Elle Decor Showhouse 2010 - Guestroom by Tucker & Marks

Guest Bedroom by Tucker & Marks. Twin Beds: Hand carved and turned pickled ash. Designer's own collection. Bed Linens by Scheuer Linens. Night Table by Bungalow 5. Cashmere Throws by Sandra Jorden Collection

There were so many beautiful rooms at the Elle Decor Showhouse this year. One of my very favorites was a Guest Bedroom designed by the talented Suzanne Tucker and the amazing staff at Tucker & Marks. Sunny and fresh, cozy and luxurious, this bedroom invites us to come in a stay awhile. I was thinking a permanent move might be in order. 

Guest Bedroom, photo courtesy of Tucker & Marks.
Area Rug by Dash and Albert. "Wallpaper" is actually fabric from Suzanne Tucker Home. Pillow Fabrics by Madeline Weinrib care of ABC Home.

 There is a very touching story connected to the extraordinary beds in the room: " Michael Taylor made them for Nan Kempner in 1951 because it was between graduating from College and marrying Tommy Kempner in 1952. Nan's "step-mother" felt Suzanne should have them given her connection with Michael Taylor and that Suzanne knew Nan. So she graciously gave them to Suzanne a few months ago, right before the Elle Décor Showhouse opened."

This little bit of history makes the room all the more interesting. 

19th Century Craftsman Style Bleached White Oak Chair is from Tucker & Marks. Baluster Drinks Table is Clear Murano Glass from The Wicker Works.

Suzanne's work has always struck me as some of the most beautifully detailed in the industry. This room is no exception. I was very impressed by the attention to the smallest details, like the tiny leather welting on the bed pillows that was overlaid with a little whip-stitching. Just lovely.

Vintage Murano Galss Lamps  through DWM Maloos. Mirror by Made Goods available through Mecox Gardens. Blue Shagreen Box through John Nelson Antiques in LA.

 So here are a few more details I thought you might want to see.

Suzanne's Hatley fabric makes a beautiful wallcovring in a custom colorway made up just for the Showhouse!.....from Suzanne Tucker Home. Photo courtesy of Tucker & Marks.

Guest Bathroom by Tucker & Marks. Photo courtesy of Tucker & Marks. Corner Etagere by Artasia. Matelisse Vanity Fabric by Suzanne Tucker Home. Wallpaper by Sister Parish Design.

Glass Mosaic Floor Tile by AKDO.

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!

Sale-ing Lessons: The Wind is Blowing Me Toward One Kings Lane

The feel of the fresh wind in your face and salt air on your tongue....there is nothing quite like the exhilaration of sailing out on the high seas. Unless we are talking about a One Kings Lane Tag type of sailing....equally as exhilarating, but in a whole different way. This Saturday, One Kings Lane treats us to not one, but two sales that have me ready to untie my boat from the dock and make ready for the starting line. 

Doyenne of design, Suzanne Tucker of Tucker & Marks is opening up her treasure chest of beautiful fabrics, and one of a kind furniture and accessories to all of us tomorrow. You may be familiar with her endless talent, but if you need a refresher, you can click on over HERE, HERE and HERE. 

Beautiful Living Room by Suzanne Tucker

 Grace, elegance and beauty.... that is what you can expect from Suzanne Tucker in the tag sale tomorrow.

There is another sale starting tomorrow as well! LA based designer, Hillary Thomas will be offering furniture, lighting and accessories from her gorgeous cache. Hillary's style  is self described as retro-chic with a modern eclectic bohemian flair....me?....I just describe it a freshly fantastic!

A little info on Hillary:

And a little eye feast:

Designs by Hillary Thomas

So...will I be seeing you in the race tomorrow? I may be yelling "starboard" if the race gets close.

May the wind be in your sails tomorrow morning!

Chinoiserie, Designers and Table Settings....

Gump's Table

......was the recipe for a perfect party at Gump's last Tuesday night! The event, in support of the 2010 San Francisco Fall Antique Show was hosted by Marta Benson, CEO of Gump's and Suzanne Tucker, Chair of the SFFAS Designer's Circle.

Top San Francisco designers were invited to design Chinoiserie inspired dining tables, and the creativity was flowing! Ann Getty, Douglas Durkin, Andrew Fisher and Jeffrey Weisman, Jay Jeffers, Barbara Scavullo, Suzanne Tucker and Gump's all contributed stunning table displays. I could have spent much more time savoring every detail.

