"Four years ago we stumbled upon an open house in our neighborhood of Nopa that really piqued our interest because it was so beat up from over 100 years of untreated wear and tear. We saw through all the work it needed and fell in love with the bones, the optimal layout and flow we could create, and further, the potential to operate a live/work situation in the house. We got the house in 2014 and embarked on an extensive renovation to turn it into the ideal live/work habitat that we get to enjoy now."

Cy, playing with Monroe Workshop's "robot monkey," wears a Misha + Puff sweater and matching pants. Susan wears a vintage dress from A Current Affair and slippers from The Podolls.

"We really wanted to retain the classic Victorian-era characteristics with the addition of modern complements to create the ultimate balance. We mixed architectural finishes and played with sheens, material, and scale to create a fun contrast and texture. Our favored materials include encaustic tile, honed marble, matte paint, polished ebony, and living finishes such as copper, brass, and steel."

The other boy in the family, Toby.

"I’ve been learning to embrace the mess because it’s not practical to keep it tidy 24/7. However, to minimize the mess, we have Cy’s books and toys on one shelf surface in the living area, and the bottom shelves of the newly minted former-sitting-room-turned-playroom. My husband Ben made him a wooden baby box where he’d sleep as a newborn, which has since become a toy box. It’s a good way to gauge how much to keep, because if it doesn’t fit in the box, then it has to go."

Couch by Interior Define. Lighting fixture by Gabriel Scott. Artwork by Tofer Chin.

Vintage rocker from 1st Dibs. Rug by Grain Design.

"Designing looks so different now than when I first entered the field over a decade ago. There seems to be a shift from an emphasis on 'stuff' in a room to the art of the experience, and how one 'feels' in it. To that end, my philosophy is to create spaces that elicit an emotional reaction and overall enhance one’s lifestyle by way of combining architectural finishes appropriate to the space, manmade objects, and personal mementos."

"I love our former sitting room turned playroom! It's the first room at the front of the house by the entry. It double-parlors into our office, but since closing off the door, we’ve been able to create yet another separate room that is completely baby-proofed other than the living room, where we can all hang out and be together while not worrying about the baby, as his stuff is spread about in between our art books and therefore we can all coexist. It serves as a nice option for hanging out from the back of the house (which is an open plan of kitchen and family/living room) as it just has a very different vibe. It’s nice to change up the environment, being that the rooms are separated from each other by a 35-foot corridor."

Dining room table by Eero Saarinen. Chairs are antique. Mirror is by Bower Studios.

Carafe by Skitsch. Faceted tray by Hay.

"We get asked that question a lot, and my instinct is to say modern architecture, frameless door jambs, blues, greens, and unpatinaed brass, but in actuality, our style is so very versatile because the range of projects we work on in a given year has taught us over time that our signature is our ability to adapt to pretty much any style. We can hop from building a mini Versailles, replete with 17th century French wood paneling, to a millennial-pink tea shop, to a Wabi-Sabi bungalow in the woods. For each project, no matter the aesthetic style, we make it our goal to transform every interior into something we can see ourselves inhabiting and that makes each project surprisingly fun and super interesting. Our adaptability is my favorite signature."

Earrings by Lizzie Fortunato.

"This was the part of the house that needed the most work. The nature of these pre-war dwellings is that they are choppy, with multiple rooms all spoking off a central corridor. That’s the experience in our house upon entering. One is greeted by a long passageway with chambers off of it, which then sinews to an open plan at the back of the house where the kitchen bleeds into the dining room with the family and living area adjacent to it. The result is a drastically open plan that flows and feels like emotional relief from the barriers being down, where one can’t feel constricted. The entire house feels pretty neutral in tone and classical in its architectural language, which is why we updated the kitchen to current times, took the cabinetry all the way up to the 11’ ceiling, painted it dark, and featured some dramatically-veined marble slabs. Doing so creates contrast to the whole of the house, which feels like a welcome surprise."

Cy enjoying that WubbaNub life, on top of Clé tiles.

Custom cabinetry designed by Homework. Light pendants by Tom Dixon. Vintage bar stools. Vintage Wedgwood stove (that came with the house).

Susan wears vintage pants and a Shaina Mote top. Cy wears a Kalinka sweater and Chaboukie leggings.

