A gorgeous, palatial estate with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay has recently gone on the market in Tiburon for $37 million according to Blockshopper.com.

The Paradise Drive property has its own beach with sweeping panoramic views of Gardini Del Paradiso and is located on approximately 8.5 secluded acres. There are 4 structures on the estate:

A Mediterranean, custom, 6-bedroom home with 10,000 square feet of living space and a 5,000 square foot basement.
A 2-bedroom beach house with spa, crocket lawn and boat lift.
A 3-bedroom caretakers house, surrounded by luxurious landscaped gardens.
A pool house and pavillion with in-ground pool and spa, in-gound trampeline, volley ball grass court, gazebo with large fireplace and room to entertain over 100 guests.

There is boat launch and walking trails throughout, as well as an underground wine cave and a provisional heli-copter landing site.  Other amenities are a pilates room, suana, wine room, 800 square foot walk-in safe, fully automated green house, outdoor heaters, pool, 2 spas, PG&E back up generator, waterfall, 300 rose bushes, a hillside of lavender, an abundance of fruit trees and a vegetable garden.

Beautifully Landscaped by Leffingwell Associates

The Main House

Pool overlooking the Bay

The Beach House

The chairman of Concierge Asset Management, Maxwell Drever, and wife Janice Drever, have listed the palatial waterfront estate with Missy Echeverria of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Offered at $37,000,000
Size: 4 Homes on approx. 8.5 acres
Further Information: www.2900paradisedr.com [Missy Echeverria]

To arrange a showing contact the listing agent, your preferred Realtor, or fill out this form to get further information via San Francisco Luxury Living.

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Our friends at “Haute Living” magazine have released their 2010 list of the 100 most influential people in San Francisco, “the world’s most Golden city.”

Did you or your friends make the cut? The complete list is below (all the details on who they are and how they’ve influenced our world is now online at hauteliving.com)

Isha & Asim Abdullah
John Arrillaga
Carol Bartz
Steve Jr. & Riley Bechtel
Nancy Bechtle
Carl Berg
Gina Bianchini
Willie Brown
John Buchanan Jr.
John T. Chambers
Joan Chen
Ann Colgin
Ron Conway
Phoebe Hearst Cooke
Francis Ford Coppola
James Coulter
David de Rothschild
L. John Doerr
Ray Dolby
Clint Eastwood
Roberta Economidis
Larry Ellison
Archie Aldis “Red” Emmerson
Caterina Fake & Stewart Butterfield
Maria Manetti Farrow
David Filo
Doris Fisher
John J., Robert, & William Fisher
Kenneth Fisher
Stanlee Gatti
Gordon Getty
Vanessa Getty
Richard Goldman
Denise Hale
Alexandra & Brian Hall
H. William Harlan
William Randolph Hearst III
John Hummer
Sallie Huntting
Jess Jackson
Steve Jobs
Charles Johnson
Rupert Johnson Jr.
Pamela Joyner
Philip Kaufman
Arturo Keller
Thomas Keller
Vinod Khosla
Michael Kim
Omid Kordestani
Pat Kuleto
George Lucas
Nicola Luisotti
Anne Marie Massocca
Marissa Mayer
Patrick & Lore Harp McGovern
Teresa Medearis
Margrit Mondavi
Joe Montana
Gordon Moore
John Morgridge
Craig Newmark
Jennifer Siebel & Mayor Gavin Newsom
Beth Nickel
Larry Page
Ken Paige
Paul & Nancy Pelosi
Tom Perkins
John Pritzker
Jerry Rice
George Roberts
Diane Rubin
Chris Sacca
Sheryl Sandberg
Jerry Sanders III
Carlos Santana
Eric Schmidt
Charles Schwab
Gary Shansby
Walter Shorenstein
Kavitark Ram Shriram
Charlotte Mailliard Shultz
Thomas Siebel
John A. Sobrato
Danielle Steel
Dr. Elisa Stephens
Thomas Steyer
Norah and Norman Stone
Adrianna Pope Sullivan
Amy Tan
Peter Thiel
Michael Tilson Thomas
Maxx & Trevor Traina
Diane “Dede” Wilsey
Ann Winblad
Anne Wojcicki & Sergey Brin
Jessa Wu
Jed York
Mark Zuckerberg
Andrea Zurek

Further Information: Haute Living [hauteliving.com]

Guests enjoying a Sea Cliff view
Photo: Moanalani Jeffrey

When you enter a Sea Cliff home, with its unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and Golden Gate Bridge, you realize why the phrase “million dollar view” is actually an understatement here. With recent home sales in this neighborhood ranging from $5,400,000 to $18,000,000, a million dollar view would be a bargain.

