Design Squared

Tulip Tulip How I Love Thee On A Tree

2012-03-04T16:38:00.000-08:00

This time of year makes mehappy. Just about everywhere I amseeing my favorite Saucer Magnolias with their grand sweeping bows laden withthose gorgeous purple and white blooms.

The buds make me think ofNina Campbell’s tertiary color palette particularly her combination of celerygreens and pale purples. Lovely.

Barbara Ashfield

The Look Of Love

2012-02-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

In our vocation we usefurniture, fabrics, accessories and lighting to express a mood or feeling. Inhonor of St. Valentine’s Day, we wondered what it might look like to expressthe feeling of love using these tools. Here are a few examples of what the“Interior of Love” might contain…

A Fornasetti tray...

A contemporary "Tete-a-tete"...

A Chinoissiere bed frame from Anthropologie...

A fabric from Donghia...

A red Parsons table...

A silver Champagne bucket...

A red coral chandelier...

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

David Hansen

Inscribed With Light

2012-02-03T18:34:00.000-08:00

Ever since my post onHoliday Illumination (which can be found here), I’ve been obsessed with light and how itphotographs. Imagine my joy when I learned about collaboration between twoEuropean artists that involves just that.

Tabarly-Nantes 2011

Julien Breton (aka Kaalam)is a French artist who is inspired by Calligraphy. He melds Arabic and OldEnglish styles in light using long exposures to create focal points that areseemingly familiar. He collaborates with photographer David Gallard (aka Mr.Guep). Together they create landscapes that they have dubbed as “abstractCalligraphy” using unique light accents, which are unlike anything I’ve seenbefore.

Under The City-Nantes 2011

Intimite-Dampsmesil 2011

The Movement Abbaretz 2011

All hail the marriage ofphotography and light!

David Hansen

Top photo:
Aerial-Dampsmesil 2011
All photographs taken fromJulien Breton’s artist site here.

Visit Kaalam’s Flickr pagehere.

Feast For The Festive

2011-12-31T09:25:00.000-08:00

With New Year’s Eve uponus, many of us will be celebrating with friends over supper – whether it beelaborate or simple, no matter. It’s the thought behind the menu that keeps it interesting, and, ofcourse, the company.

I’m ringing in the NewYear with dear friends at a sit down dinner party that promises to be nothingshort of divine. Boef Bournignonhas star billing, the hostess is trés chic and I’m certain the table will bejust as glorious as the meal.

Take a look at these fabuloustable settings – giving truth to the adage “a picture is worth a thousandwords” --I wouldn’t mind being a guest at any one of them, wouldyou? The range is marvelous andeach one sublime.

Cheers,

Barbara Ashfield

Photosfrom top:

1.TheBeatles from ticklebitz.com

2.Blackand White from Housetohome.co.uk

3.Fromeverythingleb.blogspot.com

4.QueenElizabeth from the dailymail.co.uk

Celebrating Global Illumination

2011-12-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

Nothing personifies theholidays quite like a beautiful display of light. This is something that everycountry in the world has in common. Let’s take a journey to see a few stunninglight displays from across the globe…

Paris’ Champs-Élysées…

Tel Aviv…

Toronto…

Denver Colorado….

Madrid’s Plaza Mayor…

Paper lanterns in BuenosAires…

From the Light Festival inBerlin…

Tokyo Japan…

And of course SanFrancisco’s Waterfront…

Here is wishing you apeaceful holiday season filled with light, and a prosperous new year ahead!

Barbara Ashfield &David J. Hansen

Photosfrom top:

A collageof light displays from digitalproductionme.com

Champs-Élysées from travelinparis.com

Tel Avivfrom telavivartanddesign.com

Torontofrom iloveto.com

DenverColorado from crazy-frankenstein.com

Madridfrom your-city-guide.com

GalleriesLafayette in Paris from myexpatgermany.com

BuenosAires from escapefromamerica.com

Berlinfrom Magix magazine

Tokyofrom celinecats.wordpress.com

SanFrancisco from junbelen.com

Saluting The Patriarch of Modern British Life

2011-12-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

The Design Museum inLondon helps celebrate Terence Conran’s 80^th birthday by launchingan exhibit on his legacy and impact on modern British daily life. The exhibit is called "The Way We Live Now".

