April 01, 2005

Back to the table of Contents Page

Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

Lush and lovely

by Carol Blitzer

Rich -- That's the word that sums up this year's Decorators' Show House, held at the Mark Hopkins mansion in Atherton. Rich -- as in warm, deep colors; textured, faux-painted walls; fabrics in leather and silk.

The mansion itself is a treat to behold. One of three homes built for the grandniece of Mark Hopkins in 1904, it was designed by Bliss & Favrille -- who also created the St. Francis Hotel, Sacred Heart Convent and the Masonic Temple in San Francisco.

Show house visitors will get an inside view of the recently restored home, with its high ceilings, dark wood crown moldings in the living room, marble and onyx in bathrooms and kitchen.

Throughout the home a subtle silvery green contrasts with pale, sandy gold. In the living room, for example, the pale-green walls seem to make the oiled crown molding and fireplace mantel pop. Designed by Penny Chin of Redwood City, the room is an eclectic mix of old and new, with a soft, warm brown sectional sofa, accented with an occasional chair in a subtle green and brown plaid.

Window coverings lean towards the formal, with most suspended from heavy rods just under the crown molding. All drop at least to the floor, some puddling gracefully.

In the master bedroom, designed by Vicki Saxton and Renee Prudhomme of Flegel's in Menlo Park, it was the drapery fabric that caught their eyes. At the Beacon Hill showroom in San Francisco, they found the raffia stitched on silk and coupled it with a ruched topping. The silvery blue-green is echoed in the bedding, tarnished silver wall sconces, mirrored console and Venetian mirror. The room has an Italian motif, Saxton said, including the hand-painted and antique silver-leafed, Juliette poster bed. The one exception are the pair of French Deco chairs, with rose-patterned fabric.

Like every large designer show house, this one is filled with nooks and crannies -- and little surprises. The Gentleman's Closet offers a masculine escape, complete with glass-doored bookcase, brandy snifter and empty glass and a comfy chair -- adjacent to a large window overlooking the roof. An open alcove upstairs by Tina Martinez of Monterey is a tightly designed window area, with much attention to detail. Note the hand-sewn beads on the sheer curtain and the tied outer drape.

Jane Antonacci designed the terrace bedroom and rooftop garden as an art lover's retreat. Contemporary and modern (1930s-1970s) art includes a sketch by Henry Moore and a Marc Chagall lithograph, set against walls finished to resemble suede in a deep, brick red.

Inspired by a trip to Paris, Antonacci designed a mirrored console with faceted glass, as well as a large coffee table in magassar ebony veneer and faux ivory inlay, which resembles an inlaid Middle Eastern box. The black and white, flocked moire draperies pick up the inlay pattern. An Ethiopian chair, carved from a single tree trunk, adds an ethnic touch.

Antonacci continues her art lover's theme on the terrace, with a water sculpture by Archie Held, a Haitian tree of life wall hanging made from steel drums and a pair of whimsical figures in concrete and mosaic, made by Solomon Bassoff of Faducci.

"I'm trying to show people you can take modern and traditional and not be afraid," said Joe Hittinger of Palo Alto, who designed the upper hallway. He grouped a variety of art forms, including wall art made from old paperback book pages that were cut and folded into pinwheels and secured with faux-ivory buttons and nails, along with sculpture and an oil painting. Nearby are a pair of Chinese Chippendale chairs and a brand-new mirrored chest.

Other areas not to miss:

** the marble-countered kitchen, with white brick-tile backsplash and the adjacent glass-brick backsplash to the bar sink;

** the playful painted floor design depicting a game board and scattered playing cards on the floor of the bathroom adjacent to the game room;

** the exquisite marble tile floor of the heritage bathroom upstairs, with its medieval stained glass window, original claw-foot tub and blinking electric "candles."

Part of the fun of attending decorator show houses is learning who designed what, and gaining access to artists and craftspeople. The program credits each room and space, giving visitors a chance to follow up for further information.

Between 7,000-10,000 people are expected to attend this year's Decorators' Show House, which benefits the Coyote Point Museum in San Mateo. And it's all available for purchase, newly listed at $10,950,000.


Assistant editor Carol Blitzer can be reached at cblitzer@paweekly.com.

What: Decorators' Show House 2005.

When: Saturday, April 2, through Sunday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Where: 41 Lowery Drive, Atherton.

Tickets: $25 at the door; $18 per person for groups of 12 or more (call (650) 348-7220 for group tour information).

Parking: On weekends, park at Laurel School (at Ringwood and Edge); other days park on nearby streets (but not on Lowery or Edge).

Info: Visit www.cpmashowhouse.org or call (650) 566-8175.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.