Studio VAE

Interior Designer | San Francisco
Thoughtful interiors for the modern family. Approachable luxury for the Bay Area & beyond.

Studio VAE, a women of color-owned, full-service interior design firm, began with a shared vision — to make a difference in the design world and create a space where diversity, inclusiveness, and creative expression can thrive. We warmly embrace the unique viewpoints that each member brings and firmly believe in fostering mutual respect, building trust, and listening to one another. Our thoughtful

approach blends timeless design with contemporary innovation that seamlessly aligns with modern lifestyles. Drawing from classic shapes and forms, we ensure spaces embody inherent grace for enduring appeal and adaptability in an ever-evolving design landscape. With our clients' desires, personalities, and lifestyles at the heart of our process, we curate elements for enhanced functionality, seamlessly integrating wonder and elegance that resonate with the human spirit and elevate the art of living. We believe good design goes beyond aesthetics; it tells a compelling narrative through space, light, and form. It is an art of storytelling that resonates with you. We take immense joy in partnering with clients who share our commitment to the long-term journey of their projects, prioritizing the art of aging gracefully and homes cherished over time.

05/04/2026

The Studio VAE newsletter is where we go beyond the portfolio.

Once a month, we share what it actually looks like to run a full-service interior design studio in the Bay Area: what designers really do during construction, how we source materials and finishes, behind-the-scenes on active renovations, and the honest parts that never make it to Instagram.

(Spoiler: there are a lot more spreadsheets than mood boards. 📊)

If you want more than what fits in a post, the “Connect With Us” link in our bio will get you there. 🔗

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04/27/2026

Design is more than just a pretty photo; it’s about how a home grows with you.

For our Parnassus Heights project, we didn’t just hand over the keys. Because this Japandi kitchen features organic materials—rift-sawn red oak and custom concrete—we want our clients to feel empowered, not intimidated.

Whether it’s kids, coffee spills, or a Saturday night dinner party, we educate our clients on the beauty of the “patina” and the science of the sealer. Every project ends with a signature Maintenance Guide, so they know exactly how to keep these surfaces looking stunning for decades.

Question: If you were choosing a countertop, would you prioritize a “perfectly pristine” finish or something that tells a story over time? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇

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sanfranciscointeriordesign

04/13/2026

One of the first questions we hear from new clients:

“How long is this going to take?” We wrote this one for you. Our latest post walks through the real timeline of a full interior design project in San Francisco — no sugarcoating.

If you’re planning a home renovation in the Bay Area, this is your starting point. Link in bio😉

04/06/2026

New on the journal: what an interior designer actually does during construction, and why it’s nothing like the contractor’s role.

By the time the build starts, we’ve been working on your project for up to a year. That context is exactly what makes our role during construction so specific. We’re reviewing shop drawings before anything gets fabricated, walking the site at critical moments, fielding field questions, managing substitutions, and leading the punch list.

The contractor builds your home. We make sure what gets built is the one you were promised.

Link in bio to read the full post.

03/30/2026

A room that grows with them. We took this Parnassus Heights kid’s bedroom from a well-loved blue to a soft, calm palette that lets the light (and those views) do the work. Rather than starting from scratch, we built around what the family already loved — layering their existing pieces into a warmer, more cohesive space that feels collected over time, not decorated all at once. Cole Valley and Buena Vista Park have never made a better backdrop. Swipe to see the transformation 🩷

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03/16/2026

Color drenching done right. Every surface in this Parnassus Heights primary bath is wrapped in the same smoky sage — walls, vanity, tile floor to ceiling — so the eye has nowhere to land except everywhere at once. When a single color claims a room completely, something shifts. The space feels larger, more enveloping, more intentional. No contrast pulling your attention apart, no interruption breaking the spell. Just depth, and that quiet hum of a room completely at peace with itself.

And that grid. Hundreds of tiny squares holding it all together, line after satisfying line — carrying through the vanity, across the floors, and straight into the steam shower beyond. The texture doing what flat paint never could.

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03/02/2026

Fireplace Remodel: From dated to dreamscape. ✨

For our Lafayette Project, we wanted to trade the busy textures of the past for an organic, serene focal point. This living room transformation proves that simplifying your space can have the biggest impact. Swipe to the end to see where we started! ⬅️

To achieve this modern organic look, we:
• Removed the dated copper fireplace insert.
• Patched the wall niche for a clean, minimalist silhouette.
• Applied Roman Clay to the surround for a soft, plaster-like texture.
• Matched the wall paint to the fireplace so the entire structure blends seamlessly into the architecture. 🕊️

If you’re planning a fireplace makeover, using a tonal color palette and textural finishes is the best way to create a timeless, elevated home.

02/23/2026

The hallway is often the most overlooked space in a home, frequently relegated to “kitchen overflow.” For our Loraine Project, we transformed this high-traffic thoroughfare from a storage bottleneck into a refined, intentional extension of the kitchen.

The goal was to integrate Modern Farmhouse warmth with high-performance organization.

The Transformation -

We replaced open, temporary shelving with a tailored, built-in solution designed for maximum efficiency:

Warm Oak Hardwood: We swapped the original tile for wide-plank oak flooring. This change instantly grounded the space, adding organic warmth and creating a seamless flow from the kitchen through the rest of the home.

Custom Cabinetry: Floor-to-ceiling integrated storage in a soft, grounded neutral. By moving kitchen overflow behind closed doors, we restored visual calm to the corridor.

The Showstopper: We topped the workspace with a stunning leathered quartzite. This choice offers a highly tactile, forgiving texture—the ideal durable-yet-luxe surface for a transition zone where coffee is prepped or groceries land.

Design Continuity: By matching the cabinetry finish and stone directly to the adjacent kitchen, the hallway now feels like a primary destination and a seamless architectural extension rather than a secondary utility space.

The Studio VAE Experience -

Our process is designed to be decisive and efficient. We handle the technical heavy lifting—from stone selection to the final hardware placement—to deliver a high-end, seamless result.

The result for the Loraine project is a space that works as hard as it looks—organized, elegant, and entirely effortless.

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Construction👷‍♂️ Woodsmith Construction
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02/16/2026

When clients say “yes” to bold bird wallpaper in the kids’ bathroom, magic happens. ✨ Our Lafayette project is almost there—the lighting and mirrors are finally in, and we couldn’t be happier with how this whimsical space is coming together. So grateful for clients who embrace color, pattern, and a little bit of fun.

02/09/2026

A soft landing for a busy home😌

When we designed this guest bedroom for our Parnassus Heights project, the goal was simple: create a sanctuary that could stand up to the beautiful chaos of life with a young family.

We chose limewash walls for this space because it offers a depth that standard paint just can’t touch. It’s a favorite for our clients who value a home that feels both high-end and deeply approachable.

Why it works for a modern family:
• Tactile & Forgiving: The natural, variegated texture of limewash is incredibly forgiving of daily life while adding an instant “soul” to the room.
• The Health Factor: Because it’s mineral-based and non-toxic, it’s a choice we feel good about putting in a home where little ones (and guests) are breathing easy.
• Design Ethics: We sourced this with our “silent standard” for sustainability in mind—prioritizing ethical integrity without sacrificing the aesthetic.

At Studio VAE, we believe the best designs are the ones that make you feel instantly understood. This room isn’t just a guest space; it’s a reflection of a family that values kindness, transparency, and a really good place to recharge.

Are you a fan of texture, or do you prefer a crisp, clean wall? Let’s talk in the comments! 👇

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Address

San Francisco, CA

Website

https://www.studiovae.com/, https://tinyurl.com/studiovae, https://www.studiovae.com/full-service-design, https://tinyur

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