Name: Lisa Neimeth, Peter, Jackson and Tess
Location: San Francisco
Size: Approx. 2200 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 9
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We normally include a little explanation of why we think you'll love the house tour we're sharing, but today's host, Lisa, has included a lovely welcoming message along with the interview and we think it best to let you read her notes...
Welcome to our house! I am Lisa Neimeth, a ceramic artist and sculptor, presently focusing on hand formed tableware. I live in an 1886 Dairy farmhouse (we found some old delivery papers in the walls!) located in the Inner Sunset in San Francisco with my husband Peter and my two children-- Jackson and Tess. I was so thrilled and amazed to stumble upon this house for sale 9 years ago. With its soaring 50 year old Monterey Cypress trees and double wide lot, assorted outbuildings and greenery everywhere—it was a mini-compound of a dream come true!
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As an artist, my visions and use of this property were endless. I immediately spied the falling down chicken coop in the yard, as my studio and envisioned forts and a treehouse for the kids. The separate loft cottage was a great way to pull in some income as a rental property and the detached garage was just charming. Being able to work at home in such a beautiful serene spot, but still have complete urban access, is truly a dream.
AT Survey:
Our Style: The style of our house is somewhat eclectic though adhering to the simple farm house lines that pre-exist our input here. I tend to go with what visually appeals to me and then I find a place for it.
Inspiration: Influences are Asian, African, Mexican—simple, folk art, comfortable. I would love to go for some more industrial farm house elements throughout.
Favorite Element: being able to see greenery from every room-sometimes I feel like I live in a treehouse!
Biggest Challenge: keeping the house in order and neat with 2 kids and not lots of extra space.
What Friends Say: “I can’t believe we are in the city!- This feels like the country!”
Biggest Embarrassment: some leftover furniture elements from past distressed furniture stage—I would LOVE to get rid of the hallway and living room table. I want to build some tables using the piles of found wood I have and some large stones—Japanese tea garden-esque.
Proudest DIY: transforming the chicken coop into a usable functional studio—clearing out, plumbing, electricity, sheetrock, tile flooring.
#2: the VERY large treehouse my husband built out of salvaged materials. Contrary to what most people say about their play structures—our kids really use it for all sorts of imaginative play. Right now it is Tess’s Diner.
Biggest Indulgence: Top notch appliances—Bosch dishwasher washer/dryer, Sub-Zero fridge and Viking stove. A splurge for sure, but these industrial strength pieces are still going strong after nearly 9 years—well worth it.
Best Advice: Be flexible in your home design. If something appeals to you find a way to work it in to your home decor. Don’t get pulled in by having to have a defined style or look—but be sure that it can all live together. Incorporate high and low elements—expensive couch, cheap chairs (especially if you have kids) so that when they are trashed and you’re are so sick of looking at them, you can get something new and not feel guilty. And, yes, if you are going to go for the good sofa—one word: slipcovers.
Dream Source for Stuff: Martha Sturdy resin furniture; heavy teak furniture at the Gardener; ABC Carpet and Home for everything for the home; Carpinteros in Santa Fe, NM, for gorgeous handmade furniture.
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Resources:
Appliances: Cherin’s for appliances
Hardware: Cole Hardware-several locations, Hundley Hardware Mission st SF
Rugs and Carpets: California Carpet and Home
Tiles and Stone: Lyngso in Redwood City
Beds: Mcroskey Air flex, also a splurge but a terrific bed!
Artwork: my own, friends, love to check out Polanco on Hayes Street for up and coming Mexican artists—have bought several pieces from them; the street, installations in coffee shops-great place to buy inexpensive art from talented up and comers, open studios, my kids!
Paint: Kelly-Moore-various
Flooring: floors are original wood floors
Thanks, Lisa, Peter, Jackson and Tess!
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Photos by Lisa
What a lovely, lovely home. Very restful setting and well composed.
view zuzupetals's profile
That studio is great! Too cool...
view mattab's profile
Love this place! It is stimulating, exciting, nurturing and comforting all at once -- a lovely combination of the mysterious and the mundane, marching to the beat of its own drummer, eschewing trendiness. A real home.
view mschatelaine's profile
What an incredible home and work space! Creative, personalized touches are everywhere you turn and add so much charm. I just love it!
view darcidoodle's profile
the studio space is my dream!
view millzee's profile
so jealous. oy. the studio space is amazing, so inspiring!
view kdkaboom's profile
Wow...what an amazing piece of property. Love your art collection. I think what I like most is that you left your windows undraped. No fuss.
view nazrd's profile
what color are your kitchen cabinets?
view The Sale Rack's profile
Beautiful home. Adore your backyard- it is by far the gem of this house. It reminds me so much of the movie Notes on a Scandal- the main character had a similar studio in her backyard.
view vegidesi's profile
lovely. great neighborhood. spectacular backyard. totally jealous.
view Fjorder's profile
Where did that spectacular dining table come from?
view TaraGL's profile
While the style is not to my liking, I like what/how you did all this and it just looks happenstance to a large degree. While I tend to veer more towards mid century to 70's era modern, even I tend to go a bit eclectic too which I think then adds my stamp/signature style to what would be a "generic" look.
While I'd have put some more of the items behind closed storage to lighten the visual load a bit, I like what you have done to display many of the items though.
Great job and yes, it all does look peaceful and yet fun at the same time.
view ciddyguy's profile
This house is very sweet with a little funk to it. Nice talent.
view PlanItGirl's profile
I love your house. Sigh...where to begin? The studio, the tree house, the space, location, etc...
