"Design, in Flight . . . "

Greetings,

My sweet friend, and amazing designer, Benjamin Dhong just sent the most exquisite images of his room at the San Francisco Decorator Showcase - and I just HAD to share them. His space was in this marvelously tiny room up on the third floor, with beautiful views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge . . . and a wonderfully intricate roof line of slopping eaves and dormer windows. He was "inspired a chic Parisian garret," and the idea of "flight."

Let me introduce you to . . .

"The Aerie"

- a meditation on winged flight -

by Benjamin Dhong

Beauty, by reflection.

"What could be more wing like than winged victory?

She’s perfectly placed in the dormer window and looks

like she just flew into to room. It’s quite dramatic and

it takes the room to another level."

I'll have to admit, I actually missed one of the best aspects of the room the first time I visited - and frankly, I was on the press tour, and the room was incredibly busy. But on my next visit, during a quiet weekday, I saw it - and it's truly breathtaking. First click on the image above. Then slightly *blur* your eyes.

"To make the room cozy and nest like, we commissioned

decorative painter Linda Horning to paint the most subtle chalky

mural all around the walls and ceiling. You’re sitting under a

canopy of trees…. in the fog. The effect is totally serene

and hypnotic. Restrained and subtle. People’s jaws

drop when they enter the room."

-Benjamin Dhong

And I so love the addition of the Arne Jacobsen egg chair to the room, covered

in a cut velvet from Manuel Canovas. Adding a strong, iconic piece of modern

furniture gives the classic space a great energy. And, for me, it also recalls that image of

being enclosed within wings.

and in what might be the most perfect piece of music to accompany this 'room in flight' . . .

"Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine" by Eric Whitacre.

(seriously, @5:50 second - it's actually flight set to music . . . chilling)

Cheers,

tartanscot

for more information on Benjamin's amazing work, click here.

"SF Decorator Showcase, SagreraBrazil Design . . . "

Cecilia Sagrera-Hill and George Brazil

of SagreraBrazil Design

Greetings,

We're continuing our tour through the San Francisco Decorator Showcase with a very fashionable and very feminine retreat. A classic, timeless style - but, with the punch of modern, stylish accessories. A clever combination of subdued hues with aqueous palettes. With cutting edge modern technology. Wicked-cool custom lamp shades. All expressed through the classic clever minds of Cecilia Sagrera-Hill and George Brazil.

"A modern-day interpretation inspired by the 'little black dress,'

this two-room bathing and dressing suite provides

a private retreat for a young fashionista. Every woman needs a

place from which to plan her day, ready herself for

an evening out, contemplate her wardrobe, and

in 21st century style, shop online "

- SagreraBrazil Design

So without further ado - let me introduce you to . . .

The Dressing Room and Bathroom

(click image to enlarge)

I simple adore this little space. The colours are SO bright and cheery. And the inset mirrors used on all of the closet doors not only provides the perfect place to consider one's reflection - but also multiplies the light to create the most delightful place to dress for the day. The graceful vanity holds a new iPad (with a continuous slideshow of the newest clothing from Barneys New York - not a bad way to find inspiration) and the most charming pair of table lamps. If you click on the image to enlarge it - you can see the custom lamp shades - hand cut with sunburst patterns based on the wallpaper. Such a great detail. So wonderful.

The dressing room adjoins this bright bathroom. And I'm loving the fantastic marble surround of the tub - and the chevron installation is just marvelous. Classic. Clever. And just delicious.

You can see more of their fabulous work at the SagreraBrazil Design website.

And just a beautiful detail image from the bathroom.

Also, take a look at my friend Katie's blog postings on the Showcase House too.

We'll continue our tour next week,

tartanscot

for more information on the SF Decorator Showcase, click here.

photo credits:

headshot, Emily Paine

Showcase images, David Duncan Livingston

"SF Decorator Showcase, Charles de Lisle . . . "

San Francisco designer, Charles de Lisle

Greetings,

The San Francisco Decorator Showcase is still in full swing - and open through May 31st - and our virtual tour continues with one of my favourites from the second floor - the witty, imaginative room hatched from the witty, imaginative mind of Charles de Lisle. A space cleverly deconstructed. A room that demands a closer look. A space much deeper than its deceptively simple colour story. Black. White. The shock of a brilliant citron.

And if you've ever wondered what 200 yards of black and white gingham might look like - let me introduce you to . . .

The Sitting Room

The space is just madly amazing! I think if the textile were used in a traditional installation on the windows - the gingham would have felt 'retro' - and been a little too 'present' in the room - but, conversely, because it's absolutely everywhere, it provides an amazingly modern, energetic backdrop to the incredible collection of vintage and custom furniture.