As there are less than 40 homes in Sea Cliff located along the coastline, there are very few opportunities for anyone but homeowners and their families to know what it’s like to live from such a vantage point.

David Stanton with wife Shanna McBurney (right) and Friend

Thankfully David Stanton and wife Shanna McBurney (owner of the Hang Art Gallery on Sutter Street), often use their stunning Sea Cliff home for entertaining and philanthropic events, giving their guests a lovely opportunity to experience Sea Cliff living at its best.

Moanalani Jeffrey of examiner.com recently photographed the home during a recent event, and noted that besides the sweeping views “The talk of the night was the once nonexistent bottom level of the home.” Stanton and McBurney, who have owned the home for over 10 years, underwent a painstaking renovation to create an indoor basketball court beneath the building.

“Sleek wood paneling lead you down multiple corridors of stairs opening up to the court and its high ceilings,” according to Moanalani. “To be on you’re A-game you’d have to ignore the large glass wall, which revealed the outdoor patio, infinity pool and breath taking view of the Bay.”

Most Beautiful Basketball Court in the World

This particular home (built in 1913 for the W.A. Doble family — a name known best today for the Doble Steam Car collected by Jay Leno, among others) was mentioned in a 1920 editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle, with the author suggesting it would be the perfect location for a movie setting. “There is the sea, the rocks, the cliff, the palace and the gardens,” the article said, in one of the first instances of someone lobbying for San Francisco to be a prime location for filmmaking.

The Chronicle’s words are just as relevant today as they were in 1920. The sea, the rocks, the cliff… the grand homes of Sea Cliff are in a setting unlike any other in the world.

Photos: Moanalani Jeffrey [moanalanijeffrey.smugmug.com]

This home is not for sale, but one major Sea Cliff home is on the market with similar views for $11,500,000. If you are in the market for a San Francisco home with a stunning view, let us know and we will put you in contact with a qualified luxury real estate agent.

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Cheryl Fordham, Nancy Gonzalez, Barbara Brown

Saks Fifth Avenue and hostess Barbara Brown recently welcomed designer Nancy Gonzalez to San Francisco at a private luncheon at the Union Square store.

Jacques Pantazes, Lindsay Bolton, Karen Tamblyn

Nancy Gonzalez with a Guest and Sigrid Dedo

Nancy Gonzalez brought a trunk show collection with one of a kind handbag pieces.  The variety of colors and materials in the collection was truly stunning!  Guests received autographed copies of her new book published by Assouline.

Lindsay Bolton, Jenna Hunt, Kris Anthony

Gloria Clumeck, Karen Shea

Robin Greenblatt, Nancy Kukacka

The Nancy Gonzalez Spring 2010 Handbag Collection is available in San Francisco at Saks Fifth Avenue, Union Square.

Further Information: Nancy Gonzalez [nancygonzalez.com]
Shopping: Saks Fifth Avenue [saksfifthavenue.com]
Photos: Drew Altizer [drewaltizer.com]

Historic Home in St. Francis Wood Clears Hurdles to Become a Showcase

St. Francis Wood is renowned and sometimes feared in the building community for strict restoration codes and an expensive, time-consuming process to get exterior projects approved. Homeowners Noreen and Mike Heavey bought this home in August of 2002 and spent about 26 months from the date of purchase to wind their way through the process before they could move in.

The home, located at 250 Santa Paula, was designed and built in the 1920s by Angus McSweeney, a San Francisco architect, who is credited with having collaborated on one of the first designs of St. Mary’s Cathedral and for designing high rise apartment buildings in Russian Hill and Nob Hill. After McSweeny and his family moved out, a local attorney purchased it and later left the property vacant for over 25 years.

