“Elle Decor's reality showcase” |
| Posted: 16 Nov 2010 11:11 AM PST Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Decorator showcases are not exactly known for having a cohesive design. There can be little visual continuity from room to room. And it makes sense, when you consider that the designers tend to develop their ideas around their own imaginary client. Oftentimes, it's a chance to indulge in flights of fancy, with practicality not a priority. But the Elle Decor Designer Showhouse, which opened to the public last weekend, took a different approach, asking the 11 design firms that transformed the 1911 Mediterranean home to consider the same fictional client: a young family, fifth-generation San Franciscans, who enjoy traveling as well as entertaining. "The challenge is: How do you make all the rooms feel like one, but also make an impact as a designer?" said Kendall Wilkinson, who was responsible for the entry, hallways and office. Rather than her trademark vibrant colors and patterns, she opted for a more subdued aesthetic - think platinum and warm grays, with a splash of coral. Jay Jeffers also veered from his signature bold style. "We were very inspired by textures - luxe cashmere, worsted wool, soft linens, sisal, grass cloth," he said, explaining his choices in the master bedroom. "Texture creates a richness that leaves less need for color, so we restrained ourselves on that front. The soft, cool palette creates an oasis." The room, which features a dark gray cerused oak bed upholstered in gray tweed and chairs by Franco Albini and Franca Helg, evokes a suite at a luxurious hotel - "where you'd lock the door, order Champagne and never come out!" New neighborhood The Elle Decor project - which was four months in the making - stands out from previous showcases held in the city for other reasons, too. Take the location. The San Francisco Decorator Showcase, an annual rite of spring in the design community, is usually held in Pacific Heights or thereabouts. When the now shuttered Metropolitan Home presented its show house in December, the chosen residence was steps from the Presidio. Elle Decor, however, ventured into the St. Francis Wood neighborhood. During the opening festivities, one out-of-town guest commented that "this is really far out there." (Because the party occurred on an unseasonably warm November evening, plenty of people took advantage of the outdoor lounge and garden, the work of Surfacedesign Inc.) Smaller showcase The size of the Elle Decor dwelling is also an anomaly. While 5,000 square feet is enormous by most standards, for a showcase, it's actually on the small side. In 2008 and 2009, the Decorator Showcase residences totaled 16,000 and 10,000 square feet, respectively. Of course, the Elle Decor Designer Showhouse does share traits with its counterparts: It benefits a local organization (San Francisco's Junior League) and highlights some of the best and brightest design stars. "The group spans a wide range of experience," Editor in Chief Michael Boodro said. "Some are well established, and others are up and coming." For his teen girl's bedroom, Grant K. Gibson found himself buying accessories that are atypical for the designer: "Twilight" books, an autographed photo of Lady Gaga, a poster of the cast of "Glee." Gibson clearly had fun with his assignment, layering in lots of colors and prints - including Chinoiserie wallpaper, a pair of yellow X-benches, a teal Christopher Spitzmiller table lamp, and white Matelass� curtains and cornices adorned with black grosgrain ribbon, the handiwork of Madina Aryeh. Gibson commissioned a pair of twin headboards in a zebra print with black piping, utilizing an unconventional fabric source. "I had searched all of the fabric companies at the design center and then just happened to be at Target, where I found these sheets," he recalled. The bed skirts were also sewn from the sheet sets. Garden views Across the hall, Elizabeth Martin's guest bedroom opens onto a balcony with garden views. "My thought was to create a garden-type room that had lightness without the literal elements of flowers or plants," she said, referring to the neutral palette with splashes of citrus yellow, cerulean green and teal. "I always wanted to strike a balance of the masculine and feminine as both genders would be using this room." Martin's key furnishings include a custom iron-forged bed, a 1964 slipper chair and custom-finished side chests. On the walls, she introduced the work of Bay Area postwar Abstract Expressionist and printmaker Walter Kuhlman. Tucked in the corner between Gibson's and Martin's spaces is another guest retreat. Suzanne Tucker's cool aqua palette is enlivened with bright green patterned accents. The hand-carved twin beds by Michael Taylor once belonged to San Francisco fashion icon Nan Kempner. Downstairs, Gary Spain conceived a living room that is "urban and classic with a lived-in, collected vibe," he said. And of course he kept the phantom client in mind: "The paintings, photography and sculptures provoke memories of a lifetime of collecting during the owners' travels - and they're really the only color in the room. Overall, I wanted the room to be a stylish refuge to hang out in." Will Wick's moody den is filled with plenty of interesting artifacts, as well as an ample leather sofa that's perfect for napping or reading. The metal finishes in the room - the sunburst ceiling fixture, brass side chair and gold-leaf wall treatment - bring a note of elegance. Palmer Weiss tackled the mudroom, kitchen and breakfast nook. With its large arching windows, the breakfast nook is reminiscent of a solarium. The area is anchored by a table of her own design; Michael Casey fabricated the ornate plaster base. The acid-yellow pleather upholstery on the surrounding chairs "looks just like elegant patent leather but is borderline indestructible," Weiss said. "If the owner or their kids spill coffee or ketchup, it's no big deal - you can literally hose them off." The adjacent dining room, designed by Steven Volpe, may be the most minimal space in the entire house - with a Jules Wabbes table teamed with his own chairs, large-scale artwork and a cabinet with a basket-weave motif serving as the focal points. But don't confuse minimal with cold; the custom blue de Gournay wall covering and wood finishes add warmth. On the home's lower level, Erin Martin turned a basement into something special. The media room and family room are dramatic - the first thing you see after descending the stairs is a giant arachnid-like light fixture - yet still functional and comfortable. Many of the expenses came out of the designers' own pockets, and the show house's product sponsors - including locally based companies Restoration Hardware and Serena & Lily - helped alleviate some of the financial burden. While the Elle Decor abode may not have some of the customary showcase trappings - superfluous spaces or over-the-top concepts - that doesn't mean it's lacking in inspiration. It's just inspiration that may translate better in real life. Perhaps Wilkinson said it best: "The interesting thing about this house is that it's a house that feels very livable." Walls that wow If the showhouse is a bellwether of design, then simple painted walls just won't do anymore. Wallpapers - from the understated to whimsical - and artistic finishes are now de rigueur. In the entry, Kendall Wilkinson installed wallpaper that mimics the look of raw silk, with its nubby quality. Decorative painter Shirley Robinson hand-painted the surface for a shimmery effect. At first glance, Suzanne Tucker's bedroom appears swathed in wallpaper with a leaf pattern. But it's actually fabric from her own collection. And the designer thought of every detail: "I always line closets (with wallpaper) as they are often neglected spaces," Tucker said. "Why not have them be pretty and coordinate?" Grant K. Gibson covered his bedroom in de Gournay's hand-painted - yes, hand-painted - scenic Chinoiserie paper. The pink background is a custom shade. "The neighborhood is very typically foggy San Francisco," said Gary Spain, who designed the living room. "I thought the chalky white Venetian plaster walls would mimic this feeling in a subtle way but enhance the light quality." In the mudroom, Palmer Weiss went with Katie Ridder's Attendants wallpaper in purple. "I like the impact of something fun and wacky greeting you when you come back home from a long day," she said. Designer showcase The Elle Decor Designer Showhouse is at 300 St. Francis Blvd., in San Francisco. It is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this weekend, as well as next Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $30 online, $40 at the door. The event benefits the Junior League of San Francisco. For more information, call (415) 775-4100 go to www.jlsf.org. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Content Keyword RSS To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment