Julia lived in her perch above Valencia Street for seven years before taking off to London for a new adventure. Just before the big move, she remembers what inspired her to make this place her home.

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How did you know this home was for you?

I remember I had to dash out of a mid-afternoon meeting to view the apartment. The main building was still under construction, so I had to duck under a tarp to get in. Needless to say it wasn’t a perfect start! But when I entered the apartment and took one look at the huge windows and the view of Sutro Tower overlooking Valencia Street, I knew it needed to be my new home. Having just ended a 9-year relationship, this was my first-ever “big girl” apartment - living on my own, completely free to do things exactly as I wanted. It was luxuriously freeing.

Julia’s plant care motto: leave them alone.

What inspires you when you decorate?

So many things inspire my taste! The record that’s on at my local coffee shop, Four Barrell, in the morning. A stack of old books at the barber shop I pass on my way to work. In the case of my living room interior, I was very inspired by a version of the Life Aquatic movie poster and mimicked the colors and tone when painting and decorating. Plus I’m a bit of a globe freak and have a small collection of antique ones in various shades and versions of the USSR.

Julia looks for low-maintenance when it comes to houseplants, like the ultra-hardy Pothos.

What are your plant care secrets?

Leave them alone (some) and sing to them (all).

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Dragon Tree

Jade Pothos

Photo by Atelier Doré

Natasha Feldman a.k.a. @noshwithtash is changing the way we see cooking by offering delicious recipes that fit busy lifestyles. She shares with us the important ingredients of a chef’s home.

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How did you know this home was for you?

Natasha wanted a lush plant as an accent piece in her kitchen, she went with a Cascading Pothos

As a cook, the most important thing for me was a nice sized kitchen, with a stove that could withstand my constant abuse and enough room for a big dining room table. Having people over and being able to cook and serve family style is always priority number one. That being said, if I were going to do it all over again, I'd focus more heavily on the second most important element... natural light! I can usually be found in front of my apartment on the street, wearing an apron with forks in my back pocket and taking photos of food, looking like a total crazy person because of the lack of natural light inside my place.

What inspires you when you decorate?

I love supporting local artists and more often than not an object will just speak to me and I'll have to have it. Then I take it home, and after putting it in five different locations, I'll find its home. I don't love having a ton of stuff around, I like a clean and easy environment with bold pops of color and lots of food-related adornments.

As a new plant parent Natasha wanted plants she couldn’t kill that also looked cool and modern. She picked out a cute Staghorn Fern, the bubbly Pink Rubber Tree and super resilient Cast Iron Plant.

What are your plant care secrets?

LEON AND GEORGE. Until finding their service I was never able to keep plants happy because I just didn't know how to find the kinds of plants I could keep alive, and how to care for them like tiny silent children. My secret is to follow the instructions to a T and adjust watering based on the seasons, they've really just made it so easy for me!

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Pink Rubber Tree

Cascading Pothos

Staghorn Fern

Cast Iron

Wren and Jayme are friends who love a good theme party. When they found their charming San Francisco apartment, they knew it was a place they could take care of and make their own. 

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How did you know this home was for you?

When we visited the apartment it was empty. They had just re-sealed the floors and there was warm natural light reflecting from everywhere. We sat down in the middle of the floor and it felt comfortable. It was a home we could see ourselves investing in, filling with nice furniture and pieces that would last. 

Wren wanted a plant that handles low light for their small common area, she went with a Zanzibar Gem

What inspires you when you decorate?

We both like playing with color and themes. One of the first pieces we purchased for the apartment was a shower curtain, which we picked out from Urban Outfitters. As we were browsing a "Welcome to the Jungle" doormat was suggested and that ended up becoming our theme. We eventually added plants, our colorful velvet couches, and fun animal decor. 

What are your plant care secrets?

A light touch. They don't need to be bothered all the time, but it does help to have a rhythm. We typically check in on them on Sundays. Being aware when something has changed or seems to be wrong, then testing out adjustments is also something we do. When they get big, you notice them even more, so you can't help but be aware of how they're doing. 

Jayme picked a Bird of Paradise as a larger plant that would do well with the bright light in her room.

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Bird of Paradise

Monstera Deliciosa

Cascading Pothos

Zanzibar Gem