Blue and Green Make a Splash at San Francisco Decorator Showcase
For the monthlong event, designers have reimagined a 1930 Spanish Revival with delightful colors and striking textures
Soothing blues and gorgeous greens nod to the location of this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase, which runs Saturday, April 29, through Monday, May 28. This 1930 Spanish Revival house, built by architect George McCrea, is in the city’s Marina District. Its sweeping views of San Francisco Bay offered inspiring design cues to many of the 25 Northern California interior designers as they reimagined their spaces.
The annual fundraising design event benefitting San Francisco University High School features decorated rooms that are intended not to create a unified interior but instead to independently showcase each designer’s style. Take a peek at some of our favorite spaces this year.
2018 San Francisco Decorator Showcase
When: Saturday, April 29, through Monday, May 28
Where: 465 Marina Blvd.
Info: Check the website for hours and ticket information.
The annual fundraising design event benefitting San Francisco University High School features decorated rooms that are intended not to create a unified interior but instead to independently showcase each designer’s style. Take a peek at some of our favorite spaces this year.
2018 San Francisco Decorator Showcase
When: Saturday, April 29, through Monday, May 28
Where: 465 Marina Blvd.
Info: Check the website for hours and ticket information.
This year’s home in the Marina District is a departure from last year’s Classical Revival mansion in Pacific Heights and 2016’s Mediterranean-style villa in Telegraph Hill. It also has the first on-house exterior installation. The cream-colored stucco facade served as a canvas for artist AJ Oishi to apply her signature bull’s-eye shapes, creating a vibrant mural that makes the home stand out from its neighbors. Oishi overcame the technical difficulty of painting around the shutters by using handcrafted industrial compass arms welded by Chad Oishi, who is her brother and a longtime employee of Boeing. Each circle was carefully sketched in pencil, and the installation took four full days to complete. The six-bedroom, 3½-bathroom home is on the market.
Master Bedroom: 10,000 Dreams (this photo and next)
Designer: Jeff Schlarb Design Studio
Designer: Jeff Schlarb Design Studio
Stepping into the master bedroom, designed by Jeff Schlarb, is a sensuous experience for the eyes, with its feel-good textures. “I wanted to create a crisp but layered romantic retreat using the visual technique of color compression,” Schlarb says. “I started with dark-colored walls to make the eyes move up and meet another dark hue to make the space feel larger.” On the ceiling, gray nondirectional grasscloth wallpaper meets a celestial chandelier that can be voice-controlled by Brilliant, a new smart home system.
Fringe wallpaper in navy: Tracy Kendall; ceiling wallpaper: Glamora; Star chandelier: Studio Bel Vetro; bed linens: Kearsley Linens; browse bed linens
Join the Navy: Deep, Dark Blue Is a Team Player
Fringe wallpaper in navy: Tracy Kendall; ceiling wallpaper: Glamora; Star chandelier: Studio Bel Vetro; bed linens: Kearsley Linens; browse bed linens
Join the Navy: Deep, Dark Blue Is a Team Player
Styling Room: A Day in Her Shoes
Designer: MODtage design
Gretchen Murdock’s “styling room,” located just beyond the master bathroom, feels both earthy and elegant with its accent wall of Bali artisan handmade tile opposite blackened curvy oak panels installed on both the wall and ceiling. A custom open closet allows for an exhibit-like display of items made by local female designers, including hand-woven jewelry by Zelma Rose, clothing by Lan Jaenicke, shoes by Ulla Johnson and a plant arrangement designed by Taylor Chapman of Lila B.
Two sewn-together Tierra accent rugs from The Citizenry, handmade by women in Oaxaca, Mexico, which is also where the designer’s husband is from, warm up the floor. Murdock designed this space as a tribute to her beloved grandmother.
Flooring: Hakwood; scarves: Cecily Chudacoff Couture; Circuit 3 lighting: Apparatus; framed mirror: Muuto; custom closet: Mueller Nichols; window fabric: Pollack
Designer: MODtage design
Gretchen Murdock’s “styling room,” located just beyond the master bathroom, feels both earthy and elegant with its accent wall of Bali artisan handmade tile opposite blackened curvy oak panels installed on both the wall and ceiling. A custom open closet allows for an exhibit-like display of items made by local female designers, including hand-woven jewelry by Zelma Rose, clothing by Lan Jaenicke, shoes by Ulla Johnson and a plant arrangement designed by Taylor Chapman of Lila B.