"Homework was conceived as a response to the demand of the times. 2014 seemed ripe with opportunity. The market was healthy, the economy robust, and people were willing to take risks. Upon realizing this, my husband Ben and I were ready to merge our complementary skill sets and manage our own projects, so we opened our doors very softly and took on one project at a time to start."

"I was born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles where my parents still live. I went to UC Berkeley for undergrad and got a double major in European Intellectual History and Rhetoric. I spent my junior year living with a lovely family in Córdoba, Spain, which was quite a highlight of my life. I moved to S.F. after graduating and worked in non-profit development and grant writing for the S.F. Symphony. It hit me that I needed to be uncomfortable and do some pretty major things with my life, which then prompted a move to New York to pursue higher education. Once I got to grad school at Columbia, things didn’t feel right. So, I dropped out and then enrolled in Parsons School of Design to pursue a creative path in Interior Design. I got to work for some forward-thinking boutique firms designing hotels, bars, and restaurants in NYC and abroad. Then I met Ben. We moved out of our Brooklyn apartment and drove cross-country to S.F. when the recession hit in 2010."

"Motherhood has ignited in me a newfound sense of purpose and a renewed devotion to my craft. Since time has become more valuable than ever upon becoming a mother, I strive everyday to use it well, to be more productive than I’ve ever been in my life, and have my work reflect my passion and drive. That sharpened focus comes from realizing that my child looks up to me and that what he sees of me shapes his worldview. I want to show him what a strong, determined, and confident woman looks like, so in that sense I feel a deeper connection to my career path and to honing my skillset that much more."

"I’m working on it. I’m heartened that year after year my support system grows. I’ve discovered that parenthood can be alienating, yet open you up to a world of supportive mothers if you really want it, some of whom become your dearest friends. It's a world I never even knew how much I needed. Both our families have been unrelenting in their generosity and support of us since the baby came along and leave us with lasting love and nourishment for days after they’ve left. I do struggle with not having this tribe of nearby immediate family—the key to our evolution as a species, I believe."

"Don’t attempt to do it all. Just pick one thing. Maybe two. Do your best, because your best is enough. As far as working with your spouse, don’t force it. The reason why Ben and I work together is because we recognize that our complementary skill sets are an asset to our clients, projects, and business, so we chose this route, not defaulted to it. It’s not even that we wanted to be together all the time, in fact we were reluctant about it. Not all couples are meant to do everything together everyday. But if it works smoothly, it is a wonderful thing. For me, I wouldn’t have it any other way, now that we’ve figured out a way for us to work 24/7. However this past year being first-time parents was a struggle in that we had the full-time load of caring for our baby in addition to our demanding workload. In retrospect, we could’ve used a lot more help. Get the extra help."

Butter dish by Bee House. Cake stand from the Alameda Flea Market.

"I think mom guilt is in our DNA as women. But a conscious effort is required to reverse it. I’m definitely working on trusting my kid more and letting him lead, so that I can let go and free myself of the worry and anxiety that results in guilt."

"I seek inspiration from people everyday who are much more brave and courageous than me and making real, tangible change in our world, and for me, those people right now are the five new Democratic House Chairs who just took office, who will investigate and battle the most unscrupulous and divisive leader this nation has ever seen."

Vintage copper kettle from The Perish Trust.

"I’m inspired to step outside my comfort zone all the more by embracing the chaos, and not running to clean it up right away either. That applies to parenthood and some of our work projects. The intention with that is to roll with it and allow the natural ups and downs of life to play out, and suppress my need to control every moment. I love setting intentions because it helps me focus on why I want to work on something and then keeps me that much more focused as I march towards the bigger picture."

"The belly laughs, the heart expansions, and the intensely profound love and joy we experience daily with an ever-changing, wonder-filled kid who communicates by pointing or screaming, dances upon the faintest beat of music, and lights up gleefully at strangers."

"That he’ll only ask for dad, that he’ll drift from me, that we’ll lose our connection. But most importantly, hand foot mouth disease, and lice."

Vintage Italian cinema seats from 1st Dibs. Art by George Byrne.

"I was terrified about having a boy, maybe because I didn’t grow up with any brothers and thus didn’t know too much about boys. But as it turns out I’m in love with this particular boy and all that he is. I’m fascinated watching him in the process of becoming, every single day."

"Cy Landis Lee. We named him after our favorite artist Cy Twombly, and middle-named him our mothers’ family names."