The Heavey’s bought the home (which at that point had become dilapidated) at a probate sale for over $900k and knew they had to put in well over $1million in construction to make it livable and up to a high standard of quality for their family.

Once one purchases a property in St. Francis Wood, the owner become a member of the home owners association and agrees to follow the strict guidelines of the Covenants Conditions and Restrictions (the code was first drafted in 1917 when the first parcels of land were sold, and renegotiated in 1950) that govern any work done on the exterior of the home; including all details such as: landscaping, paint colors, additions, window treatments, fences, materials used, and any remodeling effort that can be seen by neighbors.

A lengthy approval process ensues. For the Heavey’s that meant three rounds of drawings and approvals from neighbors as well as the St. Francis Homes Association. The board and the architectural committee rejected the first two proposals; and the third was the charm. A local, independent architect, Tom Branch, worked on all of the plans. Meanwhile, the family lived in a rental property awaiting their new home.

The enforcement of the Covenants Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) is crucial to maintain the architectural integrity for the home and the neighborhood, which boasts a curvilinear street plan that created a “residence park,” laid out by the famed Olmsted Brothers.

Once the approval was granted the construction process began and finished in nine months. It included: installing an elevator; putting in a in new foundation with reinforced concrete to make the home earthquake safe and adding a new drainage system to replace the dilapidated one from the original construction.

The process really forced Mike and Noreen to get involved at a higher level of commitment than most homeowners can imagine. The home still retains its original Spanish style, but the owners replaced the front door because it was completely ruined. It is now a comfortable yet vast home complete with every modern amenity.

At the end of the process, Petree Knighton, the St. Francis Homes Association president, who is a former city planner with an engineering and architectural background, wrote a letter to the owner drooling over the house’s remodel: “I just couldn’t wait to tell you how thrilled I am over the aesthetic of your new home. It is going to be beautiful and you should be very proud to have worked within our system to achieve such (a) magnificent home. … I am hopeful that you have found the extra effort well worth it in the end.”

The owners have now lived at the 5-bedroom, 6-bath property, which has two street frontages on both Santa Paula and Terrace, (another hindrance to a smooth project, but well worth it to be on the back of a gorgeous park) for over five years. But now that the kids are older, they are downsizing and the home is listed for $2,995,000.

Offered at $2,995,000
Size: 5-bed, 6-bath
Further Information: www.SantaPaulaAve.com [Katy Dinner]

Represented by Katy Dinner of Paragon. To arrange a showing contact the listing agent, your preferred Realtor, or fill out this form to get further information via San Francisco Luxury Living.

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Readers of San Francisco Luxury Living are invited to join Junior Achievement at the 12th Annual Taste of Success! Sip on a selection of fine wines and sample delicious foods from local restaurants & artisans while bidding on an array of items in their extensive live and silent auction. Additionally, enjoy live jazz, martini tastings and live chef demonstrations.

This year’s event takes place March 20th, 2010 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at Golden Gate Club. Tickets are available at jatasteofsuccess.eventbrite.com. If you enter discount code sfluxe and choose the general admission ticket your cost will be $65.00 per ticket instead of $75.00 for early bird, and $85.00 for general admission.

What: Taste of Success, A Benefit for Junior Achievement
Where: Golden Gate Club, Presidio
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Meet the “Next Top Chef,” Tyler Stone! An extraordinary young man, Chef Tyler Stone is one of America’s rising stars. A finalist on The Food Network’s, Next Top Chef, and author of “The Kid’s Cooking,” Chef Stone will sample dishes and sign copies of his cookbook. A portion of book sale proceeds will fund Junior Achievement programs.

Participating Wineries and Restaurants:
Duckhorn Vineyards, Hannah Nicole Vineyards, Due Vigne di famiglia, Kenwood Vineyards, James David Cellars, Provenance Vineyards, Hewitt Vineyard, Pellegrini Family Vineyards, Vin Nostro, Ravenswood Wine, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Yorkville Cellars, Sudwerk Brewery, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Mendocino Brewery, Mauritson Winery, Rosenbum Cellars, Grant St. Vineyards, Handley Cellars, Hagafen, Black Stallion Winery, Louis M. Martini, Miraglia Catering, Sol Food, Chef Tyler Stone, Dosa, and more.