Two sewn-together Tierra accent rugs from The Citizenry, handmade by women in Oaxaca, Mexico, which is also where the designer’s husband is from, warm up the floor. Murdock designed this space as a tribute to her beloved grandmother.
Flooring: Hakwood; scarves: Cecily Chudacoff Couture; Circuit 3 lighting: Apparatus; framed mirror: Muuto; custom closet: Mueller Nichols; window fabric: Pollack
Photo by Mitch Shenker Studio
Master Bathroom: The Handsome Garden (this photo and next)
Designer: AND Design
A floor-to-ceiling matte hunter green ceramic tile backsplash was the starting point for Adele Lapointe’s master bath design. The handsome accent wall in its rich, nature-inspired hue is used as a backdrop to hanging houseplants (seen in the next photo). Hand-milled maple creates a smart shower privacy screen backed by glass.
Bath towel ladder: Norm Architects; plant stands: Menu
Master Bathroom: The Handsome Garden (this photo and next)
Designer: AND Design
A floor-to-ceiling matte hunter green ceramic tile backsplash was the starting point for Adele Lapointe’s master bath design. The handsome accent wall in its rich, nature-inspired hue is used as a backdrop to hanging houseplants (seen in the next photo). Hand-milled maple creates a smart shower privacy screen backed by glass.
Bath towel ladder: Norm Architects; plant stands: Menu
Blumenampel vase: Atelier Haussmann; brass fixtures: Kohler; oval wall mirrors: Menu; general contractor: Bertram Harris
Spring Forward With a Green Bathroom
Spring Forward With a Green Bathroom
Nursery: Lemondrop Lullaby (this photo and next two)
Designer: Dina Bandman Interiors
The details are delightfully sweet in this mint-colored nursery by Dina Bandman. The custom lemon tree-patterned wallpaper by De Gournay is hand-painted; the lemons are embellished with sequins. The matching hand-painted window drapes are artfully placed to match the branches and the soil lines near the baseboards.
Wingback chair: Hardesty Dwyer
Designer: Dina Bandman Interiors
The details are delightfully sweet in this mint-colored nursery by Dina Bandman. The custom lemon tree-patterned wallpaper by De Gournay is hand-painted; the lemons are embellished with sequins. The matching hand-painted window drapes are artfully placed to match the branches and the soil lines near the baseboards.
Wingback chair: Hardesty Dwyer
The chic acrylic four-poster crib is a custom design made by Plexi-Craft. The latticework trellis ceiling is a fresh take on encouraging growth.
Chandelier: Coleen & Co.; sconces: Sabrina Landini
Chandelier: Coleen & Co.; sconces: Sabrina Landini
The custom California Closets space is lined with a neutral gingham linen, the same pattern used for the nursery’s changing pad and crib linens. Clothing-size hanger organizers tie in with the theme.
Find more closet organizers
Find more closet organizers
Bathroom: Sea Scape (this photo and next)
Designer: bd home design + interiors
Buoy-shaped pendants and porthole-shaped mirrors are just some of the sea-inspired touches in this green jewel box powder room designed by Beth Daecher. “With the location in the Marina this year, I wanted to create the feeling of being on a luxury yacht,” the designer says. She took advantage of the translucent quality of the onyx stone vanity and installed a strip of lighting to illuminate the wall-mounted brass fixtures.
Custom buoy pendants: Studio Bel Vetro; ceiling finish by Caroline Lizarraga Decorative Artist
Designer: bd home design + interiors
Buoy-shaped pendants and porthole-shaped mirrors are just some of the sea-inspired touches in this green jewel box powder room designed by Beth Daecher. “With the location in the Marina this year, I wanted to create the feeling of being on a luxury yacht,” the designer says. She took advantage of the translucent quality of the onyx stone vanity and installed a strip of lighting to illuminate the wall-mounted brass fixtures.
