Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The 2010 ELLE DECOR Showhouse...AKDO Tile Party

by innerspace

On November 10th, AKDO Tile hosted an exclusive cocktail reception at the the 2010 ELLE DECOR Showhouse, 
located in St. Francis Wood, a historic San Francisco neighborhood.
Many thanks to AKDO for the invitation!


The 2010 ELLE DECOR Showhouse
300 St. Francis Boulevard | San Francisco, CA 94127 | November 6-21
Photo by ELLE DECOR

AKDO, a preferred partner of the showhouse, manufacturers some of the most beautiful quality stone mosaics and tile, often in unusual sizes, shapes, or patterns.  With so many ensuite bathrooms, the showhouse is a perfect showcase for AKDO.  Even the laundry room backsplash showcases AKDO mosaic tile!

Click here to see the laundry room backsplash 
AKDO | Polished Thassos and Ming Green Marble | Imperial Mosaic Tile
Photo by AKDO

Eleven bay area interior designers, selected by ELLE DECOR, let the materials speak, creating a visual dialogue between rooms.  In the library bathroom, designed by Will Wick, a wall of onyx and marble tile. in a black, white, and honey harlequin pattern, makes a bold statement.

Library Bathroom Designed by Will Wick   
Shower Wall
AKDO | Polished Onyx and Marble | 12"x12" Field Tiles | Fabricated into a Harlequin Pattern
Photo by katiedid

On the walls and floor, understated Calacatta marble mosaic tiles modulate the exaggerated harlequin pattern.

Library Bathroom Designed by Will Wick     
Walls | Floor
AKDO | Polished Calacatta Marble | .375"x.375" Mosaic Tile
Photo by AKDO

The dialogue between black and white design elements continues in the library.  The ebony enameled bookshelves, black enameled ceiling, and dark hardwood floor make a unified statement without enclosing the space.  The ivory walls, ivory window coverings, and blond sisal carpeting balance the ebony envelope.  The silhouettes of the off white furnishings and accessories, plus the patterns of the black and white works of art and the zebra skin rug punctuate the space. 

Library Designed by Will Wick

But, the marbleized Fromenthal wallpaper covering the wet bar sliding doors completes the conversation between materials.

Library Designed by Will Wick
Fromenthal Wallpaper Covering the Wet Bar Sliding Doors
Photo by katiedid

Fromenthal Wallpaper | Gypsum | Marlin
Photo by Fromenthal

In the master bedroom suite, designed by Jay Jeffers, nothing is lost in translation.  Instead of tile from AKDO, the bathroom features tile from Ann Sacks, another showhouse sponsor.  A wall of pietra dura tile, in a Gothic tracery pattern of grey, taupe, and white marble, determines the design vocabulary for the master bathroom.

Master Bathroom Designed by Jay Jeffers
Wall 
Ann Sacks | Honed Marble | Custom Pietra Dura Tile

Stacked mosaic tiles in Athens gray marble cover the shower, tub face, and floor.

Master Bathroom Designed by Jay Jeffers
Shower | Tub Face | Floor
Ann Sacks | Athens Grey Marble | .5"x3.0" Stacked Mosaic Tile
Photo by Ann Sacks

Willem Racke Studio reiterated the linear mocha ribbons of the Athens gray marble on the plastered and hand painted walls and ceiling.  A masterful interpretation!

Master Bathroom Designed by Jay Jeffers
Walls | Ceiling
Plastered and Hand Painted by Willem Racke Studio
 Photo by Simplified Bee

In the master bedroom, a parchment secretaire cabinet, designed by Samuel Marx, repeats the strie pattern.

 Master Bedroom Designed by Jay Jeffers
Parchment Secretaire Cabinet Designed by Samuel Marx from Modern One | Los Angeles
Photo by Modern One

As does the gray marble fireplace.  The ottoman in front of the fireplace is upholstered in custom appliqued and embroidered fabric by Holland & Sherry, a direct translation of the tracery pattern.  Even the silhouettes of the handles on the Swedish Biedermeier stools at the foot of the bed recall the Gothic design.

