• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet

Northern California Style

Northern California Style

  • Home
  • About
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet
  • Shop My Home
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

#sanfranciscostyle

Californians at Home- San Francisco Designer Mary Ann Pickett

January 20, 2022 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

It’s been a minute since I had a ‘Californians at Home’ post, but we are off to an exciting start in 2022, with my fun and stylish San Franciscan friend Mary Ann Pickett as our guest. Mary Ann is a blogger who writes the very popular, Classic Casual Home which many of you know. She also is a busy designer and mom of two grown kids. She’s had a culturally rich life, living all over the world, and I am excited for her to share her pretty San Francisco hilltop apartment with you and also her style secrets and insights into California living!

Tell us about yourself, Mary Ann.

Thank you so much, Kim, for having me visit today. It’s really an honor to be here with you and your readers!

A little about me…I was born in San Bernardino, California. Both my parents and one set of grandparents were also born in southern California. I went to school in Northern California at the University of Santa Clara and spent some time in San Francisco before meeting my husband Howard in Los Angeles.

Once Howard and I were married, the career moves started. We lived in New York (our daughter was born there), Chicago, Orlando (where our son was born), Paris, Fort Lauderdale, Newport Beach, and finally back to San Francisco.

San Francisco Apartment foyer

I’ve always been involved in building and designing our homes but it was in Fort Lauderdale (about twenty years ago) where my decorating business took off after helping one of my husband’s business associates with her home. My sort of “California casual” style was popular there and my client list quickly grew by word of mouth.

What elements define your interior design style?

I love to use elements that have meaning to my clients… incorporated with pretty fabrics like linen blocked prints and updated accessories like lighting. I believe that if you make small tweaks every year or so, you won’t end up with overwhelmingly dated interiors.

How has your personal decorating style been influenced by living in San Francisco.

We live in a 1920’s highrise apartment with a Beaux-Arts feel. There are views of the Bay from practically every room, so I wanted to make the interiors almost an extension of the blues outside.

living room of San Francisco apartment

The French antiques that we purchased when we lived in Paris, fit with the architecture. And personally, I feel like every seat should be comfortable.

SF Guest Room
Guest Room that feels like home

What do you love most about your apartment? What do you love the least?

I DO love the views! From the kitchen and dining rooms, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and from the living room, you can see Alcatraz Island and the eastern portion of the Bay Bridge (especially at night when it’s lit up).

It’s fun to live in a place that tourists value so highly (I love walking my dog, Chief, and helping people with directions)and we have wonderful restaurants that are so convenient.

Mary Ann Pickett in San Francisco

What I miss is having an outdoor space…even just a small garden. And a barbecue grill would be nice to have again.

What paint colors did you use in the interiors?

Spring Mantel

All the walls are Benjamin Moore White Dove and the trim is similar to Navajo White. The landlord let us paint the ugly pickled pine cabinets in our galley kitchen Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter.

What is your most recent purchase for your home?

A new narrow tray to update the coffee table …can’t have too many trays!

Serena and Lily Wicker tray

What is your favorite piece (or pieces) in your home that have meaning to you?

We have a French demi-lune table that was in our childhood home. I asked my mom if I could paint it and she said sure.

Family heiloom table

We also have artwork from Paris and as I mentioned, some antiques like a bookcase in the dining room that stores dishes and a commode in the foyer that holds all our table linens. Storage is key in a small place!

Can you recommend a few home shops in San Francisco that you love?

Hudson Grace and shopping on Sacramento Street is fun. So is Elsie Green in Concord and Emily Joubert in Laurel Heights/SF.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

I wear clothes like my interiors…classic and casual.

Cloud Like Comfortable Washable Loafers

Since I’m only 5’1″ tall, I like retailers with petite sizes (Anthropologie, Banana Republic, J. Crew) but I am not opposed to getting things tailored (something that I learned in Paris as most French women like a good fit).

For my daughter’s wedding last year, I found nice dresses at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. I also like comfortable shoes since I do a lot of walking in San Francisco.

Thanks for having me over, Kim! Always a pleasure to spend time with you!

Thank you Mary Ann for opening your home to us and sharing your San Francisco life with us!

You can subscribe to Mary Ann’s blog HERE and Instagram HERE.

Get the Mary Ann look..

Blackbird Camo Birdies, Beaufort Tray, Striped Glass Vase, Jacqueline Pillow Cover, J.Crew Pintuck Shirt, & Mirabelle Rug.

Like this post ? Save it on Pinterest…

Visit Mary Ann’s blog, Classic Casual Home today, where she also is having me on as a guest!

If you enjoyed this post you may also like Californians at Home, Cindy Hattersley

Thanks so much for your patience. More Californians to come this year!

Kim

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month! Thank you so much, as Bloglovin seems to have stopped working and I no longer post as much on Facebook and plan to do less there.

Some links will generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog!