Custom buoy pendants: Studio Bel Vetro; ceiling finish by Caroline Lizarraga Decorative Artist
Vinyl and braided wall coverings are trimmed with tassel, adding texture and a seaside feel. The designer’s personal favorite element in the space is the hand-carved faux malachite surfboard by Los Angeles designer Jeff Trotter.
Knotty Bubbles pendant by Lindsey Adelman: Roll & Hill; browse beach-style lighting
Say Ahoy to Porthole Style at Home
Knotty Bubbles pendant by Lindsey Adelman: Roll & Hill; browse beach-style lighting
Say Ahoy to Porthole Style at Home
Living Room and Terrace: A Room for Living (this photo and next two)
Designer: Mead Quin Design
As in many other homes on Marina Boulevard, a large picture window provides views of the San Francisco Bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. “I wanted to keep the design quiet to draw attention to and inspiration from the view,” designer Mead Quin says. Neutral-colored upholstery and walls create a soothing seating area in this sunken living room and help highlight the nature-inspired art, including an illuminated art piece above the mantel.
Custom furniture: Flexform; art: Artsource Consulting
Designer: Mead Quin Design
As in many other homes on Marina Boulevard, a large picture window provides views of the San Francisco Bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. “I wanted to keep the design quiet to draw attention to and inspiration from the view,” designer Mead Quin says. Neutral-colored upholstery and walls create a soothing seating area in this sunken living room and help highlight the nature-inspired art, including an illuminated art piece above the mantel.
Custom furniture: Flexform; art: Artsource Consulting
Blue painted floors — the paint is a mix of Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue and Black Blue — help ground the space. A home bar and corner bench provide a spot to mix a refreshing drink to take outside to the terrace.
The connected terrace features a heated lounge bench and chairs from Galanter & Jones to create an inviting outdoor entertaining area. The organic living wall, installed by Living Green Design, is made up of over 10 varieties of tillandsia air plants to soften an exterior wall.
Bring More Green to Your Patio or Side Yard With a Living Wall
Bring More Green to Your Patio or Side Yard With a Living Wall
Photo: David Duncan Livingston
Kitchen and Family Room: Good Vibes Only, Meditations on Family (this photo and next)
Designer: Ian Stallings Design
Glossy blue painted cabinets and custom powder-coated appliances from BlueStar create a seamless look in the kitchen and family room, designed by Ian Stallings. “I wanted my space to show the journey of a family’s day, starting with breakfast and ending with time together in the open seating area,” he says. Brass and acrylic pulls from Design Theory Hardware, a marble backsplash and a pounded stainless steel hood add a luxe touch to complete the chef’s kitchen.
Browse more photos of blue kitchens
Kitchen and Family Room: Good Vibes Only, Meditations on Family (this photo and next)
Designer: Ian Stallings Design
Glossy blue painted cabinets and custom powder-coated appliances from BlueStar create a seamless look in the kitchen and family room, designed by Ian Stallings. “I wanted my space to show the journey of a family’s day, starting with breakfast and ending with time together in the open seating area,” he says. Brass and acrylic pulls from Design Theory Hardware, a marble backsplash and a pounded stainless steel hood add a luxe touch to complete the chef’s kitchen.
Browse more photos of blue kitchens
A light fixture made out of 24-karat-plated petrified kangaroo paw plant, from Coup D’Etat, bridges the open kitchen and sunken family room and picks up the cheery tone of a custom yellow velvet sofa.
Photo: David Duncan Livingston
Art Salon Dining Room (this photo and next)
Designer: Bjørn Studio
David Bjørngaard was inspired by the natural beauty of the Marin Headlands seen from the picture window of the dining room. The materials and colors connect sand, sage, driftwood and sky, starting with the pale sisal rug on the floors and rough sand-colored plaster walls. A custom window bench installed with reinforced steel features a mirror tucked underneath to serve two design purposes: It reflects the visual movement of the carpet’s herringbone pattern and conceals an existing radiator. “I wanted a neutral palette, to focus on the view, and [wanted to] create different areas to reflect from the window, including a spot for tea and a spot to read,” the designer says.
All of the artwork and books are from alumni of programs of the Headlands Center for the Arts in nearby Sausalito.
