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My Houzz: A San Francisco Family Home Combines Style and Functionality
A new mother creates a cosy and child-friendly home with a mix of styles and textures
When stylist Janette Crawford became a new mother, she wanted to be sure that the arrival of her daughter didn’t mean the departure of good design in her home. To stay true to her design sensibilities, she took care with every purchase and style decision.
Two years later she and daughter, Vivian Sunshine, are enjoying a warm and welcoming home with a strong, unified sense of design. And Janette’s passion for good kid-friendly design that stays true to parents’ personal aesthetics has led her to start Lovemade with fellow Houzzer Jeanne Chan and has kick-started her new career at interior design company Homepolish.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Janette Crawford and her daughter, Vivian Sunshine (age 2)
Location Alamo Square neighborhood of San Francisco
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Two years later she and daughter, Vivian Sunshine, are enjoying a warm and welcoming home with a strong, unified sense of design. And Janette’s passion for good kid-friendly design that stays true to parents’ personal aesthetics has led her to start Lovemade with fellow Houzzer Jeanne Chan and has kick-started her new career at interior design company Homepolish.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Janette Crawford and her daughter, Vivian Sunshine (age 2)
Location Alamo Square neighborhood of San Francisco
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
As a second step when buying new things for the home, Janette asks herself, ‘Would I put this in my living room?’ By making sure to purchase choices that fit her style, they end up being colourful and fun but not overly saccharine and cutesy.
Sofa, Craigslist. African mud cloth, eBay. Sectional, Ikea. Coffee table, custom made by a friend. Shelving, Restoration Hardware. Art near window, Alyson Fox.
Sofa, Craigslist. African mud cloth, eBay. Sectional, Ikea. Coffee table, custom made by a friend. Shelving, Restoration Hardware. Art near window, Alyson Fox.
Janette likes to stick with neutral colours for toys and baby gear with a few accent colours thrown in. Though some toys are more expensive, they are also chic and act as decor, not just toys.
Hidden storage is key. She advocates putting lots of baskets throughout a room to avoid clutter.
Antlers, Alameda Point Antiques Faire. Bench, Thrift Town.
Browse storage solutions for kids’ rooms
Hidden storage is key. She advocates putting lots of baskets throughout a room to avoid clutter.
Antlers, Alameda Point Antiques Faire. Bench, Thrift Town.
Browse storage solutions for kids’ rooms
What’s made a difference in her approach to styling has been what she chooses for practicality. She doesn’t ‘undecorate’ as much as substitute unbreakable things so the home remains comfortable for both adults and children.
Pillows, Craigslist and eBay.
Pillows, Craigslist and eBay.
When Janette found this apartment after a move from the Midwest, she had to furnish it from scratch. She got a head start on the process when her landlord lent her this dining room table. Janette gravitates toward thrift and vintage stores for furniture because she considers it more environmentally responsible and affordable and unique.
Chairs, Overstock. Rug, West Elm.
Chairs, Overstock. Rug, West Elm.
‘To buy used, it may take more time, but it’s worth it because each piece has so much more character and texture that’s special,’ Janette says. ‘There’s also great freedom in the idea of being able to sell everything, go somewhere else and buy everything on Craigslist and not be too tied down by material things.’
Pillows, eBay. Bowl, Lydali. Terra-cotta pot, Community Thrift. Basket, Thrift Town. Arrow art, Vogtsmith. Bench, Another Time.
Pillows, eBay. Bowl, Lydali. Terra-cotta pot, Community Thrift. Basket, Thrift Town. Arrow art, Vogtsmith. Bench, Another Time.
Janette keeps her bedroom streamlined with minimalist art and neutral bed furnishings.
Bed frame and sheets, West Elm. Art, prints from a photographer’s portfolio and White Elephant Sale.
Bed frame and sheets, West Elm. Art, prints from a photographer’s portfolio and White Elephant Sale.
Sometimes the little things make the biggest difference. Janette purchased the geometric mobile, then built the nursery around it.
Crib, Ikea. Dresser, Craigslist. Themis Mobile, Artecnica.
Learn how to create a stylish nursery
Crib, Ikea. Dresser, Craigslist. Themis Mobile, Artecnica.
Learn how to create a stylish nursery
Janette loves mixing textiles with global influences, which is evident in her daughter’s room. The pillow on the rocking chair is a traditional batik, which has colour and personality that Janette and her daughter love.
Rocking chair, Stuff. Side table, West Elm.
Rocking chair, Stuff. Side table, West Elm.
A teepee, custom built by Janette’s parents, is one of her daughter’s favourite bedroom features. A colourful assortment of prints and art adorns the walls.
Love seat, vintage. Art, Alyson Fox, Lisa Congdon, Society6, and vintage.
Love seat, vintage. Art, Alyson Fox, Lisa Congdon, Society6, and vintage.
Janette loves keeping fresh plants and greenery scattered throughout her home. With a master gardener for a grandpa and a gardening enthusiast for a mother, she came by her love for plants naturally. The plants are a homage to her family that also add life and texture to the space.
‘I love textiles and combining cultural influences. Visual texture is fascinating, and layering them adds depth and richness to any room,’ says Janette, shown here with her daughter.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of vintage style? Share some of your best finds with us in the Comments below.
TELL US…
Are you a fan of vintage style? Share some of your best finds with us in the Comments below.
‘Identify a key inspiration, whether it be a colour story, vintage or modern, to create a theme,’ Janette says. ‘Then make it a filter for everything you buy.’
Chair, thrifted. Toys, Areaware, Bannor Toys and Janod. Rug, eBay.