The 2010 Event Committee:
Committee Chair Michael Leeder, Mark Berkowitz, Gi Paoletti, Eric Sleigh, Karen Clausen, Mike Ferguson, Dana Bolstad, Rob Sanders, Rory Sandstorm, Karthik Vasudevan, Holly Baxter, Claudia Juestel, Nicolette Phan, Fred Williamson, Gretel VanWalterop, Christy Ortiz, Suzanne Wilt, & Kevin Ponti.

For further information, visit www.jatasteofsuccess.eventbrite.com , email Aquintana@janorcal.org or call 925-465-1081.

One of our favorite designers in San Francisco, Matthew Turner of MacCaul Turner Design, recently gave a televised tour on NBC of a gorgeous Pacific Heights townhome that took nine years to design and develop. Matthew was the interior designer on the project, with Fisher Weisman, and Louis H. Felthouse was the architect, with Josehart Construction Management in charge of construction.

Matthew Turner, Interior Designer for 2935 Pacific

It is only because this magnificent home on Pacific Avenue is currently for sale by Gregg Lynn of Sotheby’s International Realty for $12,900,000 that we are able to get this privileged tour inside. With new construction so rare in Pacific Heights, it will be a while before anything similar is available.

The Entrance Gallery has a walnut entablature, limestone/marble floors and elegant chandeliers. The owner liked the hand-forged iron door so much, “we decided to take that element and extend it elsewhere in the home,” says Matthew.

Servicing four levels, the Grand Stair Hall and generous Elevator landings feature sophisticated forged-iron grillwork and walnut handrails.

The Great Room is showcased by luxurious walnut-paneling on the north wall, soaring ceilings and oversized windows presenting outlooks to a Southern Garden and stunning City views. Hidden doors lead to a Powder Room with Waterworks fixtures or an elegant Wet Bar.

An oversized fireplace with vintage wood mantle and marble surround endow this room designed for grand-scale entertaining. Alternatively, concealed walnut pocket doors close to create a Private Retreat or Screening Room. A climate-controlled 800+ bottle Wine Room features a top-line dishwasher and refrigerator.

The Second Floor begins with a large Family Room with a fireplace and two view balconies. An adjacent Grand Kitchen designed with myriad top-line appliances and large center island of stunning Costa Esmerelda granite countertops opens to a Breakfast Area. Nearby, a large Butler’s Pantry features ample storage and laundry appliance.

The Dining Room features a balcony, coffered ceiling with silver-foil accent and locking Silver Closet.

The paneled Living Room enjoys Northern windows and beautiful neighborhood outlooks. An adjacent elegant Wet Bar, Powder Room and Study complement this Level. With its darkly paneled environment, and touches of light upholstery and color, the cozy library is designer Matthew’s favorite room in the house.

The Third Floor features a Master Suite with a balcony, oversized fireplace, dual Closets and a sumptuous Master Bath with Jerusalem limestone gold floors, soaking view tub, dual vanities, spa/steam Shower Room for two and Water Closet. This floor additionally features two Bedrooms with a shared Bath, two en-suite Bedrooms and a Laundry Room.

The stunning Roof Terrace Level has “everything you could possibly need for outdoor entertaining,” according to Matthew. It features 2,500 square feet of luxurious outdoor living: a full outdoor kitchen, a dining area, a lounging area, a 12-person stainless steel hot tub, and a room to keep you warm when the San Francisco fog rolls in.

Additionally, the Family/Guest Level features a three-bedroom, three-bathroom Apartment with Kitchen, Living and Dining Areas, as well as Garden and street access.

Matthew Turner filming “Open House” in the backyard.

The home is made complete by a Crestron Home Automation System, enabling local or remote management of sophisticated lighting, security, acoustic, media and mechanical systems.