"Nope, not ever. I never had the dream or fantasy. At one point I told myself it was not in my destiny to be a mother. I had no urge for it, whatsoever. In fact, I truly never knew how much I needed to be a mother until I became one. The clarity was profound."

"Fortunately, it was overall pretty smooth and even great at times, much to my surprise. I thought I would hate every second of it. I had the luxury of taking the year to just be pregnant and enjoy the journey. No heavy work load, no stress. Trying to conceive was something I put off as long as I could. But when it luckily happened I dove into the journey, practiced yoga, did breath work, meditated, napped, and ended up feeling bonded with this life form I was creating inside my body. I labored in the comfort of our home and ended up pushing him out at our nearby hospital when we realized he wanted to come earth-side at the hospital instead of in our living room like we had imagined. We walked home the next day with our new bundle."

"As operators of a small business, there is no formal leave of that sort (for us). However, due to the easy going nature of the year we had designed for ourselves, I was able to work an average of 3 hours or so a day—enough to complete a few tasks and manage our projects, yet have the rest of the day to lean into a journey that bewildered, excited, terrified, and completely dazzled me."

Mirrors by Restoration Hardware. Sink custom-designed by Homework and fabricated by local craftsmen. Tile from Home Depot. Tub custom-designed by Homework.

"I struggled postpartum with anxiety and rage, so it was a sign from divinity during a hard moment when I came across an interview on NPR with Molly Caro May, author of Body Full of Stars: Female Rage and My Passage into Motherhood. The title alone spoke to me. While the author specifically grappled with unexpected health issues upon having her baby, which led to anger over her body’s betrayal, I fortunately did not have to navigate any health complications. But what unites us is what we were left with: this feeling of rage over not being able to understand what’s going on with us, feeling disconnected from ourselves and others, and ultimately feeling listless and helpless as the successful, modern women we’ve come to identity with or at least strive to be. After all the progress we’ve made as a culture, it still doesn’t feel quite safe to be in a dark place, nor is there adequate language to explore and discuss these experiences in a way that truly does justice. There’s so much more work to be done so that these discussions can feel healthy, and women don’t feel judged or like pariahs."

In the luxurious front room. Rug by Stark. Custom mirror. Bookshelves by CB2. Custom drapery.

"Tortured but improving. While I want my son to be his own unique person and explore the world in his own unique way, I’m paranoid and frightened about him moving through this fraught world. I instinctively want to protect him, but am learning to let him be. Lately Ben and I have both been very inspired by the German way of parenting and how to raise self-reliant, free-range creatures. Achtung Baby is on my bedside table."

Chandelier by Bec Brittain. Rocking horse by Monroe Workshop.

"Being a child of immigrant parents who worked 6-7 days a week, my sister and I were latchkey kids and we took care of and entertained each other. My father was strict and just wanted us to read and do our best. My mother is a survivor of the Korean war who migrated from her home as a child in search of safety. Together they taught us the importance of working hard to not just get by but to get ahead. Luckily they didn’t impose on us an Ivy League education or any other pressures that didn’t seem fit for us. We didn’t have much, but we were a close knit unit, and we were purposely raised in the diverse streets of Hollywood Los Angeles and I grew up going to public schools and having friends of all different backgrounds. L.A. was a wonderful place to grow up and be a kid. I wasn’t sheltered, and I grew up pretty fast. I got into trouble. I got involved with rowdy kids. But I was industrious and found fun jobs. My first one was on Melrose Avenue selling vintage Levi’s. Then one summer in high school I worked at the Hollywood Bowl ushering people to their seats while being able to see some fun shows outdoors. I followed my cooler older sister around Hollywood and downtown L.A. in my teens and my fondest memories include seeing a lot of shows and watching indie films at art houses and theaters with her."

"It’s imperative to teach my son about his heritage and where his ancestors from his mom’s side come from, though I don’t have the strongest ties to Korea, being that I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I didn’t grow up going to Korea, nor do I have much family there. Luckily, my parents sent me to Korean school when I was young, so I have a strong connection to Korean culture by way of language, as I speak it with my parents. I love that Cy gets to toggle between his two sets of grandparents who go from English to Korean, and that he can experience the richness of the diversity between these two worlds of traditions and styles."