Gump's Table

Gump's table captured the flavor of the Orient with their twin pagodas which flanked a gorgeous floral display of roses and artichokes. The lush color palette was gold, black and hot coral pink. I loved the back painted glass table top with silhouettes of the East in pink

Gump's Table

The gold tea pots and pretty pink and gold place settings were perfect for a chic afternoon tea party.

Such a gorgeous display....the flowers, the glass decanters in amethyst and teal, the black lacquer trays and bronze hurricane candle holders....I was enchanted.

Gump's Table

The creative forces at Ann Getty and Associates put together a beautiful table set under a black pagoda pavilion. Acrylic bamboo chairs, and the fresh color palette of jade and tangerine was perfectly appetizing.

Ann Getty and Associates

Details like gilt fortune cookies, and hand made taffeta ginkgo leaves added that personal touch, and the floral display of citron green orchids was luscious.

Ann Getty and Associates

One of my favorite things about this display as the lantern light fixture above the table...what a fun crowning jewel.

Ann Getty and Associates

The next table is by Jay Jeffers, and as expected, was full of fun,fresh ideas.

Jay Jeffers

Jay created a "room" for his table with rice paper panels painted with flowering branches and birds (painted by Shirley Robinson) which he hung from the ceiling with the most beautiful chains I have ever seen.....(Jay, if you are reading, where did you get those chains?!)

Jay Jeffers Table

Jay used a really interesting modern table and beautiful lantern both from Therien Antiques. The rug is from Tai Ping. Jay brought in the custom designed chairs using C. Mariani Antiques.

Jay Jeffers Table

The place settings were beautiful in combinations of greens, browns and golds. Jay proved once again that he is the Master of "Sophisticated Fun".

Jay Jeffers Table

Douglas Durkin created a table that really evoked the feeling of Fall for me. Since Fall happens to be my favorite season, it is small wonder I was so drawn it it. Warm and luxurious, moody and intimate, this space invites one to linger over brandy late into the night.

Douglas Durkin's Table

The table was surrounded by dark wood louvered screens and draped with a pumpkin and misty slate grey silk taffeta table cloth. The terrariums were filled with exotic plants...one of which I think was a Venus Flytrap.

Douglas Durkin's Table

The crystal was a translucent black and there was a persimmon crystal dragon stopper in the decanter. Could you imagine a savory meal here on All Hallows Eve?

Douglas Durkin's Table

Andrew Fisher and Jeffrey Weisman have long been a design duo I have greatly admired. (I especially am enamoured with their home in Napa!) Their take on the them was so much fun, it would make one want to party all night!

Fisher Weisman Table

Titled "Lunch at Brighton Pavilion" Andrew and Jeffrey pulled out all of the stops. Inspired by their travels to the Orient, the Brighton Pavilion, Doris Duke's Shangri-La in Honolulu, and films like the King and I and Auntie Mame....they kicked up their heels and used a sequined table cloth. Andrew and Jeffrey are known for their fabulous lighting creations, they channeled Tony Duquette when making this fixture. They described the process to me saying that they sculpted each piece of the mini pagodas and cast them in resin, then painted them gold adding little jewels and ivy a la Duquette.

Fisher Weisman Table

The colors they used were just as eye catching...Red, Fuchsia, Tangerine and Gold combine in happy profusion, and the gold butterflies seemed to have just arrived to join the party.

Jeffrey and Andrew with their table

The red dining chairs are from the Fisher Weisman Bamboo Collection for Michael Taylor Designs. Just another example of all there is to love about Fisher Weisman

Designer, Barbara Scavullo took her cue from the wonderful horses pictured on the Hermes plates in her place settings.

Barbara Scavullo's Table

You can just imagine a military campaign where the officers would reinforce themselves with hearty meals in their exotic tents.

Barbara Scavullo's Table

The lantern, world map, and Ming Horse punctuate the theme, as does the bridle buckle flatware.

Barbara Scavullo's Table

The last table, and certainly far from the least, was the stunning table designed by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker Marks and her troop of talented designers. I was bowled over with how utterly beautiful and detailed the space was.

Tucker and Marks Table

Suzanne and crew had a brilliant French gilt and coral chandelier c. 1920 flown in from across the country from Objects Plus, LLC. Carlton Hobbs supplied the gorgeous painted Queen Anne chairs and settee. The dramatic 18th century Coromandel screen is from a private collector, and the 19th century Khotan rug is from Tony Kitz Oriental Carpets.