Rug: Kyle Bunting; Lovo dining chairs by Alex Einar Hjorth: Almond & Co.
Art Salon Dining Room (this photo and next)
Designer: Bjørn Studio
David Bjørngaard was inspired by the natural beauty of the Marin Headlands seen from the picture window of the dining room. The materials and colors connect sand, sage, driftwood and sky, starting with the pale sisal rug on the floors and rough sand-colored plaster walls. A custom window bench installed with reinforced steel features a mirror tucked underneath to serve two design purposes: It reflects the visual movement of the carpet’s herringbone pattern and conceals an existing radiator. “I wanted a neutral palette, to focus on the view, and [wanted to] create different areas to reflect from the window, including a spot for tea and a spot to read,” the designer says.
All of the artwork and books are from alumni of programs of the Headlands Center for the Arts in nearby Sausalito.
Rug: Kyle Bunting; Lovo dining chairs by Alex Einar Hjorth: Almond & Co.
A custom glass mobile by artist Julia Condon is an unexpected substitute for a chandelier.
Plaster walls: Willem Racké Studio; sisal flooring: Mark Nelson Development
Plaster walls: Willem Racké Studio; sisal flooring: Mark Nelson Development
Bedroom: Lararia Guest Refuge (this photo and next)
Designer: Kari McIntosh Design
Inspired by a recent trip to the ruins of Herculaneum, an ancient Roman seaside town, Kari McIntosh created a bedroom retreat that features a dramatic red Venetian plaster ceiling, a hand-painted closet mural and charred wood nightstands. Ceramic gold snakes by Linda Fahey of Yonder are a nod to the Roman belief that snakes bring good fortune.
Lighting: Robert Long Lighting
Designer: Kari McIntosh Design
Inspired by a recent trip to the ruins of Herculaneum, an ancient Roman seaside town, Kari McIntosh created a bedroom retreat that features a dramatic red Venetian plaster ceiling, a hand-painted closet mural and charred wood nightstands. Ceramic gold snakes by Linda Fahey of Yonder are a nod to the Roman belief that snakes bring good fortune.
Lighting: Robert Long Lighting
Tucked inside the shrine-like closet is a mosaic tile floor and vibrant painted imagery with trees and snakes. The vintage black lacquer chair features inlaid brass leaves.
Bathroom: Above the Garden Awaits
Designer: Blankwalls Design
Designer Stephan Blachowski made the most of an 8-by-5-foot bathroom by adding design elements that create visual movement. “I wanted to create an uninterrupted wall without grout lines,” the designer says. Continuous stone slabs in alternating horizontal stripes wrap the walls, and cove lighting draws attention to the hand-painted garden scene on the ceiling.
5 Ways With an 8-by-5-Foot Bathroom
Designer: Blankwalls Design
Designer Stephan Blachowski made the most of an 8-by-5-foot bathroom by adding design elements that create visual movement. “I wanted to create an uninterrupted wall without grout lines,” the designer says. Continuous stone slabs in alternating horizontal stripes wrap the walls, and cove lighting draws attention to the hand-painted garden scene on the ceiling.
5 Ways With an 8-by-5-Foot Bathroom
Bathroom: Androgino (this photo and next)
Designer: Elementi
Roberto Tiscareno’s bathroom, titled Androgino, which is Italian for “androgynous,” shows the versatility of stone and designing with blacks and grays. The walls are a moody deep gray plaster, punctuated by bright accessories. The wall-mounted stone vanity is hand-carved, and underneath is an offset storage bench.
Vanity mirror: Rossato Home Collection; Teddy hook: Alice Tacheny
Designer: Elementi
Roberto Tiscareno’s bathroom, titled Androgino, which is Italian for “androgynous,” shows the versatility of stone and designing with blacks and grays. The walls are a moody deep gray plaster, punctuated by bright accessories. The wall-mounted stone vanity is hand-carved, and underneath is an offset storage bench.
Vanity mirror: Rossato Home Collection; Teddy hook: Alice Tacheny
Pictured here is a black metal shower privacy screen with a pattern of lotus-shaped cutouts.