Mr. Conran is undeniably one of the sages of modern daily lifein Britain since the end of World War II, and has made his mark throughproducts, books and the architectural vernacular.

Mr. Conran is one of thefounders of the Design Museum, and helped establish it initially in thebasement of the Victoria & Albert Museum. The exhibit traces the variousincarnations of Mr. Conran’s career from his architectural practice to massretailer of modern furnishings and house wares, to restaurateur.

The exhibit is on displayuntil March 4, 2012 at the Design Museum on London’s waterfront. To learn moreabout the exhibit go here.

David J. Hansen

Photos from top:

1) Photo of exhibition poster in the London Metro fromthe Conran blog whatsgoingonatconran.wordpress.com

2) Photo of Terence Conran from e-architect.co.uk

3) Photo of Habitat store in Dublin from ipernity.com

Details, Details!

2011-12-05T17:57:00.001-08:00

Our local Dining by Designis one of my favorite events of the year. As a member of the Steering CommitteeI am always involved in the behind-the-scenes details of the event, but usuallydon’t have much interaction with the actual tables. My first glimpse is usuallywhen I encounter them at the venue.

I’m always amazed at thecreativity of the designers who create the event’s signature “Over-the-toptabletop”, and how much work goes into these works of art.

Most design is a sum ofit’s parts and as they say: “the devil is in the details”, but in this caseit’s the divine!

Here are some of myfavorite details from our most recent event which was held on November 16^thand 17^th:

Monogrammed napkin detailat the Gary Hutton Design table:

Corrugated cardboard lightfixtures at a table designed by Alexandra Torre:

Male and Female “bums” ata table designed by Room Service:

A “charred” chair at the“Phoenix” table designed by Mondo Guera (of Project Runway fame), and studentsfrom San Francisco State University. The table was sponsored by The Merck’sLiving Positive By Design campaign:

A checkerboard floorcovering utilizing various garden materials at the table designed by Shades ofGreen Landscape:

Concentric Strings makes astatement at the Academy of Art table:

Succulents at a tabledesigned by John Witmarsh:

Beakers and elements atthe “Periodic Table”:

San Francisco’s Dining byDesign benefits the Positive Health Program at SF General. They deliver ondemand care to those living with HIV and AIDS.

To learn more about SanFrancisco’s Dining by Design go here. To see photos from the 2011 event go here.

David J. Hansen

Top photo: The purity ofwhite at the table by Gary Hutton Design

Gratitude As Attitude

2011-11-24T09:45:00.001-08:00

Can it be as simple asthat?…Gratitude as Attitude?

Attempting to write somethinginspirational for my favorite holiday and thinking a little out of the box, Ifound that inspiration via the New York Times. Leafing through Saturday’s New York Times I came across Holly Epstein Ojalvo’s “What AreYou Grateful For?” and JohnTierney’s piece in the same issue “A Serving of Gratitude May Save the Day”. Both Epstein-Ojalvo and Tierney engage the reader describing thepositive effects of kindness, generosity and reflection.

They promise us that we will be kinder,more generous less aggressive, and sleep more soundly. Sounds almost like a magic pill! Definitely a good “short read”and I felt time well spent.

I am promising myself topractice more gratitude, as attitude, in the days, weeks, and months tocome.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Gratefully yours,

Barbara Ashfield

Photos from top:

1) Photo from: danyaalise.tumbler.com

2) Photo from: speaksoftlyandcarryaredpen.wordpress.com

Capturing A Designer's Attention!

