Tuesday, April 26, 2016

San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2016 Opens: An Exclusive Insider Preview

Villa de Martini, an elegant and historic Telegraph Hill residence, is the location of the 2016 San Francisco Decorator Showcase, which runs from April 30 – May 30, after a series of patron parties.

This week I’m taking you for a first look at the dramatic showcase, with new images of the high-concept living room by Antonio Martins, and a vibrant bedroom by Ann Lowengart.

Come with me for a preview. Inspiration for Antonio Martins was the dramatic Snøhetta architecture and re-invention of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which re-opens next month. Everyone in the art world is buzzing about it.


Antonio Martins

This is the third appearance of Antonio Martins, a great showcase favorite. His new superbly understated room is a bold pivot from his 2013 collection-filled study, and his artful Portuguese-inspired bedroom in 2014.

This year, Antonio’s concept is all about modernism, and moving decorating forward with a fresh approach to art collections and connoisseurship.

Antonio offers a definite ‘first’ in four decades of showcase, with his floor covered with sleek 4x8 sheets of hot rolled steel, inspired by sculptures of Richard Serra on the ground floor of SFMOMA.






White lacquered walls, hot rolled steel floors, and white linen curtains were used to create a gallery-like setting in the living room. Each piece of contemporary furniture and museum quality art was selected for its intrinsic artistic worth and forward-looking quality, with a view to creating a harmonious whole.

The framework of the project are glazed lacquered walls created by William Racké and his team. Willem Racké Studio painted the walls, and then glazed them in a soft horizontal strié in tones of grey, after which multiple coats of a clear lacquer were applied, and then hand buffed to achieve the high gloss sheen.






Homage to Vlad

The furniture selected was an homage to Vladimir Kagan (who died in April). A pair of his iconic 176SC floating curved sofas is used to add kinetic energy to the room. As a gilded counterpoint, Antonio selected a pair of 19th century stools at C. Mariani Antiques, now reupholstered in royal red.





Antonio’s Art

“Following my new passion for seventeenth and eighteenth- century portraiture, I wanted an important portrait in the room, but something modern and edgy and fun. Found at Catharine Clark Gallery, it's Diver 2015 by Deborah Oropallo. Deborah photographs classical portraits and then creates a photomontage. A Botticelli on LSD?” — Antonio Martins 






Seeking to See

“For the wall opposite the portrait, I was looking for something equally new and fresh. Independent curator Cory Jacobs put me in touch with Karine Laval, a French photographer working in the U.S.. Benrubi Gallery in New York City is mounting a solo exhibition of Laval's work this May. Additionally, Jacobs recently included Laval in an artist’s series she curates for Hermès. Karine and I chose this diptych from her series of poolscapes for their ethereal, yet decidedly modern aesthetic. — Antonio Martins





A House with History

Poised overlooking the bay at 298 Chestnut Street near Coit Tower, the 2016 Showcase features twenty-five transformed rooms and outdoor spaces along with dramatic views.

Villa de Martini offers panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and Richmond Bridge.

Built in 1929, Villa de Martini was the first residence in San Francisco to be constructed with concrete. The 6,100 square-foot home is on a triple-wide lot, offering beautiful European-style gardens with olive trees, lemon trees, roses, and Travertine stone patios and walkways. Unique architectural details include stone columns, arched windows and doorways, a vaulted living room ceiling and hardwood floors. 





Credits for Antonio’s Living Room

For a touch of irreverence, there are neon sculptures from Anthony Discenza, and Nina Katchadourian’s Lavatory Self-Portraits in the Flemish Style #20 and #21.

Both artists are represented by Catharine Clark Gallery. Nina’s portraits are all taken in airplane toilets using the only props available such as paper towels, toilet seat covers, etc. 





Additional art:

Mirror above fireplace
By Andy Diaz Hope
Centering Device #11, 2016
Custom made for Antonio Martins, 2016 showcase
Mirror, brass, solder
Represented by Catharine Clark Gallery


Stone sculpture on pedestal beside window

Artist: Jeff Metz
Title: Euclidean Variation No. 6
Edition: Unique
Year: 2013
Materials: Hand-carved Limestone
Represented by SCULPTURE SITE GALLERY


Lighting: 
Antonio worked with Fuse lighting to create a custom Volar chandelier in pristine white with brass details. The chandelier was matched with Set sconces from Vibia Lighting that give a sculptural quality to the walls.





