Opening Night of the San Francisco Decorator Showcase Is a Dazzling Display of Design
Anegra Gupta, Roya Pourmand, Everson Perez and Chantal Lamberto
Ed Jay
This article was originally posted in the Nob Hill Gazette by Katie Sweeney.
The San Francisco Decorator Showcase opening party is a must-attend event for design aficionados who love a fabulous fete in a spectacular setting. The opening of the 45th annual showcase sold out its 400 tickets in less than two days, and the exclusive extravaganza did not disappoint. “It was back to glamour again,” says interior designer Suzanne Tucker. “It felt exciting and invigorating. Everyone was up for a good time — all the designers who contributed to this extraordinary house to help support University High School.” Tucker designed the dining room of the Bliss Estate, the magnificent four-story mansion on Broadway that serves as the 2024 house, which is in fact the very same dining room she designed when the Showcase last took over the Bliss Estate 35 years ago. Since its inception, the Decorator Showcase has raised over $18 million for the school’s financial aid program, allowing hundreds of Bay Area students education access.
On the heels of the bustling Patron Preview Gala the night before, which drew a whopping 600 attendees, stylish guests like artist Kate Tova and CEO Burcu Garnier sipped white wine and nibbled delicious canapes while touring the 32 spaces on view. The vibe was celebratory and welcoming, and inspiration was everywhere. “I am always blown away by the other designers’ rooms,” said first-time Showcase participant Holly Kopman. She designed the ground-floor party bathroom and offered guests tequila shots to get things going. “My bathroom became a hang-out room, which was the intention!”
Another first-time participant, Alexis Ring, loved seeing her space, a jewel box room for rest and reflection, come to life. “I kept hearing that ‘The Angler’s Hideaway’ struck so many people as a place they’d like to stay for a while,” she said. “From the room’s rich colors to the unique wallpaper to the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, guests felt the cozy, soulful, comfortable, yet elegant, vibe I sought to create.”
A sense of cohesiveness was noticeable moving among the Showcase’s four floors, where shades of pink and green were used throughout, as were standout ceilings adorned with mirrors, wallpaper or vibrant paint. It made the entire event feel like an immersive design experience — a warm, enveloping embrace from the community that came out in full force to support and encourage each other. Four-time Showcase veteran Jay Jeffers put it perfectly: “It’s always fun to watch the faces of people walking into my room on opening night. Jaws dropped as they looked up at the fantastic faux bois ceiling painted by Willem Racke. It’s a real treat to share my designs with San Francisco!” NHG Sponsored
