A Curated Life: Inside One Resident’s Artfully Appointed Home

In her sunny two-bedroom residence at Coterie Cathedral Hill, the light performs its slow dance across the herringbone hardwood floors. Gloria moves with the practiced grace of someone who has spent decades teaching others to see – first as a family therapist understanding human nature, then as a docent at the Museum of Modern Art.

“My father taught me to appreciate art, but not all art,” Gloria says, settled into a perfectly positioned chair that overlooks Van Ness Avenue through the floor-to-ceiling windows. “He taught me to be picky.”

Gloria’s discernment has created a living space that feels both homelike and museum-worthy.

An Architectural Canvas

The residence’s bones provide an ideal framework for Gloria’s aesthetic sensibilities. Nine-foot ceilings create the generous vertical space essential for proper art display, while the open floor plan allows pieces to breathe and converse across rooms. The architectural details – from custom millwork to the sophisticated integration of smart home technology – complement Gloria’s collection.

“I’ve always liked to bring the garden into the house,” she explains, gesturing toward a commissioned work by Bay Area artist Amy Trachtenberg, which dominates one wall of the living area.

The piece, a study in texture and landscape, creates a visual dialogue with the San Francisco streetscape below. “I gave her a deposit and said, ‘Make a painting and bring the outside in,’” states Gloria.

This refreshingly direct approach reflects Gloria’s lifelong philosophy of supporting artists while maintaining her exacting standards. The result is a collection in which every piece carries personal significance.

In the primary bedroom, automated Lutron® roller shades control the natural light that washes over a series of sketches – the only drawings Gloria ever saved from her college-era artistic endeavors. These intimate works, showing the same model from three different perspectives, hint at the analytical mind that informed her work as a docent and therapist.

Curated Companionship

Gloria’s Bedlington Terrier, Hachi, provides companionship and brings a touch of whimsy to the environment. The terrier, with her distinctive lamb-like silhouette, often positions herself near the windows.

“Hachi is very personable and amicable,” Gloria observes as the dog settles contentedly in a white armchair, her presence adding warmth to the modernist space.

Hachi enjoys the attention of Coterie’s dog walkers, while on-site grooming services ensure her coat maintains its sculptural perfection. These pet services reflect Coterie’s understanding that, for many residents, beloved companions are integral to living well.

The Art of Daily Living

The residence’s fine finishes – from the Miele® kitchen appliances with integrated paneling to the marble-appointed bathroom with its walk-in shower – represent a new era of luxury living where technology serves both form and function. Chef-prepared meals eliminate the need to cook, while weekly housekeeping preserves the gallery-like atmosphere Gloria has cultivated.

As afternoon shadows chase rays of sunshine through the living room, Gloria and Hachi present a picture of composed elegance. They have created the perfect place to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, surrounded by the things they love most.