San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2023: Step Inside the Newly Reimagined Spanish

By Alia Akkam

An 18th-century, Spanish-style abode—with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay—is home to the San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2023. The nearly 6,100-square-foot residence located at 625 El Camino Del Mar in the city's posh Sea Cliff enclave is now open for tours (through May 29), with ticket sales once again supporting the San Francisco University High School Financial Aid Program.

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Built in 1927 by the notable bank architects Hyman and Appleton, the home teems with compelling spaces. In all, 22 design studios reimagined the home's three floors. What's trending among them? Rounded edges, sophisticated plasterwork, contemporary artworks, and rich, hand-painted details.

"I love the relatability [the house] offers. It is not too big, yet [it] fits in everything a family would need," says Jenny Bittner Borden, director of the showcase's operations. And it's just enough space for the region's talents to explore what's inspiring in this moment too. Below, step inside the San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2023, with 28 imaginative spaces that honor both the house's Mediterranean architecture and arresting views of the San Francisco Bay.

The San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2023, with front garden by Martinelli Design

Front garden by Martinelli Design

Visitors are greeted by a Mediterranean meets Californian aesthetic in the front garden, where Russell Martinelli plays with scale by using raised, oversized metal planters to draw the eye upwards. Then the details sink in: the fountain, the Shou Sugi Ban bench, the Star Power cushion fabric from Perennials—all of which reinterpret the black dress and white pearls that Audrey Hepburn dons in *Breakfast at Tiffany's—*and the grand, wide staircase. Martinelli refinished it in a "textured Spanish star-and-cross pattern and painted the brick a softer taupe in lieu of the original exposed concrete aggregate and red brick," he says, "which complements the fresh white and charcoal exterior paint."

Foyer by Geddes Ulinskas Architects

Foyer by Geddes Ulinskas Architects

Rising from the foyer, over the winding concrete staircase and up to the atrium, is a tree that Geddes Ulinskas Architects built by hand alongside a half dozen craftspeople. "Each branch comprises eight sheets of medium-density fiberboard that were laminated, hand-bent together, fastened with epoxy and screws, sanded, finished, and hung. The lenses all had to be hand-templated and hand-cut to account for the imperfections of the human process," says project designer Meredith Brown. Grounding the vestibule is a custom Stephen Antonson cocktail table and Natasha Baradaran poufs (both from De Sousa Hughes) atop a rug from The Rug Company.

Antechamber by AubreyMaxwell

Powder room by AubreyMaxwell

Powder room and Antechamber by AubreyMaxwell

Flanked by bronze Portal sconces by Konekt, the "giant carved wood mirror frame produced by Casey Johnson Studio is a mighty presence in the room," says AubreyMaxwell cofounder Robbie McMillan. "It has a great connection to the misty landscape mural on the surrounding walls [courtesy of Phillip Jeffries] and brings the earthy quality of oiled oak into play. We used a bronze-colored mirror here in an organic shape that might be seen as a cave opening or a secret passage into a massive tree trunk." Starring Explosion Blue quartzite that nods to the Pacific Ocean, the powder room is entirely "cloaked in soft green limewash that shimmers in the light and mimics the idea of mossy walls," adds AubreyMaxwell cofounder Marcus Keller.

Study by Coy & Company

Study by Coy & Company

In traditional 18th- and 19th-century morning rooms, "the day's first rays of light would fill the space, and the lady of the residence would prepare for her day," says Geoffrey Coy, CEO and principal of Coy & Company. That uplifting, productive vibe comes easily in this modern-day study thanks to an alcove wrapped in Kelly Wearstler's Mineral wallpaper, a Donghia-upholstered swivel chair, and a large work by Brooklyn artist Marc Lambrechts. The highlight, according to Coy? "Our custom oscillating ceiling detail inspired by millwork of the 1800s."

Living room by Kimberly Denman Inc.

Living room by Kimberly Denman Inc.

For the living room, Kimberly Denman Rebuffel sought to create a chic European-style ambiance, one reminiscent of Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan. "This room is filled with pieces and furniture that are designed and produced with such skill and artistry," says the designer. A Maya Romanoff wallpaper brings visual depth to the space, while other standouts include a McEwen Lighting Studio chandelier, Denman's own limited cast-bronze Cerus armchair and Urn lamps, and a slew of contemporary artworks that "lead to continuous discovery for the inhabitants," says studio partner Laurent Rebuffel.

Dining room by Chroma

Dining room by Chroma

The moody, artwork-filled Apollonia dining room takes its cues from surrealism, specifically Salvador Dalí's 1934 painting Enigmatic Elements in a Landscape. That theme paves the way for such treasures as an expansive mural by Rafael Arana. The interior also features a custom tonal rug by Mark Nelson Designs, geometric patterned window coverings fabricated by Magnolia Lane, Edward Wormley dining chairs, and a lacquered table made with furniture designer Julian Giuntoli characterized by an eglomise inset.

