USA Houzz: Warmth and Style in a Small Rental
What this small home lacks in space, it more than makes up for in individual character and a welcoming vibe
Nanette Wong
29 March 2016
Houzz Contributor // Visual storyteller. I love connecting with other like-minded home enthusiasts and scouring Houzz for real home inspiration by real people. In my spare time, I try to think of clever food puns and write about food, design, and San Francisco.
Houzz Contributor // Visual storyteller. I love connecting with other like-minded... More
Megan Harmon and Kristian Hansen saw their 33-square-metre studio rental in San Francisco, California, as a style challenge. The US couple, who both work in tech, managed to create a functional, storied space that represents their love of mid-century modern style, art and entertaining.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kristian Hansen and Megan Harmon
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Size: 33 square metres
When Megan Harmon and Kristian Hansen were looking for apartments, architectural personality was their most important requirement. After seeing dozens of places that all looked the same to them, they were immediately smitten with this space, with its classic French doors, bay windows and natural light.
Who lives here: Kristian Hansen and Megan Harmon
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Size: 33 square metres
When Megan Harmon and Kristian Hansen were looking for apartments, architectural personality was their most important requirement. After seeing dozens of places that all looked the same to them, they were immediately smitten with this space, with its classic French doors, bay windows and natural light.
Harmon loves the diminutive apartment for its character – including features such as a gas stove and an old phone niche in the entryway. “How great to know that we’re living in a place with history. Knowing that you have something that has been around, and will be around, much longer than you – well, I think that’s beautiful,” she says.
The couple’s love of art is apparent throughout their studio. Harmon used to work for a national arts nonprofit called the National YoungArts Foundation. Its mission is to find, support and nurture the best and brightest emerging artists from high school and help foster their careers. Harmon has a great collection that contains work from many of these young artists. A few other pieces were gifts from friends and family.
Bed frame: West Elm; bedside tables: Hygge Culture, lamp and doona cover: Anthropologie; small white lamp: Etsy
Bed frame: West Elm; bedside tables: Hygge Culture, lamp and doona cover: Anthropologie; small white lamp: Etsy
The 1920s J.B. Louvet bicycle poster by artist Mich belongs to Hansen. “He used to be a bike messenger in New York City and really loved the history of posters like these,” Harmon says.
Living in such a small space has brought the couple closer together, although it hasn’t always been easy. “One of the hardest things for the both of us was giving up a lot of our books – the plight of the English major and the humanities major,” Harmon says. “We just couldn’t reasonably live around all of the books we had unless we wanted to feel like we were living in a used bookstore. It took a lot of time, but we got there.”
Peekaboo acrylic console table: CB2
Peekaboo acrylic console table: CB2
The couple have a ‘one drawer’ motto. “There should really only ever be one drawer in each room that you can put stuff in. Anything over that, and you know you’re just going to fill it with stuff that doesn’t need to be there,” Harmon says. “Even just one is usually filled with way too much. But with one, it’s easier to go through and clean out when needed.”
Both Hansen and Harmon love mid-century modern furniture, especially Hansen, who is Danish and has a love for design. The couple see pieces from this era as not just furniture but works of art, with style that’s both effortless and timeless.
They were mindful to add pieces to their home that tell a story, whether from a trip or a vintage store from their hometown. “For instance, the rug is actually from Armenia,” Harmon says. “I was there on my first work trip with my new job and felt like I had to bring a piece of it back with me. I actually left some of my things in the hotel room just so I could fit it into my suitcase.
“We also got our utensil holder from Bethel Pottery just outside Muncie, Indiana, where four generations of my family have lived.”
Jens Risom lounge chair: Alameda Point Antiques Fair; Arthur Umanoff magazine side table: Maxwell Modern in Oakland; speaker: Sonos
They were mindful to add pieces to their home that tell a story, whether from a trip or a vintage store from their hometown. “For instance, the rug is actually from Armenia,” Harmon says. “I was there on my first work trip with my new job and felt like I had to bring a piece of it back with me. I actually left some of my things in the hotel room just so I could fit it into my suitcase.
“We also got our utensil holder from Bethel Pottery just outside Muncie, Indiana, where four generations of my family have lived.”
