At Home: Couple uses high fashion to make most of unit
By: Karen Palmer
Special to The Examiner
January 18, 2009
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| Presidio Heights couple, Stacy Leitner and Joe Kohn, uses high fashion to make the most of modest-sized unit. (Mike Koozmin/Special to The Examiner) |
SAN FRANCISCO — If there’s one thing Stacy Leitner and Joe Kohn have learned from living in their Victorian garden unit in Presidio Heights, it’s that small spaces can be functional and stylish at the same time.
When Leitner, a senior seller for Ralph Lauren, and Kohn, co-owner of the popular Izzy’s Steaks & Chops, moved in two years ago, they not only gave the place a makeover, but were careful to maximize the 800 square feet at their disposal.
“You can really live well in a small space. A lot of our furniture and rooms are dual-purpose,” Leitner said. “For instance, our front room can be used as a dining room, a dressing room or a guest bedroom.”
Much of the apartment was inspired by Leitner’s work at Ralph Lauren.
“One of the things I’ve learned from working there is that Ralph Lauren is really the master of building a lifestyle,” Leitner said. “You can buy what you love and be consistent with a theme.”
Following that mantra, the couple created an overall look that combines a masculine color palette of gray, brown, black and white with Rococo-inspired and feminine accents that aren’t overly girly. Leitner’s fashion savvy shines throughout the space: Chalk-striped and herringbone-patterned pillows were inspired by tailored menswear. Leitner even had a headboard for the couple’s bed custom-made in a men’s suiting fabric, likening the bed to a man’s ensemble, where the headboard is the suit, the sheets are a shirt and the pillows are a tie.
“You have to take the time to add personality,” Kohn said.
It was also through Leitner’s job at Ralph Lauren that they met interior designer Scot Meacham Wood of Thane Studio, who helped the couple with many of the apartment’s details. The couple took inspiration from some of their favorite hotels they had visited in their travels and even completed much of the work on a budget, mixing more expensive pieces with finds from IKEA, the Restoration Hardware outlet and more.
“I’ve also used a lot of black spray paint,” Leitner said with a laugh.
All of this is not to say that Kohn’s passion for food and cooking didn’t come into play: In fact, it was the spacious kitchen, with its Carrera marble countertops and appliances fit for a chef, that first attracted the couple to the apartment.
Kohn explained the couple to a T: “We call each other ‘Shop and Chop.’”
Style keys
Stacy Leitner and Joe Kohn
Design aesthetic: Modern traditional
Design highlights: Clean lines with glamorous Rococo accents, menswear-inspired patterns, oversized furniture pieces, rich textiles, black-and-white prints, a palette of charcoal gray, white, brown, black, and navy
Favorite room: “Every time we finish a room, we say, ‘This is our new favorite room.’” — Kohn
“The bedroom. It’s so cozy. Because there’s a lot of charcoal gray, it feels like you’re taking a nap on a foggy day.” — Leitner
Favorite local design stores: Ralph Lauren, Williams-Sonoma Home, Swallowtail, Past Perfect, estate sales
Prized possession: “The French chandelier in our bedroom. We got it on a whim after a day of wine tasting in Sonoma. I darted into Être to get it — even though we had to get our friends to the airport!” — Leitner
Favorite publications for inspiration: Traditional Home, Domino, Architectural Digest, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar
Decorating advice: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You learn to edit and change things as you go.” — Leitner
