San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2011: Living Areas
The City's Top Designers Share Ideas for Living Room, Dining Room and Kitchen
We had the pleasure to preview this year's Decorator Showcase home in San Francisco, an annual event benefiting San Francisco University High School's financial aid program. Like most showcase homes, it takes place at a different gargantuan mansion throughout the city every spring. This year is no exception, with designers transforming more than 30 rooms in a sprawling Pacific Heights house, spread over four floors and more than 6,000 square feet.
What was exceptional, however, was the level of talent within. We've been to showcase homes in the past, but the style and substance in this one felt unparalleled. We've divided our favorite rooms into several ideabooks, first of which includes the dining, kitchen and living areas found throughout the home. If you have a chance to head over to the Decorator Showcase, it's open to the public April 30 through May 30. Here's a look at some of the inspiring living spaces to pique your interest.
What was exceptional, however, was the level of talent within. We've been to showcase homes in the past, but the style and substance in this one felt unparalleled. We've divided our favorite rooms into several ideabooks, first of which includes the dining, kitchen and living areas found throughout the home. If you have a chance to head over to the Decorator Showcase, it's open to the public April 30 through May 30. Here's a look at some of the inspiring living spaces to pique your interest.
Grant K. Gibson's dining room is one of the first spaces to greet guests. Gibson found inspiration in the thick fog that rolls past the canopy of the Presidio's nearby park and on through the city. Walls are covered in graphite hemp cloth from Phillip Jeffries, with the ceiling painted in a lime wash reminiscent of the undulating colors of the mist.
A delicate yet substantial chandelier from Lindsey Adelman in brushed brass with melted orbs hangs above the table.
Blue and white china vases and temple jars filled with peonies bring a happy spot of color to the center of the custom burled wood table.
Kelly green dining chairs infuse more bright color to the space, and create high contrast against the black and white David Hicks-inspired pattern on the floor. Gibson used high gloss deck paint to ensure the design would stand up to plenty of foot traffic.
With exquisite views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge outside many of the home's ample windows, rooms had a lot to compete with to catch your eye.
The living room, designed by Kathleen Navarra, had so many surprising touches that the view was literally the last thing we noticed — and with floor-to-ceiling-windows capturing the full bridge and islands beyond, that was quite a feat.
Instead our eyes feasted on details like the bronzed gingko branch chandelier from Jonathan Browning above, an oversized portrait of Marchesa Balbi holding court on the wall, and hits of magenta that ignited the room.
Modern touches like this little shagreen-topped table freshened up the formal living space.
Calacutta marble covers the sink area and continues down the side in a waterfall drop.
Next to the marble, lava stone counters in a steely blue shine brightly and can withstand a barrage of cook work. The generous pulls are actually doorknobs from Baldwin.
The Bourgeois Boheme chandelier above the breakfast nook was a central focal point at the end of the galley-style kitchen.
The 2011 San Francisco Decorator Showcase is open to the public April 30 through May30. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, visit their website.
Next: See the home's glorious bedrooms and baths
The 2011 San Francisco Decorator Showcase is open to the public April 30 through May30. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, visit their website.
Next: See the home's glorious bedrooms and baths