SF Decorators Showcase

This was the first and only time I’ve done a decorator showcase. I was trying to expand my name recognition as a designer in California, so this was a bit of a coming out.

The 2016 San Francisco Designer Showcase took place at Telegraph Hill’s “Villa di Martini,” a California Historical Landmark built in 1929.

Twenty-five of the best designers on the West Coast each reimagined a section of the Italianate manse, with the proceeds from ticket sales going to San Francisco University High School’s financial aid program.

Stephan’s contribution to the home was the study. He set out to channel the masters who defined what interior design could be in the 1970’s & 80’s–Michael Taylor, Bruce Gregga, & Billy Baldwin (to name a few). Pulling from mid-century, primitive, and baroque styles, critics commended the thoughtful convergence of old & new.

As the basis of the palette for the room Stephan utilized a fabric from an up and coming fabric house, Zak + Fox, a striking antique Sultanabad rug from J.Iloulian Rugs and raked plaster wallcovering from Kneedler-Fauchere. The fabric which featured a complicated traditional print, was rendered in a contemporary striking chocolate brown, ivory and indigo blue for the banquette.

Stephan also brought in SF gallerist Francis Mill to collaborate with the art selection, which featured some “heavy hitters.”

The result was a highly lauded contribution to the showcase which caught a lot of eyeballs and formally established Stephan as a West Coast designer.