dylan and cat Bella
Location: Mission District of San Francisco
Size: 1,500 square feet; 1 bedroom, studio-office
Eclectic Living Room by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
The new parents' decorating philosophy is both playful and practical. "Our style is fun, but we try to avoid sacrificing substance for style," Sandy says. "We like things to work just as good as they look."

To cover up an unpleasant-looking fireplace, the couple strategically hung a piece of art. "We tried to find ways to cover the opening that wouldn't involve covering up the great tilework, and strangely enough that painting seems to work in there," Sandy says.

The collection of cat-related items on the mantel originally began with the two figurines on the right. "I have noticed that a few of them resemble our cat, Bella," she says. Matthew painted the blue painting above, which is based on a friend's toy cat.
Eclectic Living Room by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
Both Matthew and Sandy are avid collectors, and the living room features some of their favorite prints by creative friends mixed in with some original artwork. "The living room is one of our family's favorite places to spend time, with its abundance of sunlight and plenty of space to interact and play," says Sandy. "Dylan loves to stand by the window and watch the cars go by."

Couch: CB2; ottoman: Missoni Pentagonal Pouf, Target; coffee table: estate sale
Eclectic Living Room by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
This playful corner of the living room is devoted to Dylan.

Rug: Target; armchair: Tullsta, Ikea
Eclectic Home Office by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
The living room flows into the couple's recently finished studio-office through a pocket door, original to the apartment.
Eclectic Home Office by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
Expedit bookshelves are used to corral the couple's extensive collections throughout the house, like their vinyl record collection in the office.

The two work together at home on various creative projects and operate their Etsy shop and Treatzone with the flexibility to watch Dylan play nearby.
Traditional Hall by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
These 1930s and '40s vintage silhouettes hanging in the hallway are another one of the couple's collections, sourced from eBay and flea markets over the years.
Eclectic Dining Room by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
They recently splurged on a new dining table and chairs. Behind, another Expedit shelf organizes keeps books organized.

Dining table: Dylan, CB2; chairs: Baxton Studio
Eclectic Dining Room by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
"Our biggest design dilemma has probably been our increasingly mobile son," says Sandy. "It seems like we are constantly making adjustments to keep him safe and make sure that he has some spaces that are just for him." Set between some original millwork is a cozy reading nook for Dylan.

"We've been trying to integrate his things with ours," says Sandy. "We've found that Dylan is less likely to get into things that are off limits — like Mom and Dad's books — when he has plenty of his own things at his own level close by."
Eclectic Dining Room by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
The couple babyproofed the dining table by putting protective corners on it.

Rug: Ikea
Eclectic Kitchen by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
When they moved in, the kitchen had dark blue walls, which made an area that already received minimal natural light even darker. They painted the walls a soft yellow to brighten everything up.

Paint: Haystack Yellow, Benjamin Moore
Eclectic Hall by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
In the hallway,the couple creatively hung photographs of Dylan on their vintage Eames rocker, taken every month since birth. He recently celebrated his first birthday.

"We're probably most inspired by iconic designers Ray and Charles Eames," Sandy says. "The way their work permeated every aspect of their lives, and the playful and thoughtful aspect they brought to everything they touched. I think Charles Eames once said, 'Take your pleasure seriously.'"
Eclectic Kids by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
The couple shares the apartment's only bedroom with Dylan. It's situated directly off the kitchen, and large windows let in plenty of sunshine.

The artwork above the bed is an original photograph by Sandy. The couple had it blown up and printed on canvas at Photoworks in San Francisco.
Contemporary Nursery by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
The homeowners gave Dylan's corner some playful personality with decals from Target. The apartment walls came painted a soft purple, which the couple kept.
Eclectic Bedroom by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
Sandy received this bedroom dresser from a friend. The mirror is one of her favorite recent thrift store finds; it's from the local Salvation Army.
Eclectic Bedroom by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
On top is a mix of handmade pieces purchased from eBay and Etsy.

"Always" letters: Target; "It's OK" wood carving: Curiosity Shoppe (now closed); porcelain keys: Rare Device; blue box: Ikea; nightlights: Bed Bath & Beyond
Contemporary Kids by Shannon Malone
Shannon Malone
The couple scored this vintage Eames rocker on eBay. Dylan already has his own collections started on the wall shelves.

The couple's next big project is to set Dylan up in his own room. "We're not yet sure if we'll convert the studio-office into his bedroom or if we'll move into that room and make the current bedroom all his," says Sandy. "Either way, we'll have a lot of rearranging to do."

Dresser, shelving unit: Malm and Expedit, Ikea

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Comments (6)
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Julie Malchow Zeman
Color and character...love it!
   
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summilux
What an awesome record collection, especially for their age (pretty young given that they have a kid in diapers).
   
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Karen Herløv Horte
Normally I dispise anything in the lavender family of purple but it just works so well in this place. It just sits in the background comfortably watching over all their beautiful posessions making them stand out and the trim pop. Nice to see a landlord that's not obsessed with white or even worse magnolia walls.
   

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