Yearly Archives: 2012

Lots is happening West of Union Square

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One of a kind boxes in brass and reclaimed Clairo walnut by Paul Benson for Cavalier (Photo: Drew Altizer)

Union Square may be San Francisco’s main shopping district, reaching all the way towards Montgomery on the East, Market Street on the South, and Bush Street on the North, but lots is also happening on the West side between Powell and Van Ness where many interesting shops have popped up in recent years.  Among my favorites is Floréal L’Atelier on Taylor, run by the fabulous Dominique Pfahl who not only creates the most amazing floral creations, but also sells unusual naturalist home decor, unique jewelry, and one of a kind pieces by artists such as Dave Meeker whose work I collect.  In addition to being a regular at the de Young Museum’s Bouquets to Art, über creative Dominique has also been an important part of our installations for DIFFA’s DINING BY DESIGN, which would not have had the same impact without her amazing contributions.

“Delight” knife bowl by Dave Meeker and “Eggelier” light fixture comprised of branches, ostrich and turkey eggs, feathers and lichen by Dominque Pfahl for Dining by Design 2007 (Photo: Kandi Carol)

Interior of Floréal L’Atelier (Photo: courtesy of By Hand and Heart)

Backsplash made from branches and moss by Dominque Pfahl for Dining by Design 2010 (Photo: Crystal Shafer Waye)

Up a block on Post is Cheeko  B, the pet boutique owned by Kattya and Patrick Breitenbach that has everything for the sophisticated pooch or feline, from gourmet treats to designer toys, apparel and accessories.

Cheeko and Frankie at Cheeko B (Photo: Patrick Breitenbach)

On Sutter at Silverman Gallery, artist, curator and gallerist Jessica Silverman has with, what I would call, a keen eye and plenty of chutzpah, staged exhibits of emerging and mid-career artists from around the country and from as far as Germany and Israel.  I love Yuval Pudik’s meticulous and surreal pencil drawings!  The gallery has grown tremendously since the opening in 2006, and Jessica has participated in many prominent shows including the Paris Art Fair, FIAC, NADA in New York and Miami, SF20/21,  and ART COLOGNE.  Get on her mailing list to learn about upcoming shows.

“some of my equals” by Yuval Pudik (Photo: courtesy of Silverman Gallery)

“Overload” by Conrad Ruiz (Photo: courtesy of Silverman Gallery)

Right across the street Matt McNamara and Teague Moriarty of the Michelin-starred Sons & Daughters opened Sweet Woodruff, serving a small and casual rotating menu of house-made food in a rustic corner space, which was designed for a quick bite at the bar counter or gourmet carry-out.  I must tell you that the lemon tart is very addictive!

Sweet Woodruff’s open kitchen (Photo: Katie Jones of Everything Reconsidered)

Brie and apple sandwich (Photo: Off the Menu)

Worth a quick hike one more block up the hill on Bush is Town Cutler, owned by chef Galen Garretson who has worked with some of the best in the business including Tyler Florence and Michael Tusk.  He decided to open his shop after realizing that San Francisco is lacking good knife sellers. Town Cutler not only carries the best professional quality artisan knives, but also offers expert sharpening services and classes on the subject.  Everyone should know how to sharpen their tools!  Last year Galen was also invited to be part of the pop-up shops at SF20/21, curated by Stanlee Gatti, which showcased contemporary designers, artists, and artisans as the entrée to the show.

Galen Garretson teaching a class (Photo: courtesy of Mi Piace Kate)

A fellow participant of the pop-up shops was the multi-talented Matt Dick who is well known for his many talents in textile and clothing design, fashion branding and product development.  Under his newly created label of Small Trading Company he has designed uniforms for Bardessono, Bar Agricole, and Blue Bottle, and has created shop concepts for LVC, International Orange and Harputs Market.  Stop by at MatoCreative on Post for Matt’s unique designs in indigo denim, recycled Levi’s, white canvas with leather, and burlap.

Goods at MatoCreative (Photo: courtesy of MatoCreative)

Right next door is In Fiore, a perfumery and apothecary for your skin.  Owner Julie Elliott has created a seductive line of face and body care with pure floral oils and essences.  Choose from a beautifully presented collection of perfume “solides” in branded brass compacts, complexion treatments, body balms, and bath and body oils.  The scents will captivate you the moment you enter.

Skin treatments at In Fiore (Photo: courtesy of Roxana Illuminated Perfume)

The neighborhood is also the home of two fashion designers, each very different from the other.  Joseph Domingo is known for his elegant couture gowns that have graced socialites and celebrities alike.  But Joseph has also designed unique garments for many charitable causes, and can conjure beauty from the most humble of materials, even condom wrappers.  His atelier is open by appointment only.

