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Ask A Bay Area Expert: Decorating Your First Apartment On A Budget

(credit: MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images)

You're original and your home should reflect that individuality, even when it's a rental property and funds are tight. The best way to flaunt a personal stamp on your space and to protect your bank account is to shop for pre-used items. Do that in a store where the inventory has been curated, and management totally gets—and applauds—where you're coming from.

Leftovers, located Lower Nob Hill, is one such store. Shopping here is an enormously rewarding experience on a few levels, not least of which is the shop's far-reaching, eco-friendly decorating agenda and carbon footprint awareness.

We spoke with the Kelly Hensley, the owner of Leftovers, on the anniversary of six successful years as an outstanding furniture consignment store in the Bay Area.

Kelly Hensley, Leftovers, San Francisco, (credit: Leftovers)

Leftovers
1350 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 409-0088
www.weloveleftovers.com

"It was a bargain and a thrill," says Hensley of her secondhand purchase of two chairs for her first San Francisco apartment 30 years ago. They were $80 each and delivered an unbeatable return on investment. Plus, "I found my calling," she says about Leftovers.

Measure First And Look Twice

If there's one best piece of advice, it's probably to measure first and then just let your creative juices flow. Consignment shopping is not unlike an auction, but certainly very different than a big box, department store or warehouse shopping experience. "There will be items you never expected to see and others you want but may not find," says Hensley. Inventory changes constantly and the Swoon List is a web surfer's dream. Use Pinterest for inspiration, too.

Zoom In On Nearly New 

Nearly new finds happen every day at good secondhand furniture stores. Even if you're not looking for a denim wingback chair or a new set of Waterford stemware, such things just appear. Stagers and the realtors who use them are a source of nearly-new inventory that's particularly appealing for fans of contemporary interiors, bold artwork and up-to-the minute, conversation-starting accent pieces. Unwanted wedding gifts also provide a steady stream of fabulous designer dishes stemware, crystal, even Baccarat.

Spot Quality Construction 

Turn the piece over to see its construction. Follow the footsteps and the thought process of interior decorators who know quality when they see it. No MDF, no foam batting, no glue. Sometimes, re-doing the reupholstery is an excellent investment because the piece is so durable. Heirloom quality pieces from famous names like Baker miss the budget by a mile at retail, but turn up at consignment. Warning: the thrill of the hunt can become addictive.

Think Multi-Functional

Train your eye to spot smaller items, especially adaptable ones, that make good, practical sense in San Francisco's tight residential spaces. A vintage classroom desk becomes a dressing table with a shelf underneath, one mid-century swivel chair can take the place of two seating units, nesting tables retain their popularity for good reason, a console will double as a desk, bookshelves can hold a lot more than books and a daybed works well in a studio apartment.

Splurge On A New Mattress 

Surely everyone is happy when shoppers find several items and still come in under budget, but secondhand is not your answer for mattresses. What you can save on secondhand furniture will provide more funds if a new mattress is on your shopping list. Several overstock mattress stores in the Mission District undercut retail and have displays that allow customers to lie down and test for their own preference on firmness.

Save On Transportation By Buying Local

Use Muni to for browsing trips and Zipcar, CityCarShare or Getaround to move your purchases. Ask if the store has an experienced independent mover to recommend. At Leftovers, "Your purchases can be dropped off at curbside starting from $25, or you can make arrangements for bigger items to be brought inside and moved right into position, says Hensley. "Most importantly, we work with people to get a delivery that will work best."

Laurie Jo Miller Farr loves walkable cities. A tourism industry professional and transplanted New Yorker by way of half-a-lifetime in London, she's writing about the best of the bay and beyond for Yahoo, USA Today, eHow, and on Examiner.com.


 

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