Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Visionary Thinking Clicks With a San Francisco Entrepreneur
An open mind and an unusual process help a successful software engineer get an interior design that suits and celebrates his life
Once you see this colorful and inspiring home, you won't believe me when I describe the state of the owner's former studio apartment. "Let me put it to you this way: When he moved out, he brought his sofa, one of his only pieces of furniture, to Goodwill to donate," says interior designer Paige Loczi of Loczidesign. "They rejected it."
After overcoming a condition that had limited his mobility, this active thirtysomething software engineer was ready for a home that celebrated his life, where he could enjoy his success after years of hard work and selling his company. It would also be a place that would continue to inspire his creativity and vision.
"Vineet is a dynamic, visionary man in his prime. He's had a lot of success, and he loves being active: mountain climbing, running, kayaking and other activities," says Loczi. One way she approached the design was with input from her colleague, interior mapping expert Caroline Day.
Interior mapping is a process in which the homeowner answers questions about his or her life — foundation, accomplishments, goals, talents and dreams. These results are paired with a bagua map to help guide the elements of the design. Here's a look at how this part of the design works within the greater design of Vineet's new home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A single entrepreneur
Location: Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: About 1,435 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, office
After overcoming a condition that had limited his mobility, this active thirtysomething software engineer was ready for a home that celebrated his life, where he could enjoy his success after years of hard work and selling his company. It would also be a place that would continue to inspire his creativity and vision.
"Vineet is a dynamic, visionary man in his prime. He's had a lot of success, and he loves being active: mountain climbing, running, kayaking and other activities," says Loczi. One way she approached the design was with input from her colleague, interior mapping expert Caroline Day.
Interior mapping is a process in which the homeowner answers questions about his or her life — foundation, accomplishments, goals, talents and dreams. These results are paired with a bagua map to help guide the elements of the design. Here's a look at how this part of the design works within the greater design of Vineet's new home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A single entrepreneur
Location: Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: About 1,435 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, office
An intricate coffee table adds to the rhythm of trapezoids; the glass top allows everyone to see as much of the rug as possible and reflects the light. The square top represents Vineet's foundation, which is his independence.
The sculptural piece at the edge of the window is a Plexiglas floor lamp. Again, its shape plays off the other trapezoidal geometries in the room.
The sculptural piece at the edge of the window is a Plexiglas floor lamp. Again, its shape plays off the other trapezoidal geometries in the room.
The color red reveals Vineet's vitality and passion; this red wall serves as his awards wall. "This is a subtle alternative to hanging up his PhD diploma and other accomplishments," Loczi says.
Loczi introduced Vineet to the work of local artists, including Tahiti Pehrson, who created this 4- by 10-foot cut paper piece. The artwork connects to the other geometric pieces in the room and balances the size and color of the awards wall.
Loczi introduced Vineet to the work of local artists, including Tahiti Pehrson, who created this 4- by 10-foot cut paper piece. The artwork connects to the other geometric pieces in the room and balances the size and color of the awards wall.
"Vineet is from India, so the vibrant color palette is Indian reminiscent without actually referencing India; it's my interpretation of a modern sari," Loczi says. The color orange also represents joy.
The living space is open to the dining room and kitchen, making the home feel open and larger. If you look closely through the narrow window on the left, you can see a vertical garden on a deck off the study.
The dining table's base repeats triangular shapes, and the surface is steel encased in resin. The dining chairs bring in more color.
Pendants: Beat Light, Tom Dixon; chairs: Chabada, Roche Bobois; dining table: Wüd
The dining table's base repeats triangular shapes, and the surface is steel encased in resin. The dining chairs bring in more color.
Pendants: Beat Light, Tom Dixon; chairs: Chabada, Roche Bobois; dining table: Wüd
The kitchen cabinets and refrigerator blend together, thanks to their warm walnut veneers, and a marble backsplash adds a subtle natural pattern. A waterfall-style Caesarstone counter on the island adds to the feeling of fluidity.
Vineet's study, behind the kitchen, has calming gray walls, but because this is the relationship and connectivity area of the home, Loczi painted the ceiling magenta and fuchsia.
Loczi chose and oriented Tina Sedonne's wood and steel "Air and Fire" sculpture with energy in mind. "Winding up the stairs is a long, energetic passage; the sculpture turns that energy and shoots you into the room," she says.
This is Vineet's main master bedroom. In here most of the elements represent calming water, from the indigo walls to the driftwood and furnishings reminiscent of waves. The blue is thought to encourage contemplation, intellect, clarity and creativity.
"I would usually never choose a bedroom set all from the same designer, but I could not help myself with Tod Von Mertens' bed, nightstands and lamps," Loczi says. Their symmetry and the subtle gradation of grays and tans adds to the pleasing calmness.
Bed, nightstands, lamps: Tod Von Mertens; overhead light fixture: LZF; rug, bedding: Calvin Klein; chair: vintage Pearsall
"I would usually never choose a bedroom set all from the same designer, but I could not help myself with Tod Von Mertens' bed, nightstands and lamps," Loczi says. Their symmetry and the subtle gradation of grays and tans adds to the pleasing calmness.
Bed, nightstands, lamps: Tod Von Mertens; overhead light fixture: LZF; rug, bedding: Calvin Klein; chair: vintage Pearsall
Low-maintenance succulents add life to the deck off Vineet's bedroom; the planters' square shapes represent Vineet's independence. This deck also has a fountain, adding another water element.
This bedroom serves as a second master and a guest room. "Vineet sleeps in both bedrooms; it all depends on which side of the house he wants to wake up on," Loczi says.
The wrapped wallpaper over the bed resembles a corner window, adding to the open feeling. This bedroom is lighter and airier than the deep blue master bedroom, which gives it a feeling of spirituality.
Wallpaper: Eskayel; bedding: Calvin Klein
The wrapped wallpaper over the bed resembles a corner window, adding to the open feeling. This bedroom is lighter and airier than the deep blue master bedroom, which gives it a feeling of spirituality.
Wallpaper: Eskayel; bedding: Calvin Klein
Up on the roof deck, circles remind Vineet of his inherent strengths and to be true to himself. Since this picture was taken, a living roof has been planted just off the left corner where the railings meet.
"While interior mapping is not for everyone, it can add a layer of meaning and intention to a design," Loczi says. "However, keep in mind that it does not take the place of good design; you still need to understand scale, space, materials, color and more."
Vineet was very open to all the things that now make his home unique, she says, "including discovering local artists, an appreciation of artisans, agreeing to the living wall and roof ... he was a joy to work with." The most important result is Vineet's own opinion: "I just love coming home every day," he says.
Drum stool, table, ottoman: Bend Seating; daybed: Maison Bertet; bolster fabric: Trina Turk
"While interior mapping is not for everyone, it can add a layer of meaning and intention to a design," Loczi says. "However, keep in mind that it does not take the place of good design; you still need to understand scale, space, materials, color and more."
Vineet was very open to all the things that now make his home unique, she says, "including discovering local artists, an appreciation of artisans, agreeing to the living wall and roof ... he was a joy to work with." The most important result is Vineet's own opinion: "I just love coming home every day," he says.
Drum stool, table, ottoman: Bend Seating; daybed: Maison Bertet; bolster fabric: Trina Turk
In the main living area, she repeated trapezoidal and triangular shapes in the side tables, rug, chandelier, coffee table and sculptural floor lamp. Symbolically, these are there to subtly remind Vineet that he is a visionary.
Chandelier: Kelly, Gabriel Scott; rug: Zap, The Rug Company