Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Join Me for a Magical Private Tour of Leading Antiques Galleries in San Francisco

California College of the Arts presents:
Behind the Scenes in Interior Design

Therien & Co.

Diane Dorrans Saeks has planned another superb ‘insider’ private visit — now in its twelfth year — for a small group (no more than twenty participants) at the top antiques and design galleries. This seminar will take place in the design district of San Francisco. One day only.

Saturday, February 6
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO




Gabriella Sarlo

In this seminar, visiting all the top trend-setting and inspiring antique and design experts, participants meet the creators, designers and most inspired dealers, and learn the secrets of design, antiques, textiles and art, and what goes on behind the scenes.

This is a one-day insider's tour with a series of private on-location lectures that provide a rare opportunity for participants to visit handpicked antiques galleries and private design studios that are otherwise inaccessible to the public.

"The world of antiques is very dynamic now," said Bob Garcia, a founder of Therien & Co. "Tastes are evolving, styles are in flux. It's essential to be informed and aware of trends and current news."

For this unique day, participants visit locations in the San Francisco design district and Potrero Hill to gain insight into their originality, professionalism, and inspirations.

Lively conversation continues during lunch at a local restaurant (included in course fee). At the end of the day, we are invited to a special tour and celebration of a very ‘insider’ antique dealer.

Six locations are planned. Registrants receive a schedule and map prior to class. All sites are within walking distance.




Therien & Co.


Included in this design seminar are 35-year-old antiques gallery Therien & Co.; then on to the design studio of Candra Scott & Anderson (specialists in historic restoration and interior design). Candra Scott will give us a tour and insight into her design process.






Michael Donaldson Antiques

Then we walk around the corner to the exciting and pioneering new Michael Donaldson Antiques, specializing in rare and beautiful South-East Asian colonial furniture and décor (note: among his clients is Michael S. Smith, the decorator for the White House residence.) Donaldson is the only dealer in Colonial Southeast Asian antiques on the West Coast. This is a new region and style to explore.

"Southeast Asian Colonial antiques have a purity of line and elegance that give them a special resonance in a range of interiors today," said Mike Donaldson, who opened his antiques gallery in San Francisco recently. "I admire the craftsmanship--and the rare woods these artisans used."

After lunch at nearby new café HORATIUS (and lively conversation) we head to more antiques galleries and design showcases, including meeting Gabriella Sarlo, and then on to exciting Epoca and inventive Coup d’Etat.




Epoca

Tod Donobedian at Paris Flea has invited us for a tour and celebration at his magical antiques penthouse overlooking the design district and the city.

To register go to www.cca.edu
Course fee: $130
Download, print, and complete the registration form (PDF) to register for courses:
http://www.cca.edu/academics/extended/registration

Remember to include the following when calculating your registration costs:

* Course tuition, $130 (includes lunch)
* $20 nonrefundable registration fee—all noncredit classes

Phone 510.594.3710 to register by phone. Justin Hunter will assist you.

Photography: Therien & Co., Michael Donaldson Antiques, Epoca and Gabriella Sarlo.

16 comments:

Mrs. Blandings said...

Not this time, but some time, I am going to make this happen.

Madame Combet said...

Goody, goody! Another Diane day! These are always so nourishing. I always come away with new ideas, some very unexpected. The diversity of participants is dynamic. See you on the 6th!

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

Mrs B:
Wouldn't it be so great if you could come here from KC!
I conduct these seminars twice a year, so I'll let you know later.
Just a thought.

Andrea: I am looking forward to seeing you. You always make the day wonderful. See you soon.

cheers, DIANE

Karena said...

I cannot make this one, it will be such an exciting event. Karena

Gwen Driscoll said...

So wish I lived closer. Maybe next time you do a tour I can make it happen. Love your blog. Look forward to more great posts.

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

If I could ever select a Guide for an intro to SF design sources it would have to be DDS. How fabulous would this be.