Master Bedroom Designed by Jay Jeffers
Custom Appliqued and Embroidered Fabric by Holland & Sherry on Ottoman 
Swedish Biedermeier Stools from Sevnska Mobler | Los Angeles

But, the story isn't over yet!  Willem Racke Studio hand painted the ceiling of the bedroom in a tonal Neoclassical design, inspired by 18th century Scottish architect Robert Adam.  But, you need to read between the lines to understand the poetry!  The central medallion of the octagonal grid pattern mirrors the shadows cast by the eight-arm chandelier.  And, the running chain pattern on the octagonal banding alludes to decorative molding.  

Master Bedroom Designed by Jay Jeffers
Hand Painted Ceiling in a Neoclassical Design by Willem Racke Studio
Photo by Casasugar

On the sheer window coverings, the octagonal burn out pattern references both the ceiling and the tile patterns.

Master Bedroom Designed by Jay Jeffers 
Sheer Window Coverings by Jim Thompson
Photo by SFWire
  
Who could ask for closer connections between design elements?

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The 2010 San Francisco Fall Antiques Show...Outstanding Exhibits


Some of the outstanding exhibits from The 2010 San Francisco Fall Antiques Show...
-----
Overdressed?  Probably...  
And, dripping in jewels?  Definitely...  
And, perched on a pedestal?  Only front row seats will do...

With a bombe figure, sheathed in parchment paint, and bejeweled with parcel-gilt floral and foliate carving, this German commode, sold by Therien & Co., could not be described as understated.  Sensuous, yes.  Minimalist, no.  But...hello, gorgeous!  

Hello, gorgeous!  
 
Therien & Co. | San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA
German Rococo Painted and Parcel-Gilt Commode in the Manner of Johann Michael Hoppenhaupt | Pottsdam, Circa 1750-1760
photo by innerspace
-----
Their magnetic personality drew you in from across the room...
The animated antique American flags displayed in the corner stand of Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques... 
An affordable alternative to the Jasper Johns Flag painting, from the collection of Michael Crichton, sold by Christie's New York on May 11, 2010 for $28.6 million!

Magnetic Personality
Antique American Flags, Folk Art, and Painted Furniture
photo by innerspace
-----
Dreaming of going on vacation? 
Maybe to Europe?
Wine tasting in Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Champagne?
A five-star hotel in Paris?
Or, a villa in Provence? 
Why not just escape to Galerie Steinitz?  The antique boiseries paneling immediately transports you to a French country chateaux, filled with the finest of European furnishings. Tres elegance!

En Vacances?
Galerie Steinitz | Paris, France
Antique Boiseries Paneling
photo by innerspace
-----
A Coromandel screen diagonally divides the stand...
And behind it?
Perhaps a private screening room?

Screening Room?
Therien & Co. | San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA
A Coromandel Screen Diagonally Divides the Stand
photo by innerspace
 
No...a secluded grotto!
Way glam!

Grotto! 
 Therien & Co. | San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA
A Secluded Grotto Behind the Coromandel Screen
photo by innerspace 
-----
How do you define glamorous design?


The 2010 San Francisco Fall Antiques Show...Exhibition...Chinoiserie: Rococo to Eco


photo from The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show catalog

A colonnade of six lacquer red pagodas with gilt eaves and fretwork panels created not only a dramatic entrance to The 2010 San Francisco Fall Antiques Show, but also a theatrical background for Chinoiserie:  Rococo to Eco, the 2010 exhibition.

Colonnade of Six Lacquer Red Pagodas
photo by innerspace

Have you ever fantasized about traveling to an exotic location, or dreamed of building a remarkable collection?

According to historian Holland Lynch, who co-curated Chinoiserie:  Rococo to Eco along with Maria Santangelo of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, 'Chinoiserie's popularity through the centuries is due, in large part, to its residing in the realm of fantasy, for it is evocative rather than innovative in its approach to style.'  

