San Francisco Decorator Showcase: Fresh Takes on Bold Design
The 2016 show house, opening Saturday, offers youthful refinement in a new locale
Bryan Anthony
April 29, 2016
Those familiar with the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, now in its 39th year, are used to exploring a designated mansion on a street lined with grand homes in the posh adjacent neighborhoods of Pacific Heights and Presidio Heights. And though this year’s show house is splendidly decorated by some of the region’s top interior designers, its Telegraph Hill location provides new scenery and a (somewhat) smaller footprint than most previous show houses. Nevertheless, the show house continues its trend of presenting luxe decor with a youthful twist.
2016 San Francisco Decorator Showcase
When: Saturday, April 30 through Monday, May 30
Info: Check the website for hours and ticket information.
The 6,100-square-foot
Villa de Martini is an elegant Mediterranean-style villa built in 1929.
When: Saturday, April 30 through Monday, May 30
Info: Check the website for hours and ticket information.
The 6,100-square-foot
Villa de Martini is an elegant Mediterranean-style villa built in 1929.
Front Garden
After walking up a flight of stairs from the street, one encounters a whimsical garden designed by Living Green Design that features no-mow fescue grass, terra cotta urns and sculptures. Look closely and you might see the sun sparkling off some of the crystal door handles poking out of the ground.
After walking up a flight of stairs from the street, one encounters a whimsical garden designed by Living Green Design that features no-mow fescue grass, terra cotta urns and sculptures. Look closely and you might see the sun sparkling off some of the crystal door handles poking out of the ground.
Living Room
Inspired by the recent expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Art, Antonio Martins created a living room dedicated to the city’s vibrant intersection of art and design. It features works from a diverse group of Bay Area artists, including Anthony Discenza, Andy Diaz Hope and Deborah Oropallo.
Inspired by the recent expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Art, Antonio Martins created a living room dedicated to the city’s vibrant intersection of art and design. It features works from a diverse group of Bay Area artists, including Anthony Discenza, Andy Diaz Hope and Deborah Oropallo.
To highlight the art, Martins created a gallery-like space with white lacquered walls, hot rolled steel floors and white upholstery and drapes. A sculptural chandelier by Fuse Lighting was customized in white to add interest to the ceiling without distracting from the space.
Study
Influenced by the ocean blues and sandy beaches of the California coast, Stephan Jones designed a subdued yet sublime look for the first-floor study. The room features a rich wall covering from Kneedler-Fauchere and a sectional sofa upholstered in hand-printed linen.
Influenced by the ocean blues and sandy beaches of the California coast, Stephan Jones designed a subdued yet sublime look for the first-floor study. The room features a rich wall covering from Kneedler-Fauchere and a sectional sofa upholstered in hand-printed linen.
Jones says that the series of eight black-and-white paintings from the Hackett-Mill gallery reminded him of works created by famed artist Robert Motherwell.
Bar
The home bar, converted from a former storage closet at the end of a busy hallway, is an ideal spot for after-work drinks. The bold bar by Sullivan Design Studio pairs blue lacquered cabinetry with Timorous Beasties’ graphic Colonnade Blotch wallpaper.
The home bar, converted from a former storage closet at the end of a busy hallway, is an ideal spot for after-work drinks. The bold bar by Sullivan Design Studio pairs blue lacquered cabinetry with Timorous Beasties’ graphic Colonnade Blotch wallpaper.
Master Bedroom
Tineke Triggs says she was inspired by one of the world’s most fashionable couples, David Bowie and Iman, for the design of the master suite. Modern furnishings and angular forms speak to Bowie’s edgy persona, while a palette of black, blue, gold and cream reflect Iman’s timeless glamour.
Tineke Triggs says she was inspired by one of the world’s most fashionable couples, David Bowie and Iman, for the design of the master suite. Modern furnishings and angular forms speak to Bowie’s edgy persona, while a palette of black, blue, gold and cream reflect Iman’s timeless glamour.
A desk with contrasting legs, one wrapped in blackened steel and the other a gold-tinted mirror, is paired with a black cane chair from Baker Furniture.
Guest Room
The guest bedroom designed by Anne Lowengart is so sweet it could give you a cavity. In introducing a kaleidoscope of colors from the floor to the ceiling, Lowengart says she was inspired by her sister’s cheerfully colored childhood bedroom. “My sister is full of incredible joie de vivre. I wanted to re-create that spirit in this room.”
