valentine's day Chinoiserie, Designers and Table Settings....

Gump's Table

......was the recipe for a perfect party at Gump's last Tuesday night! The event, in support of the 2010 San Francisco Fall Antique Show was hosted by Marta Benson, CEO of Gump's and Suzanne Tucker, Chair of the SFFAS Designer's Circle.

Top San Francisco designers were invited to design Chinoiserie inspired dining tables, and the creativity was flowing! Ann Getty, Douglas Durkin, Andrew Fisher and Jeffrey Weisman, Jay Jeffers, Barbara Scavullo, Suzanne Tucker and Gump's all contributed stunning table displays. I could have spent much more time savoring every detail.

valentine's day Gump's Table

Gump's table captured the flavor of the Orient with their twin pagodas which flanked a gorgeous floral display of roses and artichokes. The lush color palette was gold, black and hot coral pink. I loved the back painted glass table top with silhouettes of the East in pink

valentine's day Gump's Table

The gold tea pots and pretty pink and gold place settings were perfect for a chic afternoon tea party.

Such a gorgeous display....the flowers, the glass decanters in amethyst and teal, the black lacquer trays and bronze hurricane candle holders....I was enchanted.

valentine's day Gump's Table

The creative forces at Ann Getty and Associates put together a beautiful table set under a black pagoda pavilion. Acrylic bamboo chairs, and the fresh color palette of jade and tangerine was perfectly appetizing.

Ann Getty and Associates

Details like gilt fortune cookies, and hand made taffeta ginkgo leaves added that personal touch, and the floral display of citron green orchids was luscious.

Ann Getty and Associates

One of my favorite things about this display as the lantern light fixture above the table...what a fun crowning jewel.

valentine's day Ann Getty and Associates

The next table is by Jay Jeffers, and as expected, was full of fun,fresh ideas.

Jay Jeffers

Jay created a "room" for his table with rice paper panels painted with flowering branches and birds (painted by Shirley Robinson) which he hung from the ceiling with the most beautiful chains I have ever seen.....(Jay, if you are reading, where did you get those chains?!)

Jay Jeffers Table

Jay used a really interesting modern table and beautiful lantern both from Therien Antiques. The rug is from Tai Ping. Jay brought in the custom designed chairs using C. Mariani Antiques.

valentine's day Jay Jeffers Table

The place settings were beautiful in combinations of greens, browns and golds. Jay proved once again that he is the Master of "Sophisticated Fun".

valentine's day Jay Jeffers Table

Douglas Durkin created a table that really evoked the feeling of Fall for me. Since Fall happens to be my favorite season, it is small wonder I was so drawn it it. Warm and luxurious, moody and intimate, this space invites one to linger over brandy late into the night.

valentine's day Douglas Durkin's Table

The table was surrounded by dark wood louvered screens and draped with a pumpkin and misty slate grey silk taffeta table cloth. The terrariums were filled with exotic plants...one of which I think was a Venus Flytrap.

valentine's day Douglas Durkin's Table

The crystal was a translucent black and there was a persimmon crystal dragon stopper in the decanter. Could you imagine a savory meal here on All Hallows Eve?

valentine's day Douglas Durkin's Table

Andrew Fisher and Jeffrey Weisman have long been a design duo I have greatly admired. (I especially am enamoured with their home in Napa!) Their take on the them was so much fun, it would make one want to party all night!

Fisher Weisman Table

Titled "Lunch at Brighton Pavilion" Andrew and Jeffrey pulled out all of the stops. Inspired by their travels to the Orient, the Brighton Pavilion, Doris Duke's Shangri-La in Honolulu, and films like the King and I and Auntie Mame....they kicked up their heels and used a sequined table cloth. Andrew and Jeffrey are known for their fabulous lighting creations, they channeled Tony Duquette when making this fixture. They described the process to me saying that they sculpted each piece of the mini pagodas and cast them in resin, then painted them gold adding little jewels and ivy a la Duquette.

valentine's day Fisher Weisman Table

The colors they used were just as eye catching...Red, Fuchsia, Tangerine and Gold combine in happy profusion, and the gold butterflies seemed to have just arrived to join the party.

valentine's day Jeffrey and Andrew with their table

The red dining chairs are from the Fisher Weisman Bamboo Collection for Michael Taylor Designs. Just another example of all there is to love about Fisher Weisman

Designer, Barbara Scavullo took her cue from the wonderful horses pictured on the Hermes plates in her place settings.