And I love these lounge chairs (designed by de Lisle) upholstered in a simple hemp twill - but, custom dyed in the most amazing shade of green. The softness of the vegetable dyed hemp area rug. The angular floor lamp from de Lisle's new collection of lighting.

And an inspired nod to the great history of San Francisco design - a pair of vintage Michael Taylor plaster table lamps rest on the mantel. The two art pieces, by Christopher Badger, flanking the fireplace read - "Wind is blowing down the mountain" and "Wind is blowing the mountain down." Yes. Stop. Read them again. It's a subtle difference. But, it reminds one to examine things more closely. To seek out every detail. Not just glance around and think you've seen everything.

Also, take a look at my friend Katie's blog postings on the Showcase House too.

We'll continue to explore the second floor tomorrow . . .

Cheers,

tartanscot

for more information on the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, click here.

"SF Decorator Showcase, Michael Burg . . . "

Michael Burg

Greetings,

Quite often when I visit a decorator showcase, I'm always so excited to get to the top floor. When I was part of the showcase house for the first time (good Lord, almost 15 years ago), we were up there. And I loved it. Often the top floor rooms in these grand old homes were designed to only be used as servants quarters - and so they tend to be small, low-ceilinged spaces, with oddly shaped and/or placed windows, or - in other words - the perfect test of a designer's skills.

So, up the stairs to the top floor I go - because with this myriad of challenges - the resulting designs are quite often some of the most creative spaces in the house. And this year, local designer Michael Burg was clearly up to the task. When offered the small, low ceilinged, dark room - with the tiny french doors and even tinier balcony - he simply stepped back, closed his eyes and saw . . .

A retreat inspired by a marvelous, chic European hotel room . . .

the perfect place to retire after a busy day in a new, mysterious city.

Complete with antique secretary for correspondence.

And cutting-edge, modern electronics . . .

A custom-designed tufted leather daybed.

And antique mortician's chest used as a side table.

(and how much do you LOVE the little corner sink. When Michael began to work on the space, the first question asked of him was, "we assume you'd like us to remove that tired, dirty old sink?" "Don't you dare!" he replied. "It's going to be perfect."

The dark tone-on-tone wall coverings (intricately covering every surface - including the multi-faceted ceiling) give the space even more drama and provide the perfect backdrop for the chic, well-edited furnishings.

And what hotel room would be complete without a collection of toiletries and libations in an antique brass vitrine mounted right above that marvelous corner sink!

getting ready to dive into bed myself,

tartanscot

for more information on the SF Decorator Showcase, click here.

"SF Decorator Showcase, Suzanne Tucker . . . "

Suzanne Tucker

Greetings,

I'll warn you right here and now - if you're a local and don't want to see any 'spoilers' from the San Francisco Decorator Showcase - you might want to look cautiously here at "Tartanscot" for the next several days.

I was delighted to receive an invitation to preview the house earlier in the week (on a stormy, wet San Francisco morning) - and was equally delighted to see - just upon entering the classically beautiful home - the beaming face of Suzanne Tucker (and her marvelous staff) putting the finishing touches on her lovely room. The dreary, damp day simply melted away -

So, without further ado - take a deep breath - prepare yourself - and take a step into 'The Dining Room" -

How marvelous! Suzanne said that she wanted the space to be more useful in the modern home than simply a room for entertaining or dining. Her aim was to create something much more - she wanted to see "a space for morning coffee nestled in the bay window, a quiet retreat with a book and a pot of tea as the westerly sun pours in; an inviting room for family gatherings or an elegant dinner party conducive to lingering."

I personally love seeing the balance between cool charcoals and silvers against

the warmth of beautiful woods and rich yellows. The comfort of the wool Khotan rug grounding the room. The jolt of amethyst stemware and hurricanes providing the perfect colour bringing everything together. And the windows framed with Suzanne's new line of textiles - in a custom colour (to be introduced this Fall) fitting the room flawlessly.

The table setting.

"The table is skirted with a soft linen floral, topped by

a pale textural matelassé and set with layers of

silver, china, candles, objets, and flowers."

I also loved the use of these comfortable armchairs at each table setting. So beautiful! - especially with the custom embroidered backs. The perfect place to linger in conversation after a long, delicious meal -

Stay tuned,

tartanscot

for more information (regarding hours, tickets, and location) for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, click here.

"Coming Attractions . . . "

Greetings all,

The big design news around here is the opening of the San Francisco Decorator Showcase this weekend. You can get all of the details on the space and a listing of all of our local talent (I have SO many great friends designing rooms this year!) taking part here - and a great interview with Brian Dittmar on The Style Saloniste is just the thing to whet your appetite.

Also for your reading pleasure - a fun new interview with yours truly at Style at Home.

Off to the office,

tartanscot