Home > Cases > My Houzz: Creative Renters Triumph Over the ‘No Paint’ Rule

My Houzz: Creative Renters Triumph Over the ‘No Paint’ Rule

http://www.decor-ideas.org 05/11/2014 19:24 Decor Ideas

“Any San Franciscan knows how difficult it is to find an apartment in this city,” says Sarah Latta, who shares a one-bedroom apartment in the Cole Valley neighborhood with her boyfriend, Darren Carter. “We looked at 23 places before finding this one.”

With three large walk-in closets, the apartment fits the couple’s storage needs for their sports gear and all the decorative items Latta has collected over the years working for Williams-Sonoma and shelter magazines. “Darren calls my closet the throw-pillow closet,” Latta says.

With a strict landlord who enforces a “no paint and limited nails in the wall” rule, the couple was forced to get creative and rely solely on furnishings and textiles to decorate their space. A year later lively colors, tribal prints and collected decor have given their apartment a big personality.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sarah Latta and Darren Carter
Location: Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 750 square feet (70 square meters); 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom

Latta describes her style as an ever-evolving mix influenced by her experiences working for magazines. “I love the collected look,” she says. “Mixing and matching different styles, patterns, textures and artwork. I’m a sucker for great patterns, good upholstery and uniqueness.”

With a mutual love of the water, the couple decided on a subtle coastal theme for the living room decor, using deep blues, mustard yellows and natural, woven textures. The jute rug, sisal ottoman and carry-all baskets provide a soft, neutral canvas for the blue and mustard hues.

Jute Chenille Herringbone Rug: West Elm; coffee table/ottoman: Pottery Barn

eclectic living room by Shannon Malone

Latta makes it a point to collect ceramics or artwork every time she travels. “Even if they end up in the throw pillow closet for now,” she says.

“The painted ikat curtains have this amazing painterly quality to them — they feel so organic and calming,” she says.

Painted Ikat Print Window Panel: West Elm

eclectic living room by Shannon Malone

The couple decided to unhook their sectional to create two seating units in their small living room. By doing so, they were able to open up a walkway to a small table and chairs placed against the bay windows behind the sofa. “It made the living room feel way larger,” Latta says, “and it created three separate sitting areas.”

Side table: Pottery Barn

eclectic living room by Shannon Malone

“We created a small dining area behind the sofa so that we have two eating options in our oh-so-small apartment,” Latta says. “The bay window looks out onto the outdoor patio of a popular French restaurant, and we like hearing the soft sounds of utensils and laughter at night.”

Rustic Dining Chairs: West Elm

eclectic bedroom by Shannon Malone

“I like mixing and matching different styles,” says Latta. “Here the mirrored nightstands add modern lines, while two vintage trunks add a bit of softness.” The papier-mâché animal heads remind Carter, who is from South Africa, of the national game reserves he used to visit as a child.

The trunk by the bay window belonged to Latta’s grandmother; she packed her clothes in it when she attended summer camp in the 1920s.

Jute Boucle Rug in Iron: West Elm; New Papier-Mâché Animal Sculptures: West Elm; Rustic Dining Chair: West Elm

eclectic bedroom by Shannon Malone

To keep their bedroom gender neutral, the couple steered clear of feminine hues, opting instead for earth tones and scattered bursts of color.

Duvet cover: Zigzag Layered Bed Set, West Elm; throw pillows: West Elm; Foxed Mirror Nightstands: West Elm

eclectic bedroom by Shannon Malone

“One of my favorite details is the French doors that open from the bedroom to the living room,” says Latta. “It’s nice to be able to open up our small apartment, making it feel more spacious than it actually is.”

Art brought back from travels to South Africa hangs above the French doors.

eclectic dining room by Shannon Malone

With hallways on both sides, the small and slightly awkward dining area is furnished with a compact square table. A bold rug adds color and texture while helping to define the space; an elephant drawing hangs on the wall as a reminder of the couple’s travels. “We went back to South Africa last March, and seeing these animals in their natural habitat is just incredible,” says Latta. “It’s nice to have little reminders around our apartment.”

A faux plant display livens up the wall behind the dining table. “San Francisco buildings have great and often very quirky architectural details,” she says. “The oddball in our apartment is a series of very shallow inset shelves in our dining area.”

Since the room had very little light, Latta purchased some fake plants from Ikea, removed them from their pots and taped them to the back of the shelves, using metal wire to secure them.

Dining table: Parsons, West Elm; chairs: West Elm

by Shannon Malone