Further Information: 2935 Pacific [2935pacific.com]
Further Information: Sotheby’s International Realty [sothebyshomes.com/norcal]
Further Information: Matthew Turner [maccaulturner.com/]
Video: LXTV Open House

• Offered at $12,900,000
• Size: 8-bed, 7-bath (3-half)

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February 11, 2010: As the Bryant Park tent opened for the first shows of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the Fashion World was still reeling from the news of the passing of an irreverent, unforgettable, fashion icon, designer Alexander McQueen. The news was devastating and brought a solemn tone in counterpoint to the excitement of the beginning of the Fashion Season. Personally, I was in state of a shock as I was preparing to take off to New York.

This year’s Fashion Week was always going to be memorable. It was also always going to be a bit sad. But for different reasons. Rather than being a memorable event because of it being the last year the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week was going to take place in Bryant Park, instead it became a day to be remembered as the saddest day in the history of fashion.

Visitor’s to McQueen’s Manhattan store placed flowers and notes to commemorate his passing and express their sense of loss. McQueen was expected to present his latest collection on March 9 during Paris Fashion Week.

“We are devastated to learn of the death of Alexander McQueen, one of the greatest talents of his generation. He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen’s influence was astonishing-from street style to music culture and the world’s museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss,” read a statement by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour.

The Fashion World lost a young talented artist, known for his exquisite couture-quality gowns and over-the-top theatrical fashion presentations. He was innovative, a renegade and a revolutionary. He was also controversial. His repertoire was admired by some, Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Katie Holmes, and Penelope Cruz among them but also criticized by others. McQueen pushed boundaries like no other. His legacy will live on forever!

In Front of The Manhattan Alexander McQueen Store

February 13, 2010: It’s been two days since the tragic loss of our iconic designer, Alexander McQueen, but the show goes on.  The Fashion crowd gathered at Bryant Park to attend some of the most anticipated shows of the week today: George Chakra, Andy & Debb, Adam, Academy of Art University and Project Runway Six Season winner Irina Shabayeva.

George Chakra Runway Show at the Promenade in Bryant Park

In the midst of a freezing day, I attended the Edition by George Chakra fashion show at the Promenade. His collection dazzled the runway of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. He presented a total of 42 looks including a mix of beautiful cocktail dresses, asymmetrical, and strapless evening-wear with nude inserts, reverse tuxedo cocktail dresses and coats, lace pantsuits and an amazing wedgewood blue, double-face mohair, off-the-shoulder sweater, which was one of my favorite pieces….the off-the-shoulder mohair sweater was sexy, but yet chic…..I could have worn  that on my trip…It was so cold, and of course my closet is just full of mini dresses and mini furs…LOL!

Mohair Off-Shoulder Top

Red Cocktail Dress with Black Grosgrain

Boat Neck Silver Dress

Silver Asymmetrical Dress With Nude Inserts

Asymmetrical Lame Gown

The Lebanese designer’s collection was dominated by vibrant reds, blues, blacks, metallic and futuristic silvers in materials like chiffon, crepe, mink silk, velvet and lame. The focus of his collection, without any doubt, was excessiveness within bounds.  I, of course, was not the only one from the West Coast.  Many San Francisco Fashionistas were seen around: Kelly Grimes, Rachel Lena Esterline, Marcy Carmack, Joel Goodrich, Mark Calvano and Bahya Oumlil-Murad were among the attendees.

Backstage With George Chakra

A Guest Tries on a BVLGARI Necklace

BVLGARI celebrated the grand opening of its largest store in the U.S. with a magnificent in-store fete on March 2, 2010, hosted by Nicola Bulgari, Vice Chairman and grandson of founder Sotirio Bulgari, and USA Managing Director, Veronica Trenk.

As one of the most anticipated social events of the season, it was covered by media throughout the country including Women’s Wear Daily, Fashion Week Daily, Examiner.com, Haute Living, SFGate.com, SFBayStyle, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Charlotte Schultz (in Chanel) with Nicola Bulgari

Guests at the spectacular Union Square event numbered over 350, and included Mayor Gavin Newsom, Dede Wilsey, Denise Hale, Vanessa Getty, Willie Brown and Sonya Molodetskaya, Marissa Mayer and Zack Bogue, Tatiana and Serge Sorokko, Alan Malouf, Bita Daryabari, Kate Harbin, Alexis Traina, Alex Mehran Jr. and Maggie Rizer, Sloan and Roger Barnett, Cameron Silver, Maria Manetti Farrow, and OJ and Gary Shansby, JUST to name a few.