Tucker and Marks Table

Suzanne is so talented with the details. The square table is skirted in a Scalamandre green tiger stripe fabric with a topper made from one of Suzanne's own fabrics. The edge detail is made to look like a pagoda roof, the corners curving out, with a bell found at C. Mariani Antiques at each point...

Tucker and Marks Table

The coral velvet chair cushion fabric is also from Suzanne's new fabric line. The saffron hued pillow fabric is from Fortuny.

Tucker and Marks Table

This space was truly a grand end to this sumptuous affair and Suzanne was perfectly and beautifully attired to act as hostess.

Suzanne Tucker and her Table

It was such a fun evening! I got to see my friends Grant Gibson and Diane Dorrans Saeks, as well as Anh-Minh Le, the editor of the new quarterly shelter magazine Anthology (get your subscriptions now...it's going to be a goody! AND it will be a PRINTED magazine.....I love a magazine I can hold in my hands.)

Gump's is always the most gracious of hosts for events, and this night was no exception. All of the place settings were provided by Gump's, so for more information on any of the beautiful china, silverware and crystal, please do not hesitate to contact them.

And please don't forget to attend the 2010 San Francisco Antique Fair. For more information, click HERE.

San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2010, Part II

Dining Room by Tucker and Marks Design

The San Francisco Decorator Showcase is in full swing after the opening weekend, and it is as wonderful as we have all come to expect. In my last post, I gave you a peek into the Living Room designed by David Kensington and Powder Room by Matthew Turner.

Today, a peek into the softly elegant Dining Room designed by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker and Marks Design. The pretty and soothing color palette makes one feel immediately at home. One could stay here for hours in the cozy dining chairs, an original design called the Matchstick Chair, soon to be added to the Suzanne Tucker Home furniture line.

The bay window is conducive to curling up with a good book and a cup of tea. This Dining Room really gets it right with it's multifunctional attitude. Rooms this beautiful deserve to be used more often than once a day don't they? The 18th century French Oak bibliotheque, diverse, plush seating arrangements, and dry bar make this space alluring at any time of day.

Tucker and Marks is all about the details. The table settings showed just how perfectly adept they are at making every detail count. I loved the various shades of amethyst, aubergine, and wine on the Hurricane , succulent centerpiece, crystal and sea urchin shells. Delicious!

The detail work on the Dining Room Matchstick Chairs was also exquisite. The fabric is by Holland and Sherry with a custom embroidered back panel and tufted seats. Gorgeous!

The drapery panels fabricated by Susan Chastaine are made from a Suzanne Tucker fabric which was custom dyed for the Showcase. I believe it will be added permanently to her line, as it should be! It is brilliant. The border that is printed on the selvage edge of the fabric was cut and reapplied as a border on the leading edge and mitered across the bottom. There was also a small border on the other side, as well as a beautifully subtle taupe gingham cotton lining. The fringe was a casual jute loop and was the perfect accent. Details, details!

And what deserves just as much attention as anything else? Why....the bar! The casual console was festively turned out with all of the essentials, and accented with the "Horny" bronze lamp from Blackman Cruz (didn't I tell you they show up all over the place?!)

Suzanne Tucker with Christopher Roy, one of her designers at Tucker and Marks

Designers Christopher Roy and Suzanne Tucker, as elegant and approachable as the lovely room they designed.

From the Dining Room, we headed to the Kitchen, which was designed by the design duo of Jennifer Hershon and Joann Harltey. Did I like it? YES! They combined different wood tones and paint colors is such an original way. It was modern and at the same time befitted a traditional home so well with it's rustic metal accents and freestanding range.

I loved the custom shelving above the island, the thick Caesarstone counter tops, and the stainless farmhouse sink.
The combination of wood cabinetry mixed with the putty colored painted cabinets was unpredictable and very cool.



The cozy nook was tucked away next to a servant's staircase. As small as it was, it still held plenty of seating and extra storage under the banquette. Loved the vintage table base and the metal chandelier.


The bar next to the range had a custom made pedestal that was designed to compliment the nook table base. The stools are by Gulassa and have solid glass seats....truly breathtaking.

And here they are, the dynamic duo, Joann Hartley and Jennifer Hershon. The ladies are as cool as the spaces they design. Check them out HERE.

Truly....there are so many outstanding spaces at this year's Showcase, don't miss it if you are in the area. Click HERE for more information about tickets and hours and special events.

