When Modern Was

When Modern Was is a Noe Valley shop that hunts down unusual home objects, with a focus on solid wood furniture made by local artists and a range of housewares, clocks, lamps, pillows and jewelry. The owner travels around the country to source pieces that are hard to find elsewhere, and the furniture is built with dovetail joints.

The shop offers help with furniture placement, measurements and delivery, and it can take notes on what a customer is looking for and try to track it down. The store is at 4001 24th Street in Noe Valley, San Francisco, and the owner, Dona, is usually in the store most days.