The guest bedroom designed by Anne Lowengart is so sweet it could give you a cavity. In introducing a kaleidoscope of colors from the floor to the ceiling, Lowengart says she was inspired by her sister’s cheerfully colored childhood bedroom. “My sister is full of incredible joie de vivre. I wanted to re-create that spirit in this room.”
A vintage armchair that originally had a dark brown frame and dingy green velvet upholstery was given a coat of pink lacquer paint and covered in candy-hued stripes.
Office
An upstairs office designed by Ian Stallings is intended to be a serene space featuring stylish pieces such as the burl walnut-topped Milo Baughman desk and lucite framed chair. But it’s the burst of color emanating from the wallpapered ceiling that truly makes this space sing.
An upstairs office designed by Ian Stallings is intended to be a serene space featuring stylish pieces such as the burl walnut-topped Milo Baughman desk and lucite framed chair. But it’s the burst of color emanating from the wallpapered ceiling that truly makes this space sing.
Children’s Bedroom
The basement-level children’s bedroom by Nest Design Co. is the ultimate sleepover getaway for kids. Custom upholstered built-in beds joined at the headboard provide a new take on the classic bunk bed. Storage nooks to the sides and above the beds provide ample storage for books and toys.
The basement-level children’s bedroom by Nest Design Co. is the ultimate sleepover getaway for kids. Custom upholstered built-in beds joined at the headboard provide a new take on the classic bunk bed. Storage nooks to the sides and above the beds provide ample storage for books and toys.
A desk in the corner of the children’s bedroom features a whimsical chair hand-wrapped in ropes and painted a glossy white.
As if this children’s bedroom isn’t already a great destination for kids, another corner of the room features blue mountain-climbing footholds and a collection of pebble-inspired poufs to break any falls.
Guest Bathroom
In honor of the Chinese calendar’s Year of the Monkey, an elegant guest bathroom designed by Shelley & Co. includes a custom De Gournay wallpaper that features the playful primates. A gilded mirror and a floating marble sink are among the other highlights of the room.
In honor of the Chinese calendar’s Year of the Monkey, an elegant guest bathroom designed by Shelley & Co. includes a custom De Gournay wallpaper that features the playful primates. A gilded mirror and a floating marble sink are among the other highlights of the room.
Though an impractical choice for real life, the stunning shower fixture is actually a brass chandelier that drips down from ceiling. The shower surround features two styles of marble tile from Artistic Tile.
Lounge
The moody lounge designed by Evars + Anderson features a black Venetian plaster ceiling and walls. The tufted Art Deco-inspired sectional is a new piece covered in emerald green velvet.
The moody lounge designed by Evars + Anderson features a black Venetian plaster ceiling and walls. The tufted Art Deco-inspired sectional is a new piece covered in emerald green velvet.
Lamb fur poufs accompany the sculptural Ulu table designed by Jiun Ho. The blue and green patchwork rug under the table has a look reminiscent of peacock feathers.
Garden Room
The room’s original brick fireplace and orange faux-painted walls were plastered over in white to create a fresh and bright garden room. A natural-edge wood table with a branch frame is featured in front of the fireplace. Designer Heather Hilliard says she was inspired by Georgia O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch residence in New Mexico.
The room’s original brick fireplace and orange faux-painted walls were plastered over in white to create a fresh and bright garden room. A natural-edge wood table with a branch frame is featured in front of the fireplace. Designer Heather Hilliard says she was inspired by Georgia O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch residence in New Mexico.
Indoor-outdoor furniture surrounds a custom coffee table designed by Azadeh Shladovsky. The oxidized green of the salvaged architectural elements on the wall influenced the green fabric selection covering the sofa.
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What an impressive rape of a house with gorgeous bones with an end result that makes me want to cry out in horror! Shaking my head and walking away....
Interesting that West Coast design in this showcase house(mostly, but not all rooms) is cleaner and less busy than in the Kips Bay Showcase house on the east coast. I do agree that too many of these decorators don't give enough homage to the house itself, typically. Isn't that what it is all about...responding to the architecture? Or maybe not???
I was thinking the same thing about listening to the architecture; it seems like in all of these houses the designers are trying to hard...there's imbalance, garish colors, dark and gloomy interiors, and a desperate throwback to the '50s.