Name: Erica Tanov
Location: Berkeley, CA
Size: 3,500 sq/ft
Years lived in: 2 yrs. (owned)
Erica Tanov is most well-known as a women's clothing designer, with stores in Berkeley, San Francisco, and New York City. But we were first introduced to Tanov's eclectic, organic style through these photos of her home, which is decorated and furnished almost exclusively with secondhand items.
Yes, we'd certainly wear the clothes she designs (they're beautiful) — but if we had our choice, we'd live in her house.
>> Enter Slideshow
Tanov shares her home with her husband and two children. Although it is large, all of the well-worn secondhand items give the house a cozy, welcoming feeling. We've fallen for Tanov's small touches, her playfulness, and her ability to create captivating vignettes out of flea market items. We've been told that even her dishes and flatware are vintage.
"Our house is definitely a work in progress," says Tanov, "and probably always will be. I don't think I'd want it any other way, though. What fun is a 'finished' house?"
AT Survey:
My/Our style: Relaxed. Refined hippie.
Inspiration: Nature. Things with a crumbling elegance.
Favorite Element: Light.
Biggest Challenge: Dealing with the intense light/direct heat in the dining room. Finding the time to work on projects.
What Friends Say: Nice view!
Biggest Embarrassment: We still have a huge (semi-patched) hole in our dining room ceiling due to a pipe that burst over 2 years ago. We just haven't gotten around to fixing it — typical! Also, while I'm at it, our front yard is pretty embarrassing. It's mostly dirt right now, with the beginnings of some landscaping. I'm a wannabe gardener. I've planted some trees (dogwood, magnolia, akebono flowering cherry, chinese fringe tree). We haven't (again) gotten around to re-landscaping (nor re-stuccoing), since the overwhelming foundation work was done a year ago, which involved a lot of large machinery trampling over and destroying our yard. Argh!
Proudest DIY: Painting our hallway "Dark Basalt."
Biggest Indulgence: Chinoiserie wallpaper in bedroom.
Why do you buy second-hand/vintage rather than new? Vintage things usually feel more special to me and are often one of a kind. Quality is generally better for the price. I also love the history attached to vintage pieces.
Best advice for anyone who wants to furnish their home with second-hand/vintage finds: If you love it, buy it. Don't worry about clashing styles. Go for quality, lasting pieces.
What other green things do you do in your home? We recycle and compost religiously and have a vegetable garden. We use eco paints. I use leftover fabrics/scraps from my clothing collection for curtains, pillows, tablecloths, and napkins.
Enter Slideshow
(Thanks, Erica!)
>> Enter Slideshow
Comfortable home. If you are like me your 5 and 10 year plans are becoming 10 and 20 year plans. Loving the white chair in the living room. Any history? Thanks for sharing ~eleisa
view eleisa's profile
I wanna kick off my shoes and stay awhile.
view scootergirl's profile
The Chinoiserie wallpaper is exactly the splurge I want to make - I'm wondering if Erica would pass along her source. (Since it's possible to spend an almost infinite amount of money on the stuff...)
Erica?
view screenname's profile
That Chinoiserie wallpaper is exactly the splurge I've been wanting to make, but it's possible to spend an almost infinite amount of money on the stuff - would Erica be willing to share her source?
Thanks!
view screenname's profile
Sorry for the double post - the first one vanished and only reappeared after I'd retyped and submitted the replacement.
view screenname's profile
What a gorgeous home! Very eclectic, yet so elegant and warm. Thanks for the tour, Erica!
view christiana's profile
Wallpaper is fantastic - please let us know the source! The home is lovely and very lovingly lived in. Great architecture.
view rcbklyn's profile
Love it all, especially that serene white wall with a glistening number 11.
Also, since no one else has said it: Aawww! Who has a little pink nose and a fluffy tail? Who?
view rosenatti's profile
Just lovely! Serene and homey at the same time.
The white armchair is divine... is it something I should know of?
view AnastasiaBeaverhausen's profile
Hi! I am a native of the east bay, and a fan of your work. My mom owns a quilting store in berkeley (on 4th st. & gilman).
I love your tour, especially the white armchair in the first photo. I am curious to know if you would be willing to share any of your favorite places to shop in or around berkeley?
My husband and I just purchased our first home, so any feedback would be appreciated!
Thanks!
view lodea's profile
this is the kind of atmosphere I aspire to have in my own home. open, airy, treasured, textured, welcoming, organic...
i loved this house tour.
view tripleB's profile
Wow, your home is lovely. My favorite picture is no. 16. I have been noticing red paired with pink a lot lately and I adore it. Can you tell me if that lampshade is custom? I've been looking for a tall lampshade and can't seem to find one.
view peggy's profile
What a beatutifull home!!!
... I just love the wallpaper. May I ask where I can get it?
view My Wonderworld Fairytale's profile
I just LOVE your home. It is perfect!
view Botany's profile
Me too ! I LOVE your home. I'm going to copy everything. Or maybe I can just come live with you. Please. The wallpaper is great. Everything is great.
view reclamationdesign's profile