Design lovers, it’s that time of year again. The 44th Annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase presents 28 uniquely styled spaces spanning three levels of a Spanish-Mediterranean, 18th century–style mansion.
Built in 1927 by architects Hyman and Appleton, the nearly 6,100-square-foot home in Sea Cliff retains plenty of period charm with original details both restored and reimagined.
Actually, imagination runs rampant in the updated house, which feels like a journey through the many eras and personalities of San Francisco, from classical to oceanic, smart midcentury to totally psychedelic, man. Here you'll find designs both grounding and out of this world.
Take a peek at our seven favorite rooms for the 2023 showcase below.
// The showcase house at 625 El Camino Del Mar (Sea Cliff) is open Tuesdays through Sundays, April 29 through May 29, 2023. Tickets ($45/GA, benefiting the San Francisco University High School financial aid fund) are available at decoratorshowcase.org.
“Apollonia Dining Room,” by Chroma
“The Apollonia Dining Room” by Leann Conquer and Alexis Tompkins.
(Courtesy of Chroma)
At first glance, the Chroma-designed dining room almost appears quite simple. There is a central table with chairs, a trio of artworks on the walls. It’s clean. And then things slowly begin to shift. The walls are not a single hue but rather a cascade of shades that melt across the molded panels, transforming a traditional landscape into a psychedelic bohemia with “ambient absinthe- and aqua-hued horizons.” Created in collaboration with muralist Rafael Arana, the walls are meant to invite psychic connections. The room is uncomplicated, leaving plenty of space to traverse and experience, and yet it’s anything but simple. Two styles of chairs flank either side of a double petal-shaped table, and origami forms fly overhead.
Kimberly Denman's Living Room
Living Room by Kimberly Denman Inc.
(Kimberly Denman)
This space by Kimberly Denman represents luxurious living in any metropolis, be it Madrid, Milan, or San Francisco. Channeling the original bones of the home, the room holds a handful of original architectural details including the coffered ceiling and fireplace mantle. The space is laid out to promote mingling, ideal for gatherings formal and casual alike. Dual seating areas allow for separate parties, tied together by plush fabrics, jewel tones and funky patterns. Geometric forms flow through the space, from the Pierre Frey curtains to Maya Romanoff wallpaper.
"A Rare Gem," by Tineke Triggs
"A Rare Gem" by Tineke Triggs
In Tineke Triggs' primary suite, the color palette takes its cue from a vintage Italian glass light overhead. In jewel tones accented with gold, the space evokes a sense of wellness and beauty and is a treasure trove of thoughtful details. Find plaster leaves on the wallpaper behind the bed and crystals on the bedside lamps. A symbol of transformation, the dragonfly has played a special role in Triggs' own personal growth (a tattoo on her wrist is in remembrance of her father), and there are three of the winged creatures hidden around the suite. Old meets new through vintage pieces like the shaggy desk chair on casters and pair of chairs in the sitting area, coupled with some pieces from Trigg's own furniture and rug collection.
"Her Study," by Geoffrey Coy
"Her Study" by Geoffrey Coy of Coy & Company.
(Mario Serafin Photography)
Geoffrey Coy’s study feels like an immediate release. Designed with yummy organic hues and a myriad of textures, it’s described as a “cocoon” to spark creativity. A rounded desk wraps around like a hug, while a sitting area is a cozy space to relax. A wall of original shelving has been updated with fresh paint, new cabinet fronts of bronze wire mesh, and polished nickel hardware. Behind an arched doorway is a closet-turned-espresso bar with mineral paper wall covering. Cloaked in limewash with a custom oscillating ceiling detail overhead, the space pays homage to the architecture of the home and provides an elevated way to work.
“Sadie’s Arty Party,” by EJ Interior Design
“Sadie’s Arty Party” by Eugenia and Emma Jesberg of EJ Interior Design
(Mario Serafin)
Eugenia and Emma Jesberg channeled all the fun of being a kid in this whimsical yet entirely chic depiction of a child's world. Called “Sadie’s Arty Party,” the bedroom is a confetti bomb of color, shapes, and textures. A fanciful custom bed by Marcali Designs is the focal point—or perhaps it’s the life-sized alpaca standing sentinel in the corner. Either way, patterns run rampant, all tied together by a bold palette and wild sense of creativity.
"The Upstairs Keep" by Jon de la Cruz
"The Upstairs Keep" by Jon de la Cruz of DLC-ID
(John Merkl)
This room, traditionally intended for use during winter months when a family might sleep adjacent to the kitchen’s wood-burning stove, becomes a flexible lounge in the hands of Jon de la Cruz. The designer took advantage of the octagonally shaped space and its soaring 20-foot domed ceiling to create a dramatic central focal point: an enormous, hand-knotted Empire-style chandelier. Then, he softened the angles of the room's unique shape with an earthy palette, layers of rounded forms, and scores of texture. Natural elements like stone, wood, wool, and jute lend a grounded element to more luxurious materials including gilded bronze, silk, and lacquered parchment. With a penchant for vintage finds, de la Cruz discovered the perfect wall-mounted alabaster storage unit to sit under one of the room’s curves.
Noz Nozawa's "Interstellar Cellar"
"Interstellar Cellar" by Noz Nozawa of Noz Design.
(Christopher Stark)
There's only one way to say it: This Noz Design space is a total trip. It's a media room, yes, but it's also beyond: a place to experience, to traverse and transcend time. Amid cosmic murals painted by East Bay artist Caroline Lizarraga, array of constellations anchor the room, including a wraparound sofa that offers copious amounts of seating without sacrificing space or style. Geometric forms abound, but so do amorphous and quirky elements like pieces from Oakland-based Studio Kieu, a Jonathan Entler lamp, and even a funky little alien in the tile mosaic wet bar. If you need us, we'll be kicking it in the adjacent psychedelic wine cellar where, in case you were wondering, that Leena Similu sculpture isn't actually a bong.
