A San Francisco Rental Gets A Designer's Touch

By  Elizabeth Stamp
dining area Vivian Johnson Photography

When her husband got a new job in San Francisco, Laura Hur, principal designer at Lorla Studio, found herself moving across the country with a newborn in tow. Since the family would only be in the Bay Area for a couple years, they settled into a rental in Noe Valley and Laura set out to make the space feel like home — fast. "We really wanted a true San Francisco experience, and fell in love with this Stick Victorian rowhouse," says Hur.

The house had plenty of period charm, but since it was a rental, it also had plenty of constraints. Hur envisioned a bright, neutral space with creamy, white walls as the foundation of the design. "To my disappointment, our landlords would not let us paint a single wall," says the designer. "All of the walls are the same beige color throughout — textbook rental home! The color isn't terrible, but there's way too much of it." Fortunately, Hur was able to talk the owners into letting her change up the light fixtures, which went a long way in transforming the space.

entry Vivian Johnson Photography

1. Entry

Hur updated the entry with a vintage mirror and a colorful runner from ABC Carpet & Home.

2. Living Room

living roomVivian Johnson Photography

The large Joelle Somero painting above the Room & Board sofa is one of the designer's favorite additions to the home. She added a large Ballard Designs mirror above the fireplace to highlight the scale of the room and brought in sofa pillows and a rug by Lulu and Georgia for texture.

3. Dining Room

dining areaVivian Johnson Photography

An array of artwork that the family found at LRNCE, Minted, the Poster Club as well as at galleries and abroad, create a colorful backdrop in the dining room. Rattan chairs and a pendant light by Leanne Ford for Target offset the sleek table and console.

4. Kitchen

kitchenVivian Johnson Photography

In a nook off the kitchen, a vintage painting from the Alameda Flea Market is displayed above a console from Elsie Green.

5. Kitchen

kitchenVivian Johnson Photography

To add some personality to the kitchen, Hur added a runner from Nomad Rugs.

6. Office

officeVivian Johnson Photography

An Anthropologie ceiling light sets the tone in the office, where abstract art from the Poster Club hangs above a vintage desk.

7. Bedroom

bedroomVivian Johnson Photography

The oversize light from the Paper Lantern Store makes a bold statement while complimenting the serene atmosphere in the main bedroom. Hur placed Serena & Lily sconces and West Elm nightstands beside the One Kings Lane bed.

8. Nursery

nurseryVivian Johnson Photography

Plants cascade along the wall of the nursery, where a Lulu and Georgia rug and Anthropologie llama add a playful vibe. A piece commissioned from Octavia Tomyn is displayed above the Crate & Barrel crib.

9. Nursery

nurseryVivian Johnson Photography

A table and chairs from Goodee World create a perfect coloring spot in the nursery.

10. Garden

gardenVivian Johnson Photography

In the dreamy garden, a CB2 sectional topped with pillows and a throw from Target provides a comfy place for the family to relax.

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