Monday, December 5, 2022

The Brilliant Benjamin Dhong: The San Francisco/Healdsburg Interior Designer Creates an Elegant St. Helena Haven Framed by the Mayacamas Range


Benjamin Dhong is a master at selecting soothing colors and subtle textures and patterns. He loves to deploy a jolt of color to give guests and family a happy moment.

In the Napa Valley, he has created a new dream house for a dream client — a well-travelled and design-savvy businesswoman. Her fresh and welcoming country house is stylish, comfortable, practical and full of delight.

“The setting for the house—miles of vineyards, the silhouette of mountain ranges all around, bright sunshine, all inspired the color scheme,” said Dhong.




“I see furniture as sculpture in a room with each piece in conversation. And like all polite conversations we didn’t want everything to shout “look at me”. And to balance the sofa in the living room we designed an over-scaled parchment coffee table whose decorative lines are classically playful.”  — Benjamin Dhong 




In Conversation with Benjamin Dhong

TSS: Congratulations on this gorgeous Wine Country getaway. It’s the perfect custom décor. Each room has a classical, timeless feeling.
BD: Thank you. The client is a retired investment banker, and as well a serious gardener and beekeeper. She had impeccable taste. Her collection included fine American and English antiques. I wanted to create a California relaxed feeling.

I love it when a client has a point of view and fine heirlooms. This helps to create a more personal story.


TSS: The design is superbly composed and all the rooms feel calm and coherent.
BD: I think of a house as a narrative. As a designer I am bringing out the best in her life, with a strong welcome as you walk in. Each room, as the house slowly reveals itself, is consistent with her point of view.


TSS: What colors were the basics for your interiors plans?
BD: My client spends part of the year in Palm Beach, and loves that Florida style, but those strong bold colors felt wrong for this house. So the plan was let the house flow with neutral colors and then plan several rooms with stronger accent colors.

Early on yellow and green felt both harmonious with the neutrals but also evocative of being out in the country. Yellow is such a happy color without losing its elegance. And green ties the inside to her exquisite gardens and miles of vineyards and the endless forests beyond.


TSS: And your general inspirations? The heirlooms included some fine Hepplewhite chairs and excellent Georgian furniture.
BD: We took ideas and concepts from charming English country houses, mixing a variety of styles of furniture. Noting that all English country houses have large-scale comfortable upholstered pieces, I created cozy seating. I also incorporated lighter materials like rattan, bamboo, seagrass, and linens. I planned fabric wallcoverings, which are a strong feature of English country houses, to create dramatic backdrops. Most of all we wanted it to be relaxed, to seem assembled over the years and cozy during all seasons.


TSS: How did you conceptualize the project, starting with the architectural renovation.
BD: The aim was to quiet down the elements that were intrusive and rebalance it into a wine country house. All of the trim was originally dark wood or painted brown. Those were immediately painted in neutrals so the eye didn’t focus on them. To all the coved ceilings we applied pale faux bois wallpaper, which looks like real wood paneling. 






TSS: In this beautiful setting, with the fragrance of harvests, wine country life, you designed superbly tranquil and polished rooms. How did you get started with the overall concept?
BD: Spending time in East Coast houses and with friends in the English countryside was a primer in having both beautiful antiques and still make people feel completely relaxed and at home when they visit.

Margo’s existing dining chairs were fine Queen Anne but they felt formal. I remember visiting an English cottage that had an old farm table instead of a kitchen island. We made an over-scaled pleated shade with a yellow block print from Piggotts store in Sydney, Australia. This company in Woollahra makes the most wonderful block print cottons. This changed a formal dining room into a place that said, “Come on in and sit a spell!” 





TSS: You wanted it to look ‘country’ without the clichés.
BD: She already had great antiques…primarily English, American.

We did this in a less formal manner by keeping all of her pieces but incorporating country upholstered pieces, lots of custom fabric wallpaper, linens and block prints, handcrafted patterns.


TSS: You boldly use wallcoverings, fabrics, painted finishes that feel joyful and lyrical.
BD: The living and dining room were tied together to create a larger and cohesively balanced space. We used the same custom fabric wallpaper in both rooms, choosing a block print [Lee Jofa, Diamond in Gold] in a soft golden tone that was still quiet.