Gown made from condom wrappers in the window of Joseph Domingo’s atelier (Photo: K. Demoro)

A little further down on Sutter is Christopher Collins’ headquarter.  The Project Runway Season 8 contestant sells his designs at Neiman Marcus and stores around the country, but his boutique is the place to go for a one-of-a-kind ensemble by the talented designer.

A coat by Christopher Collins (Photo: courtesy of Christopher Collins)

On the way towards Van Ness the newest kid on the block has made its debut this week, Cavalier by A list interior designer Jay Jeffers.  Jay has owned his design studio in my neighborhood for a few years now, but just recently he decided to add a retail store to the front of his award-winning space on Post Street.  Business and life partner Michael Purdy serves as the Creative Director for Cavalier, which celebrates their shared passion for all that is singular and luxurious.  The shop showcases a curated collection of masculinely hued vintage, new and bespoke furniture, lighting, accessories and art, and it is the exclusive source for Jay Jeffers’ own collection of California-made upholstery, furniture and lighting.

Vintage bar car with unique objects and design books at Cavalier (Photo: Drew Altizer)

Jay and Michael also worked with designers and artisans from around the world to create limited editions solely available at Cavalier.  Among them are master metal smith Paul Benson, one of my personal favorites, and plaster sculptor Stephen Antonson who is well known for his work for Dessin Fournir.

One of a kind boxes in aluminum, brass and reclaimed Clairo walnut by Paul Benson for Cavalier (Photo: Drew Altizer)

In the spirit of of offering the best of the best the owners sought out preeminent producers of everything from home decor to jewelry and tea.  Cavalier represents Merida’s new custom-woven wool Sweater Collection rugs, limited edition acrylics by Alexandra Von Furstenberg, vessels and objects by ceramicist Shizue Iamai, jewelry by Alex & Lee, and handcrafted blends from Bellocq Tea Atelier.  Look out for more to be added every month as the Jay and Michael travel the globe to add fresh wares.

Vignette of furniture, art and objects at Cavalier (Photo: Drew Altizer)

So if you are shopping on Union Square go slightly off the beaten path to what insiders call “Union Square West” and visit these unique purveyors of what you did not know your heart would desire until you have seen it first hand.  You will be a fan too!

Cheers,

Our storefront on One Kings Lane

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I am excited that we are part of One Kings Lane new program “Vintage & Market Finds”, which was launched this month and features antique and vintage furniture, lighting, textiles, floor coverings, tabletop, wall decor, books, art and accessories from dealers and designers around the country.  New items go up daily and will stay for remain on sale for five days unless someone snatches them up sooner, as it was the case today when three of my six items listed this morning already sold.  Very exciting!

I collected 12 Imari bread and butter plates for Randolph & Hein’s table I designed for DIFFA’s Dining by Design in 2007.  They held the card and gift each guest received.

 Installation for DIFFA’s Dining by Design in 2007 (Photo: Kandi Carol)

Vintage Japanese Imari plates

Table detail with Imari plates and centerpiece by Dave Meeker (Photo: Kandi Carol)

These three pickle forks were part of my collection of antique silver and mother of pearl flatware I have gathered over many years. The pickle fork was a mid-Victorian invention.  The Habits of Good Society, published around 1859, said “Never touch anything edible with your fingers.” Typically, the outer tines are barbed to grasp the pickle more firmly.  Since pickling has become very popular recently it is no surprise that these sold quickly.  Look out for more mother of my pearl flatware to go on sale soon.

Three different antique silver and mother of pearl pickle forks

The periwinkle blue lusterware wine glasses with sterling silver scroll designs were a find during a weekend trip to Healdsburg.  I loved the color and pattern!

Vintage lusterware wine glasses

So keep visiting my storefront and the Vintage & Market Finds homepage for new arrivals.  There are tons of new treasures daily tempting even me like the Ibex coffee table base that also sold this morning.  Some of my favorite local colleagues on One Kings Lane are lighting manufacturer Dogfork, interior designer Jonathan Rachman, and antique dealers Tod Donobedian and Michael Donaldson.

Cheers,

Leaving a legacy: Ferdinand Alexander Porsche

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Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (Photo: courtesy of Porsche AG)

I may not drive, but I love beautiful cars, especially classic cars.  So I can very much relate to my friend Paul Benson whose amazing furniture is very much inspired by the elegant hand-built automobiles he saw visiting the Concourse d’Elegance every year while growing up.  But so many mass-produced cars have been lacking in design and have not inspired excitement.  However, certain larger edition models throughout the short history of the automobile industry still stand out, even if they were not hand-built.  Among them are the iconic Porsche 911, and last week we lost its creator Ferdinand Alexander Porsche who died in my home town of Salzburg at the age of 76.  The 911, which was originally named the 901, but had to be changed because Peugeot had already patented the zero for its own cars, was introduced in 1963.  Now in its 7th version, the 2012 model has retained its timeless original lines, truly an example of the endurance of great design.