Floating vanity: Vaselli; plaster walls and ceiling: TerraBriosa and TBC Plaster Artisans; Mizu metal screen: AJK Design Studio; Artemisia Roman shade fabric: Création Baumann
Floating vanity: Vaselli; plaster walls and ceiling: TerraBriosa and TBC Plaster Artisans; Mizu metal screen: AJK Design Studio; Artemisia Roman shade fabric: Création Baumann
Office: Tangerine Dream Lounge (this photo and previous)
Designers: Willem Racké Studio and Susan Lind Chastain
Orange ombre hand-painted walls trick the eye in this compact 9-by-7-foot office space designed by Willem Racké and Susan Chastain. “The infinity-painted walls provide an illusion to make the space feel much larger than it is,” Racké says. The designer, who is Dutch, says orange is his favorite color, and he wanted to introduce a burst of color into the house. The windows are dressed in ombre fabric from Rosemary Hallgarten to match the walls. The midcentury modern-inspired space includes shapes with playful round edges, like the 1948 Gino Sarfatti ceiling pendant and gold glass Mirror art on the wall by Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert.
Designers: Willem Racké Studio and Susan Lind Chastain
Orange ombre hand-painted walls trick the eye in this compact 9-by-7-foot office space designed by Willem Racké and Susan Chastain. “The infinity-painted walls provide an illusion to make the space feel much larger than it is,” Racké says. The designer, who is Dutch, says orange is his favorite color, and he wanted to introduce a burst of color into the house. The windows are dressed in ombre fabric from Rosemary Hallgarten to match the walls. The midcentury modern-inspired space includes shapes with playful round edges, like the 1948 Gino Sarfatti ceiling pendant and gold glass Mirror art on the wall by Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert.
The Reading Room: Bohemian Chic (this photo and next)
Designers: Cynthia Spence Design and Elan Evans
Elan Evans and Cynthia Spence designed a relaxing reading area in a style Spence describes as “approachable bohemian.” Wallpaper that’s meant to evoke wood paneling adds a functional touch to absorb sound, and layered textiles, including kilim rugs and accent pillows, introduce rich patterns and color.
Regatta sectional: Ted Boerner
Designers: Cynthia Spence Design and Elan Evans
Elan Evans and Cynthia Spence designed a relaxing reading area in a style Spence describes as “approachable bohemian.” Wallpaper that’s meant to evoke wood paneling adds a functional touch to absorb sound, and layered textiles, including kilim rugs and accent pillows, introduce rich patterns and color.
Regatta sectional: Ted Boerner
Opposite the plush sectional is a painted built-in cabinet with light box art by Margot Hartford; the photo is of trees in the nearby Presidio national park.
Living Room: Rosé Lounge
Designer: Coddington Design
Edgy and abstract furniture and art are the stars in Melanie Coddington’s lounge space. Sitting on top of a rug made up of 64 colors of yarn is a midcentury gondola-shaped sofa with custom pink fabric and a geometric marble-and-walnut cocktail table with inlaid brass rings to mimic wine stains. All of the art pieces are by female artists; the wall-mounted ceramic art is by Jane Grimm.
Shard cocktail table: Noble Goods; Zap rug by Fiona Curran: The Rug Co.
Designer: Coddington Design
Edgy and abstract furniture and art are the stars in Melanie Coddington’s lounge space. Sitting on top of a rug made up of 64 colors of yarn is a midcentury gondola-shaped sofa with custom pink fabric and a geometric marble-and-walnut cocktail table with inlaid brass rings to mimic wine stains. All of the art pieces are by female artists; the wall-mounted ceramic art is by Jane Grimm.
Shard cocktail table: Noble Goods; Zap rug by Fiona Curran: The Rug Co.
Closet: DJ Getaway
Designer: Bashford Design
Sarah Bashford used the smallest room in the house as an opportunity to create something unexpected. The closet-turned-hobby room is a riff on the visualization of music. “I wanted to capture both the life and movement of music and bring together new and old,” Bashford says. A custom acrylic floating desk displays a record player and an iPad that controls a continuous video feed. Circuit boards hand-drawn on the walls by Shannon Geis add visual movement, along with other playful pieces, such as a rope chair and an asymmetrical storage piece for records.