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

Good morning-
Karena, Gwen, PGT and friends--

Thank you for your comments.
The day starts as we gather at Therien for a beverage and a meeting with Robert Garcia, one of the founders of the company 3 decades ago. He is insightful, brilliant and lively and gives us the inside information on the collections, directions, ideas and trends.
The day is extremely exciting and stimulating.
Participants--most are designers or in the design world, and many have been attending these seminars for years--say that they dream about the day for weeks afterwards--or that their head is exploding with ideas and insights and visual stimulation.
I have the same reaction--even though I know all the dealers and their galleries very well.
I created a blog feature on this day--knowing that many of my readers are in Europe or Texas or are remote or far--to keep in touch with you no matter where you are, but also perhaps in the wish that others might create a similar event in Brussels or in Houston or Toronto. It's a semester of study crammed into a day...with students lingering on until 7pm even (Paris Flea is doing drinks for us at the end of the day)...and saying 'more, more'...
thanks for your lovely comments. I appreciate them.
cheers, DIANE

Daniel Hale said...

Great insight on some SF resources. Would like to see Donaldson esp. Will spread the word. Thanks. daniel

*Chic Provence* said...

I can vouch...this day with Diane is unforgettable! Take a train, a boat, a plane, but get here and do this day with her! You will not regret!

A Super Dilettante said...

Oh Diane, I feel like a child in the sweet shop reading this post. I'm a little bit behind catching up with your posts as I've been so busy with curating an art exhibition at the gallery. I'll be catching up with you shortly x

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

Daniel, Kit, and Super Dilettanta-

Warmest warmest thanks!
You are so very kind.
It will be a great one-of-a-kind day.
There are lots of thrills for me.
I love hearing from the dealers and the designers and experts.
My group is always fabulous. Imagine that they give up a whole Saturday to come with me and are so passionate--and they learn and investigate, and study and pore over, and be knocked over by beauty and splendor. Many of the participants have been coming on these tours--'inside' all over San Francisco--for many years.
I hope to see you there--one of these days!
cheers and happiness, DIANE
I learn, too.

Boxwood Terrace said...

This sounds like a wonderful day, Diane! I wish I was going to be in San Francisco to join you!
Deborah

Hampton Hostess said...

Dear Diane,
I just found your blog and am just in awe! In particular, your posts on India are just fantastic. We are planning a trip there this spring and will surely plan many of our side trips based on your travel recommendations and glorious photos. I look forward to reading you soon.
All the best, Barbara

Valerie Wills Interiors said...

I'm so upset that I cannot attend due to a prior commitment. Can't wait to read your blog on your day. Will you be doing another of these days soon (pretty please?)

Diane Dorrans Saeks said...

Dear Deborah and Barbara and Valerie-

Thank you so very much for your wonderful notes. Love them.

Deborah: Like you, many of my readers are not in San Francisco. But...I want to invite everyone! Perhaps, let's hope, one of these days you will be here and we will meet.

Barbara--India! Well, you can see how much I love it. I am already planning another trip this year. The key: rest up and relax as much as possible the week before you leave on this adventure so that the trip is not tiring. Sleep on the plane. Drink lots of fresh water. Read my JET SET SURVIVAL FEATURE on THE STYLE SALONISTE...it was published in June, I think.
In India: Arrive fresh. Be very much in the moment. Love what you are seeing--the colors, the people going about their lives as in time immemorial. Explore. Read guide books and go off on your own to find a temple or a palace and be the only person there. I am 'at home' in India, and I encourage you to approach it that way. I'm a vegetarian, and I love the vegetarian food in India--and Indian friends are always amazed at someone who lives in California (and is presumed to be a raging carnivore) is a serious vegetarian. I feel it is also respectful to the Hindu culture not to eat there. Healthier, too.
Plan your travel well--and allow time for wandering and lingering.
Jaipur, clearly, is a favorite of mine--and the whole region of Rajasthan. It's magical.Let me know some of your plans--and perhaps I can embellish them or suggest some of my favorites. If you follow my guide in these various India posts (more coming up soon) you will be very happy.
VALERIE: I hope you will be able to join one of my CCA Behind the Scenes in Design later this year. It appears that the next one will be in the fall. I'll let you know. Looking forward to seeing you,

CHEERS--DIANE

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