“We bought our place, a two-unit Edwardian building in the Outer Sunset, with another couple in 2013. How we ended up here was a total fluke. We knew the people selling it and they approached us. The bottom unit was in need of a complete makeover and they thought we would be up for the challenge. When the proposal fell into our lap, we asked our friends who were also house hunting if they'd be interested in going in on the property together. They loved the top unit and from there we put in an offer. Six months later, we were renovating our flat. We really lucked out!”

“A mix of handmade furniture, flea market finds, and a lot of art. Plus, a backyard oasis, so we can be outside as much as possible.”

Romy wears a Mi & O dress. Rachel wears vintage Levi's, Steven Alan top, and Ursa Major bracelets.

Tea time!

The 1977 classic Gnomes and Koto Bolofo's Sibusiso Mbhele: And His Fish Helicopter.

“Find stuff you love. Your aesthetic will come out of that.”

Painting above the couch is by Rachel's husband, Jay Nelson.

Photograph by K8 Hardy.

“I love both the beds. Jay built our bed and Romy's bed has been in Jay's family for a few generations. I love all the art in our house. We've been collecting art since college.”

Romy's living room play nook, with touches of vintage toys from Rachel and Jay's childhood. Painting on left by Bryson Gill. Circle painting in the window by Kyle Field.

Rachel's old personalized '80s rocker.

“Every room is a play room and I'm fine with it, so long as the toys go back to their rightful spot at the end of the day.”

Flower child.

“Seeing the world through the eyes of a child again. As an artist, I'm always trying to get back to that place of complete lack of inhibition; complete honesty and freedom with my work. I think Romy has helped me find that place, or get closer to it.”

“The typical stuff, like crazy drivers and bullies. But I get truly scared that our bond will not be this strong forever. I hope she'll always see me as her confidant and turn to me when life gets challenging.”

Rachel and Jay's first "child," Johnny, underneath a painting by Rachel. The painting to the right is by Todd Bura.

In the entryway: Rachel's art from her undergrad days on top of a bench made by Jay.

“I'm lucky that I have a lot of incredible women in my life who are raising children. I think we all lean on each other a lot for support. I have one friend with two daughters, 8 and 11 years old. I often turn to her for advice because she's past the toddler stage. She always has honest and insightful advice on toddlers and parenting in general."

The backyard includes an outdoor bathtub (pictured), as well as an outdoor shower for post-surf sessions.

“Romy Kaye Nelson. Instead of hyphenating, we used my last name as her middle name. Romy was just a named I've loved for a long time. After Romy was born, we looked up the meaning and read ‘dew of the sea.' She was born at home, in the foggiest neighborhood of S.F., so that was serendipitous."

Got milk?

“Childbirth is crazy, but what's more crazy is the first two weeks home with a newborn. You're a rookie, so make sure you have people around that can help you. Whether that means cooking for you, helping you get the hang of breastfeeding, or someone to care for the baby while you sleep, so that you can get your energy back after birth. And all you need are diapers, some onesies, and a blanket in the beginning, all the other stuff can wait.”

“For those who are interested in home birth or just want to read birth stories, Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth really helped me find confidence in giving birth. Also, Anne Truitt’s artist journal, Daybook. It isn’t a parenting book, but I found it inspiring. She writes on being an artist, mother, and woman so honestly.”

Bracelets by Ursa Major.

“We're expecting another girl this July! Both Jay and I have siblings and saw the benefits of it.”

"Sisterhood! I grew up with two older brothers, so I have no idea what to expect."

Peekaboo!

"Last summer I read Gloria Steinem's book My Life On The Road and it really shifted my perception on activism. I've always wanted to get involved, but didn't really know how to start. Post election, I felt this urge even more, so traveling to DC to march is just the start of being more proactive. I truly admire people who devote their life to social justice and humanitarian efforts. We all can't be in that field of work, but we can help by simply making donations and volunteering. I'm trying to find my place in it all."

Rachel wears a vintage tunic, Levi's jeans, and Madewell boots. Romy wears a Petit Bateau tee, Pietsie tank, and Leitmotif pants.

Rachel and Jay's backyard art studio.

“I'm an artist.”

“I grew up in the Bay Area and went to California College of the Arts to study painting. After college I was in New York City for about 5 years. I have been back in San Francisco since 2010.”

“Yes, in the best way possible. Having a child has made me more confident. I go to the studio everyday so she sees that I'm passionate and happy about what I'm doing with my life.”

Rachel wears a vintage tee, Courtshop jeans, and vintage clogs.

“It hasn’t affected my path, but it’s made me more driven with my work. I want to show Romy that you can do anything and there is no better way than leading by example.”