Barbara Scavullo's Table

You can just imagine a military campaign where the officers would reinforce themselves with hearty meals in their exotic tents.

Barbara Scavullo's Table

The lantern, world map, and Ming Horse punctuate the theme, as does the bridle buckle flatware.

valentine's day Barbara Scavullo's Table

The last table, and certainly far from the least, was the stunning table designed by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker Marks and her troop of talented designers. I was bowled over with how utterly beautiful and detailed the space was.

valentine's day Tucker and Marks Table

Suzanne and crew had a brilliant French gilt and coral chandelier c. 1920 flown in from across the country from Objects Plus, LLC. Carlton Hobbs supplied the gorgeous painted Queen Anne chairs and settee. The dramatic 18th century Coromandel screen is from a private collector, and the 19th century Khotan rug is from Tony Kitz Oriental Carpets.

valentine's day Tucker and Marks Table

Suzanne is so talented with the details. The square table is skirted in a Scalamandre green tiger stripe fabric with a topper made from one of Suzanne's own fabrics. The edge detail is made to look like a pagoda roof, the corners curving out, with a bell found at C. Mariani Antiques at each point...

valentine's day Tucker and Marks Table

The coral velvet chair cushion fabric is also from Suzanne's new fabric line. The saffron hued pillow fabric is from Fortuny.

valentine's day Tucker and Marks Table

This space was truly a grand end to this sumptuous affair and Suzanne was perfectly and beautifully attired to act as hostess.

valentine's day Suzanne Tucker and her Table

It was such a fun evening! I got to see my friends Grant Gibson and Diane Dorrans Saeks, as well as Anh-Minh Le, the editor of the new quarterly shelter magazine Anthology (get your subscriptions now...it's going to be a goody! AND it will be a PRINTED magazine.....I love a magazine I can hold in my hands.)

Gump's is always the most gracious of hosts for events, and this night was no exception. All of the place settings were provided by Gump's, so for more information on any of the beautiful china, silverware and crystal, please do not hesitate to contact them.

And please don't forget to attend the 2010 San Francisco Antique Fair. For more information, click HERE.

valentine's day Designers Here and There

Designers Here and There, by Michele Keith

There is something about having a new book signed by the author that I can't pass up. Especially when it is a design book. So you can imagine that I was quadruply excited when not only the author, but four of the designers in the book were on hand when Gumps recently held a book signing event for Michele Keith's new book, Designers Here and There.

There are so many beautiful interiors presented in books and shelter magazines, it is hard to narrow down the field of favorites. But I am always the most drawn to the homes of the designers themselves. They are the ultimate laboratories for the designers to let their creativity push the limits.

This book is full to bursting with nothing but the personal homes of top interior designers throughout the United States. Each designer shows off not only their "city" home but also their vacation or second home.

Stephen Schubel, Jeffrey Weisman, Michele Keith, Martha Angus, and Andrew Fisher

Michele Keith has compiled a stellar list of designers for this book. And as I said, four were on hand at the signing, Stephen Schubel, Jeffrey Weisman, Andrew Fisher and Martha Angus. These four would have sold me on the book just by themselves! But there are so many other designers included (Michael Berman, Vicente Wolf, Christopher Coleman, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and Eric Cohler just to name a few), it is just a feast.

valentine's day Andrew Fisher, Michele Keith, Jeffrey Weisman, and Martha Angus

After meeting the designers, I can see why they are all so successful. It is one thing to have great talent. It is quite another to be approachable, welcoming and to easily connect with people. They were all fun, friendly and fabulous!

