Last week on a private San Francisco street monitored by an acrimonious security guard, one house became a media attraction. But it's not what you think—the attention was welcome. Gretchen Hansen, the CEO and founder of home interior design startup Decorist offered up her recently-remodeled residence as the first 100% virtually-designed home.
Celebrity designers Will Wick, House of Honey and 30 Collins designed the foyer, living room and kitchen, respectively. None of them had set foot in the house until after their designs were completely in place.
"When I walked in I said, 'Thank god it works!' said Tamara Honey.
All three designers, plus several of Decorist's staff interior experts, used the startup's online tool to layout the rooms (including 10 bathrooms), plus guidance from Hansen and her family to get the aesthetic and functionality just right. The result is quite gorgeous—the combination lounge, dining and kitchen area is a major showstopper. Everyone knows that everyone always ends up in the kitchen—and in this one they will all have a place to sit.
Decorist started with a pair of pink velvet Milo Baughman chairs and a home office Hansen was less than happy with. A designer friend told her she needed a makeover, and in just 30 minutes transformed the room into a space that Hansen loved—and the pink chairs found a perfect home.
If you're in a similar predicament, go to Decorist and create a style profile. Customers can shop from the results independently, or ask a designer a question or two for free. The nest step is a a $199 Decorist makeover—just upload photos of your space with a description of your budget, style and what you hope to do with the room. In five days, Decorist will create a custom design board with recommendations and a clickable shopping list.
If the Hansen family home is any indication, the system works beautifully. The mix of high and low creates a welcoming aesthetic with major wow factor. The Will Wick foyer is jaw-dropping with its gold and black accents. The living room makes you want to grab a seat and play board games, preferably while wearing vintage Halston. All of the designers expertly incorporated loved items that the family already owned with new and vintage pieces sourced from retailers including 1st Dibs, Chairish, Restoration Hardware and Serena and Lilly. See all the sources and design boards here, and check out the gallery for a full house tour.
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