To frame each room and create a stronger sense of entry and reveal, we flanked each opening with linen portieres [Quadrille, SOHO, in Camel dot]. … 





“We created a new sitting room, converted from an unused guest bedroom. We emphasized the garden feeling through the use of the white and green floral fabric [Kravet], which we turned into a vibrant wallcovering. Fabric makes the best wallcovering adding not only pattern but also texture. – Benjamin Dhong






“In the family room we used the same fabric portieres from the entry to create continuity. The walls were wallpapered in a custom floral print from Bennison (Palampore - Charcoal Blue on Oyster] its primarily a neutral to harmonize with kitchen but the yellow and orange flowers provide the happy pop.” – Benjamin Dhong






“In the dining room we balanced the formality of the table and chairs with a light rattan piece from SOANE UK and whose sinewy lines drape down to the floor. This added a relaxed feeling and was a strong counterpoint to the dark brown antiques/ There is also a faux tortoise bamboo side table that fills a corner with a sense of purpose and whose colors and texture add a richness to the mix.” ­– Benjamin Dhong





“In the master bedroom instead of placing the bed in the center of the room we placed it on the opposite end of the entry door and added a skirted center table. The tribal pattern and softness of the drape adds a romantic element to the space and avoids the visual clutter of too many legs.” – Benjamin Dhong




TSS: What are your rules for creating comfort? The house is polished and at the same time wonderfully relaxed and it all feels very natural and inviting.
BD: For me its really modulating the balance of textures, shapes, colors and functions. I believe in mixing high-low, shiny-matte, hard-soft…and most importantly creating a visual purpose to rooms and spaces. For example, a small writing desk or window seat in a hall or staircase landing might never be used but it makes you happy every time you walk by. Barrel-back or club chairs add softness and embrace the sitter.” 




“Don’t we all just love mudrooms? I think its because it captures our true daily lives and comings and goings, arrivals, departures, The cabinetry keeps it all tidy and organized. So we decided to use a bold color to add some happy zest to the passage. The addition of lightly antiqued mirrors to the back of doors reflects the garden.” – Benjamin Dhong 



TSS: You designed rooms that feel cool and fresh in the Napa Valley summer, and cozy and warm when there is frost in the vineyards. What are your recommendations for year-round houses like this one.

Congratulations for creating this joyful and chic country house. 

BD: Thank you, Diane. It’s a happy house. And now my dear client spends more time there. I could not be more pleased.





CREDITS:

Design
Benjamin Dhong Interiors
www.benjamindhong.com
Instagram: @benjamindhong


Photography
David Duncan Livingston

Friday, September 2, 2022

Celebrating San Francisco Opera: A Glorious Fall Season Celebrating 100 Years

Wishing a Happy Fall cultural season to my beloved friends and followers in San Francisco and around the world. The arts are alive, always inspiring, ennobling — and this week I have the inside scoop on the dazzling fall season of San Francisco Opera. 

You will be happy to hear that art director, Brian Dittmar, and I continue to work together to bring THE STYLE SALONISTE to you.

Brian was the founding art director and he continues to create the beautiful layouts. He is also the owner/founder of a marvelous lifestyle boutique, MAKER + MUSE, in Maplewood, New Jersey. Meet him there. 

And I’m happy that you all followed me over to Instagram, and my two handles @dianedorranssaeks and #mylifetimelibrary. I continue to post my adventures and travels, new books, and flowers and style and especially luxury interiors and great interior designers.


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This week I’m delighted with the news of the opening of San Francisco Opera on September 9 with a gala, followed by a magnificent and bold fall season.


Congratulations to San Francisco Opera, celebrating its Centennial with all-new opera productions, a world premiere, new co-productions, classics, and a beautiful and impressive international roster of leading opera artists, performers, singers, designers, directors, conductors, and superb talents.



Paul Appleby as Caesar (center) and members of the San Francisco Opera Chorus in an early rehearsal of John Adams' "Antony and Cleopatra"   Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera



The Glorious Return of San Francisco Opera: 
The 2023 Season Celebrates 100 Years

San Francisco Opera launches a year of celebrations—for its impressive Centennial. Congratulations to all who have created and dreamed up a thrilling 2022-2023 season, which ends with summer opera.


Amina Edris as Cleopatra and Gerald Finley as Antony in an early rehearsal of John Adams' "Antony and Cleopatra"   Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




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San Francisco Opera 2022–23 Centennial Season Honors the Company’s First 100 Years While Envisioning a Bold Future

The September 9–11 Opening Weekend features Gala Concert and Opera Ball, and the world premiere of Antony and Cleopatra by John Adams and free Opera in the Park, all conducted by Music Director Eun Sun Kim.

