ALL ABOUT AUSTIN

Another memorable trip to Austin on the books. This trip was different than past trips, in that there were no plans, no agendas, no sight-seeing. I was an honorary Austinite for the week, roaming and exploring South Congress by foot during the day and wining and dining the hotspots at night with my true Austinite sisters. I admire the playful design of coffee shops, bars and restaurants, the overgrown foliage in front yards, the "anything goes" lifestyle- so organic and effortlessly cool.

To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. ~ Joseph Chilton

Afternoon michelada @ Hotel San Jose

Self-guided walking tour through Travis Heights

 Downtime @ Hotel St Cecilia

 Wake & walk to Jo's Coffee

WEST COAST CRAFT :: SF



 Sunday was a perfect day to stroll over to Fort Mason for West Coast Craft. The weather was pleasant, the location was walkable distance and I had just finished up a latte date with a good, fellow artsy friend. Unlike the Renegade craft fair, West Coast Craft is more curated and requires an application process for all prospective designers, artists & craftspeople.

 
quilt by ria leigh



The turnout was exceptional; there were thousands packed into the pavilion on the show's last day. Some designers weren't prepared for the masses, expecting far less foot traffic. Needless to say, they were very happy about not having enough on-hand inventory. Some I recognized from One Kings Lane Artisanal events, others from the Renegade Craft Fair this past summer, but everyone was in good spirits and just excited to have a presence at the show.


 jewelry goods by jen lorang (oakland)


chair by pacific wonderland (los angeles)



 bowls and light by leaf and light (oakland)


 lamps by caravan pacific (portland, oregon)


 custom bags by alite (san francisco)


 chair by eric trine (portland, oregon)


candles by wendy polish (los angeles)


 ceramic necklaces by jessica niello (san francisco)






 large format culinary prints by jennifer kindell (san francisco)




letterpress maps by archie's press (portland, oregon)


hand cut 3 dimensional wood sculpture by sean newport (san francisco)




cast-concrete, brass boxes & brass wall mounted objects by alice tacheny design (san francisco)

THE PRESIDIO'S LATEST

In search for the perfect wedding venue, I explored the Presidio and unexpectedly stumbled across a real treat. At first sight of the building I pulled over, thinking it could be lodging for our guests. One thorough guided tour  & a handful of Instagrams later, I decided it was so great I would make it an even bigger part of my weekend. We are now thinking of renting out The Inn at the Presidio not only to accommodate visiting families and bridal party, but also to keep these loved ones under one roof for our special weekend, family-style.

The Inn at the Presidio was re-opened in April after being closed for a complete retrofitting and interior design makeover. This Georgian-Revival building was designed with a modern touch while also preserving it's historic charm as a home for the bachelor officers back when the Presidio was a U.S. Army post.

(click on images to expand)

Entry


Lobby



 

Breakfast Room & Lounge


Suite


Patio


SOHO HOUSE :: MIAMI


i played at the miami soho house over memorial day weekend this year
and let me just say it was quite the adventure
bright colors, fun prints & smart, eclectic mix of beautiful things (& people!)




Soho House was founded in London, in 1995, as a private members’ club for those in film, media and creative industries

the group has since expanded to include clubs, bedrooms, restaurants and spas, spanning across the UK, Europe & the US
















PAUL WISEMAN

Paul Vincent Wiseman is talented. He's quirky and brilliant too, another reason he remains one of my favorite local interior designers. His harmonious creations are infectious.

Buzz' interview with Paul for Decorati this week was a total hit. I walked away with new insight on the importance of timeless design and what it means to have this admirable "exceptional talent". Below are a couple Q&A highlights and snippets from his portfolio that made my little heart melt.
Buzz: How did a nice guy like you get into a kooky business like this?
[Laughing] Ignorance and youth.
(Buzz side note: Hey, that’s exactly how I got into it, only without the youth part!)
I was 27 years old when I started and my contract read something like, “Hi my name is Paul and I want to make your house pretty….Now sign.” Ugh.
Buzz: How did you get started in interior design and did you have any mentors in those early days?
I worked for Robert Hering, who’s retired now. He had an antique shop and decorating studio that I managed. I really loved it. But after a while I knew it was time to start my own business. And when I started my firm I also worked part-time for Winfield Windsor, the antique dealer. He was my biggest mentor because he was so generous with his knowledge and information. He’d show me why he was attracted to a particular piece, what made it valuable, and a thousand other “secrets” of the trade.
What is the one best piece of advice you ever got that has contributed to your career?
I think mine would be: “Communication is critical to success.” Decorating is just one part of our clients’ busy lives. So you need to be really diligent about staying in touch with and communicating with your client. If the communication link is broken, then things tend to spin out of control and the results can miss the mark.
A couple years ago I attended a private tour of his timeless Nob Hill penthouse; which has been featured in countless design publications over the lifetime of his professional career.
Buzz: What are your 2011 design trend predictions?
I don’t do trends.
Not interested.

Buzz: What makes a particular design timeless?
I think designs that are appropriate to a location, budget, and life style never go out of fashion. Many designers just can’t connect the dots between architecture, landscape and lifestyle. When something feels imposed, it’s just fashion and will not stand the test of time. When I go back on my projects of the past 31 years, there’s really very little I would change.

meatball mondays & then some

in addition to hosting infamous meatball mondays- a must-do with your favorite city girlfriends- A16 also surprises you with the cutest little decals for the ladies & gentlemen's rooms. understandably understated & absolutely adorable!

my secret trove revealed

i got my start in the interior design industry working for a high end european antique dealer in san francisco. i had no idea what i was getting into but four years later my appreciation of interior design has grown immensely. i've had the pleasure of working with the biggest design talents worldwide, and blessed with a rich knowledge of antiquities- for both personal and professional enrichment.

this third generation antiques dealer & restoration expert is one of the largest and most prestigious resources for the world’s finest antiques, custom furniture and museum quality restorations. i was caught off-guard by such grandeur at my interview, thinking "do people really buy this stuff". oh and believe me, they do.

when crates are delivered from overseas, i catalog & document every new acquisition. i find this examination process very satisfying due to the emphasis on detail; every intricacy is observed & recorded. i've learned to appreciate the most subtle decorations, embellishments & inlays from every angle imaginable

"Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it"
-Confucius
not your ordinary mirror

the multiple perspectives of a chandelier

some personal favorites:

lapis lazuli, ivory, mother-of-pearl & malachite


a finely carved Louis XVI leg


marquetry & parquetry inlay

the antique collection: only about a quarter of his inventory is on display at his san francisco showrooms and the rest is cooped up in a secret warehouse, all three floors full. the warehouse is eerie, cold & rickety but i like taking trips over because it feels like an ancient time warp. and, the elevator rides from floor to floor make me feel like indiana jones


the elevator shaft, looking overhead:

the secret trove:

but not everything is ancient. we make some pretty impressive reproductions, for the less-traditional clientele