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche with his Porsche 911 (Photo: courtesy of Porsche AG)

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S (Photo: courtesy of Porsche AG)

Cut-Away of the Porsche 956C (Image: courtesy of Porsche AG)

The Porsche family always had strong roots in Austria.  The company’s founder Ferdinand Porsche was born in 1875 in Maffersdorf (Vratislavice and Nisou), Bohemia, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and he spent his early career in Vienna, starting at an electrical company at the age of 18 and then joining Jacob Lohner & Co. a manufacturer that produced luxury coaches for Emperor Franz Joseph I, as well as for many other European royals.  In 1898 they began the construction of automobiles, and their first design, the “System Lohner-Porsche” that Ferdinand Porsche co-designed, was powered by two electric motors.

 ”System Lohner-Porsche” in 1900 (Photo: courtesy of Porsche AG)

Then in 1906 Austro-Daimler, the Austrian subsidiary of the German Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, hired Ferdinand Porsche as their chief designer.  There he pioneered aerodynamic designs for race cars, developed army trucks, designed Zeppelin engines, and in 1911 created the famous Prinz Heinrich model, named after Emperor Wilhelm II’s  younger brother Prinz Albert Wilhelm Heinrich of Prussia, who was an automobile enthusiast and staged the Kaiserpreis, which was a precursor to the German Grand Prix.  While in Vienna, Ferdinand Porsche also received his honorary doctorate degree from the Vienna University in Technology, prior to transferring to Stuttgart, Germany to work for Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which later merged into Daimler-Benz, where he also designed the famous Volkswagen VW Beetle.  In 1931 he founded his own firm with his son in law and investor Anton Piëch.

Ferdinand Porsche winning the Prinz Heinrich race of 1910 at the wheel of the car he designed (Photo: courtesy of Porsche AG)

During the Second World War the Porsche design company moved to Austria, their headquarters to Gmünd in Carinthia and a workshop to Zell am See, south of Salzburg. During the occupation, Ferdinand’s son Ferry and his sister Louise, wife of Anton Piëch, established the Austrian Porsche Konstruktionen GesmbH in Gmünd to protect their father’s lifework and later transferred the company to Salzburg.  While Louise and husband Anton Piëch were negotiating imports for the Volkswagen beetle, Ferry Porsche and his father Ferdinand went back to Stuttgart where in 1950 to found the sportscar factory, today known as the Porsche AG.  In Salzburg Louise took over the reigns after the deaths of both Ferdinand Porsche and her husband and grew the company by expanding into dealerships across Austria.  The company developed into today’s Porsche Holding, which was founded in 1971 as the corporate umbrella of the Austrian Porsche concern.

1951 Porsche 356 SL Gmünd aluminium Coupé (Photo: courtesy of Porsche AG)

Three generations of Porsche: Ferry Porsche with Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and a portrait of Ferdinand Porsche
(Photo: courtesy of Porsche AG)

Ferry’s son Ferdinand Alexander Porsche grew up in Stuttgart and went into the family business at the age of 22, working in the body design department.  In addition to designing the 911 he also shaped the 904, which he considered his favorite work.  After the company went public in 1971 Ferdinand Alexander founded his own industrial design company Porsche Design Group, which he later moved to Zell am See, Austria where the family still owns the well-known ”Schüttgut” estate, where he was also buried just a few days ago.  Under the Porsche Design brand, the prolific designer conceived classic accessories, such as watches, eyewear, writing utensils, and under “Design by F. A. Porsche” he collaborated with numerous manufacturers to create consumer goods, such as cutlery for Chroma, a radio for Grundig, a grand piano for Bösendorfer, a hard drive for LaCie, household appliances for Siemens, and even streetcars for the city of Vienna.

Porsche 904, renamed Carrera GTS (Photo: courtesy of Porsche AG)

Porsche Design studio in Zell am See (Photo: courtesy of Porsche Design)

Design sketch for the P’6520 Compass watch (Image: courtesy of Unique Watch Guide)

P’6520 Compass watch, designed in 1978 (Photo: courtesy of Unique Watch Guide)

P’8480 folding sunglasses, designed in 1980 (Photo: courtesy of Porsche Design)

P’3613 pipe (Photo: courtesy of Porsche Design)

G200A radio by “Design by F. A. Porsche” for Grundig (Photo: courtesy of Grundig)

301 knife by “Design by F. A. Porsche” for Chroma (Photo: courtesy of Chroma)

ULF (Ultra Low Floor) streetcar by “Design by F. A. Porsche” for the city of Vienna (Photo: courtesy of Public Transport)

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche said, “Good design should be honest. Design must be functional, and functionality must be translated into visual aesthetics, without gimmicks that have to be explained.”  That was the essence of his work, and he those in his family who came before him, are leaving us with their amazing legacy of combining innovative technology with timeless design; and surely the next generation will continue to do so as well.

Cheers,