When you can see four bridges,10 church spires, mountains, ocean and most of San Francisco’s architectural landmarks from your 17th-floor apartment in Russian Hill, the sky’s not the limit—it’s the starting point.
Video highlights of some of SFC&G’s most memorable events and moments.
April's must-haves for the design obsessed shopper
On February 6, SFC&G hosted an evening of cocktails and conversation at the stunning home of interior designer Laurie Ghielmetti in Pacific Heights to share an exclusive look at the debut issue. Cottages & Gardens Editorial Director D.J. Carey previewed pages from the issue with designers and friends, including Andrea Feltis, Doug Kinzley and Billy Bragg of Kneedler | Fauchère, Ted Boerner, and Jason Jackson of Coup d'Etat.
The annual San Francisco Tribal & Textile Arts Show brings together collectors, designers, and art aficionados to view the finest examples of craftsmanship from tribal societies worldwide. The 2014 opening preview gala, hosted by honorary chairs Gary and OJ Shansby at Fort Mason on February 6, benefited the Textiles Arts and the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas at the de Young Museum.
The inaugural Fog Design + Art Fair, an exhibition and sale celebrating modernist works of the last century, debuted in urbane style at Fort Mason, January 17–19. Presented by host committee Douglas Durkin, Katie Paige, Stanlee Gatti and Allison Speer, Fog featured prominent twentieth-century and contemporary design dealers from the Bay and beyond, as well as 21POP, a special installation by Gatti exploring design and culinary art.
When you can see four bridges,10 church spires, mountains, ocean and most of San Francisco’s architectural landmarks from your 17th-floor apartment in Russian Hill, the sky’s not the limit—it’s the starting point.
Listen closely at break of day, and you might just hear a collective “Om” as thousands of yogis greet the sun. The Bay Area’s tradition of finding balance in Eastern practices is a vital one, and, rising like a materialized mantra over the Sonoma hills, a recent Aidlin Darling Design project—a private retreat featuring a yoga pavilion—is its latest manifestation.
While some designers would consider appointing a home from scratch as the ideal situation, Martin believes that incorporating the homeowners’ existing pieces goes a long way. “You can have the most beautiful new furniture, but without personal effects, something’s missing."
“It is such a crazy, difficult site to grow plants on,” notes Trainor of the inhospitable home site in Carmel. “We had to make things grow in rocky crevices. But, in a very rugged environment, you still have to give the client super-livable, comfortable spaces.”
To achieve an interior that was classic and tailored yet modern (a Free signature), the designer relied heavily on subtle colors and textures. Throughout the home, walls and ceilings were treated to soothing, contemporary paint colors; the blue-gray palette evokes the foggy neighborhood. “There’s a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors,” notes Free.
Editor in Chief, Alisa Carroll. Alisa has lived in San Francisco for a decade and is deeply engaged with the design community. She has written for many publications, and this month, Rizzoli publishes her first book, Jay Jeffers: Collected Cool, a monograph co-written with the celebrated Bay Area interior designer.
Two quintessential San Francisco hues segue from the hills to home
“We wanted to keep the shop as cozy as possible, to keep the same warm and inviting feel,” says Futeral. “In our old space, you could barely shop, but everyone would say, ‘How amazing! It smells so good!’ We still wanted it to feel like you were engulfed in this little world.”
The artists give us insight into their creative process, which, while rooted in nature, always yields something luxurious.
What is the biggest luxury these days? We’re hearing over and over again from top Realtors in the area that it’s all about walkability.
“There’s a real sense of community here,” says a patron who stops in several times a week. “We know the cheesemonger’s name, and he knows our daughter’s favorite cheese.” That’s just the kind of place Milgrom was striving for, one that values transparency, connection and intimacy.
After just seven years, owner-vintners Andrew and Adam Mariani have transformed it into an ecologically minded label with a serious following. This year, the brothers continue to craft their story with three carefully cultivated new vintages.
Moodier hues give jewelry an edge
We asked a smart set of the city’s top designers, and our editor in chief, where they head for design inspiration on lazy Saturday afternoons (and learned design scouting is fueled more often by cocktails than caffeine).
Suzanne Tucker began her career with legendary California designer Michael Taylor before founding her own firm, Tucker & Marks. In addition to her perennial presence on the AD 100 list, her accomplishments include her sumptuous Suzanne Tucker Home textile line, a collection of china for Royal Limoges and, most recently, her second book, Interiors: The Romance of Design
