I'd lived in SF before and knew that I wanted to stay in the Mission. The location is ideal—just a block from Four Barrel Coffee (best coffee in the city!), a few blocks from the bar scene at 16th and Valencia, and Dolores Park. Or just wander down Valencia for some of the best shopping and people-watching anywhere in the city. Public transportation is easy from this central location.

The apartment itself is as described and more. It's obvious the owner is a designer with excellent taste. Some handpicked vintage flourishes mixed in with lots of interesting, high-end, custom touches from the intricate lighting fixtures to the couch and the kitchen, which has a nice tile backsplash and heated tile floor. The dining table is a gorgeous block of wood custom-built into the kitchen counter. And if you're a fan of coffee, like me, there's a super fancy hand grinder and aeropress setup. There's also raised workstation for making stuff, if you plan on doing that sort of thing during your stay. (I didn't, but I like that it gave the space a sense of productivity).

The bedroom is comfy, with a heater and a desk, and the bed is a low, platform style, which is similar to the one I have at home (I'm a fan of low beds). The toilet is actually located in its own room at the front, which is convenient if there's more than one of you sharing the place. Both the bedroom and the living room have big bay windows that let in tons of sunlight during the day. I didn't use the washer/dryer, but it looked expensive and brand-new.

All in all, I felt very welcome. Getting in was easy, and I got regular emails and texts from the host and the hosting company making sure that I was comfortable and encouraging me to contact them with any questions or concerns. If you have a designer's sensibility and are looking for a place with unique style in a great location, I highly recommend giving this place a try. The awesome space and easy location really enhanced my experience of the city—as a former resident who definitely didn't want to feel like a tourist.