Filed Under: Californians at Home, Uncategorized Tagged With: #californiadesigners, #californiahomestyle, #californialiving, #californiansathome, #classiccasualhomeblog, #sanfranciscostyle

Primary Sidebar

Featured Posts

Dining Room Refresh Ideas, San Francisco Homes, and Cosmetics I’m Loving Now

Spring Colors, White Jeans, and Skin Cleansers

Fun Kitchen Styling Tips!

Asian Noodles & Other Main Dish Salads

Serena & Lily in My Home & Rattan Style

Tennis Style -Your Guide to the BNP & Indian Wells

Get My Posts by Email!

Find Me on Facebook

Northern California Style

Archives

Categories

Footer

Don’t Forget to Follow!

Blogger, writer and explorer sharing about my native California, and parts farther afield. Join me here where I chat about things to love in the worlds of design, fashion, home, travel and culture.

Currently Pinning

  • STUDIO DUGGAN
  • Design Love Fest bougainvillea in vase | photo by laure joliet with styling by sfgirlbybay and designlovefest
  • Red flowers | Photographer: Tec Petaja
Another dark morning, but trying to brighten the k Another dark morning, but trying to brighten the kitchen up with some blues and greens!  I think we need to bring the sunshine in ourselves. I did a little field trip and braved the heavy rain yesterday with my friend Elaine to visit the new @westelm in Campbell. It’s nice having a home store you can drive up to and park nearby. I bought a few new glasses for my shelves and a pretty decanter. Will share more about this new shop on my stories. 

Stay cozy today. ☔️

#kitchendecor #kitchenremodel #openshelving #westelm
Here we are again. More families destroyed by the Here we are again. More families destroyed by the inability of our nation to take a stand against the gun lobby, manufacturers and politicians supporting them.  Little children and their teachers gone. I don’t want to hear about freedoms.. Those are faux freedoms gun culture enables. 

What about the freedom to go to school and feel safe without being gunned down? The freedom to go to the grocery store, the movies, a festival or a concert, a nightclub without fear of being killed? We all are in danger in all places. States with strong gun laws are at the mercy of the states with the weakest laws, as we have no walls between us. 

We don’t need to live this way. We just need to get together and stop the madness. NO OTHER first world nation lives lives this way with guns and weapons meant for war, easily had by anyone who wants them.  People are afraid to vacation here. It’s only a matter of time before every one of us is touched by this unrestricted gun culture. Let’s stop being complacent.  We must absolutely demand our politicians use their power to change this. The Tennessee Representative for this district sent out a holiday card with his family holding automatic weapons…like it’s some kind of joke. These are children’s lives. And what about those who are left behind losing a loved one or experiencing this horror and surviving? 

This photo from @shannonrwatts - please follow her. This is a child today being brought to a reunification center for parents awaiting news. ☹️

I know some of you only want happy posts, but can we agree we aren’t doing enough here and we all need to take part? 

Other accounts trying to make change:
@momsdemand 
@everytown 
@changetheref 
@march_fourth_ 
@giffordscourage 

Call and donate to your local politicians who take a stand on gun control. Know where all of them stand on guns and share it. If you can, donate to those in other states who are fighting the good fight and need the support. ❤️

I love this country and I really want change. 

#gunreformnow #shannonwatts #momsdemandaction
On the weekend meanderings… More tips on shoppin On the weekend meanderings… More tips on shopping Homegoods plus my finds from there I added to give little pop of spring color to this room. I’m also sharing some good white jeans, a new book to inspire, a wonderful face, lotion, and more! 

 Juliet and Elizabeth’s have good spring things on their posts too!
Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns 
Hope you all have a sunny weekend!
Well after all this weather, and so much indoor ti Well after all this weather, and so much indoor time, I’m officially sick of everything and I am ready to give the home a little refresh. Homegoods and TJMaxx have some great spring items and a promotion with items from France, Italy, etc. They can be a good source for outdoor pots, new pillows, rugs and decorative bits. It’s good time to find a ‘few’ emphasis on few, new things for the home. They carry unique items, many one offs, but you have to be a discerning shopper.. What to look for and what to avoid on this little clip. 

I’ll be taking more about how to shop smart at these sort of places on the upcoming blog as well. What’s been your experience at these stores? I have had good luck and bad and I think you have to be smart about what you choose and don’t fill a home with these things. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on shopping there. More tips from my last trip there on stories and saved on shopping tips. 

#californiahomestyle #springhomedecor #homegoods #homegoodsfinds #homeaccesories #northerncalstyleblog
A little spring in the kitchen while another storm A little spring in the kitchen while another storm rages. Met a friend downtown and we had to dash as the storm hit and power was out minutes later. Stay safe everyone!
I thought I’d reshare our pool bath/powder room I thought I’d reshare our pool bath/powder room today as my builder @mikemccloudconstruction shared it too. I still love the way it came out! I had saved many inspiration pictures of how I wanted this to look. I was lucky Mike helped me make this happen. A good builder who listens and has ideas as well, helps so much. I’m sharing some of  the extra details up close. 