Jens Risom lounge chair: Alameda Point Antiques Fair; Arthur Umanoff magazine side table: Maxwell Modern in Oakland; speaker: Sonos
“Mid-century modern furniture is made to create a space for conversation,” Harmon says. “We love having friends over for dinner parties, so having a space that helps inspire conversation helps with that. Kristian and I value that when we’re alone too. We like to eat dinner sitting across from each other.”
George Nelson-inspired coffee table: Hygge Culture
George Nelson-inspired coffee table: Hygge Culture
During the day, Hansen works in tech, but on nights and weekends he’s a woodworker. He first began doing woodworking for a company called Laughing Chickens, where he made reclaimed-redwood chicken coops that were sold online by Williams-Sonoma and others. Eventually, he moved on to launch Hygge Culture.
Their home is full of meaningful pieces made by Hansen, with some assistance from Harmon. Their console was a collaborative project and holds a special place in Harmon’s heart because they made it together.
Cedar slab console: Hygge Culture
Their home is full of meaningful pieces made by Hansen, with some assistance from Harmon. Their console was a collaborative project and holds a special place in Harmon’s heart because they made it together.
Cedar slab console: Hygge Culture
Sharing a studio has other perks, including saving money. These savings have allowed them to invest in the quality collectible furniture they love.
“Kristian is great at finding the furniture and deals, and I’m the on-site negotiator. I got the Jens Risom down $400 from the on-site price. I wouldn’t have bought it for what he was selling it for, so I felt a rush of relief when he said yes,” Harmon says.
Eames chairs: Mixed Nuts on Chairish; print: Guy Yanai
“Kristian is great at finding the furniture and deals, and I’m the on-site negotiator. I got the Jens Risom down $400 from the on-site price. I wouldn’t have bought it for what he was selling it for, so I felt a rush of relief when he said yes,” Harmon says.
Eames chairs: Mixed Nuts on Chairish; print: Guy Yanai
Harmon describes their interior design style as “bright, mid-century modern-inspired,” with a touch of softness in the bedroom, kitchen and personal spaces. “But for the rooms where we host people, I like them to be a little more bold and inviting,” she says.
Their love of coffee is apparent in the accessories throughout the kitchen.
Cutting board: Hygge Culture
Cutting board: Hygge Culture
The couple’s affinity for plants and greenery stems from their love of being outdoors and exploring. Every weekend, they set aside one day for the two of them to hike in a new space. They also write a lifestyle blog called Hikes and Bites.
“’Hygge’ is a Danish term that means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people,” says Harmon, pictured here with Hansen. “It doesn’t have a similar word in the English language. I think that’s why we feel like we need to buy mostly Danish and Danish-inspired furniture. At its essence, we’re just trying to create some hygge.”
TELL US
What do you think of this mini dream home and it’s handmade touches? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US
What do you think of this mini dream home and it’s handmade touches? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Hygge Culture - I wonder if jmpjmp was just asking - in a not very clear way - how exactly those towers of books 'work'? It's something I've wondered, because I haven't happened to see one in a shop.
They look like a stack of books. Obviously, with a stack of books, if you want a book in the middle or at the bottom, you have to remove all the books on top of it to take the book you want.
My question is, how does such a shelf function? You say it's 'very functional,' but because it is also counter-intuitive-looking, it's not clear how it functions. Can you explain?
On another topic, reading about 'hygge culture' fills my heart with a longing for exactly that - 'hygge.' Isn't it strange that what must really be a universal longing -creating a warm atmosphere; enjoying the 'good' with other people - has no term in English or other cultures? I find that mysterious, and somehow sad. Good luck with your venture in making wood furniture (the console is beautiful; I want to run my hands over it). I hope that you are able to introduce both the word and the concept of 'hygge' into American culture. If any culture needed it, it's American culture.
I had to go back to find the "tower" and had missed it completely. I think it's a perfect spot, never needs to be moved and is arranged so nicely it is almost like a sculpture. Adorable place you have and do you find it always looks like this because it's so small everything needs to be in it's place or do you sometimes mess it up a little? Come on, you can tell us. ;) As for the one drawer rule, I always had trouble until I read, here on Houzz I believe, about the one touch rule. It has worked wonders for me and I'm working on my husband. If anyone wants to know about it let me know.