Curiouser and Curiouser, The San Francisco Decorator Showcase, and GIVE AWAY WINNER!

There is little I am more fascinated with than a collector's habitat. There is something about the stories of things and how they are accumulated that intrigues me. The arrangement says as much a bout a person as the things themselves. It is a very personal gathering and a creative spirit that makes for a space that is pleasingly artful as opposed to a cluttered mess (as is often the case in the recesses of rooms where I spend less time in my own home. There are rooms I just stuff full of the odds and ends and shut the door!)

At the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, there were a few rooms that captured my imagination: who would live here and where did they find all of the treasures?! The first room was titled "The Collector's Library", designed by Jonathan Rachman. The designer loves to collect and he has graciously shared his treasures with us.

Perhaps the perfect place for gentleman....or ladies? to enjoy a bit of brandy by the fire....

Jonathan mounted the tip of an airplane wing above the fireplace. It almost looks like a deep sea fish trophy at first glance. The shape of the trio of sculptures on the mantle echo the color and shape.....

The industrial edge of the light fixtures and the table base are a nice counterpoint to the high lacquer paint and French antique furniture....

And the man behind the collections? Meet Mr. Jonathan Rachman....

For another fantastic article about this space and the very talented Mr. Rachman, check out The Style Saloniste HERE.

Next up.... "The Listening Room" by Matthew Maccaul Turner.....

Matthew has put together what he calls a room inspired by music, whether it be a drum circle or a CD. Music is the constant that brings all cultures together. Matthew has successfully brought different cultures together in this space using furnishings and objects from all over the world...high and low, old and new.....he has even designed the pendant light using vases he found for a song.

Matthew has a talent for assembling a great mix of interesting pieces! The hoofed ottoman, statue, inlaid table, art and even the succulent plant next to the fireplace all are so different, but work together so well! The secret? The neutral colors unify it all.

I would have been happy to walk away with any of the things in this space!

And here is the designer, Matthew Maccaul Turner, as nice as he is talented...

Perhaps the most eye popping space was the Bathroom adjacent to the previous space. You may remember THIS blog post about Ma(i)sonry in Yountville, the brain child of Michael Polenske. Michael has taken his talent on the road installing an art "happening" in this stately bathroom at the Showcase. With the help of Carissa Duncan, Michael assembled strange and very curious things in this space. There is a Hitchcock-esque story here....perhaps you can imagine it all yourselves......

Yes,, the tub was full of scissors confiscated at the airport. And industrial lights become sconces at the vanity.....

Artworks by Michele Pred (Umbrella with scissors titled Travelers) and Greg Lauren ( oil on paper raincoat title Toggle) were placed in the space along with a huge mirror framed in a huge round window frame. All are available at Ma(i)sonry....

The visionaries of Ma(i)sonry, Michael Polenske and Carissa Duncan...

The San Francisco Showcase was superb this year. Sadly, is over for this year, but stay tuned! I will be posting more photos in the days to come.

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Next,

We have a winner for the GIVE AWAY for the Playful Home book by Andrew Weaving. The folks at Rizzoli have kindly offered a copy to a katiedid reader .......