Centur chair by Christian Astuguevieille: Holly Hunt
Designer: Bashford Design
Sarah Bashford used the smallest room in the house as an opportunity to create something unexpected. The closet-turned-hobby room is a riff on the visualization of music. “I wanted to capture both the life and movement of music and bring together new and old,” Bashford says. A custom acrylic floating desk displays a record player and an iPad that controls a continuous video feed. Circuit boards hand-drawn on the walls by Shannon Geis add visual movement, along with other playful pieces, such as a rope chair and an asymmetrical storage piece for records.
Centur chair by Christian Astuguevieille: Holly Hunt
Bedroom: Ocean Retreat (this photo and next)
Designer: Eden Wright Design
This light-filled sanctuary by Eden Wright is meant to be a place to relax and unwind without technology. A mostly natural and airy color palette is punctuated by silvery-blue ocean-inspired accents. The two floor cushions in front of an unedited photograph taken underwater are meant to be used for self-reflection and meditation.
Art: “Panthera Onca” by Christy Lee Rogers, Slate Art
Designer: Eden Wright Design
This light-filled sanctuary by Eden Wright is meant to be a place to relax and unwind without technology. A mostly natural and airy color palette is punctuated by silvery-blue ocean-inspired accents. The two floor cushions in front of an unedited photograph taken underwater are meant to be used for self-reflection and meditation.
Art: “Panthera Onca” by Christy Lee Rogers, Slate Art
A braided rug made of soft wool and Tencel warms up the floors, and white hand-woven wallpaper serves as a backdrop to a photograph taken using a very slow shutter speed.
Master Closet: A Room of Her Own (this photo and next)
Designer: September Studio
Shelf brackets: New York Heartwoods; vase and table lamp: Mt. Washington Pottery; custom desk: Sebastian Parker Furniture Design; ceramics: March; “We Are Islands” photograph: Haley Golden; accessories: General Store and Elsie Green
Designer: September Studio
Shelf brackets: New York Heartwoods; vase and table lamp: Mt. Washington Pottery; custom desk: Sebastian Parker Furniture Design; ceramics: March; “We Are Islands” photograph: Haley Golden; accessories: General Store and Elsie Green
“I wanted to create an intentional space to slow down and for someone to start the beginning and end of each day by finding balance,” says Heather Deragon, who is making her showcase debut. Mindfulness was top of mind as she designed this intimate place to reflect with a journal, set intentions and, in her words, “take a break from the fast pace of life.” The white, pigment-free hand-plastered walls provided a blank canvas for Deragon to add carefully sourced items from local artisans and female entrepreneurs, including the artwork by Kristen Giorgi of NG Collective Studio.
Lounge chair: Nickey Kehoe; Dinner stool: Sawkille Co.; floral design: Studio Mondine; plaster: TBC Plaster Artisans
Lounge chair: Nickey Kehoe; Dinner stool: Sawkille Co.; floral design: Studio Mondine; plaster: TBC Plaster Artisans
Basement: The Lady Cave
Designer: DLC-ID
Jonathan de la Cruz embraced the low (92-inch) ceiling in this basement by making the space feel “like a giant hug,” he says. This modern screening room has embroidered diamond-patterned linen draped over both the ceiling and walls. A deep, tufted custom sectional made with velvet in three colors wraps the length of the room to invite someone to sit and stay for a while.
Medina fabric: Jane Churchill, Cowtan & Tout; vintage 1952 cocktail table by Edward Wormley: De Angelis; vintage area rug: Mark Nelson Designs
See more photos from this year’s showcase
More
See more designer showcases
Find an interior designer near you
Designer: DLC-ID
Jonathan de la Cruz embraced the low (92-inch) ceiling in this basement by making the space feel “like a giant hug,” he says. This modern screening room has embroidered diamond-patterned linen draped over both the ceiling and walls. A deep, tufted custom sectional made with velvet in three colors wraps the length of the room to invite someone to sit and stay for a while.
Medina fabric: Jane Churchill, Cowtan & Tout; vintage 1952 cocktail table by Edward Wormley: De Angelis; vintage area rug: Mark Nelson Designs
See more photos from this year’s showcase
More
See more designer showcases
Find an interior designer near you
Designer: Simon Breitbard Fine Arts