Unexpected Guests: Kelly Niland.

I'm really quite happy today about sharing an old friend and co-worker's lovely Mission District Victorian flat. I've worked with Creative Director Kelly Niland on and off for years at various San Francisco ad agencies, and we've always had fun. I also had the unusual opportunity many years ago to do a photo shoot in her apartment for Yahoo!, where we filled her place with just a ton of cats...a shoot you don't easily forget. But what I also really remember, was how cool and creative Kelly's home was, and I'm quite sure I went home that day with more than just a little bit of inspiration. Well, that was almost six years ago, so I was thrilled when Kelly kindly consented to letting me take a fresh peek at her place and how married life had impacted the decor. It was just as a creative and inspiring a space as I remembered, but had now infused both of their tastes and belongings beautifully. Just you wait and see. Thanks again so much for having me, Kelly - I don't often get to shoot these myself, and that was one of the most fun Unexpected Guests challenges ever!

What is your idea of a perfect day in San Francisco?
Ideally, it would all unfold sans car, starting with a walk over to Sugarlump Coffee Lounge on 24th Street for a mocha, or across the street to the St. Francis Fountain for breakfast.

Next might be a stroll down Valencia Street to see what's new there, or jump on BART to the Ferry Building to pick up some cheeses, breads, and chocolates (and, okay, produce) from the market there.

Back at home, I'd spend time on a personal project. I'm the founder of the 3 Minute Pop Miracle Project, a music-sharing group of 50 friends, so there is usually something to do for that. Or, work on a photo collage book, possibly the funnest thing to do on a computer.


Then after a nap and a soak in the tub (truly making this a perfect day), I'd walk over with my husband to one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants Blue Plate, Slow Club, Beretta, or Range for dinner with friends, followed by coffee and parlor games (favorites: Taboo and Botticelli) at our house. Best day ever.


What don't you leave home without?
Camera and lipstick. You thought I was going to say lip balm, didn't you!?

What's your favorite local shop?
It's got to be the clothing boutique Lemon Twist, in Hayes Valley (Octavia near Hayes). Danette, the owner/designer, cooks up super-fun stuff that looks great on everybody. And the prices aren't bad.




Who are your favorite artist/designers? And why?
Anyone who has a vision and a hunger to keep retooling it. Gerhard Richter, the Eames, the Coen Brothers, Picasso, Avedon, Paul Rand...


Who do you admire and why?
My mom. She was the single-most unconditionally loving person I'll ever know. And not just to her family, to everyone around her.


What souvenir did you bring back from your last trip?
A pair of orange leather mule slippers with white top-stitching from the market in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Scrumptious.


What's your favorite film for set design?
How about TV? That set from the show Mad Men moved me. Clean, well-composed shapes and colors. And great lighting. Doesn't look super-comfortable, but lovely to look at. (Editor's note: I am so with you here, girl! I love those sets.)


Who would you like to sit down to tea with?
My oldest friend, Jeanne-Marie, in Chicago. And it wouldn't be tea, it would be wine. We hold regular catch-up wine chats over the phone, which is almost as good.


What would you eat for your last supper?
I guess I'd have to go out the way I came in, with my first food love being deep-dish Chicago-style pizza. My husband calls it casserole. Whatever it is, I think it might help prepare me for the great beyond...



What is your most treasured belonging?
A box of letters from my mom.


What is your favorite piece of furnishing in your home?
That's a tie between our groovy set of white leather B&B Italia dining chairs and my husband's inherited 60's-Scandinavian cherry-red egg-shaped swivel chair.



What is your greatest indulgence?
Dessert after every meal. And sometimes, dessert after dessert.


What is your idea of living hell?
Endless Junior High.



What are some of your favorites websites/blogs to visit?
You mean, besides the great triumvirate (sfgirlbybay, design*sponge, and
Etsy)? Wardrobe Remix; the Beholder; Stuff White People Like; The Sartorialist; I'll flip you. Flip you for real. Bastard of Art and Commerce.