| Photography by Daniel K Hébert| Styling by Philippine Scali|

Welcome to A Good House is Never Done - where we sit down with friends and tastemakers (usually both) to talk about how they've approached their own homes.  The common thread we've found - the project is never quite done.  And that's ok.  

First up, Philippine Scali.  Born and raised in Paris, Philippine now lives in San Francisco where she works as a creative director and home stylist for her own boutique design firm C'est Beau Chez Toi.  Philippine bought a flat in San Francisco's Potrero Hill several years ago and continues to refine it as her life and her collections have evolved.  

Tell me about what drew you to your house. 

I had pretty strict requirements: it needed to be in Potrero Hill, a neighborhood you can walk. I wanted a house with character, Victorian architecture that fit my aesthetic but needed work without being overwhelming. A house I could put my thumbprint on and turn into a Parisian oasis in San Francisco.

What was your secret to seeing past the things you didn't like?

The house had the right foundation: high ceilings, good light, beautiful wood floors hidden under carpeting. It could only get better. This is exactly how I approach styling projects with c'est beau chez toi, look for what's already there, what has quality and character, then build from that. The French approach is always about enhancing what exists rather than starting over.

| Photography by Kelsey Schmidt for Elsie Green| Styling by Philippine Scali|

Is this your forever home?

I think of it as home, or at least home in San Francisco. I split my time between California and France, so "home" for me has always meant more than one place.

How does your home make you feel?

I feel good at home, I never want to leave. This is the goal of c'est beau chez toi: creating spaces where clients actually want to spend time, not just pass through. When your home feels right, staying in becomes the plan, not the fallback.

What do you use to guide your vision?

I get inspiration from the people around me, the architect who guided me, Ian Murray, and the contractor who held my hand through it all, but most importantly did all the work, Tom Ehline. My Parisian upbringing and French culture also play a big part. The rest is serendipity. I find what I find when I find it, and it fits. This is very much the French brocante approach, you can't force it. The right pieces reveal themselves when you're patient and have a clear point of view.

| Photography by Kelsey Schmidt for Elsie Green| Styling by Philippine Scali|

How do you decide when to DIY and when to hire it out?

I'm a firm believer in hiring specialists. I'm a perfectionist, and I appreciate that each person has their specialty. We come together as a team.

What's your favorite update since you moved in?

I have too many! One of my favorites is a closet we turned into my office, it provides an organized space that can be closed when the workday is over. The most recent update is the olive trees we planted on the sidewalk, seeing those trees grow brings me so much joy. I like treating the house as a whole, inside and outside.

| Photography by Daniel K Hébert| Styling by Philippine Scali|

What's something you'll never change?

The sliding doors that partition the master bedroom from the living room. They stay open during the day, and I love the sense of openness it creates. Another thing we did, breaking rules, is installing the washer and dryer in the kitchen. It's very European. I like the kitchen to feel like a live-in room, you can mix appliances and artwork to take it to that stylish level. It becomes a proper living space, not just a utility area.

| Photography by Daniel K Hébert| Styling by Philippine Scali|

Do you have any regrets?

I only regret things I didn't do right away when the house was filled with artisans. Do it all in one go.  Doing it later costs more time and money, even if delaying seems financially smart at the time. This is advice I give clients too: if you're already disrupting your home, finish everything you know you'll want now.

What's the next update you're dreaming about?

The house has a natural flow. Despite all the upgrades and remodel, it feels like the house was always the way it sits today. It feels done. But if I had to choose one thing, I would add a second built-in bookshelf in the living room. A house never has too many books or objects to display. Your home should reflect what you love and collect over time, not just look decorated but not feel cluttered.

| Photography by Daniel K Hébert| Styling by Philippine Scali|