Marissa Mayer is Assisted by a BVLGARI Representative

Grey Goose cocktails, inspired by BVLGARI’s signature fragrances, were served at the event as VIPs and guests explored the gorgeous new store, while enjoying music from The Patrick Wolff Trio and DJ Max Chipchase.

Cameron Phleger Sparkles at the BVLGARI Counter

Barbara Brookins-Schneider, Chief Justice Ronald George, Barbara George

Mayor Gavin Newsom with BVLGARI’s Daniel Diaz

Jeffrey Weissman, Andrew Fisher

Grey Goose Vodka created special BVLGARI cocktails

Alexis Traina and Guests

The Two Daru’s — Daru Kawalkowski

Kay Walker, Sandy Walker, Lucy Jewett

Damion Matthews, Betty Kay Coakley, Joel Goodrich

Unique highlights included a spectacular collection of one-of-a-kind jewels and minaudieres from BVLGARI’s Vintage Archive Collection, all of which were on-display at the brand’s 125th anniversary retrospective exhibition in Rome; the personalization of a special accessory; the assembly of the Sotiro Bulgari watch and a breathtaking diamond and sapphire parue; as well as a private screening in the VIP lounge of some of BVLGARI’s most treasured Hollywood moments.

As for fashion, the evening had several major moments: Cameron Silver in his eye-catching Alexander McQueen, Vanessa Getty in vintage (we think Halston, but didn’t catch the name), Sonya Molodetskaya in a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta, Mireille Schwartz in a new design by Karen Caldwell, Tatiana Sorokko in architectural Ralph Rucci, Elizabeth Touw and Kate Harbin in Prada, Lindsay Bolton in Marchesa, and Marissa Mayer in exquisitely embroidered Naeem Khan.

Marissa Mayer (in Naeem Khan), with husband Zach Bogue

Maggie Rizer (in Marc Jacobs) with Tatiana Sorokko (in Ralph Rucci)

Maggie Rizer with Alex Mehran, Jr.

Vanessa Getty (in vintage)

Patrick Herning with Juliet de Baubigny (in Alexander McQueen)

Mark Rhoades, Mireille Schwartz (in Karen Caldwell) with Oliver and Karen Caldwell (in Galanos)

Bill Brady, Allison Speer and Troy Griepp

Troy and Angelique Griepp (in Monique Lhuillier)

Patrick Barber and Melissa Barber

Rob Van Es and Afsaneh Akhtari

Sobia Shaikh (in Roland Mouret) and Elisa Goldblatt

Barbara Brown (in Giambattista Valli) and Karen Tamblyn (in Ache)

Kate Harbin (in Prada) and Suzanne Levit

Sherri McMullen and Dr. Leslie Delaney

Maria Manetti Farrow and Dorotea Seffer

Michelle Curtis and Kelly Grimes

Jeana Toney, Jenna Hunt and Elizabeth Thieriot

Bita Daryabari and Anahita Afshar

Allison Pinkus and Elizabeth Touw (in Prada)

Lindsay Bolton (in Marchesa) and Carol Bonnie

Lana Adair, Jessica Moment and Sally Fowler

Lisa Alexander and Patrick Perigaud with Marcy Carmack

Mitchell Benjamin and Ricky Serbin

Cameron Silver (in Alexander McQueen)

Marilyn Cabak (holding Jack), and Michael Cabak

James Long and Lonna Wais

Willie Brown and Sonya Molodetskaya (in Oscar de la Renta)

Justin Fichelson and Cameron Phleger

Jorge Maumer and Bahya Murad

Steven Dinkelspiel and Nadine Weil

Katya Sorokko (in Fendi), and Greg Spencer

Linda Gordon and Mark Rhoades

Sloan Barnett (in Gucci and Léger), Denise Hale (in Ralph Rucci) and Nicola Bulgari

Gary and OJ Shansby (in Chanel… and yes, she wore it best)

Photos: Drew Altizer [drewaltizer.com]

7×7 and California Home + Design, designed by JR Studio
Photo by Stephanie Penn Photography

DIFFA’s Dining By Design
by Claudia Juestel

San Francisco’s most highly anticipated high-design charitable event DIFFA’s (Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS) Dining by Design never ceases to delight guests every time and continues to raise money for the Positive Health Program of the UCSF AIDS Research Institute. Even during the toughest of economic times the local design community showed its support.