Great evening had by all. The fun thing about a book signing event, or any other event at Gumps, is that there is always something new and exciting to see in the store. Here is just a sampling of the latest deliciousness:

valentine's day

valentine's day This Buccellati pin made a stunning boutonniere and was just one example of the extensive collection on display at Gumps. Sigh....a girl can dream.

valentine's day Bronze Age....Weekend Art

My family avidly attends the Second Saturday Art Walk in Sacramento whenever possible. We will be there this weekend as a matter of fact. We have a couple of artful daughters, you see. We usually gather a gaggle of girls together and let them wander at will through the mid-town galleries and listen to the local musicians that set up on every street corner. It is a very "happening" spot on the weekends, and a huge party every Second Saturday.

If you love art, like we do, and are in the San Francisco or the Bay Area area this weekend....why not create your own Second Saturday and stop into Gumps? Gumps has been hosting an amazing Bronze Show for the last couple of weeks. If you have not seen it yet, you are missing something special. It runs through March 14th...and the collection is quite brilliant.

valentine's day

Time's a waisting...so hop on over!

For more info, click HERE.

valentine's day

valentine's day

valentine's day

Have an artful Weekend!

valentine's day Sweet Hearts

valentine's day

Gumps has so many beautiful valentine's day gift ideas! What better than flowers, chocolates and champagne? But there are so many other ideas as well. The bedside clock with pretty red crocodile case, and notice all of the jewelry in the background? I certainly did!

It's almost here, that most sentimental of holidays. And there are plans to make, however big or small, to show those sweethearts in your life that you love them. "Sweetheart". It is one of my favorite words. Especially when it is broken down into it's parts:

"Sweet":

• amiable, kind or gracious, as a person, action, etc.
• dear, beloved, precious
• fragrant, perfumed
• pleasing to the ear, making delicate, pleasant or agreeable sound, musical

"Heart":

• The center of total personality, esp. with reference to intuition, feeling or emotion
• The center of emotion
• Capacity for sympathy, feeling, affection
• Spirit, courage or enthusiasm

valentine's day

Gumps has beautiful Victorian inspired valentine's day cards, sweet little heart shaped chocolate boxes, and lots of goodies behind the candy counter.

I have a few sweethearts in my life: my husband (of course!) and my daughters (naturally), my Mom (always remember your mother!) and my sweet dogs (maybe a little strange, but many of us do love our dogs to distraction!). There is always someone who needs a hug, or some small show of appreciation. This day gives us an opportunity to express it.

valentine's day

So many sweet hearts!

I was in San Francisco last week at Gumps for a book signing for Margaret Russell's wonderful book: Style and Substance. While wandering about, I got so many valentine's day ideas!!! Really, there were so many sweet hearts, I was all smiles.

valentine's day

Loved these heart cookies! Perfect for any sweetheart.

What is so nice about Gumps is that they truly think of everything. I found something for everyone on my sweetheart list!

valentine's day

Beautiful heart shaped soaps wrapped in black and white toile paper, or red,or white, from Gianna Rose Atelier.

valentine's day

Rose bouquets...so real!!

I had thought these flowers were brought in fresh for the book signing event. But upon closer inspection realized they were imitation! I was so fooled. I am not fond of faux flowers, but these looked so authentic, I would definitely change my mind. The roses in the pictures above were also faux. Hard to believe!

valentine's day

These peonies, also faux. They really did look so real! Beautiful soap gifts with their own bamboo stands. So pretty.

valentine's day

Love Sonnets, Bronze "key to my heart" paperweight, and more chocolate hearts.

valentine's day

Sweet note cards, and more bronze hearts pierced with Cupid's arrow. In the background, Murano glass hearts and crocodile picture frames (put in a picture of your sweetheart and you!)

Check out the Gumps website HERE for more information and pricing. There are lots more ideas there too!