Eight Mainstage Productions Include:

World Premiere of Antony and Cleopatra, Berkeley composer John Adams’ new opera.

Premiere of Co-Commissioned El último sueño de Frida y Diego by Bay Area composer Gabriela Lena Frank and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz

New San Francisco Opera Productions of Verdi’s La Traviata and Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice

New Co-Production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly with Tokyo, Dresden, Copenhagen

Twentieth-Century masterpieces Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites and Strauss’ Die Frau ohne Schatten return to the stage where they had their U.S. Premieres

Bay Area Premiere of celebrated staging of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin marks the return of Russian Repertoire after 14 years


Opera in the Park returns September 11, 2022   Photo: Drew Altizer Photography



Centennial celebrations Include 100th anniversary concert, Bohème Out of the Box, The Traviata Encounter, Open House, Historic Recordings Project, Community Stories and exhibitions. For more information: www.sfopera.com/100


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I’m looking forward to Antony and Cleopatra, and admire the rigorous intellect of John Adams.

I’ll be seeing all of this season’s operas, all so very different, with dramatic staging and international casts. It’s always interesting, over a season, to see new talent emerge. It’s wonderful to see an international star…and as well, young performers making their breakthrough roles. Oh, the applause.

San Francisco Opera audiences are devoted—and they are generous with cheering and applause and rousing appreciation.

Orpheus and Eurydice will be most fascinating, such an emotional storyline, myth and mystery.

Eugene Onegin! I’ve seen the SF Ballet performances, many times. This will be a new staging of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. Marvelous story line and settings.

New Madame Butterfly. Always heartbreaking and so very beautiful.

I have never seen Dialogues of the Carmelites and can’t wait for this performance. Poulenc! Modernist. This will be fascinating.

Such a great selection, glorious inventions, scores, and hundreds of world-class talents. All on stage, I cannot wait.


Amina Edris as Cleopatra in an early rehearsal of John Adams' "Antony and Cleopatra"   Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera

Paul Appleby as Caesar in an early rehearsal of John Adams' "Antony and Cleopatra"  Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera


Here’s the Scoop on ‘Antony and Cleopatra’

San Francisco Opera presents the world premiere of John Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra on Saturday, September 10, with performances through October 5

Adams is the composter of one of my great favorites, Nixon in China, and this new work is an international co-commission and co-production with the Metropolitan Opera and Barcelona’s Liceu Opera and was created especially for San Francisco Opera’s 100th season.

The September 18 matinee performance of Antony and Cleopatra will be livestreamed and available on demand for 48 hours. Virtual tickets for the livestream go on sale later this month.

The libretto for Antony and Cleopatra is adapted from Shakespeare’s drama by the composer with consultation by Elkhanah Pulitzer and Lucia Scheckner. San Francisco Opera Caroline H. Hume Music Director Eun Sun Kim will conduct. 


Amina Edris as Cleopatra and Gerald Finley as Antony in an early rehearsal of John Adams' "Antony and Cleopatra"   Photo: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera




The cast is headed by Egyptian soprano Amina Edris creating the role of Cleopatra and noted Adams collaborators bass-baritone Gerald Finley as Antony and tenor Paul Appleby as Caesar. Chorus Director John Keene prepared the San Francisco Opera Chorus to portray the peoples of Rome and Alexandria.

John Adams commented: 
“I am proud to continue my longstanding collaboration with the great San Francisco Opera with this, the fifth opera of mine the company has presented over the years. Antony and Cleopatra is a story that embraces not only the intimate and human but also the geopolitical and the clash of civilizations. As is always the case with Shakespeare, its themes mirror the realities of life even as we live it at this very moment.”



San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Kim outside the War Memorial Opera House   Photo: Marc Olivier Le Blanc/San Francisco Opera



San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Kim


Conductor Eun Sun Kim is San Francisco Opera’s Caroline H. Hume Music Director. This season marks her second as music director. In 2019, Kim became Houston Grand Opera’s first principal guest conductor in 25 years.