I loved this blue sort of organic watery tile for a pool bath. I also knew I wanted an open shelf for all the pool towels so people could grab them on the way out the door. The @serenaandlily mirror definitely has that nautical almost porthole, sort of look and picked up the unfinished oak color. I used an RH pendant light and the sink is Victoria and Albert. The counter is from a slab of @vadaraquartz that I spilt and used in the laundry as well as the boy’s bath. I choose an inexpensive cement tile for this space and the connecting laundry/mud room which works with drippy pool feet!  It’s been almost four years and all still looking great! 

DM me if anyone wants details I left out! I thought I did a post on this, but maybe not! I need to do that with all the baths. 

Hope you all have a good week and get some nature in the first day of spring! 

#californiaremodel #poolbath #poolbathroom #powderroom #serenaandlily #mikemccloudconstruction #northerncalstyle #lunabaytile #vadaraquartz
On the Weekend post.. Do you love toile? I adore i On the Weekend post.. Do you love toile? I adore it and I am sharing some pretty toile pieces, beautiful woven leather bags in fun colors, cute sweatshirts, a trench coat that stands out, the new book about the story of J.Crew, and more! 

Juliet and Elizabeth have great things to dive into this weekend too…

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

Have a great weekend! Hope you got a little sun while it was out. ☀️

#weekendpost #bayareablogger #paloalto #evereve #toile #cos #madewell #jcrewbook #northerncalifornia #californiastyle #trenchcoat
Do you stress about what to pack for getaways and Do you stress about what to pack for getaways and resort vacations? This month’s Signature Style is for you! Cindy and I are sharing our tips and favorite sources for warm weather looks.  You need a few good pieces like a great linen jacket, a swimsuit you love, a couple of coverups, and a pretty dress and you’re nearly ready. More ideas and suggestions on our blogs! 

Hope there is a sunny getaway in your future!☀️
As always links are in our bios and stories..
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley

#resortwear #resortdress #resortpacking #whattowearresort
Just a little clip of some of the stylish looks se Just a little clip of some of the stylish looks seen at the @bnpparibasopen . I always love to see how people mix it up including the guys! Nice to see so many cute looks and cool hats. Loved the Day Glo brights and florals the best. Hope you get some ideas if you are going to this tournament or doing something fun in the sun soon! ☀️

Thank you to all the sweet people who kindly let me share their looks ! 

Also, due to weather..the Signature Style resort dressing post with Cindy is postponed until tomorrow. Sorry I had no Internet here in Los Gatos yesterday and 89 mile an hour winds so I have been unable to work! Back at it today. Hope you all are doing okay after yesterday’s storm! 

#bnp #bnpparibasopen #tennisparadise #whattowearbnp #tennis #tournamentlooks #indianwells #northerncalstyle
How beautiful is this? We are the embodiment of lo How beautiful is this? We are the embodiment of love in our actions.  This is a wonderful account and @yung_pueblo ‘s book ‘Lighter’ is top of the NYTimes list too. 

Happy Monday. 💛
Are you watching the @bnpparibasopen ? I just got Are you watching the @bnpparibasopen ? I just got back from three whirlwind days with pals and we had a ball. It was so good to be in the sun and and warmth -with snow capped California mountains as a backdrop.  We went in the beginning part of the tournament which we always do, and got to see Andy Murray, Sabalenka, Zverev, Raducanu, and so many fantastic other players. We basically eat, slept and breathe tennis for two days straight and we loved it!  You can still catch play on the @tennischannel 🎾

I will share another Reel of all the stylish people.. Something about tennis brings out the sharpest dressers and there was excellent people watching. 

If you love tennis, this is a bucket list tournament. They call the fifth slam and it’s getting crazy popular so plan a year ahead of you want to go. We reserved our hotel that was walking distance a year ago. More tips on my BNP post that I update each year. 
Link in bio! 

#tennisparadise #bnpparibasopen #indianwellstennisgarden #bnp #bnptips  #andymurray #zverev #raducanu #sabalenka #tennis #californiatennis #discoverpage #tennislove #tennisgirl
I separated the sectional and sort of like it apar I separated the sectional and sort of like it apart. This RH couch is a LOT of maintenance and can look pretty deflated after a weekend of hanging out. In hindsight, I’d buy a couch that does not require so much fluffing and cushion alternating. I snapped this pic because it was one of the times I had the pillows looking nice on it. You also need a lot of pillows to not get swallowed up by it. I call it the great white.

The local RH actually has a cleaning team that steams and fluffs their couch and I’ve seen them before the shop opens. I found it hard to get reviews on this couch before buying because RH does not have them online and if you notice they don’t do social media… so I’m just putting it out there. I will share what I love here,but I think it helps to be transparent about what is a disappointment too. 

#rhcloud #whitecouches #livingroom #californiahomestyle #thecaliforniahouse #cloudcouch #restorationhardware

Copyright © 2023 · Northern California Style· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer