--- title: "Philosophy Design Studios — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/philosophy-design-studios-pfvwus-pf~344302397 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~344302397.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Philosophy Design Studios" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3593840703f58f7f_2115-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "4570 Eighteenth Street, San Francisco, California 94114, United States" latitude: 37.7587 longitude: -122.433 phone: "(415) 320-7927" website: http://www.philosophydesignstudios.com rating: 4.8 review_count: 5 best_of_houzz_awards: 1 followers: 109 last_updated: 2026-09-28 --- # Philosophy Design Studios Original Houzz profile: [Philosophy Design Studios](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/philosophy-design-studios-pfvwus-pf~344302397) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Serves:** San Francisco - **Houzz rating:** 4.8 out of 5 (5 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2017), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves Early on, I recognized design as a tool...If altering our built environments can lower violent crime or shorten hospital stays, as studies suggest, then design is not a superficial luxury but a solution to real-world problems. My formal training in design began at age 18. I enrolled in an interior design course with high hopes for creating environments that have a positive influence. After learning about the issues of modern building practices, including deforestation and Sick Building Syndrome, I became disheartened with the industry and decided to explore alternative building. I spent the better part of a decade traversing the globe and learning about various facets of design: visiting Roman and Mayan ruins, living in urban Australia, becoming a student of Permaculture, volunteering with Architecture for Humanity, interning at architecture firms, and working in floral design, tile design, and kitchen and bath design. I tried everything I could to really understand what design was and how it could be used as a tool. I earned a fine arts degree in Interior Architecture from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California where I majored in retail and commercial design to focus on public spaces. All the while, I kept in mind how environments influence people and behavior (Design Psychology). Currently, I strive to do good work beginning with residential interiors and ending with pro-bono design-build projects around the globe. ### Areas Served - San Francisco ### Typical Job Cost $2,500 - ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Philosophy Design Studios | | Address | 4570 Eighteenth Street, San Francisco, California 94114, United States | | Phone | (415) 320-7927 | | Website | http://www.philosophydesignstudios.com | | Followers on Houzz | 109 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/PhilosophyDesignStudios/ - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/PhilosoStudios?lang=en - Blog — http://www.philosophydesignstudios.com/blog/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Philosophy Design Studios](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/philosophy-design-studios-pfvwus-pf~344302397) - **Website:** http://www.philosophydesignstudios.com - **Phone:** (415) 320-7927 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2017), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 — 5 reviews** ### All 5 reviews **★★★★★ — Colin Groth Builders, Sept. 2016** > I've worked with Philosophy Design Studios on several projects and have always been thrilled with the results. Her fresh perspective and dynamic skill set have brought my projects to life. It's a relief to have such a professional designer guide my clients through the many finish and style details that they didn't even know were available to them. I am grateful to know such a thoughtful and versatile designer. **Comment from Philosophy Design Studios:** > Thank you! It's a privledge to be a part of your design process and have access to a great builder! Looking forward to working with you in the near future. **★★★★★ — Amanda Cowan, Aug. 2016** > I worked with Brittney Andrews to help decorate my San Francisco apartment. I felt that Brittney was able to pinpoint the look I was going for even though I didn't have the language to express it. She stayed within budget and found some really great pieces of furniture I simply could not have found on my own. **Comment from Philosophy Design Studios:** > It was great to be able to work with you, and thanks for the positive feedback! **★★★★★ — lauramonno, Aug. 2016** > Brittney Andrews did a living room design for me. She was very knowledgeable, patient, creative, and best of all intuitive throughout the process. She came up with solutions I never would have thought of and at the same time helped me toward an understanding and expression of my own style. A year later, I still love this space! She has such a fresh and positive approach, and I highly recommend her. **Comment from Philosophy Design Studios:** > Thank you! I'm thrilled to hear that you still love your living room! It was wonderful to be able to work with you in creating a unique space that reflects your style :) **★★★★ — sdejoseph, Aug. 2016** > I met Brittany of Philosophy Design Studios when she was working on building her business while she was still in school. Brittany's drive, professionalism, and talent were immediately apparent and a constant throughout the entire design process. She did a thorough analysis of our needs, asking specific questions about our lifestyle and our space, and provided mood boards to inspire and get more information from us. Ultimately, once we arrived on a vision (which did take some time), she helped us order furniture, choose colors, and pick out accents. One afternoon she arrived with bags of possible pillows and we played around with textures and accents to finish off the space! Her thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and professionalism were impressive. > As she was still in school, and working, the entire project took far longer than we anticipated. We expected to be buying furniture in a matter of weeks, and instead it was months of living with no furniture before placing our first order. Having a better understanding of timeframes up front is one area for her to focus on going forward so everyone is on the same page and there are realistic project deadlines set and met. **Comment from Philosophy Design Studios:** > Thank you for your honest feedback! This has helped me understand the value of providing clear timelines for all projects, which I am happy to say that I now do :) I'm thrilled that you love the end result. **★★★★★ — sarmaswe, Aug. 2016** > Brittney took all the anxiety out of decorating, as I am not especially gifted with design/colors/matching/making design decisions. I wasn't sure what I wanted, and Brittney showed me how to find my own style. She gently introduced great ideas and guided me in creating a space I love. I am so happy I worked with her and I hope to continue working with her in the future! **Comment from Philosophy Design Studios:** > Thanks so much! It was a privilege being a part of your design process and such a pleasure working with