Eun Sun Kim kicks off San Francisco Opera’s 2022–23 Season with Opera Ball: The Centennial Celebration and Opera in the Park in Golden Gate Park. She takes to the podium for the world premiere of Bay Area composer John Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra; Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites; and a new production of Verdi’s La Traviata (the latter’s opening night performance will be simulcast for free at Oracle Park, this year’s Opera at the Ballpark presentation). Bookending the season, Kim leads Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and celebrates San Francisco Opera’s centenary with the 100th Anniversary Concert.


San Francisco Opera Music Director Eun Sun Kim at the War Memorial Opera House   Photo: Marc Olivier Le Blanc/San Francisco Opera



Her past Company highlights include performances of Dvořák’s Rusalka, Puccini’s Tosca, and Beethoven’s Fidelio, in addition to leading several concerts (The Homecoming; Eun Sun Kim Conducts Verdi; The Future Is Now Adler Fellows Concert).

Elsewhere, her recent operatic appearances include important debuts at the Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera (La Bohème); Lyric Opera of Chicago (Tosca); and LA Opera (Roberto Devereux). Her numerous worldwide podium engagements this season include performances at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala and the Vienna State Opera (La Bohème); Dutch National Opera (Verdi Requiem); and Houston Grand Opera (Salome).

Among Kim’s many international orchestral turns are appearances with Seoul Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, and Stuttgart Philharmonic, as well as orchestras in Madrid, Marseille, Munich, Lille, Nancy, Milan, Palermo, Turin, Milwaukee, Calgary, and Santiago de Compostela. In North America, she has recently conducted The Philadelphia Orchestra, LA Philharmonic, and the symphony orchestras of Cincinnati, Detroit, Portland, Seattle, and Toronto. 


Eun Sun Kim conduct's Puccini's "Tosca" at San Francisco Opera.   Photo: Kristen Loken/San Francisco Opera



Eun Sun Kim studied composition and conducting in her hometown of Seoul, South Korea before continuing her studies in Stuttgart, Germany, where she graduated with distinction. Directly after graduation, she was awarded the First Prize in the International Jesús López Cobos Opera Conducting Competition at Madrid’s Teatro Real.

Follow her on Instagram: @ESKConductor



San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock   Photo: Kristen Loken



About The General Director, Matthew Shilvock

I have admired Matthew Shilvock since he first arrived at San Francisco Opera, and especially after his appointment as General Director.

He has deftly directed the company through several challenging years. I especially have been impressed with his demeanor and management as the company has traversed the Covid year, and now emergence.

I also admire and appreciate that Matthew is passionate about telling profound stories of humanity through the total art-form of opera, connecting audiences with the emotional core of the repertoire, and empowering the whole Company. 

Now in his fourth season as General Director, Matthew has overseen a major restructure of the senior management team, and the inception of an endowment campaign in support of the Company’s second century. He initiated the production of two world premiere operas: John Adams’ Girls of the Golden West and Bright Sheng’s Dream of the Red Chamber, and the development of a number of programs aimed at highlighting the talents of the Company, including annual concerts of the Opera Chorus and a new side-by-side orchestra program with San Francisco Unified School District schools.

His priorities include replenishing the core repertory productions of San Francisco Opera, creating a dynamic audience experience and community pride, connecting the Company to the fast-growing swirl of new thinking and new technologies in the Bay Area, and developing a stable financial model for large-scale repertory opera in the 21st century.



San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock Photo: Sasha Arutyunova



“Opera gives us opportunities to gather and share in deep, collective, emotional expression. And as we raise the curtain with Anthony and Cleopatra on September 10, we will do just that. We commence our exciting season, with a new music director in Eun Sun Kim!

“That so many productions this season will be new or recently new to our stage is a testament to the local artists and musicians and composers and designers and artisans and talents of all kinds and the local community which have supported this Company so magnificently during recent year—and for the past hundred years.

– General Director, Matthew Shilvock


War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco  Photo by David Wakely for San Francisco Opera


For More Information on San Francisco Opera:

For tickets, and programs for the season, and many events that are taking place online, off-site, including at the Ballpark: sfopera.com

Subscriptions to San Francisco Opera’s 100th Season are now on sale via the San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330 and online at sfopera.com

Virtual tickets for the September 18 livestream of Antony and Cleopatra will be available later this month for $27.50. For more tickets and more information, visit sfopera.com/digital

100 Dolby Family Opera for the Bay tickets, offered in partnership with the Dolby family, will be available for each performance of Antony and Cleopatra at $10 each while supplies last. Eligible Bay Area residents (home address zip code between 94000–95999 who have not purchased a San Francisco Opera ticket in the past three years) may purchase two $10 tickets for one performance during the Centennial Season. For tickets and more information about Opera for the Bay, visit sfopera.com/seasons/2022-23-season/dolby-familys-opera-for-the-bay



War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco  Photo by David Wakely for San Francisco Opera




COVID-19 safety protocols will be in effect for all performances and events. For up-to-date information about San Francisco Opera’s safety measures, visit sfopera.com/safetyfirst.

