My Houzz: Laid-Back Style in a San Francisco Home

Finding the perfect space for yourselves and your new puppy can be challenging, especially in San Francisco. Lauren Smith and Andy Muesse moved to San Francisco from Southern California six years ago, after they graduated from college, and they quickly outgrew their studio in the Upper Haight neighborhood. They found their first home, a renovated 1,000-square-foot flat, in the Lower Haight and went to work to create a beachy, airy feel reminiscent of their beach hometown, San Clemente. “We wanted it to feel light and as bright as possible, including light walls and trim, lightly colored furniture and plenty of lamps and light fixtures,” says Smith, an interior design student and blogger.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Lauren Smith, Andy Muesse and their 2-year-old French bulldog, Beatrice
Location: Lower Haight neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 1,000 square feet (93 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom, converted attic
Year built: 1902; unit remodeled in 2010

Along with creating a beachy vibe, thanks to the light colors and wood accents, the couple have filled the space with plants and mementos from their travels.


Smith and Muesse moved into their two-bedroom flat feeling grateful for the extra space but overwhelmed with the thought of filling it. They took their time to slowly piece together a home that represented them.

One of the couple’s favorite things to do is snuggle up on the couch and watch movies. “We splurged on pieces we knew we’d get a lot of use out of,” Smith says about their sectional and TV. They also didn’t want to skimp on the art, as they knew it would be the focal point of their home. They commissioned the piece that hangs above the sectional from San Francisco wood artist Aleksandra Zee. “We felt that even if we moved and it no longer had a place over the couch, we could always repurpose it into an amazing table or even a sliding door,” Smith says.

Ditto II grey sectional sofa: CB2; Emmerson reclaimed wood coffee table and Terrace side table: West Elm; wooden art piece: Aleksandra Zee


“We love to travel and try to visit at least a couple new countries every year. Our home is full of pictures and souvenirs from all over the world, and we’re always being inspired by these new cultures and lifestyles,” Smith says. “We have carnival masks from Venice, art prints from Japan, pillows from Morocco and ceramics from Turkey, just to name a few.” Smith also worked at Anthropologie for close to 10 years and was constantly surrounded by their beautiful home furnishings and store presentations.

Emmerson reclaimed wood bed and reading lamp: West Elm; Hemnes dresser and Hemnes nightstand: Ikea; mercury glass Melon knobs and Abate slatted mirror: Anthropologie


The built-in bookcases surrounding the fireplace are original to the home.


“We have a beautiful stained glass window in our living room that we know absolutely nothing about,” Smith says. “We don’t know if it was original or put in during one of the many renovations the building underwent over its 100-year lifetime. It’s just one of the many fun mysteries you come across when living in such an old home.”


The couple’s flat includes a semisecret second level, accessible only by ladder. The converted attic is currently empty, but Smith and Muesse may turn it into a master suite with a second bathroom and add a deck to their home.


“Our unit is at the back of the building and doesn’t receive much direct sunlight during most of the day,” Smith says. To keep their home feeling light and airy, the couple used a neutral color palette. Their large collection of houseplants plays an important role in creating a lush green vibe. A potted cactus, a snake plant and a split-leaf philodendron decorate the hallway.


The couple’s French bulldog, Beatrice, stands on the original oak (with inlay) flooring in the living room.


The homeowners consider decorating their apartment a two-year work in progress. “Having moved from a small studio, we had to acquire a lot more furniture to fill this larger space. We started with pieces we would need right off the bat, like a new bed and couch,” Smith says. She feels the house is finally coming together with the addition of small accent pieces, like this entry area minibar. “We’re able to focus more on these small things that really make it feel complete,” she says.

Tall Butler tray stand and tray: West Elm; Hoop mirror: Anthropologie


An architect-developer bought their entire building of four units in 2010 and renovated each one before selling them, which included adding granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. “There was one other owner in between the remodel and us, so while our house is over 100 years old, we still feel like we get to enjoy the luxury of living in a modern, functional space, thanks to the renovated kitchen and bathroom,” Smith says.



Smith searched high and low for the ideal desk for her office, and when she couldn’t find one that she loved, she made her own. She constructed the desk using legs ordered from a hairpin leg manufacturer and added a white lacquered tabletop. Smith is proud of her project. “It looks like it cost a lot more than it does, but it’s also a one-of-a-kind piece you’re not going to find in anyone else’s home,” she says. Next to her desk is a fiddle leaf fig tree, and underneath the desk is a vintage rug inherited from Smith’s great-uncle.

Desk legs: Hairpin Legs for Less; desk chair: Dot & Bo


Beatrice has her own little tent made especially for dogs from Free People. She seeks refuge inside the tent or under Smith’s open clothing racks.


A potted donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum) and a staghorn fern hang on the bookshelf and wall in Smith’s office.


Art: Waikiki #5 by Max Wanger, Urban Outfitters; child’s dress: souvenir from Peru; houseplant: snake plant


Muesse and Smith relax and watch Beatrice as she plays on her favorite spot in the house: a large lambskin rug.

My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.

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URL: My Houzz: Laid-Back Style in a San Francisco Home http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-26909.html