For the past ten years very winter between thirty and fifty creative luminaries have conjured up tabletop installations filled with elegance, whimsy, irony, intelligence and glamour. They have come from the world of interior, floral and event design, as well as architecture and fashion, but have also included an author and TV host, a criminal trial lawyer and a rabbi. The artistic mind may work in many fields, but it has repeatedly found creative expression in this unique event where the only requirements are to create a stunning environment within the given foot print and seat ten people for dinner. The rest has always been up to the imagination of its creator.

Ronette King, Anthony Garrett, Christie McRae
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Co-chairs this time were Anthony Garrett and Ronette King, with global architectural firms HOK and Gensler, and Christie McRae, president of the established McRae and Co. showroom.

And of course the arbiters of good taste from the world of design and architecture came to see what their colleagues dreamed up. Among them were interior designers Marc Blackwell, Rose Tarlow, Brenda Mickel, Matthew Leverone, Cecilia Segrera, George Brazil, James Marzo, Kathleen Navarra, Barbara Ashfield, David Hansen, Gary Hutton, Marian Wheeler, Brian Dittmar, Jay Jeffers, Melanie Coddington, industrial designer Yves Behar, art advisor Holly Baxter, architectural photographer David Duncan Livingston and creative business coach Michael Purdy.

David Parks & Shirley Parks
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Also in attendance were antique dealers Rod Hipskind, Inja Yang, and Heather Di Pitrello, Gump’s charming CEO Marta Benson, famed restaurateur Brandy Ho, the new publisher of 7×7 Susie McCormick, Gentry Magazine’s editorial director Stefanie Lingle Beasley, SOMA Magazine’s editor in chief Ali Ghanbarian, wine expert and writer W. Blake Gray, St. Regis Hotel’s general manager Toni Knorr, Design Investment’s managing partner Margaret E. Touborg, Academy of Art University’s president Dr. Elisa Stephens, NBC meteorologist Craig Herrera, philanthropist Amy Yang, and Zero Divide’s chief strategy officer Timothy Wu.

Tara Arrowood & Rose Tarlow
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Again the two-night event at the San Francisco Design Center, starting out with the Table Hop & Taste preview night followed by the Gala Dinner, proved that our ingenious local talents always have an abundance of new ideas, as each vignette offered its own surprises.

Joel Robare of JR Studio was asked to design the setting for 7×7 and California Home + Design magazines. Inspired by Amistead Maupin’s classic “The Tales of the City” he created a Bohemian-chic environment for an imaginary dinner party on Barbary Lane. Joel paired high Victorian antiques from Coup d’Etat with décor and colors from the ‘70s. Reflecting on that time period he placed a bar tray with crystal decanters full of liquor right in the middle of the dinner table, filled tea cups with “magic” mushrooms and packed a silver tumbler with rolled white chocolate joints from Cake Works. His wit and elegance made this a stunning installation.

7×7 and California Home + Design, designed by JR Studio
Photo by Stephanie Penn Photography

Rhonda Hirata, Tim Treadway, Martha Thompson
Photo by Arrowood Photography

I had the pleasure of dining at Lisa Quinn’s table. Since she was at a shoot in Los Angeles we were graciously hosted by Lisa’s associate Kristi Witt who shared her excitement of helping with the installation by the TV host of “Home with Lisa Quinn”. Lisa was inspired by her of viewers, who most likely are watching her show while having dinner. So we watched her on TV as well, while indulging in a wonderful meal by Taste Catering and lounging on sofas and benches from Ikea, which was apparently the main resource for this design. Lisa and her team got an impressive presentation from a small budget.