All patrons are required to wear a face mask while attending performances. 


Ventilation systems in the War Memorial Opera House meet Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

All front-of-house and backstage employees will follow rigorous safety protocols including a vaccination requirement. 





War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco  Photo by Joel Puliatti



The War Memorial Opera House is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.

For more information and to book tickets: www.sfopera.com



Friday, August 26, 2022

Welcome to the Very Exciting New RH San Francisco Gallery — Glamour and Glory

RH San Francisco Gallery opened earlier this summer—and it has rapidly become an essential visit for viewing newest RH designs, for dining, for checking the dramatic new lighting collections, wine-tasting on the roof deck, and especially for making an appointment for a design consultation. The Palm Court restaurant is all the buzz.

The superb new CONTEMPORARY collection is now in all the galleries, and it’s compelling and wonderfully cosmopolitan. The new international group of design talent is impressive and exciting. I’m so happy that California design legend, Ron Mann, introduces his first new product for RH. A handsome plaster lamp.




At the RH San Francisco opening party, guests arrived to discover a neighborhood they’d never visited, and to see the impressive restoration. Palatial, indeed.

CEO Gary Friedman was the genial host and fun-leader for the lively opening celebrations. He welcomed celebs and sports champions who danced and frolicked into the night, stargazed on the roof, and checked dramatic new collections. Guests at the star-studded opening party included Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres, along with leaders and founders of San Francisco’s vivid charities. The evening benefited the Tipping Point Community.


RH Chairman & CEO Gary Friedman with Jessica Alba, Alex Daddario and Bella Hunter. Photo by Drew Altizer



Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Photo by Drew Altizer


Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Photo by Drew Altizer



Friends of RH: Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are frisky and fun at the RH San Francisco opening party. It was a memorable and luxurious opening party. Bellinis, caviar, and a joyful evening. CEO Gary Friedman greeted friends, sports champions, Hollywood stars, realtors, developers, dancers, designers, architects, cultural creative, and talented and accomplishment style lovers from near and far.







Yes, The Palm Court restaurant in the heart of RH San Francisco is the chicest new setting in California. It’s the site for languorous lunches, sipping Bellinis, conversation, delight, a fresh point of view, and enjoying an elegant dinner beneath inspirational RH chandeliers. Outstanding wine lists. Forty different wines by the glass.










Recently I invited a friend to enjoy a leisurely lunch with me at The Palm Court. We immersed in conversation and tasting and observing everything.

After several hours, we ventured forth to peruse the galleries, obsess about the sheets, check the luxurious cashmere blankets, and study the new lighting.

We cruised the new furniture vignettes in the expansive galleries, and eventually we headed up to the Roof Deck for bay views, sipping wine, and taking in this great setting in a former shipbuilding neighborhood, now in revival thanks to RH.



Photo by Diane Dorrans Saeks


On the menu: my favorite first course, a wood-grilled avocado with 10g of Beluga caviar, crème fraiche, and a dash of olive oil.

Also offered at the Palm Court is the fish of the day, artful salads, and several perfect plant-based dishes, along with Wagyu, and beautifully prepared truffle fries.



Photo by Diane Dorrans Saeks




My ‘Secret Affogato’ Dessert That I Invented (and You Will Love)

We enjoyed lovely fresh dishes…salad and Branzino especially. And when time came for dessert, I requested simple vanilla ice cream.

My friend ordered an espresso.

The ice cream arrived, along with the espresso.

And I saw that I had the perfect ingredients for creating one of my favorite Italian deserts, Affogato, which is vanilla ice cream ‘drowned’ in hot espresso.

I asked my friend if I may use his espresso (I ordered another for him). I poured the hot coffee (see my notes below about the fantastic coffee at RH) …and then dipped my spoon into the ice cream, now with the tang and power and intensity of the coffee in contrast to the ice cream’s sweet creamy texture. Ultra-delicious.

Be sure to ask for Diane’s Secret Affogato. Delicious.


