Check out their small, yet stylish home.

Meet the Couple

Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom might just have DIY in their DNA. Soon after they got married, they took their love of all things quirky and created an online store called curiosityshoppeonline.com. Given Lauren’s background working for designer Todd Oldham and Derek’s post as projects editor at ReadyMade magazine (where he still is today), the couple felt confident taking the plunge.

And it paid off. Their web business soon expanded into a hip San Francisco-based store called the Curiosity Shoppe, which opened its red retro door for business last fall. Inside, you’ll find crafts, kits, and all kinds of curios for the creatively inclined (translation: tons of affordable, too-clever knickknacks that make great gifts).

Set foot in Lauren and Derek’s apartment and you’ll see a continuation of their crafty style. The duo is constantly creating and cultivating unique, humorous pieces for their small but über-stylish space—which conveniently sits above their store. Take a tour of their one-bedroom abode (starting with their living room, featured here), pick up some DIY tricks along the way, and then snoop around the Shoppe. We dare you not to get inspired by something you see.

Photo by David A. Land