Kitchen by Lauren Berry Interior Design

Kitchen by Lauren Berry Interior Design

Kitchen by Lauren Berry Interior Design

Functional but elegant, the gourmet kitchen brings together natural materials such as rift white oak and honed Calacatta marble with Holly Hunt fabrics and local artwork. With the notion of mise en place top of mind, designer Lauren Berry prioritized organization in the space. Consider the sliding marble panels behind the range (which open to built-in shelving) or the tall black metal and glass-lit display cabinet. "I avoided the predictable island pendants, which can be obtrusive, and instead created a raised tray ceiling with cove lighting above the generous 10-foot-high ceiling," she says, noting how it provides a "monolithic and uninterrupted focal point from dining and breakfast rooms."

Sunroom by Dina Bandman Interiors

Sunroom by Dina Bandman Interiors

Dina Bandman designed this airy, sage-toned offshoot of the kitchen with convivial Mahjong games and decadent afternoon tea spreads in mind. Charles Leonard's hand-painted geometric flooring and deGournay's floral wallpaper set an elegant tone that is buoyed by furnishings from Hewn. The white plaster palm Paul Ferrante chandelier, the wire-brushed oak Marcali table, and the Marcali chairs upholstered in Holland & Sherry soft wool sateen are all tied together with Madina Aryeh's custom window coverings.

Salon by Malone

Salon by Malone

Once she noted the carved-wood door and arched stained glass window, Malone Detro knew the house's one-time walk-in closet and mailroom had great potential. So she rounded up her family of tradespeople to assist in executing an escape—"somewhere you could go during a busy dinner party to catch a private moment," she says. Her brother-in-law, a general contractor, stained and finished the cabinetry; her brother, who runs Potaito Fine Furniture, designed and built the sycamore bar stools; and her soon-to-retire carpenter father built the undulating walnut shelves. The Patagonia granite bar "[acts] as the glue between old and new," Detro says. "The shelves lay directly in front of that window, breathing new life into the space and creating a function for it that was not there before."

Family room by DLC-ID

Family room by DLC-ID

Family room by DLC-ID

Transforming a large octagonal hallway into a multipurpose family room was certainly a challenge for DLC-ID, but owner and principal Jon de la Cruz maximized the shape by choosing "a calm, restrained color palette to further enhance the natural light and shadow," he says. Pale, limewashed walls pull from the home's neighboring terra-cotta roofs, while stone, gilded bronze, plush velvet, knotted wood, and lacquered parchment add rich layers. De la Cruz's myriad custom furnishings mingle with a hand-knotted, Empire-style chandelier made in Mexico, Danish armchairs from the ’70s, and a Carrara marble dining table by Angelo Mangiarotti for Agapecasa.

Primary bedroom by Tineke Triggs

Closet by Tineke Triggs

Bathroom by Tineke Triggs

Primary bedroom, closet, and bathroom suite by Tineke Triggs

Spanning a bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom, the primary suite aims to "strike a harmonious balance between light and dark, demure and bold," says Tineke Triggs. As an ode to the vitality of gemstones, the bedroom unites a custom upholstered Una Malan bed, MJ Atelier wallpaper, and Marzio Cecchi lounge chairs with custom Tracy Glover Studio sconces, a rug designed by Triggs, and a decorative ceiling mural by Caroline Lizarraga. A mix of custom Go Build Studio vanities, stone slabs from Da Vinci marble, and Triggs’ own tiles in the bathroom "serve as the sultry counterpart to the bedroom," she adds.

Guest bedroom by Miyuki Yamaguchi Design Studio

Guest bedroom by Miyuki Yamaguchi Design Studio

The moment Miyuki Yamaguchi laid eyes on deGournay's Wisteria wallpaper, it brought back memories of young adulthood, when she would chat with her next-door neighbor, the lauded linguist professor Murray Barnson Emeneau, about the wisteria that bloomed every spring. Building upon the elegance of that nostalgic wall covering, Yamaguchi's guest bedroom incorporates a silk bed canopy and organza sheer curtain, John Dickinson's African table from Sutherland Furniture, and a trifecta of pieces from Ironies, including the Prise table lamp. Its classic urn form makes "a statement in a modern way with a unique ‘worn’ marble texture," says Yamaguchi.

Bedroom by EJ Interior Design

Bathroom by EJ Interior Design

Closet by EJ Interior Design

Kids’ bedroom and bathroom suite by EJ Interior Design

Shapes and colors collide in this cheerful children's bedroom featuring a custom bed informed by the 1980s’ Memphis movement. A Moustache desk chair and made-in-Oaxaca rug developed with Casa Muñiz Design further enliven the room. "Pierre Frey's Arty pattern adds painterly strokes to the ceiling and window surfaces, creating a playful contrast to the rigid geometry of the bed," says firm founder Eugenia Jesberg. The bathroom is just as bright with its papaya-hued wainscoting and confetti-like mosaic tile in various jewel tones from New Ravenna. "This random pattern reiterates our goal to foster positive feelings," says design director Emma Jesberg.