“I gave myself a year without any obligations to shows and permission to not make art, too. I didn't know how I'd feel and what my capacity would be. But around 3 months postpartum, I began working again. I worked on drawings while she napped and at night. I created a whole body of work in that first year. I think it was important for me to say it was okay if I didn't do anything, even though that didn't end up being the case.”

“Being flexible, communicating feelings, and leaving her to play independently. I love watching her exist in her own world, talking to all her animals and dolls. She's working and I don't want to disturb that. As for my schedule, I work during nap time, the two days a week she's at school, and in the evening after she goes to sleep. Luckily my studio is in my backyard, so I'm in and out of it all day. When I begin installing exhibitions, I call Granny to help out while I work long days.”

Custom necklace by Lane Walkup.

“Yes, some of my closest friends and I all had kids at the same time. And we're almost all walking distance from each other.”

“I love that Jay, my husband, and I are on the same career path. We are each other's biggest support. Being an artist can be lonely, you work alone, you're in your head, so it's nice to have someone to share that with and bounce ideas off of. Because we make our own schedule the three of us spend a lot of time together. Sometimes we all hang out and draw together, it's pretty great.”

“We started traveling with Romy when she was a month old. It's not always easy, but I think the long-term reward far outweighs the momentary frustration. I see it as the start of her education. There will be tears and they will pass. We all need to get out of our comfort zone every now and then and explore.”

“There are plenty of women that disprove this theory: Laurie Simmons, Ruby Stiler, Anne Truitt, Laura Owens, Clare Rojas. It's just a shame that it's still a conversation. Obviously our country is still dealing with sexism, the result of the election has proven that. The only way to move forward is for more women to be represented in galleries and in museum exhibitions. I could go on, but I'll leave it at that.”

Rachel wears an Ichi Antiquites dress, Steven Alan booties, and Stance socks. Romy wears a Pietsie dress, Hansel of Basel tights, and Freshly Picked moccasins.

A tiny replica of a Jay Nelson-style "house truck."

“Communicating, carving out time for each other, and romance.”

“I have an exhibition coming up in February.”

Photograph by Kanoa Zimmerman.

“Romy has the best room in the house. It has bright, natural light all day long. The rug is from the Rose Bowl Flea Market. The canvas baskets were made by Flint Outdoors. A photograph by Kanoa Zimmerman is in there and the drawing and painting are mine. The wooden boxes holding the books were stools used in the exhibition The Possible at the Berkeley Museum of Art. Both Jay and I were in the exhibition. I was 40 weeks pregnant screen-printing fabric at the museum. The boxes don't look like much, but I'm sentimental about them."

The aforementioned bookcase boxes.

“If I feel good in the clothes, then it works.”

Romy's turn!

“I'm often in the same jeans and t-shirts, because I'm in and out of the studio. I like to dress up when the occasion arrives.”

Mushroom scarf-cum-blanket.

“Jeans, tees, tunics, sweaters, and boots.”

Colored pencil drawing by Rachel Kaye. Bird cut-out by Creative Growth artist Ron Veasey.

“Céline for sophistication, Caron Callahan for style with ease, Rachel Comey for confidence, and Permanent Collection for keeping it classic.”

Records, books, and art.

“I try to stick to classics and just find pieces that I can wear for decades. Postpartum I sold and donated over half my wardrobe. I just wanted to be rid of everything. It was very impulsive and I just wanted to have a uniform. I think I still strive for that, but I haven't nailed it yet. Turns out it takes time to build up a solid, timeless wardrobe.”

Stack of drawings by Rachel's husband, Jay Nelson.

“I thrift and eBay hunt for most of my clothes.”

Caught in the act.

“I use Marie Veronique products day and night. I recently got a facial from Kristina Holey that was really informative and helped hone in my regime. I hardly wear makeup, but if I do it's mascara and lipstick. I wash my hair once a week, any more and it would be crazy frizzy.”

“I try to run twice a week. It’s a new thing. I used to practice yoga and pilates pre-child and I miss it. But since the beach is so close, it's been really rejuvenating to go there and exercise. It's also efficient.”

Rachel wears a Steven Alan jumpsuit. Romy wears a vintage nightgown. The art on the walls is by Colter Jacobsen (left) and David Wilson (center).

The sweetest monogrammed pillows in Rachel and Jay's bedroom nook.

“Being in a city with the proximity to nature and raising her in a very inclusive city.”

Goofball.

“Ojai, Inverness, or Guethary, France.”

“Ocean Beach, Koret Playground, California Academy of Sciences, Ortega Library. For Food: Outerlands, Nopalito, Marla Bakery. We built a pizza oven in our backyard so we have a lot of pizza parties at home. Co-ed night at Kabuki Bath House for just the two of us.”

For more on Rachel, check out her site and Instagram feed.