Many may not think they have a sweetheart for a Valentine. But I say, just show someone, anyone, that you love, or simply like, them. It does not have to be a romantic love. Remember when you were in 1st grade and everyone gave each other those funny little boxed valentine's cards with cartoon characters? My girls decorated shoe boxes to take to school with slots cut out of the top to put in their cards and heart-shaped lollipops. What smiles and goods feelings there were, all kept in a simple shoebox. Everyone smiles when they are given a little something that shows someone cares.

Have a Happy valentine's day !!!

valentine's day The Stars Were Out Last Night

valentine's day

Margaret Russell, the star of Elle Decor, and as well as author of the newest addition to my library, Style and Substance, was shining at Gumps in San Francisco last night. Always beautiful, always gracious, Margaret was there for a book signing party.

valentine's day

Style and Substance has been one of my "go to" resource books since it came out. Each chapter is organized by room, and since it is a compilation of the best from Elle Decor, it is simply the book I pull from the shelf first when looking for inspiration for my design projects. And now it has been signed. Sigh...I am one of those who loves to have my favorite books signed whenever possible.

It was wonderful to have a chance to chat with Margaret. There are brilliantly big plans in the works for Elle Decor, particularly exciting for all f us design groupies! So keep an eye out and an ear open in the months to come. I promise to keep you posted!

And the party was packed with other stars from the City by the Bay. Designers Jay Jeffers, Ken Fulk, Scot Meacham Wood (also of Tartanscot!), Claudia Juestel, Gary Hutton, George Brazil, and Furniture designer Paul Benson were there, just to name a few.

valentine's day

The setting was perfect. It is always so much fun to wander through Gumps. Everywhere you turn, there are perfect little scenes that give you ideas, and wonderful gifts for the special ones in your life. (Stay tuned for my blog post in the next couple of days...lots of valentine's day Goodies!!)

Delicious bits of things to eat (the miniature Beef Wellington's were fabulous!), good wine and great converstion all made for a a stellar evening.

My good freind Jori, made the jaunt to San Francisco with me. She is one of those people that has fun wherever she goes, and seems to know everyone within minutes.

valentine's day

Here she is with designer George Brazil and furniture designer Paul Benson. George and Jori go way back, and you may remember the genius of Paul Benson from this blog post where his beautiful bar cart is shown off.

valentine's day

I had a chance to chat with Jay Jeffers who is deep in the middle of multiple projects right now. Charming and handsome, he is one of the designers I love to watch.

valentine's day

My good blogging buddy Scot Meacham Wood (Tartanscot) was there. He is always so much fun! Scot just had an amazing trip to NYC where he met up with lots of favorite bloggers like Eddie Ross, Habitually Chic's Heather Clawson. Claudia Juestel of Adeeni Design Group was also on hand. Claudia is a wonderful designer who is a master with the exotic.

I wish I had had more time to show you more of the beauty at Gumps, but I did take a few shots.

There is a sculptor by the name of Gary Stevens that I was quite taken with.

valentine's day

This is an alabaster sculpture he did that I thought was so beautiful in this vignette. The stone was so thin and fine! I understand that Gary is a mathematician as well, which explains his precision and fine detail.

valentine's day

These wood sculptures are also by Gary Stevens. Some look like continous ribbons. Brilliant!

valentine's day

Also showing were these perfect wooden vessels by Philip Moulthrop. Each one a small masterpeice. To read more about Philip and his family history of woodturning craftsmanship, click HERE.

valentine's day

I also had the pleasure to speak with Marta Benson of Gumps, who was excited about the new direction Gumps is taking with tableware. Gumps is well known for it's tradition of offering the best in fine china, crystal and placesettings. Alway beautiful, always the best. But Gumps has been changing over the last few years. There is a powerful trend towards beautiful but more casual entertaining and Gumps is the place where you will be finding young, fresh, and casual table settings that will be fun and usable everyday. I am looking forward to it all!

Such a fun night! Thanks to everyone at Gumps, Margaret Russell and Elle Decor for a great evening!