The inaugural home tour of 2018 begins now! I purposefully revisited my archives to showcase the residence where I held an event last year (covered here). This space embodies everything I aspire to achieve in my own home this year—but it also delivers more than just aesthetic appeal. It imparts valuable life lessons that I believe will guide us well in 2018. Keep reading to discover what I mean.
The living area of this San Francisco apartment tells a tale of opposing elements. A striking black fireplace commands attention in an otherwise bright white room (does this remind anyone of something?). Yet instead of feeling overly formal or imposing, the space is tempered by a mid-century chair in blush tones and a whimsical chandelier, making it welcoming and highly livable. The life lesson drawn from these design decisions? Don't hesitate to embrace your inner child. It's easy to become absorbed in the seriousness of interior design, but there's always space for a bit of fun. After all, we inhabit these rooms—they ought to be enjoyable.
The dining area is absolutely inviting. The warm wooden floors are mirrored in the dining table. The gray upholstered chairs introduce softness. I fully support adding a well-placed potted plant for a hint of vitality. But what truly captivates me is the unframed portrait tucked into the corner. He is unexpected. He appears worn while everything else in the room feels contemporary and fresh. He provides that subtle touch of surprise that lends a room personality. And he reminds us that we should always have an older, wiser person in our lives to turn to.
This lounge area exemplifies careful curation. Not too much, not too little. The gallery wall in the corner and the hint of warm brass against the white and gray palette feel perfectly balanced. I'm also captivated by the faded rug and mid-century nesting side tables. Again, all those vintage elements are offset by the CB2 xx coffee table. Life lesson: strive for equilibrium. You may not always attain it, but the pursuit is worthwhile.
Nearly every item in this photograph is antique. Life lesson: worthwhile discoveries require patience.
A meticulously curated assortment sits prominently on the mantelpiece. Life lesson: admit only what brings you happiness.
This kitchen defies the typical Pinterest parade of kitchen fads. No open shelving. No soaring marble slabs. No brass! The kitchen's structure is, in fact, quite straightforward. A clean white waterfall countertop. Warm wood. Flat-front white cabinetry. Yet every detail animates the space. From the bursts of green and jolts of black to the subtle hints of pink (did you catch them?) and that delightfully surprising crystal chandelier—I simply want to live in this kitchen. Life lesson: if you're feeling a bit plain, add something unexpected.
This is one of my cherished features of historic San Francisco residences—the amazing architectural details that often dominate a room. But it can be tricky to figure out how to handle elements like walnut picture rails and Victorian fireplaces without feeling like you're in a Downton Abbey episode. Yet this dining room demonstrates that all you need to do is mix and match. Modern touches like a clean marble-topped table and wishbone chairs feel perfectly at home alongside the historic features. Life lesson: make the old feel new again.
This bedroom showcases my favorite color scheme, so it's no surprise I'm enamored. But it's also a striking take on minimalism. It proves that you don't have to depend solely on DWR to achieve a minimalist look. Sure, there are recognizable designer pieces in this room, but it's the ornate bed, painted black and simply dressed with a white coverlet, that makes you say wow. Minimalism has never looked this good. Life lesson: dare to be different.
I trust you're drawing as much inspiration for the new year from this home as I am. Between this and Oprah's speech at the Golden Globes last night, I certainly feel we can head in a beautiful direction this year. I know I'm excited. Are you?
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Design by The Locationist, photography by Suzanna Scott.