"Lately I’ve gone from feeling jilted and angry to deriving so much power and inspiration from the dissenters, resisters, activists, and leaders of change in response to this very abnormal political era that we are living through. Jilted and angry to learn of the millions of people getting destroyed by this administration on a daily basis, and also upon the realization that my son may inherit a world in worse shape than the one we have now, but empowered and heartened to be led by courageous people in the wake of these times who risk their lives to not stay complicit, but instead use their voices to defend the truth. I’m emboldened by these examples, especially the many newly elected Congresswomen, to keep reaching for that ever-close frontier where motherhood and being a woman of color is an asset, not an impediment."

"Millions of women have done it for millions of years. Not just a few. Millions. This gave me comfort from early pregnancy down to the moment I had to push."

Faceted mirror by West Elm.

"I don’t not want more kids. But I can’t imagine going through it again, to be honest."

Susan wears a Love Shack Fancy dress. Cy wears Misha + Puff.

"Layered, versatile, can dress it up or down, always something vintage with a feathery shell to top it off—all at once."

"I never used to use the word 'comfortable' to describe my style, but it truly does make so much sense to make sure I’m comfortable everyday due to the nature of kid-wrangling activities. While I won’t step out in workout gear—unless I’m going to yoga—I do wear pants under dresses and a fun coat and a giant hat to hide under but feel fabulous at the same time."

Bed by Room & Board. Velvet bedding by West Elm. End tables by Homework. Lamps by West Elm.

"I always thought I’d be that mother to dress up my kid. Kid clothes are divine—I can stare at beautiful knits for babies all day long. In fact, I’ve had to purchase a few irresistible pieces from Animal Observatory, Misha & Puff (a girl’s dress!), and knit sweaters from Oeuf to put on hangers and display as art in Cy’s room. But my kiddo is active, still crawling—in public no less—a drooling mess, and loves the dirt and woods. So, it doesn’t make any sense to put him in anything that he can’t trash."

"I seem to accessorize myself the way I accessorize my interiors. Accessories are incorporated to complement and enhance, not used as the main feature or statement. Sometimes accessories aren’t necessary when the big picture speaks for itself. However, accessories are so much fun, and I’m inspired by others who do it better than me by way of good jewelry, particularly."

"A wool hat from Kin The Label, a shearling-collared leather jacket from The Arrivals, and black high-tops from Veja. Everyday."

A custom shoe closet, designed by Homework and fabricated by local millworkers.

A sampling of Susan's shoe collection, including designs by Manolo Blahnik, Miu Miu, Barney's, No.6, and Trademark.

"I’ve practiced yoga for 20 years and it’s the one modality of healing that really allows me to shine and be my best self. I strive to practice 2-3 times a week, but that’s not always doable. I like to sit still for 10 minutes with my eyes closed every morning, listening to ocean sounds. I guess that’s called meditating, but it’s really about being super still and doing active, deep breath work. Also, bathing is a huge ritual in our family that allows us to cleanse the day off. To that end, we’ve invested in a deep copper Japanese soaking tub that makes bathing super enjoyable."

An inspiration board in the at-home office.

"My ultimate 'me time' is when I dash off to yoga and arrive at my 24” x 68” mat. There’s nothing more satisfying to me. This year I plan on making a bigger deal of taking 'me time' by somehow arranging for an entire day away from home, either by myself or with girlfriends. Thanks hubby!"

"That it’s a great, dynamic city, and endlessly beautiful. I love the access to nearby nature—the beaches, all the hiking, the woods, mountains, and camping. I love that he’s learned to wave hello to everybody he passes in the streets, from people waiting at the bus stop to construction workers to baristas and other kids. He embraces humanity, the noise, grit, dog parks, overcrowded cafes, and pollution."

"I think about the places I’ve lived before (L.A., NYC, Spain) and often wonder what it’d be like to go back to any of those places with my family now. Ben’s mom lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, a place we absolutely adore, and maybe imagine living in as expats. We’ve been stalking the East Bay for years, so that is completely on the table."

"Sui Generis for the best consignment, Decades of Fashion for the best vintage, Arlequin Cafe for the best fries, Cafe Reveille for the best lunch, and Fort Funston for family hiking and fun."

Inside the hall bathroom. Mirror by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio. Sink by Duravit. And floor-to-ceiling bunnies wallpaper by Hunt Slonem for Groundworks.

For more on Susan, Cy, and Homework, follow along on Instagram.