Home with Lisa Quinn, designed by Lisa Quinn
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Barbara Buzon & Mauricio Sanchez
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Karman Ng of Cantilever Design and architect Carey Cheng also aimed to design a space not challenged by a limited budget. Most of the components came from Home Depot, and humble building materials were transformed into a striking contemporary design. Sustainability also played a big role in their choices. The platform was made from salvaged shipping palettes and FSC-certified plywood, the chairs and benches were also made from the same plywood and finished with a clear coat made from renewable whey proteins, and the artwork by local artist Jamie Spinello named “Leucos Kytos” represented the cell-based AIDS virus. It was comprised of upcycled materials such as plastic bottles, magazine pages and discarded plastic photo paper. Karman’s many years of attending the event as a guest prior to participating as a designer surely inspired him to also visually honor the charity itself in such a subtle fashion.

Cantilever Design, designed by Karman Ng and Carey Cheng
Photo: Arrowood Photography

Scot Meacham Wood, Donna Sachet, Mark Newman
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Gil Mendez’s vignette for Anthem and Murray’s Ironworks was both refined and rustic. Gil was inspired by the Mexican tree of life and the great courtyards of San Miguel de Allende. The cast aluminum chairs and console designed by Gil, the iron tree trunk table and chandelier, the nickel floor lamps, the tin flower mirrors, the silver candle sticks and the pewter trays, balanced by a soft wool rug from Tufenkian, reminiscent of stone tiles, and a centerpiece of succulents, all together created a ferrous fantasy that felt rooted in nature while still appearing surprisingly urban.

Murray’s Ironworks & Anthem, designed by Gil Mendez
Photo: Kathryn McDonald Photography

Deborah Greenspan, Tim Wu, Dr. John Greenspan
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Robert Fung with the event design company Hartmann Studios was not going for subtlety. Fuchsia patent leather chairs and walls were unapologetically paired with black and silver, giving off playful yet a slight naughty feel, but in a most agreeable fashion.

Hartmann Studios, designed by Robert Fung
Photo by Arrowood Photography

David Pace & Heide Betz
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Gensler went for a conceptual look reminding us all that Dining by Design after all is an AIDS fundraiser. Their theme of optimism was reflected in the words that made up the surrounding structure and the hundreds of ribbons hanging over their table, which guests joyfully collected.

Gensler
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Jane Evans & Paul Evans
Photo by Arrowood Photography

David Stark’s installation for Benjamin Moore’s made me feel like Gulliver travelling to Brobdingnag, as I passed a brush twice as tall as me and walked into a giant paint can. That is one of the wonderful things about Dining by Design, where one set as thought provoking as that of Gensler’s can be next to something so whimsical and humorous.

Benjamin Moore, designed by David Stark
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Janelle Loevner & Kirk Loevner
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Fashion designer to the First Lady Jason Wu collaborated with architect Giancarlo Valle who deconstructed the cube to create the tablescape for Stolichnaya Elit with an ice-cube-shaped light fixture, geometrically textured walls and an endless abundance of glassware, ready to be filled with some Vodka one assumes.

Stolichnaya Elite, designed by Jason Wu and Giancarlo Valle
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Drawing of the development of the shape of the room by Giancarlo Valle
Drawings courtesy of Giancarlo Valle

Joe Freund & Ron Ryan
Photo by Arrowood Photography

While Dining by Design is always the perfect opportunity for us designers to really play with the kind of drama some of our clients might perhaps find a bit over the top, some still go for understated elegance. That is what The Wiseman Group did with their installation for Shears & Window, which featured designs by Rose Tarlow Melrose House in a clean and modern dining room that could go straight from the event to someone’s home.

Shears & Window, designed by the Wiseman Group
Photo by Arrowood Photography

Dining by Design is an event filled with inspiration and countless ideas many take home to liven up their own dining rooms and table settings, but it also a fabulous celebrations of creative minds in support of the Positive Health Program, without which many people afflicted with AIDS would not have a place to go to get treatment and support. Our sincere thanks to all the sponsors and designers, the hardworking committee members and the volunteers who every year give it their all to make Dining by Design a success.