ROOMS TO REMEMBER: The Classic Interiors of Suzanne Tucker

I have been a fan of Suzanne Tucker's work for years now, and had been anxiuosly awaiting the release of her new book: Rooms to Remember: The Classic Interiors of Suzanne Tucker from The Monacelli Press. So you can imagine my elation when I received a copy from the publisher! As soon as I received it, I spent the whole evening perusing it's beautiful glossy pages. These are my personal impressions of the book:

The cover is gorgeous. The book is beautifully put together with huge full bleed photos on most of the pages. The organization of the book is just how I like it: the chapters are arranged by catagories of information. For example, Chapter 1 is titled Bones and Architecture, Chapter 2 is Scale and Proportion, Chapter 3 is Balance, Contrast and Harmony, Chapter 4 is Individuality and Personality, and so on. The other great thing is that the book is written by Suzanne Tucker herself, so you really get an inside look at how Suzanne thinks about design and the processes she uses in her work. It is truly a "great read": fascinating and colorful.

Suzanne Tucker is one of those versatile designers that can create magic in any style and pull it off without a hitch. Contemporary or traditional, classic or "California Style", she can do it all with chic aplomb.

I highly recommend it not only as a wonderful resource and something simply stunning to look at, but also as a book that was fun to read. It will be one of my "go to" books when I need ideas or inspiration for my work, or just my life.

I was lucky to have a chance to coorespond with Suzanne and ask her a few questions. I hope you enjoy enjoy our conversation and some of my favorite pages from her book (these are but a fraction, I assure you!) ....the first of many to come, I hope!

Suzanne, your book is just so beautiful and the projects are so varied. Where and how do you begin the process of conceptualizing your designs for your clients?

SMT: I’m so glad you used the word ”process” because that really is what great design is all about! Too often the client thinks of the tangible “project” but it’s much more about the intangible process – getting to know the client, listening to them, asking questions, learning about their dreams and desires, picking up on their nuances and then of course the house or apartment or room itself – the mood, the quality of light, the architecture, the bones, and the challenges. I’ve developed what I refer to as my design Rorschach test where I’ll quickly show countless textiles, furniture, colors, textures and photo images to a client. Just by gleaning their initial responses I am able to pretty quickly discern what their style and tastes are and from there I begin to paint the picture.

What/who inspires you in your work?

SMT: The “what” can be almost anything around us on a daily basis which is all about keeping your eyes and mind open! But I find I’m most inspired when I travel and the exposure to different cultures, architecture, local crafts, and even indigenous paint colors can become my greatest source of ideas. Travelling with my digital camera is a must (daily!) and I always have a slim one to slip into an evening bag as you never know where or when your curiosity will strike. I take snapshots of everything from the obvious rooms and architecture to floors, grills, ceilings, hinges, bark, leaves, you name it! Sometimes I know what I’ll do with what I’m shooting or perhaps it will evolve like the curve of an antique chair leg, which could end up inspiring a repeating swirl in a mosaic floor pattern. I look for curves, shapes and colors. I’ve even photographed shadows. Returning with 600-800 pictures is the norm!
And the “who” inspires me are certainly the great designers from the past, John Fowler, Nancy Lancaster, Henri Samuel, Frances Elkins, Michael Taylor, Billy Baldwin, the great architects – Adams, Kent, Soane, Le Notre, Palladio, Mizner, George Washington Smith – my library of books! And from the present, there are many colleagues whose work I admire but if I started listing them I could get in trouble with those whom I don’t mention! Ultimately, I feel it’s really my clients who inspire me to be creative, to seek out something special, and to make a house unique to them.

You were lucky to have worked with one of the Masters of Design, Michael Taylor. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Mr. Taylor?

#1 BIG! He was a tall man, had tremendous presence, thought big and designed big! And #2 - That I miss him! And I often times wonder what he would be doing today and think about how his work would have evolved.

How has your aesthetic evolved since your days with Michael Taylor?

I had an entirely unique education with Michael in that I saw both sides of his work – the big, bold, white “California Look” signature rooms which sold magazines, made the phone ring, and paid the bills to the more elegant, collected, exotic, antique filled rarefied world he so brilliantly juxtaposed for others. The latter resonated with me most strongly and I’ve honestly never had a desire to create a “signature look”. I’ve always been much more interested in the mix, in combining antiques, custom furnishings, contemporary art and personal collections. Michael also felt strongly about architecture. From that mentoring I’ve always been in pursuit of “good bones”, expanded my passion for architecture and am always the architects advocate.

Describe your “perfect client”.