Bedroom by Chantal Lamberto

Bathroom by Chantal Lamberto

Bedroom and bathroom suite by Chantal Lamberto

A longtime fan of the butterfly-emblazoned Queen's Flight wallpaper by Peg Norriss for Schumacher, Chantal Lamberto made the sand-hued version the starting point of her whimsical children's bedroom. The space also features a refinished antique dresser, Hans Wegner Wishbone chair, and Annie Selke woven jute area rug. As a restrained juxtaposition, the bathroom's hand-painted Porter Teleo wallpaper is paired with black-and-white striped stone wainscoting, and "the flooring is a prismatic black-and-white stone mosaic that adds a hint of whimsy," Lamberto says.

Bedroom by Marsh & Clark Design

Bathroom by Marsh & Clark Design

Guest bedroom and bathroom suite by Marsh & Clark Design

To conjure a blissful state of relaxation in the bedroom, Marsh & Clark Design melded a floral installation with antiques and "a softly sloped headboard that curves around the bed and side table. It's an asymmetric hug that envelops you in all senses," says owner and principal designer Stephanie Fillbrandt. "The walls harken a feeling of gentle movement and the lighting [lofts above] in bird form." It's just as soothing in the bathroom with its Articolo pendant, micro-glass tile flooring, and textured plaster walls.

Media room and wine cellar by Noz Design

Wet bar by Noz Design

Media room and wine cellar by Noz Design

"I wanted to create a dreamy space that transported you out of a four-wall room and into a celestial experience while also designing a cozy space that you’d want to relax in," says Noz Nazawa of her media room. Murals painted by decorative artist Caroline Lizarraga weave in gold constellations, ceiling fixtures resemble the Big Dipper, and a custom Marcali sofa (available at Hewn) recalls the Lobster Nebula, particularly since it's placed on a black rug in the shape of the Scorpius constellation. With translucent racks backdropped by Lizarraga's cobalt blue Venetian plaster walls, the wine cellar is just as trippy.

Playroom by Shelley & Company Interior Design

Playroom by Shelley & Company Interior Design

An acrylic swing set, petal-shaped wooden stools, and 3D sculptural trees turn this indoor playroom into a wonderland for children of all ages. Making the biggest splash is the full-scale mural of Christian Lacroix's It's Paradise wall covering. "We were sure to honor his whimsical theme throughout the room with the help of our custom and hand-sewn patterned kites from Tulu Textiles adorned with delicate fringes, beading, and intricate embroidery," says principal designer Shelley Cahan. "Like Christian, I have always found myself drawn to deep saturation of color, pattern, and the unexpected."

Office by Lizette Marie Interior Design

Office by Lizette Marie Interior Design

Acknowledging that the role of the home office is ever changing, designer Lizette Marie Bruckstein wanted this den to feel "as equally suited to Zoom calls with titans of industry as it is for evening cocktails or family game nights on the floor," she says. Espresso-hued paneling, a matte black ceiling, and Dedar-upholstered vintage armchairs lend a glamorous sheen to the space, but it's the custom Breccia Capraia marble–and–oak desk that truly shines. "The feat of creating a round base from a flat slab, infusing that base with strength and balance and then seamlessly attaching the solid oak top such that it could function structurally required quite a bit of engineering," says the designer.

Laundry room by MGG Designs

Laundry room by MGG Designs

It's a dog's world—at least in designer Mini Gangwal's laundry room. The Doggone Good wallpaper by Bridgett Stahlman for Spoonflower and bone-adorned wall rack play into the theme. A 2Modern stool, Crossville floor tiles, and LG washer and dryer outfit the rest of the hard-working space.

Bathroom by Ruben Marquez Interior Design

Gym by Kyle Hill Design

Bathroom by Ruben Marquez Interior Design

Tucked into the lower level, "we wanted to set this diminutive bathroom apart from the rest of the house," says Ruben Marquez, who embraced a floating Kohler vanity and textured Arizona Tile on the walls to elicit a private members’ club atmosphere. "Instead of using tiles or a mosaic sheet, I customized the floor [using] quartz slabs, and created a rectilinear pattern that creates visual and architectural interest." Another perk? Heated cables underfoot.

Gym by Kyle Hill Design

Mind, body, and spirit all get nurtured in Kyle Hill Design's fitness room. Drawing from wellness centers around the world, it combines a Lululemon Studio mirror and custom Pilates reformer with bespoke furniture like a CB2 meditation chair and EQ3 workout table. But chestnut wood paneling and Kelly Wearstler lighting instill the high-tech space with a tranquil, balancing aura too.

Elevator by Elan Evans Decorative Finishes

Elevator by Elan Evans Decorative Finishes

One evening, Elan Evans drove up to her garden at "that moment just before the sunlight goes entirely and everything seems to be touched with little glints of gold," she recalls. "It filled me with a sense of peace and renewal." That serenity is what she wanted the elevator to convey, and she achieved it through colors like Benjamin Moore's Amorous, a dusty purple, and a range of metallic paints from Modern Masters that she applied with a check roller. "I love how the Arteriors Izzy fixture stands in for the rising moon—and the seeded glass has a similar texture to the paint finishes."