Lighting and Move-In:

San Francisco Decorator Showcase

I just viewed my nearly-completed ceiling fixture from talented lighting designer, Jim Misner http://www.jimmisnerlightdesigns.com/.

I have never seen anything from him that I didn't like. His look is industrial with vintage parts but in is oh-so-clever and unexpected. Here is a closer view.

He has a garage full of a zillion old rusty parts from who know what or where and it is all fascinating. I love the juxtaposition of the old rusty/vintage parts with the crystal ball and ball and chain (which was not added as of this photo). It is delicate yet industrial and will show off my wonderful "Crackled Linen" ceiling treatment from Jennifer LaPierre jennifer@jenniferlapierre.com

Move-in is tomorrow. Here is an "inside the process" photo of the before - 20 boxes to be picked up by Good Moves in a few minutes. How will I fit 20 boxes in my room? YIKES! I always take more than I need and I have a wonderful wrought iron bookcase which I have to fill with books and accessories. It has reclaimed wood selves from Restoration Timber in San Francisco http://www.restorationtimber.com/ More photos of the move-in tomorrow.

Prints & Texture: My 2010 San Francisco Decorator Showcase Room

Add Fortuny Fabric

I find Fortuny irresistible. I will add Fortuny pillows. Mario Fortuny (1871–1949) born into an artistic Spanish family was a Renaissance man. He eventually settled in Venice, Italy via Paris and became a noted fashion designer (Fortuny Pleats), product designer and fabric designer.

Fortuny fabrics appeal to me because the are hand-blocked and have a distinctly hand-made quality to them. Some are printed with gold. They are mostly non-representational and one does not tire of them easily. They are classic yet very distinctive. There are many patterns and colors available. Factory tours are available when visiting Venice. http://belovedlinens.net/textdesign/mario-fortuny.php

Add Texture

I'm using a new sisal ("Paraiba" in color "River") from Merida Meridain as a bound area rug. The color is a very light taupe/gray. Their sisal is sustainable and there service is great. Check out their website for more detailed information. http://www.meridameridian.com/sustainability/

Add a Crackled Linen Ceiling

I'm really excited about my "Crackled Linen" ceiling from artist Jennifer LaPierre of Sonoma, jennifer@jenniferlapierre.com

The linen is covered with a thin layer of plaster and then rolled and crackled. It is glazed with a color and then a stencil is applied before installation and then the stencil is finished on site. I have included my hand in the photo so you can get an idea of the scale.

The Color Story: My 2010 San Francisco Decorator Showcase Room

Start with Linen

I love the natural color, the way it hangs and the fact that it wrinkles. It has soul. I decided I would start with natural linen for the canopy and see where that led me. Henry Calvin Fabric has lovely linen and I found a natural linen for the outside of the canopy and a polished ivory linen for the lining and inside of the canopy. The day bed, placed between the dormer windows, is upholstered in a natural herringbone linen. The great thing about linens and neutrals is that they all work together. A weathered “dirt-colored” (dirt - one of my favorite colors) linen will be used for an accent pillow.
Add Velvet
Combining humble linen and luxurious velvet is delicious. I like the juxtaposition of the humble linen next to the luxurious velvet. I located a velvet for pillows that is the same color as the darker color in the herringbone linen, but it is a different texture and reflects light differently. It is a no-color color.
Add an Accent Color
This was a process. I found three color stories that spoke to me;

• slate blues
• blue greens
• sienna + dirt color.

I contemplated for two weeks but finally decided on sienna orange as the accent partly because I found a Fortuny fabric that I loved and a sienna Sandra Jordan alpaca throw that would color-wise.

How I like to use color
I like to use color sparingly and strategically. Here I have chosen a palette of neutrals with black and natural wood accents. I then identify the color accent(s) sienna, and use it in three or four places in the room, pillows, a throw, flowers, and accessories. The accent colors don’t have to match exactly; in fact it makes it more interesting if they don’t match exactly. I may gather orange flower that are brighter that the other accent oranges just for pop. I may identify another color to use in conjunction with the orange but I don’t have that decided yet.