The project started when a 30-year-old professional, who had occupied the same walk-up for five years, hired interior designer Kate DeWitt to reimagine her home for a new phase of life. The aim went beyond superficial updates; it involved shifting from the haphazard, tentative style of her early adulthood to a more deliberate and unified vision.
The neighborhood’s character shaped the direction. Pacific Heights, with its preserved historic appeal, and Sacramento Street, a corridor of long-standing design boutiques, provided a natural framework. The client’s attachment to vintage finds, however, added complexity. She had accumulated several standout items over time but lacked a clear system for integrating them. To address this, DeWitt scoured Facebook Marketplace, 1stDibs, and Chairish, emphasizing authenticity over hasty acquisitions.
The dining room became the project’s defining moment. Initially hesitant about bold hues, the client warmed to Benjamin Moore’s Dry Sage, a rich sage green, which revitalized the space. At its center stood a Spanish baroque table she had sourced from Marketplace, but its compact dimensions made chair selection difficult. Rather than compromise, DeWitt created custom linen slipcovered chairs in Pindler fabric, crafted to fit precisely and upholstered by Gil’s Upholstery. The outcome merged historical elements with personal expression, illustrating how a single color choice could redefine an entire aesthetic.
This newfound confidence in color carried into the home office, where Sag Harbor Grey from Benjamin Moore established a calm, grounded atmosphere. The desk, obtained through Chairish and shipped from the UK, served as the room’s focal point. Resting atop it was a silver tray inherited from the client’s late grandmother—a small object with profound significance. The walls now displayed a collection of vintage tennis rackets, a lifelong passion previously overlooked. Their deliberate placement transformed a personal interest into a defining feature of the room.
The living room demanded the most patience. DeWitt retained the existing sectional and white lounge chair, introducing a carved Spanish console from 1stDibs and an antiqued floor mirror from Marketplace. The coffee table, however, took eight to nine months to locate. After several close calls that fell short, the team refused to settle. When the ideal piece finally arrived, it became the last element installed, and the one DeWitt described as her finest contribution. The delay reflected a commitment to intentionality over convenience.