2011-11-13T14:37:00.001-08:00

Bonhams, the worldwideauction house has announced a new sale category to their monthly calendar.“Period Art & Design” will hold inaugural auctions in San Francisco and LosAngeles on November 20^th. These sales will include every categoryfrom furniture, decorative arts, silver, rugs, books and jewelry. In addition,the auction catalog for these sales will feature interviews with interiordesigners or important community figures discussing design trends and relevanttopics

The sale for December willinclude property from the estate of Katherine Elkins Boyd who passed away in2009. She is most famously known as the daughter of legendary interior designerFrancis Elkins, who is a Bay area favorite.

This is exciting news forthe San Francisco design community, as many of the lots have very reasonableestimated prices (everything is slated to be in the $500-$5000 range). I’m surethere will be competition amongst some of our peers over these great pieces.

Looking at the catalogonline I found some interesting finds:

An Italian Olive Burlveneer square coffee table c.1970s.

Italian mid Century Yellowglass ewer / Mid 20th Century.

Biedermeier partiallyebonized Birch wood vitrine on Stand. Second quarter 18^th Century.

“Tree Lined House in Autumn” by Mary DeNeale Morgan 1868-1948.

Danish ebonized teak andparquetry circular table c. 1960.

Bonhams / San Franciscois located at 220 San Bruno Avenue. Their phone number is 415-861-7500. You canvisit their web site here.

David Hansen

All images used arefrom Bonhams web site and online catalog.

Top image “the Traveler” by Joseph Solman1909-2008.

Soup, Glorious Soup

2011-11-04T07:22:00.000-07:00

The holidays are just around the corner and I’m starting to think about menus for my family’s Thanksgiving/Christmas feasts

I always love to start the meal with a Soup. I think it’s very elegant and brings a certain formality to the start of a meal after getting everyone to the table. People tend to settle down and focus on what is placed before them and more importantly, the flavors presented. I think it has a very calming effect.

And so today, I began the wonderfully relaxing and creative process of meandering my way through my collection of recipes from holidays past and favorite cookbooks, and of course, the ubiquitous epicurious.com.

I like to serve soup either in big and wonderfully oversized white bowls, or quite the contrary, in small white demitasse cups.

Take a look at some of the wonderful things I’m considering for this year. Which one would suit your palette?

Craig Claiborne’s Crème Crecy (Cream of Carrot Soup)

1lb. (8-10) carrots

1lb. (3-5) potatoes

2 TBS. butter

½ c. coarsely chopped onion

6c. fresh or canned chicken broth

2sprigs fresh thyme, or ½ tsp dried

1bay leaf

1 c. heavy cream

1/8 tsp Tabasco, or, to taste

½ tsp Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp sugar

salt & freshly ground pepper

1 c. cold whole milk

Trim off the ends of the carrots. Pare both carrots & potatoes, then carrots into rounds and cube potatoes. Set aside.

Heat the butter in a large pot and add onion. Cook briefly, stirring.

Add the carrots, potatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add thyme and bay leaf. Bring to the boil and simmer 30-40 minutes or until carrots and potatoes are tender.

Put mixture through a food mill and chill for 3-4 hours to set the flavors. Put in the container of a food processor or electric blender and blend. This may have to be done in 2 stages.

After blending, transfer mixture to saucepan if you are going to serve hot. Bring to a boil and then add remaining ingredients. If you are going to serve it cold, transfer mixture to a bowl, add remaining ingredients and chill thoroughly. Serves 6-8

Food & Wine’s Velvety Beet Soup November 2002

3 lbs. medium red beets

2 large parsnips

2 large carrots

1 ¾ lb. celery root

4 TBS. unsalted butter

½ c. water

salt and freshly ground white pepper

7 c. chicken stock

¼ c. balsamic vinegar

Green Tabasco Sauce

Preheat oven to 375. Wrap beets in 2 sheets heavy-duty foil. Set the packages on a baking sheet and roast beets for 1 ½ hours, or until tender. Let cool in the foil.