SMT: Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as the “perfect client” but there is definitely a really wonderful good client and a truly dreadfully bad client! Most people think it’s about deep pockets and carte blanche but that’s not the case at all. The best client is the one who can trust – trust the process, trust the professionals, trust the time it’s going to take to do the best job. Michael Taylor often said you are as good as your client, meaning if your client has good taste, it’s a walk in the park. But I’ve also found that the clients who don’t necessarily have great taste but know enough to trust me and my taste, then it can be a dream.

How would you describe your own personal style?

SMT: Outwardly my style is fairly classic – elegant, comfortable and timeless. But inside there’s perhaps a little of the mad scientist! An architect friend referred to my living room as my “decorating laboratory” which isn’t far from the truth at times as I’ll bring in furniture or objects to live with for a while, try them out, rearrange the furniture, test a piece, mix it up, get bored and move on to the next experiment!

What are you working on now?

SMT: There are projects all over right now in all sorts of phases, sizes and styles on which my design staff and I are presently working. We have a fantastic Spanish Revival project south of San Francisco on 12 acres, a spectacular mountain house on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, a city apartment with breathtaking views, a massive, very Michael Taylor-scale house in Sun Valley, Idaho, and various others mostly in California.

What is happening next?

SMT: Well, in addition to the September publishing of my first design book, “Rooms to Remember” and upcoming signings and lectures, I am about to launch Suzanne Tucker Home in January 2010 with a fabric collection in Paris at Holland & Sherry! Très excitant! In February we’ll be launching in San Francisco at Shears & Window and in Los Angeles at Thomas Lavin in March. Holland & Sherry’s New York and Chicago showrooms will have my fabrics after February as well, and it looks like Dallas, Atlanta and Florida may be the next stops. I have also been asked by a major tabletop manufacturer to design a line of china which I find so exciting as it’s one of the things in life I love. And I’m constantly working on custom furniture designs for our clients homes so perhaps 2010 will be the year to launch that line! This past year has been quite busy, to say the least, including installing six projects! Those, coupled with the ones yet to be finished or photograph, create enough material for a second book! Stay tuned!

What color are you and why?

Yellow! A buttery yellow…. Warm, flattering, mixes well with all other shades, makes you happy!

What is on your nightstand?

A photograph of my daughter when she was 4 (she’s now 23!), another of my husband and me on our honeymoon 13 years ago, about 2 ½” of stacked magazines (osmosis?), a silver mint julep cup holding pens, pencils, a nail file and a scale, a notepad from the Quisisana Hotel on Capri, a bottle of water, a clock radio which I mostly ignore, The Help by Kathryn Stockett (a wonderful southern read), A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink (fantastic book!), a really lovely pierced porcelain blanc de chine antique lamp (a client “reject” which I love), and we won’t bother going to the shelf below!

What is your favorite place to escape?

SMT: A beach and the ocean - the best for me to really decompress - the Mauna Kea on Hawaii. Capri for decadent, dreamy romance (my husband calls it “Shop-pri”!), Lake Como for La Dolce Vita, and Villa Feltrinelli on Lake Garda, Italy for the ultimate romantic, indulgent hideaway.

What is your most favorite place to shop and why?

San Francisco antiques dealers because they are knowledgeable and professional; New York because it has everything under the sun and you can never exhaust all the sources; Worth Avenue, Palm Beach for its killer window shopping and the custom linens I order from Kassatly’s; Via Condotti in Rome for the people watching alone!; Paris flea market because one always shops with naive hope that you’ll find the undiscovered treasure; Bergdorf Goodman because it’s Bergdorfs!

Describe a typical day in the life of Suzanne Tucker.

6:30 alarm… snooze button …. Get on the elliptical (pretty rare these days!)…Mad dash to dress, juggle calls, blackberry and breakfast all at the same time… design meetings with staff and/or clients… emails, phone calls, working lunch (always)… put out fires… solve problems… can I ever get out the door to shop… work too late… come home to what my husband calls “dinner-in-a-drawer” (can’t live without my Thermador warming drawer) wonderfully prepped by our housekeeper…emails, read, zone out falling asleep in front of the TV… too late to bed…zzzzz… And thus the “glamorous life” of a decorator!

Classic and full of personality, Suzanne's work is heady and rich. This is just a taste of this beautiful book. Might be a good thing give this Christmas, to those on your list and to yourself!

Oh! And between you and me.....Suzanne is planning to open a Suzanne Tucker Home section on her website January 2010.....so remember to check it out!

All photos courtesy of Suzanne Tucker and The Monacelli Press