you. I look forward to connecting in the future! ## Selected projects - [San Mateo Modern Farmhouse Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-mateo-modern-farmhouse-renovation-pj-vj~1738577) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Urban Nest](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-nest-pj-vj~650869) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [California Vibes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/california-vibes-pj-vj~1834389) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Urban Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-studio-pj-vj~1255501) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: The clients were a young couple who had moved here out of state and were trying desperately to enjoy life in the Bay Area. We transformed their studio apartment into something that felt like home as they personalized the space with their own artwork we took advantage of the column by wrapping it with shelves and a desk. The small space turned out to be cozy and accommodating, fitting a sleeping nook with extra closet space, a kitchen and dining area, a desk, a laundry area, and the open living r… - [Artsy Eichler Update](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artsy-eichler-update-pj-vj~650871) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: This was a collaborative project where the artist client's eclectic taste and the vintage home were given a more current feel with new paint, electrical updates, and some more modern seating. - [Traditional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-pj-vj~650880) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: This was a collaborative project in which we edited out the ornate ceiling fixtures to show off the architectural lines, brightened the room with fresh paint, add new furniture - [Livable Living Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/livable-living-room-pj-vj~650874) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: The clients wanted a semi-formal, family-friendly living room that they could enjoy with guests or with kids. The room is narrow and the long sofa takes advantage of the back wall, seating four to five comfortably, while side chairs maximize the utility. - [Van Gogh Bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/van-gogh-bedroom-pj-vj~650878) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: This client was having their stylish San Francisco apartment featured on a popular blog and wanted to polish a few of the rooms, including the bedroom, in which they enjoyed darker accents. - [Modern, Marbled Bath](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-marbled-bath-pj-vj~3137332) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Farmhouse Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farmhouse-kitchen-pj-vj~3137330) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Midcentury Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/midcentury-makeover-pj-vj~3137328) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 [See all 11 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/philosophy-design-studios-pfvwus-pf~344302397) ## Ideabooks - [love it.](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34750239/list/love-it) — 13 ideas [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/philosophydesignstudios) ## Community Q&A **Q: Coffee table?** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the name/designer for the coffee table? A: Edward, Fittingly, it's the Edward Coffee Table by Pangea Home. Finish: High Polish Steel **Q: Where did you purchase streetscape? Really like it - thanks!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The client found that on a trip to their hometown in Boston :) **Q: Rustic Hand Carved Mailbox With Post** *(in Design Dilemma)* Rustic hand carved mailbox with post. Made from new wood, new metal. Pine, metal, plastic for box inside. Hand forged metal, hand carved wooden nails. Everything is new, made in rustic style. Create any kind of one of a kind furniture - mailboxes, tables, benches, shelves, etc; designs, decor etc. Unique, high quality. Only using new materials. Hand made, hand carved, hand forged and other. Check my page here and my website http://oneofakindstyle.wix.com/design God bless! A: Very unique! **Q: What to do with 28" double doors** *(in Design Dilemma)* The master bedroom of a home I'm remodeling has 28" double doors (56" total) into the master bedroom. This is fine when the doors are both open; it's a nice spacious entry. But with guests and/or kids I won't want my doors open all the time. I've never had inside double doors but I imagine most of the time I'm going to have one door locked in place and use the other as a working passthrough. In that case, I'm basically left with a 28" door which feels very small. I like the idea of double doors and the fact that they are a unique, upscale feature. But I hate the idea of a 28" working door, and because it's off-center you're kind of walking through a wide entrance but have to hug the wall to get through one door. Should I keep the double doors or convert them to a single door? Maybe it will look nice if I use the largest door available with sidelights. Does anyone have photos of sidelights used indoors? I've tried to find some online but can't find any inspiration photos. I have seen interior doors online that are as large 48 x 80 (http://www.doors4home.com/p-4707-kw-300.aspx). Any downsides to a door this large? Since it's a bedroom door I'd prefer a solid door but I wonder if that's impractical due to the weight. TIA for any advice. A: I don't have an opinion personally, but I know that many interior doors are 28" wide and I would encourage you to walk through a 28" opening (perhaps you already did) and consider if really does seem small for a bedroom... You might go to a 30" or 32" or 36" if you felt it was important... generally people don't put sidelights in a bedroom for privacy concerns. Best of luck! Brittney **Q: New upholstered seat cushion covers** *(in Design Dilemma)* I want to make fabric seat cushion covers for my existing sofa (man-made white leather) to make it cozy and to cover the not-white-anymore leather. The wood floor is a white-washed grey. The TV cabinet (incomplete) on the side will have taupe color doors. 1\. Should I change the rug to a lighter color (it is kind of matching the picture on the wall though)? 2\. Should the sofa match the rug or the floor color? Should I use solid color or anything beige or pastel? Any advice is welcome! Thank you. A: Portiachu, To achieve a "warm and cozy" feel, I would select solid curtain panels in grey or grey/beige solid rug in grey (existing rug dominates the space and dates the room) rather than investing in fabric sofa cushions, I would consider investing in decent quality feather filled throw pillows (West Elm-ish) and and a throw blanket. I think the cream and beige color scheme would look up-to-date and crisp, but still soft and inviting. finish the look with some art or a wood or fabric ottoman :):):) **Q: Foyer** *(in Design Dilemma)* Am I on the right track with foyer pieces or should I get something else. Look for design for foyer A: I think the first piece is a better fit :) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-28.*