My Houzz: High Style and Discount Finds Mix in a San Francisco Rental

“As soon as I saw the view, it was a done deal,” says Stacy Wichelhaus, a wedding and event planner. Four years ago she and her husband, Cristoph, a physician, relocated from Southern California to the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco.

Faced with the task of combining aesthetics in their first shared space, the newlyweds turned to San Francisco online interior design service Tastemaker for help. “My husband and I don’t always see eye to eye on design, and finding a way for our apartment to reflect both of our styles was a huge challenge,” says Stacy. The couple’s designer, Brittney Andrews, successfully combined their visions of what their space should look like, helping to create a home that made them both happy.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stacy and Christoph Wichelhaus
Location: Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 1,400 square feet (130 square meters); 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Being self-employed, Stacy needed a dedicated space from which to run her wedding planning business, They So Loved. She quickly put the apartment’s sunny second bedroom to use, transforming it into her home office with a color palette of white and cool turquoise.


This gallery wall showcases one of the DIY projects that Stacy regularly features on her blog. Instructions for the framed dog silhouettes were also featured on the blog Glitter Guide.

Wire bear: Zinc Details; Belle Faux Leather Convertible Futon Sofa Bed: Walmart; pillows: Marshalls


Stacy bought the used doors leaning against the wall for $10 from Building Resources as something to use in her wedding, and painted them blue. “After the wedding,” she says, “I loved them so much, I knew I couldn’t get rid of them.”

Abbot 2-Shelf Writing Desk: Walmart; chair: HD Buttercup


Removable wallpaper from Sherwin-Williams brightens up the apartment’s entry hall.

“It’s the first thing you see when you come in, and the hallway is pretty dark and drab, with very little natural light,” she says. “I knew I wanted to use wallpaper to brighten the space, but since we are renting, I limited my search to ‘renter’s wallpaper’ that is supposedly removable without damaging the walls.”

Shelves: Lowe’s; console: CB2


“I love our dining room table,” says Stacy. “It’s huge and is perfect for having friends over for dinner. When the time comes to move, I will absolutely need a place that can fit the table.”

Dining table, chairs: Metropolix Home; print: Z Gallerie


The couple paired their sleek, contemporary furniture with an antique buffet from the Alameda Point Antiques Faire.


According to Stacy, the predominantly blue color palette “sort of just happened.” “I’ve always loved cobalt blue, and over the years I started acquiring small items, like the decanter and shot glasses and the three matching canisters in our kitchen,” she says. “The collection grew when we set up our wedding registry, which included the mixer and the Le Creuset French oven.”


Stacy found the giraffe oil and vinegar set at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, and purchased the San Francisco–inspired print from Art Shark Designs.





It wasn’t until the couple worked with Tastemaker that they were able to settle on all of the small details that make their space a home. “We were on the same page with the main pieces of furniture, but couldn’t find a happy medium and agree on the accents and other decor, so our apartment felt unfinished for a long time,” says Stacy.

On a side table is an antique tool holder that belonged to Christoph’s grandfather. The small wall shelves display personal knickknacks and photographs.

Armchair: Scandinavian Designs; pillows: CB2 and West Elm; terrariums: HomeGoods; sofa: Scandinavian Designs


“I would describe our style as modern California casual,” says Stacy. “Our main pieces of furniture are somewhat modern and neutral in color, but we accent the rooms with plants, driftwood and earthy elements.”

Print: CB2; driftwood planters: Treasure Island Flea


Needing a second office area for Cristoph, the couple originally put a desk in this living room corner. After realizing it was rarely used, they moved the desk to the empty space behind the sofa. In the newly vacant spot in the corner by the window, Stacy saw an opportunity to create a welcoming seating area perfect for enjoying their beautiful view.

“That area of the house gets the most beautiful morning sun, and if I have the time, I love to sit there with my morning coffee,” she says.

Rocking chair: Rue La La; mirror: HomeGoods; planters: Anthropologie; rug: West Elm


This is the beautiful view that instantly sold Stacy and Cristoph on this rental. In the distance are San Francisco’s Coit Tower and the Bay Bridge.


The master bedroom derives much of its masculine character from charcoal gray and brown, but it’s warmed with soft, supple textiles.

Chair: Harvest

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