Love your dining room table. Where did you get it?
view mstina's profile
Very nice! While some of the art is more whimsical than my style, its overall effect is lovely. I am especially in love with that kitchen! (The tree house is pretty awesome, too.)
view Molly Margarita's profile
Wow!
view JG's profile
How lucky for you to be able to afford such a huge lot at the height of the dotcom era. I wonder what profession the husband is in? The stainless appliances look out of place in the vintage kitchen. Your style is evident in every room and your backyard cottage is amazing.
view TheoJ's profile
I can't even begin to express how much I am in love with your home! I found myself justing ooooo'ing and ahhhh'ing at every photo!
I love you art works. I especially like the prickly pear statue in your shelves and the birds and nests hanging above the table. You are amazing! Just about to move into a house... hoping my space turns out as wonderful as yours.
P.S. How lucky are your kids!!! :D
view venus_thames's profile
I love the soothing green wall colors, very cozy home.
view LaDonnaNichole's profile
?
view paulmuscat's profile
Wonderful house! The studio is great. My one criticism is why is everything pushed up against the walls?
view petro's profile
Okay--so: the green paint on the kitchen cabinets is Kelly Moore --Loire Valley KM 431.
The table is from Reliance on Gilman Street in Berkeley--they recycle old english floorboards into tables--
and--no, not dot commers--just good luck. that time was crazy here in SF, but not in all neighborhoods--the inner sunset was not "hot" back then, and bargains could still be had.
Thanks for the comments!
view lisaN's profile
amazingly beautiful home! and your studio is just lovely!
view S. Elizabeth's profile
It's nice enough. It does not have that high impact that I love, and there are too many knick-knacks around - too accessorised. But I can see this is an absolutely adorable place to grow up in. Really home-y.
view siongchinchan's profile
BEAUTIFUL house in a beautiful garden. It reminds me a lot of my parents' house/my mother's style except you have collected a lot more (great) art - especially the Mexican pieces. I love your ceramics. Pity I don't live in SF anymore ... or I'd be hankering after some nice bowls ... Hope to see more of your work in the future!
view EAM's profile
Great Kitchen! I like the free standing Sub-Zero. I get tired of seeing them built-in constantly.
view Volvoguy's profile
Hi Lisa:
I am wondering about your bird pillows...did you make them and if so, where did you buy the fabric? It looks very "Anthropologie" to me.
Thanks
I am a big birder.
Jessica
view msjessica's profile
Why is a house tour being posted in the middle of Smallest Coolest? Aren't we already looking at enough apartments as it is?
view hja's profile
Love the house so much...then came the yard and studio, which made me die a little with jealousy!
view trygve's profile
Where do I begin. One word...WOW. Being a kid who grew up in the burbs and now being a dad with my own kids in the city, this is how I imagined my two worlds could comingle. i love the treeouse and i will have to "borrow" that concept for my children (i'd be super dad) Also I like how your HOME looks lived in and not so sterile that the children can't be children, without sacrificing style. BRAVO good show.
view thedirtyshow's profile
can you say HOME? Beautifully real and serene!
view rachelrachel's profile
Would love to have the paint colors for the yellow and green rooms. Thanks.
view bluesmtn's profile
Love, love it! A fun, happy, colorful and whimsical home! I especially love the backyard and tree house...you're a lucky duck! :)
view junklover's profile
so-the bird pillows are from anthropologie and the Dwell collection.
paint: Kelly Moore--we have evening picnic (KM 430) in the LR, seaweed (KM 472) in the BR and Loire Valley (KM 431) in the kitchen. Yellow is Jeune KM 33-L.
Thanks again for the comments!
view lisaN's profile
The fridge is too modern -- the kitchen screams for a retro refrigerator.
view puglyfeet's profile
could you tell me about your kitchen floor? Is that linoleum or is it painted? What are the colors? I love it!
view marsek's profile
Hi Marsek--the floor is painted. It is an original wood floor that was geting stained from use and wear and tear. I always loved the look of the old painted stenciled wood floors and decided to design this--
I found a wonderful woman to paint it who was a set designer at berkeley rep--she did a fabulous job!
Basically it just takes some patience and a planned layout--
The colors are a mottled rust/red and a gold/yellow--many layers were laid down to get the desired effect-
view lisaN's profile
Oh boy.. Everything is beautiful and well put together but the kithchen cabinets are not to die for.
view Snugglitas's profile
Amazing table! The colors are unique and it's almost like you brought the outside inside.
view figs's profile
Lisa, I love your home! I'm also a San Francisco girl but I rent in the Marina. The artwork in your home is incredible and it pulls everything together so well.
You have the exact sofa that I'm looking for...including the color! Would you mind telling me where you found it? Someplace in San Francisco, I hope? I hope I'll own a place as lovely as yours someday. :) Thanks so much! Nancy
view ownedbycat's profile
Hi ownedbycat! Thanks so much for your comments--
the sofa is wonderful and we have had it for over 14 years and it still looks as good as new. It is from Shabby Chic--store on Fillmore street in SF. Their stuff is pricey--but so worth it and with the slipcovers, you can always change the look and keep them looking clean---
view lisaN's profile
I loved your home at its first posting. While touring for the second time I kept hoping there would be just one more shot! What is great is that you know it is wonderful, and you are enjoying it!
view scootergirl's profile
I shall be forever obsessed with this home, I LOVE the kitchen! I absolutely love it!
view amelie de lune 's profile