Meet Anabel, a recent UPenn graduate who our city rep Molly caught up with while visiting San Francisco a few weeks ago. Here are some shots of her Northern California crib located in North Beach, a small, low-key Italian neighborhood with lots of charm.
Tell me about your neighborhood in San Francisco? What do you like about it and how did you decide to live here? Anabel: North Beach is a small, low-key, Italian neighborhood that borders the SF’s touristy Peer 39 and downtown. I think it’s the perfect mix for my first spot in SF. I love that I can see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge from my kitchen window, that I can grab local pesto, gnocchi, and fresh focaccia at the corner store, that I can sit outside and have a fernet at Washington Square Park, and that I can walk to work along the Embarcadero in 30 minutes.
Tell me about this hanging mobile in your room? Where did you find it? A: When I was traveling during my year off before college, I spent Easter Sunday exploring the churches in the townships outside of Capetown, South Africa. One stop I made was to the local medicine man who said that these dancing ladies help to protect from bad spirits. Ever since that, I’ve always made space for them and so far, no bad spirits 
Where did you find this beautiful bedding? A: Bedding is one of those things that I think is worth a bit of an investment. Also, as my mom always says “you can never have too many pillows.” The quilt, euro shams, and bed skirt are John Robshaw, who uses fabrics and patterns inspired by Indian and Asian themes. The additional pillows and salmon comforter are pieces from Anthropologie I stole from my bed in my parents’ house in DC before moving to SF!
What inspires the aesthetic for your bedroom? A: I like to keep it simple and comfortable. When in doubt, I opt for used/hand-me-downs/vintage items in place of new ones. And, I don’t like too much focus on any one item- It’s how the curtains, lamp, rug, chair, and chest fit together to achieve the overall feel.
What is your favorite piece of furniture in your apartment? A: I love this tall chest of drawers made of old wood with distressed paint. I found it at an awesome boutique on Valencia Street in the Mission. For now, it holds my lingerie, gym clothes and pajamas, but I can see using it the future in a kitchen, living room, or bathroom.
(Photo and Copy Credit: Molly Dwyer)
