This year’s showcase is once again in Pacific Heights, a neighborhood particularly suited to showcase houses, given the expansive size of the homes. Originally built as three flats in a Tudor Revival style in 1902, it was converted into a single residence in 2009, which lost the traditional Tudor styling in favor of a sophisticated, contemporary style with an elegant stone facade. With eight bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, an elevator, 2935 Pacific spans five stories and 9,400 square feet (and includes a rooftop terrace with its own living space), which may explain how I entirely missed the six-room garden apartment (including a dedicated laundry room).
In any case, what I did see was the to-be-expected beautiful. Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order.
“BTS” Behind the Senses Laundry Room. This all-black space is so pretty with its gold accents, stunning black-and-white art, glass blocks for light, and the coolest shallow sink crying for you to do some handwashing — and who does that? It feels so Zen. Like you could hide here if you had a guest you wished you hadn’t invited.
Moroccan Mirage by Julie Rootes. This is a gorgeous room. The tented ceiling reminds me of the long-gone Fleur de Lys restaurant, and the draped back wall and main entry are so elegant. The room just beckons. The brass chairs were a favorite, and I love the idea of a sofa and table to retire to after a meal.
Marine Layers Kitchen and Family Room by Kelly Hohla Interiors. I loved this open concept kitchen/family room space because honestly, that’s where most of us spend our time, and I could envision spending time here. I wasn’t crazy about the brown striped sofa on its own, but I loved how it anchored the space like a shoreline with its horizontality and defined edges and color among the other organically shaped objects that suggest waves and movement. And the soothing blue-green-grey color scheme, which carries through to the kitchen, with the marble that evokes waves, just works.
The Manor Moderne Living Room by Geoffrey De Sousa. This oh-so-elegant truly Moderne-style space with a city view on one wall and classic wood elements like a fireplace mantle, floor-to-ceiling raised paneling, and traditional sconce lighting have been cleverly modernized with large-scale art, a stone fireplace insert, and handmade items that invite appreciation of the objects themselves instead of focusing on the traditional styling. Like the rare 1958 parchment-clad Vivaldi bar cabinet by Aldo Tura with a silk-screened musical–themed decoration by Silvio Testi, which captivated me to the point of distraction.
The Pantry Nook by Willem Racké Studio. While small spaces can sometimes pose decorating challenges, they also provide the opportunity to be bold. This space, which is a hallway between the kitchen and the Moroccan Mirage dining space, is functional with storage, and the hand-painted mural over plaster (inspired by French Modernist artist-designer Armand Albert Rateau) is gorgeous. I especially liked the contrast of the brass countertop against the nickel/metal background color of the mural.
Family Portraits in DNA by Diane Rosenblum. This bedroom corridor art is not only soothing and engaging, it’s surely the most innovative and original grouping of artwork ever created — each panel represents a chromosome and shows how Rosenblum’s DNA overlaps with her family members. The linear display on walls creates an immersive experience, and is akin to “walking into a painting.” I’m still moved by it.
A lot is going on in this room, both visually and tactilely, from the wallpapered ceiling to the upholstery and window covering fabrics to the carpet and stone surfaces, and it all works together to create a place you’d want to spend time. My favorite element is the beautiful hand-painted gold flower motif wallpaper lining the bookcases.
46th Decorator Showcase: April 26 through May 26. Tickets from $45; all proceeds benefit the University High School financial aid program.