The furniture, ceramics, and textiles filling the display cases of the exhibition featured fantastic Asian designs, including exotic buildings, flowers, or birds, and imitated rare Asian materials, such as lacquer, silk, or porcelain.

Chinoiserie:  Rococo to Eco
The Introduction of Chinoiserie
photo by innerspace
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Armchairs | Parcel-Gilt Wood and White Japanning | English, Circa 1760 | Courtesy of Ann Getty and Associates
Textile with Chinoiserie-Style Buildings in a Landscape | Watered Silk with a Damask Pattern | Spitalfield's, English, Circa 1760 | Courtesy of Kathleen Taylor-The Lotus Collection

The Taste for Chinoiserie
photo by innerspace
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Armchairs | Parcel-Gilt Wood and Black Japanning | English, Circa 1760 | Courtesy of Ann Getty and Associates
Dressing Table for the Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House | Carved Mahogany | Gloucestershire, English, Circa 1760 | Courtesy of Malcolm D. Gutter

The Golden Age of Chinoiserie
photo by innerspace
Side Cabinet | Chinoiserie Painted | English, Circa 1800 | Courtesy of Carlton Hobbs LLC

Chinoiserie:  Past, Present, Future
photo by innerspace

Even though the visual presentation, text panels, exhibition labels, and exhibition catalog were of museum quality, I wish that one of the most important pieces in the exhibition, the table from the Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House, on loan from the San Francisco collection of Malcolm D. Gutter, was displayed in context, under The Golden Age of Chinoiserie text panel, which described this famous 18th century Chinese bedroom.

Dressing Table for the Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House | Carved Mahogany | Gloucestershire, English, Circa 1760 | Courtesy of Malcolm D. Gutter
photo from The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show catalog

English furniture lovers could hardly imagine a finer provenance.
 Or, a more renowned London workshop than that of William and John Linnell, whose furniture designs, according to the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, rival those of Thomas Chippendale.

Even though Ann Getty and Associates loaned two outstanding pairs of Chinese Chippendale chairs to the exhibition, wouldn't it have also been amazing to reunite the table with the pair of chairs from the Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House that are also part of the Getty collection? 

Chair from the Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House | Beechwood Frame, Gilt and Japanned, Modern Upholstery | English, Circa 1754
photo from The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show catalog, courtesy of Ann Getty and Associates

And, wouldn't it have been interesting to show how John Linnell's 18th century Chinoiserie chair design inspired architect Andrew Skurman's fretwork panel design for the pagodas?

Fretwork Panels on the Lacquer Red Pagodas
photo by innerspace

 Western designs influenced Eastern aesthetics as well.

verre eglomise tea caddy in the exhibition, also on loan from the San Francisco collection of Ann Getty and Associates, features 32 reverse painted glass panels of beauties.

Tea Caddy | Mahogany, Ebony, and Verre Eglomise | English, Circa 1770 | Courtesy of Ann Getty and Associates
photo by innerspace

Reverse Painted Glass Panel of a Beauty
photo by innerspace

I have an Asian art background, so I immediately associated the verre eglomise beauties with the Screen of 12 Beauties, commissioned by Chinese emperor Yongzheng (r. 1722-1735) for his study in the private quarters of the Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) in Beijing while he was still a prince.  The 12 panels of the screen portray imaginary beauties at leisure, drinking tea, enjoying nature, reading, or appreciating antiquities.  

Beauty Watching Butterflies in Summer

Beauty with Distant Thoughts Among Antiquities

The Screen of 12 Beauties is not only an important visual and historical document of Qing dynasty (1644-1911) court costumes, but also of the architecture of the Old Summer Palace, before it was redesigned by Jesuit missionaries in the style of 18th century European palaces for the Qianlong emperor (r. 1735-1796), who was fascinated by Western science, art, and architecture. 

Rococo to Chinoiserie!

What cross-cultural design influences have you noticed lately?