Image: Courtesy of the San Francisco Design Center

Design San Francisco 2010
by Claudia Juestel

Design San Francisco at the San Francisco Design Center, the annual conference for interior designers, returned last month. It was once again packed with great lectures and seminars to inspire and to expand our knowledge. The various events were sponsored by ELLE DÉCOR, California Home + Design and California Homes. And of course the showrooms were filled with their newest wares for spring. It was a week to learn, to discover and to celebrate. Since this is an event for design professionals only I wanted to share some of the highlights with our readers.

A Green Initiative

The Design Center launched “Green and Bold”, an initiative led by Margaret Collard that brings together the design community for a greener future for the Bay Area. Two major projects have been launched already, the restoration of St. Dominic’s Church here in San Francisco and the renovation of St. Vincent’s Boy’s school in San Rafael.

Proposed plan for St. Dominic’s Church
Image: Courtesy of Green and Bold

Stimulating Lectures

The headliners this year were Margaret Russell, Editor in Chief of ELLE DÉCOR magazine and renowned interior and furniture designers Bunny Williams and Jamie Drake (look out for upcoming interviews with both designers.)

Margaret Russell opened the event by talking about her latest book “Style & Substance, the Best of Elle Décor”, which is a retrospective of some of the best design featured in the magazine in the past twenty years.

Margaret Russell at the Galleria
Photo: Lisbeth Ortega

The same afternoon visionary furniture designer and manufacturer Dakota Jackson spoke about the new landscape of design at De Sousa Hughes.

The following day Bunny Williams took the stage sharing her expertise on good design. While showing images of her work and sharing her design philosophy she made many excellent recommendations:

• A round sofa and a round table in a corner to deal with an awkward space and to create another seating group
• Lacquering a low ceiling in pale gray to give the illusion of height
• Table lamps on a long dining table with the cords running down in between the leaves
• A French sofa with a higher seat for breakfast room seating
• Slip covers on dining chairs to create different looks
• Decorative recessed fluorescent-lit panels to imitate skylights in an underground hallway

On Friday Jamie Drake reflected on the good old days of design in San Francisco when Michael Taylor, John Dickinson and Anthony Hail reigned supreme. He also spoke of developing a style from your gut rather then from trends. After 32 years in the business, and looking amazing, he also offered a lot of useful advice:

• Incorporating sentimental items to add personality
• Backlit bronze and milk glass shutters give the illusion of a window
• Inset color boxes in a wood book case add interest
• Anchoring strong colors with black and white or wood
• Adding custom hardware to furniture turns something functional into jewelry
• Recessing a free-standing bathtub into a lacquered platform

Jamie Drake signing books at De Sousa Hughes
Photo: Lisbeth Ortega

Informative Seminars

The selections were top notch and ranged from branding and marketing to design as a long-term investment. Due to popularity Benjamin Moore’s Color Pulse 2011 had two sessions. According to color specialist Mary Hoffman green seems to be the “it” color this year. As for 2011 there were four trends mentioned, The Farm, Order, Escape and Tribe inspiring an overall theme of “Balance”.

Distinctive New Designs

Christopher Peacock Home has expanded their exquisite kitchen line into bathroom cabinetry and has added their own line of low VOC paints including “Cupboard Low Lustre”, a traditional oil-based paint specially formulated for high quality paint grade cabinetry.

New bathroom installation at the San Francisco showroom of Christopher Peacock
Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Peacock Home

Shears & Window introduced Perennials’ new Amoré fabrics, a collection of textured indoor/outdoor jacquards inspired by 15th century Florentine masters and debuted award-winning local designer Suzanne Tucker’s new line of textiles that include luxurious damasks, sumptuous silks, plush velvets and embroidered sheers.

Amoré fabrics by Perennials Fabrics
Photo: Courtesy of Perennials

“Monique” and “Grenade” fabrics by Suzanne Tucker Home
Photo: Courtesy of Suzanne Tucker Home

De Sousa Hughes is known for showing the best of contemporary design by local artisans. Jonathan Browning’s “Ventoux” torchiere and “Anjou” cocktail table exhibit maximum design within the most minimal amount of space. Ted Boerner’s “Cleo” limited edition table lamp is based on Ted’s grandfather’s carved wood sculpture from the ‘40s and is named after his grandmother.

“Ventoux” torchieres by Jonathan Browning Studios
Photo: courtesy of Jonathan Browning Studios

“Anjou” cocktail table by Jonathan Browning Studios
Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Browning Studios

“Cleo” table lamp by Ted Boerner
Photo: Courtesy of Ted Boerner

Phillip Jeffries showed their latest collection of wall coverings at McRae and Company, which included “Horsehair”, made from abaca and polyester to create the look of real horsehair for a fraction of the cost, and “Laquered Strié” with a high gloss texture in a unique grooved random stripe.

Phillip Jeffries’ “Horsehair” wallcovering
Photo: Courtesy of Phillip Jeffries

Phillip Jeffries’ “Lacquered Strié” wallcovering
Photo: Courtesy of Phillip Jeffries

Gaul Searson debuted their new shagreen furniture collection. Among the pieces are the fabulous “Amalfi” side table, with a wonderfully detailed iron base that appears quite simple on initial inspection, and the “U Bend” table with a subtle concave edge.

“Amalfi” side table by Gaul Searson with an iron base by Martin Metals
Photo: Courtesy of Gaul Searson

“U Bend” table by Gaul Searson
Photo: Courtesy of Gaul Searson

Allegra Hicks’ latest textile collection for Lee Jofa is comprised of sophisticated Japanese-inspired Ikats, organic embroideries and luscious chenilles.

“Ikat Drops” and “Tulip” fabrics by Allegra Hicks
Photo: Courtesy of Lee Jofa

Gregorius | Pineo at Kneedler Fauchere presented a number of fresh designs including the “Constanza” weathered oak dining table, which would be oh so perfect for my future home in the wine country, especially after learning that it was inspired by Lake Constance, a beautiful area near my childhood home.

And Ironies also added to their extensive collection a number of pieces with a rustic feel, in addition to case goods with the more unique kinds of materials and finishes they are known for. Among them are the “Mantis” side table with a polished nickel base and mother of pearl top and the “Strider” bedside table in parchment and brass.

“Constanza” square dining table by Gregorius | Pineo
Photo: Courtesy of Gregorius | Pineo

“Mantis” side table by Ironies
Photo: Courtesy of Ironies

“Strider” bedside table by Ironies
Photo: Courtesy of Ironies

Celebrations

California Home + Design magazine hosted nearly 300 members of California’s design community to honor the ten winners of its fifth annual design awards. Amongst the winners were Gary Hutton Design for residential interior design under 3,000sf, Joshua Aidlin and David Darling for sustainable architecture, Jay Jeffers for commercial design, Matthew Leverone for best showcase design.

2010 CH+D Award winners with editors Sarah Lynch and Erin Feher
Photo: Lisbeth Ortega

2010 CH+D Award winner Alexander Purcell & Dr. Jan Zakim
Photo: Lisbeth Ortega

2010 CH+D Award winners Lewis Butler & Jay Jeffers
Photo: Lisbeth Ortega

Heather Hutchinson & 2010 CH+D Award winner Matthew Leverone
Photo: Lisbeth Ortega

Guests at the Janus et Cie cocktail reception
Photo: Lisbeth Ortega

The closing party brought together the Bold and Green panelists and award recipients and all the designers who could use a drink after a jam-packed week. Proceeds benefitted the Tree Fund for St. Dominic’s Church.

Green and Bold Award recipients
Photo: Lisbeth Ortega

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