San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2009

Prepare to be impressed by the designs at this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase, where 37 of the Bay Area’s top designers have remade a gorgeous four-story, 10,000 square-foot Pacific Heights mansion.

The Showcase, a benefit for San Francisco University High School’s financial aid program, opens this Saturday, April 25. Here’s a peek at some choice vignettes from the house—watch for more to follow!

My jaw dropped when I saw Suzman & Cole Design’s Roof Garden with its panoramic Golden Gate and bay views. “A Celebration of Views” is a city oasis, tiled with drought-tolerant succulents, grasses, wood and stone. Seating areas invite relaxation and striking sculptures, including “Tempest” by Jennifer Gilbert Asher and Mario Lopez (above), punctuate the memorable vistas.

Nicole Hollis‘ entry entry and staircase entice you with the graphic butterfly collection, gargantuan floral “chandelier” and massive, earthy swag. The white woodwork pops against the taupey-gray walls.

Jennifer Weiss opened up and streamlined the the formerly cramped kitchen. She modernized its aesthetic, while maintaining a nod to the past with materials such as zinc counter tops and Heath Ceramics.

Matthew Leverone captured the glow in this sunlit Breakfast room, and maintained the airiness with this ring of reupholstered, vintage chairs.

I was most taken by some of the fanciful bathroom spaces, including this Coco Chanel-inspired teenage girl’s fantasy by Nancy Van Natta. Color abounds in the original glass-and-plexiglass wall panel of a trendy teen, and in the peachy, blooming sconces from Emanual Morez.

And what girly-girl wouldn’t adore etched perfume bottles on her shower enclosure? Love these little gems by decorative painter Levinia Simmonds.

San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2009 Facts:

Showcase runs April 25 – May 25, Tuesdays through Sundays and Monday Memorial Day
2830 Pacific (near Divisadero), San Francisco
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am – 3pm
Thursdays 10am – 7pm
Sundays 11am – 4pm
$30 general admission; $25 seniors; available at the door
For group rates, call 415-447-3115

Where do you go to see designer rooms in person?

15 Comments for “San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2009”

My company was lucky enough to work on the zinc countertops for this project and I am pleased with the way they turned out. J. Weiss Design and House to Home Construction were great to work with on the planning of this. If you are looking for zinc countertops, try zinccountertop.net.

Thanks.

Joe Cain said | April 23rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm

You know what I liked about the zinc countertops? They were sleek and modern without being as reflective as stainless. It was an understated, classy look.

Nice work!
Kathy

Kathy said | April 23rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm

[...] One such piece is this Bicycle Tire Mirror that Audrey Brandt designed and made for her Sports Room in The San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2009. [...]

Reuse, Recycle, Redecorate — Challenge # 7 said | April 24th, 2009 at 12:18 am

[...] year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase is packed with creative solutions from talented designers. Here are some ideas you might put to use [...]

Designer Ideas from San Francisco Showcase said | April 27th, 2009 at 5:01 pm

My husband & I visited on the weekend. We were inspired & blown away. Our favourites spaces were the stunning roof garden & the ‘penthouse’ bathroom. The entry & staircase by Nicole Hollis was also unforgetable. Her attention to detail with all the bugs & butterflies really brought to life the ‘living chandelier’…

Decor-Rina said | April 29th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

I know Decor-Rina; I could just live in that roof garden. You could plant me there, send up food and water, bundle me up when needed, and just let me be inspired by the spectacular view and soothed by the plantings. The Penthouse bathroom was swanky. Didn’t you love that book-matched silver travertine? I thought that was very effective.

Kathy

Kathy said | April 30th, 2009 at 12:31 am

Just returned from a weekend visit from NYC to tour this year’s showcase house. I will be taking home with me some inspiration for my next few projects and some interesting design tricks I hadn’t yet considered.

I was particularly excited by what I saw and experienced in the Penthouse Suite designed by Heather Hilliard; crisp and classic lines, complementary use of natural materials throughout and the best use of a color palatte I saw in the entire house. Hilliard’s aesthetic is similar to Jeffrey Bilhuber’s classic American style. From the constant congregation of other visitors in the suite I was not alone in my fancy!

I also liked the Gentleman’s Retreat in the basement which was done by Coup d’Etat.

Jason Klinman

Jason Klinman said | May 3rd, 2009 at 10:31 am

Jason, you are so right about Heather Hilliard’s work in the Penthouse Suite. She had one of the most famous views in the world to compete with and she pulled it off.

You remind me that I need to follow up with Heather, as the photos I took of the space just did not do it justice.

I also loved the design of her “bridge chairs” around the small table by the door to the garden, didn’t you?

Happy travels,
Kathy

Kathy said | May 3rd, 2009 at 2:42 pm

I am in total agreement with Jason and Kathy, that Penthouse was DIVINE! Heather had a huge challenge with that view, yet the room was so comfortable and inviting. And what did you think about those Indian artifacts in the “office” area of the penthouse? Amazing!

By far my favourite room in the house for sure!

Diane said | May 4th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Thanks for posting these great photos of the showcase house! I worked with Pippa Murray on making the entry powder room floor. The room was designed by Marsh and Clark. The floor is a design of mosaic spirals in white marble and travertine. The swirls from the floor break the frame and curl up the venetian plaster wall. Super Elegant and fun! If you are looking for innovative flooring solutions and exquisite craftsmanship, look to http://www.pippamurray.com.

Lillian said | May 10th, 2009 at 10:10 am

Hi Lillian,

This is indeed a beautiful bath, with a soothing design and color scheme. I adore how the art glass window and stone mosaic floor complement one another. I have been following up with Stephanie Marsh Fillbrandt about later sharing some photos and advice about bringing stone up onto the wall. Nice to hear from the person responsible for the gorgeous and innovative floor. Nice work — Kathy.

Kathy said | May 10th, 2009 at 10:23 am

[...] the shower detail, and decorative painter Levinia Simmonds executed it, for this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. It’s a fabulous look and easy to recreate on your own shower [...]

Frosted Glass Shower Stencil — Designer DIY said | May 16th, 2009 at 1:03 am

[...] this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Marsh and Clark’s elegant powder room wowed visitors. “This room embodies the Marsh [...]

Swirls of Artistry Aglow in Powder Room said | May 29th, 2009 at 11:34 am

[...] That’s what designer Heather Hilliard faced when she took on the Penthouse floor at this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. [...]

A Room With a View said | June 6th, 2009 at 9:52 am

[...] Enter a powder room and be transported into another world? Not usually. But that’s how it felt when I stepped into the multimedia space that Faiella Design created for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase. [...]

A Multimedia Powder Room said | July 3rd, 2009 at 12:29 am