Photo by Diane Dorrans Saeks




Sawada Project X Coffee: Japanese Coffee Master — A Marvelous Discovery

The exclusive coffee at The Palm Court restaurant at RH San Francisco is worth a detour. This rich and well-balanced coffee has a medium roast that brings out the coffee flavor and aromas.

I admired the coffee so much, I asked the Maître d’ for more information. Here’s the inside scoop about the special exclusive Chicago-created coffee RH has selected.





The coffee program at RH Hospitality was inspired by Hiroshi Sawada, world renowned barista, latte art expert and founder of Streamer Coffee in Tokyo. 

The highly trained baristas at Streamer stunned visitors with lattes showcasing perfect art and balance, only achievable through Sawada’s practice-makes-perfect philosophy emphasizing simplicity, teaching and community building around coffee.

RH uses Metropolis 'Project X' coffee beans (exclusive blend for RH, can only be enjoyed in RH spaces!)

Proprietary blend of beans from Mogiana, Brazil that have a darker roast, creating a rich, chocolaty, nutty flavor profile.

RH uses these beans for our espresso, drip coffee and cold brew because the flavor characteristics remain consistent through all of these extraction methods.

Metropolis, the RH Hospitality coffee supplier, purchases only arabica coffee.






The Historic Setting Near the Waterfront in San Francisco — RH San Francisco Gallery at the Former Bethlehem Steel Headquarters

An 80,000-square-foot, five-level architectural masterpiece, RH San Francisco at the historic Bethlehem Steel Building is an immersive design experience.

Collections include RH Modern and RH Outdoors as well as RH Contemporary and rooms of lighting and decorative accessories.







RH San Francisco also includes the largest RH Interior Design Atelier to date, providing professional design services with private client presentation rooms and state-of-the-art technology.

The landmark building was constructed in 1917. Designed by preeminent architect Frederick H. Meyer it has been meticulously restored with great respect for its original vision. The monumental structure has a distinctive beveled corner, elegant neoclassical detailing, and hand-forged iron doors.

Visitors will encounter a rare octagonal lobby featuring the building’s original stair rotunda.



Photo by Diane Dorrans Saeks


Photo by Diane Dorrans Saeks


Photo by Diane Dorrans Saeks


Photo by Diane Dorrans Saeks



My Favorite Bedding

I admire (and use on my bed) the RH Italian bed linens and cashmere blankets and throws. They’re classics and very elegant.

One throw this season I highly recommend is the cashmere double-face blanket / throw with ivory on one side and pale grey on the reverse. It’s sumptuous and light and looks beautiful on the bed.

When I visited RH San Francisco recently, I invited an interior designer friend to join me. I wanted a reaction about the selection, the accessories like alpaca blankets and cashmere blankets. I wanted a professional point of view.

I’ve always been a fan of the Italian bedding created for RH…with beautiful Egyptian cotton, a variety of thread counts and styles. I use only white sheets, but the other colors like ivory and pale grey are very attractive as well.



Video by Diane Dorrans Saeks



Bravo to Gary Friedman





“RH San Francisco Gallery is a deeply personal project which has taken almost a decade to fulfill.” 

“It’s a reflection of our very best work to date — an architecturally inspiring historic building, in the century-old shipbuilding neighborhood of San Francisco. Re-purposing this historic building, formerly the Bethlehem Steel headquarters, to a design center was our highest aspiration.” 

“This is designed as an immersive experience that blurs the lines between residential and hospitality.” 

“Our entire team is proud and honored to bring this innovative concept and hospitality and design to San Francisco.” 

– RH Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gary Friedman



Photo by Diane Dorrans Saeks





CREDITS:

Most images of the new gallery are from RH.

I also shot the restaurant dishes and desert, along with updated images of the Contemporary collections and lighting.

Opening party images by Drew Altizer |  www.drewaltizer.com




Video by Diane Dorrans Saeks




CONTACT INFORMATION:


www.rh.com

Note: RH is not officially on Instagram. But there are thousands of #restorationhardware and #rhrestorationhardware tags to click on to see more designs and interiors.


Location:
590 20th Street
San Francisco, California


Valet Parking:
Mon-Sun 10am-9pm


Palm Court Restaurant:
Mon-Sun 10am-9pm
sanfranciscorestaurant@rh.com


To Request a Design Consultation:
sanfrancisco@rh.com
415.865.0407