SF Design Week favourites

I had so much fun last week at the San Francisco Design Center's Design Week.  My lovely and talented friend, Nicola Chipps (founder of British Best and All The Rest blog) and I managed to cover most of the events.  We even carved out a little time for lunch at my favourite restaurant in the design district - Skool AND guess who was sitting next to us??  Jonathan Adler!!!  Yup!!!  So much fun.  

Another highlight was actually meeting Jeffrey Marks at the Palecek event....  here's a snapshot of the three of us.  ArtHaus gallery owner James Bacchi calls us Absolutely Designers (well, Nicola and I are British, darling!):

Jeffrey, Valerie and Nicola at the wonderful Palecek event

Speaking of James....  we also spent time at the Modern Fever event which was lots of fun.  Modern Fever and ArtHaus are also collaborating on five new designs in limited edition, based on paintings by acclaimed artist, singer and actor - Franc D'Ambrosio.  This event will debut on March 20th.  Here's a sneak peek:

From Above, 8’x10’, hand knotted, hand spun Tibetan wool and silk

According to ArtHaus Gallerists James Bacchi and Annette Schutz, “The ArtHaus FLOOR SHOW COLLECTION is an exciting addition to a roster of past and upcoming Fine Art/Design collaborations. Working with Modern Fever and Gallery Artist Franc D’Ambrosio to create this collection is quite special".

Oasis, 8’x10’, hand knotted, hand spun Tibetan wool and silk

Franc D’Ambrosio’s first solo exhibition, THE PAINTER, at ArtHaus captured the attention of collectors, designers and art critics. Select paintings from this exhibition were acquired for private and corporate collections world wide. THE PAINTER was featured on ABC-7 News, the San Francisco Chronicle, Art Business News, ArtSlant and Stages Magazine.  His unusual technique of deconstructing acrylic on canvas by applying the force of water between layers of acrylic and oils produces a texturized surface that is surprisingly beautiful and smooth to the touch.

Spring, 8’x10’, hand knotted, hand spun Tibetan wool and silk

In celebration of Spring, Modern Fever will introduce the ArtHaus FLOOR SHOW COLLECTION at their San Francisco Design Center, Galleria Showroom on Wednesday evening, March 20th, 2013, 5:00pm-8:00pm. A by-invitation-only cocktail reception will feature an exhibition of the painting that inspired the collection, and a special, live performance by Franc D’Ambrosio.

Waling with the Angels

The Clearing, 8’x10’, hand knotted,
hand spun Tibetan wool and silk

For further information contact:

Modern Fever
415-522-6666

California Impressions at ArtHaus

Tonight is the Opening Reception for an amazing group of artists.  The works are Californian inspired in various media by Carolyn Meyer, Matthew Frederick, Brian Blood, Gioi Tran, Daniel Berman, Deborah Brown, Michal Venera, Eric Engstrom and Franc D'Ambrosio.

I had a sneak peak on Tuesday and every piece looks amazing.  I was like a kid in a candy shop.

If you have a chance - stop by between 6pm and 8pm:

ArtHaus

411 Brannan Street

San Francisco

Just in time for the holidays...JV Staging's new store

As you may have noticed, I haven't been blogging for quite some time...  I am pleased to say it's because work got really busy.  Finally, I'm coming up for air and wanted to share a little something Jane (my business partner at JV Staging) and I have been working on.

We both share a passion for global travel and have been incorporating a lot of our beautiful finds from around the world into our staged properties.

To whet your appetite, we're starting off with a few fun pillows (or as we call them in the UK - cushions) - many from my Summer travels to England and a beautiful pair of zebra pillows from deepest Peru which Jane found on a recent trip.

This is just the start - keep checking back with us as we have some special and unique items coming up from New Zealand, Paris, Morocco and India!

Here's a screen shot of our store:

My UK finds are quite patriotic....  well, we did have quite the year with the Jubilee and the Olympics:

This Aran pillow was hand-made in England for me by a very special lady - it's totally one of a kind and I helped pick out the wooden buttons:

Love the subtle tartan fabric:

A pair of sophisticated pillows:

Finally, Jane found these zebra pillows in Peru - they are beautifully woven:

Please don't hesitate to call us (our contact details are on our website) if you want to know more about any of these items....  in the meantime - check out our website:

www.jvstaging.com

Happy shopping and here's to a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Valerie Wills Interiors and JV Staging xoxo

Featured designer in Bonhams magazine

I was contacted by Bonhams auction house a few months ago and asked if I was interested in being the featured designer!!  I thought it was some sort of hoax.....  but it wasn't and I was well and truly honored to be interviewed.  The day I arrived to have my photo taken, I was given a sneak peek into the bowels of Bonhams, it was like being on the set of Downton Abbey - guys with brown coats carrying antiques and period items, then behind a curtain was the photography department.  I loved every minute!!  A HUGE thank you to everyone involved, the staff were amazing and made me feel very special.

Here it is.....

North Wales visit

I'm currently in the UK visiting my parents and doing a little buying for my company...  the stores here are full of Union Jack paraphernalia...  well, we are in the thick of the Olympics and I'm loving the patriotic nature of my fellow Brits!!  

I've posted a few store finds on my Facebook page (same name as this blog) but I thought I'd share a few scenery shots as I am now in North Wales.

 Conway castle

 Llandudno Bay

Llandudno beach 

 St. Tudno's Church, Great Orme

 Llandudno Bay

 Smallest house ever!!  Conway

 Old Tudor house in Beaumaris

Entryways

Entryways, hallways or receptions areas are the first room in your home that anyone gets to see.  Large companies pay designers a lot of money to get the look and feel of their offices just right....  first impressions really do count.  Yet in our homes the entryway tends to be forgotten....  a mere place to throw off your shoes and drop your keys.  So I thought I would inspire you today!  Here are a few of my favourites:

My suggestions for a great hallway:

--  For oversized entryways - a round library table filled with gorgeous books and a vase of flowers

--  Great artwork - it doesn't have to be expensive - blow up a few shots and change them to sepia

--  Large mirrors really open up narrow hallways 

--  If you are feeling daring then go for a bold colour or even try wallpaper

Happy decorating!

If you don't think you can tackle a project - then feel free to contact me!

All images www.housetohome.co.uk