A Bedroom by Ann Lowengart

Designer Ann Lowengart makes her debut at showcase this year, designing a vivid bedroom for a young girl. 

Ann Lowengart

Intricate in detail and bold in hue and conception, the bedroom includes subtle woodgrain patterns across the wallpaper, and classic trim on the curtains. A white hide bench stands at the end of each bed. A Madeline Weinrib pink rug is beneath the beds.





On the wall opposite the beds hangs Jeremy Holmes' sculpture, under which stands the Quintus dresser. A painted vintage chair, side table and Hewn lamp are positioned to the right of the dresser. The walls are wallpapered in Nobilis orange faux bois wallpaper with trim painted hot pink. The ceiling is wallpapered in Flavor Paper's Cuben wallpaper. 





Annie’s Concept

Inspired by her sister’s childhood bedroom it presents her new take on a fresh and lively color combination.

The room was re-imagined into a somewhat bohemian space, in pink and orange to captures the joy of girlhood. Playful patterns, organic artwork, and accent colors honor Annie’s sister’s joie de vivre. 







Credits:
Anthem - Hide Benches
Chairish - Chair, nightstand, side table, headboard
Dian Jones - Wallcovering installation
Flavor Paper - Wallpaper (used on ceiling)
Floortex Design - Floor refinishing
Hewn - Floor Lamp from Aesthetic Décor
Kneedler-Fauchère - Wallpaper from Nobilis
Madeline Weinrib - Carpet
Osborne & Little - Wallcovering (used on nightstand)
Pottery Barn - Bedshams
Quintus - Table lamp, dresser
Revitaliste - Drapery, upholstery, bed skirt, furniture lacquer
Robert Allen Design - Fabric
Serena & Lily - Bedding
Simon Breitbard Fine Arts - Artwork by Jeremy Holmes and Terry Romero Paul 


Illustration of Villa de Martini by San Francisco University High School student Jan W, class of '18.

About the San Francisco Decorator Showcase

For the past 38 years, the annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase has benefited San Francisco University High School's financial aid program, raising over $14 million and benefiting thousands of students. Thanks to the generosity of generous sponsors, the participation of hundreds of accomplished designers, the school's trustees, parents, faculty, alumni, students, friends, and the thousands of Showcase visitors each year, the San Francisco Decorator Showcase allows San Francisco University High School to offer financial aid to its students. For more information, DecoratorShowcase.org or (415) 447-5830. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@SFShowcase).


2016 San Francisco Decorator Showcase Details:
The 2016 Decorator Showcase will be held on Telegraph Hill at 298 Chestnut Street (near Grant Street) from April 30 – May 30, 2016. 

Showcase is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays, except for Memorial Day. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (last entry); Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last entry); Sunday and Memorial Day: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last entry). 

Tickets:
To purchase advance tickets online, go to http://decoratorshowcase.org/tickets/ or you may purchase tickets at the door. For more information call (415) 447-5830. 

Due to limited street parking, it is highly recommend that visitors take public transportation.


2016 Designers
Noted international auction house Bonham’s is presenting a selection of contemporary California paintings in the foyer gallery.

Designers include Diane Rosenblum, Antonio Martins, Heather Hilliard, Martin Kobus, Cynthia Spence, Martin Group, Stephan Jones, Living Green, Ba Design, Tineke Triggs, Ann Lowengart, Katie Raffetto, Ian Stallings, Sullivan Design Studio, SWA Group, Evars + Anderson, Shelley & Company, Lola Home Design, Nest Design Group, Nanette Design, Gloria Marth, and Megan van Linda Design.





CREDITS:

Photography of Antonio Martins' Living Room by Drew Kelly and 
David Duncan Livingston; photography of Ann Lowengart Bedroom by David  Duncan Livingston.




CONTACT INFORMATION:

Antonio Martins Interior Design Inc.

USA
550 15th Street, Suite 32
San Francisco CA 94103
415-624-3671
info@antoniomartins.com


Portugal
Rua Dr. Alfredo da Costa 17, 7a
Lisboa, Miraflores, Portugal 1495/130
351-21-840-6527
infoPT@antoniomartins.com

www.antoniomartins.com


Ann Lowengart Interiors, LLC
223 San Anselmo Avenue, Suite 7
San Anselmo, CA 94960
415.578.1222

info@annlowengart.com
www.annlowengart.com


2 comments:

  1. I so enjoy your eloquently written and stylishly designed blog - always a visual treat and wonderfully pithy read. Fun !

    ReplyDelete