Meanwhile, peel the parsnips, carrots and celery root; cut into ¼” dice. In a large skillet, melt the butter in the water. Add the diced vegetables and cook over moderate heat until almost tender, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper and remove from heat.

Peel and quarter the roasted beets. Working in batches, in a blender, puree the beets and stock until very smooth. Transfer to large saucepan. Stir in the vinegar, season with salt, white pepper and green Tabasco. Add parsnips, carrots and celery root and simmer over moderate heat for 5 min before serving. The soup can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Serve with crème fraiche and fresh beet sprouts.

House Beautiful’s Butternut Squash Soup with Leeks

(November 1999)

6 TBS. butter

4 leeks, white part only, coarsely chopped, plus inner green leaves of 2 leeks, julienned (will be used for the garnish)

1large onion, peeled and roughly chopped

4 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed

10 c. chicken stock or broth

1/3 c. rolled oats

½ tsp cayenne pepper

salt

1 c. vegetable oil

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the white part of the leeks and onion. Sauté, stirring constantly until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the squash, chicken stock, oats and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Puree the soup in a blender, then return to the pot. Add salt to taste. Keep warm over low heat.

For the garnish, heat vegetable oil in a small heavy saucepan over medium high heat. Add green leeks. Fry until crisp and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fried leeks. Serves 12

Bon Appetit!

Barbara Ashfield

Where The Spirits Live!

2011-10-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

The beautiful decay of abandoned buildings is what inspired me this Halloween. I was drawn to these amazing images that possess strength and fragility simultaneously.

These seemed like the places that Spirits might inhabit. Each location was clearly full of life at one time, but peaceful and seemingly forgotten now.

In my research I found there is a good part of the internet devoted to abandoned buildings, which tells me there must be lots of Spirits out there.

Happy Halloween!

David Hansen

Photo Credits from top:

1) Abandoned Church Photographer unknown from Opacity.com

2) Black & White Photograph © Brian Cooney

3) Stairwell photograph from The Kingston Lounge

4) Michigan Central Station © Joe Braun

5) Galway image © Mike Searle via Urban Ghosts

6) Photographer unknown from Positive Education blog

7) Photograph via The Kingston Lounge

For The Love of Books!

2011-10-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

A little over a month ago, Barbara and I took in the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library’s Annual Book Sale, which takes place yearly at Fort Mason. This is the mother of all book sales and is billed as the “West Coast’s Largest Book Sale”. Needless to say we were in!

We had tickets for the first day member’s preview and upon arrival it was clear that we were the amateurs, although we quickly formulated a plan: First, Design Books then Cookbooks and then everything else. The line of literally hundreds snaked around the adjoining pier and people came prepared with suitcases on wheels along with every type of portable carriage imaginable.

We managed to score a few gems including “Good Taste Costs No More” by Mr. Richard Gump from 1951, and a couple of early works by local favorite Diane Dorrans Saeks.

Here are some of the other treasures we managed to claim:

We plan to report back on all the great content in later posts. We’ll be back for more books next year…until then, happy reading!

David Hansen

* All photos by David J. Hansen and Barbara Ashfield for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

C’mon Baby Light My Fire…

2011-09-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

There’s a chill in the morning air these days and I know that it won’t be long before I’m spending many an evening in front of the fireplace. There’s nothing more charming than a room lit with a fire or candles – giving off a glow that you can’t achieve with lights. Here are some of my favorites I’ve saved in my wish file over the years.

Barbara Ashfield

Photos from top:

Living Etc. magazine

HouseToHome.co.uk

Vi.sualize.us

Australian Vogue Living

Gerrendennylane.com

Living Etc.

Ofinspiracionline.blogspot.com

Exotic Autumn

2011-09-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

Now that students have returned to school and Labor Day weekend is upon us, there is no doubt that summer has slipped away and autumn is now a reality. In our corner of the world, autumn usually means warmer weather (Indian summer), but we still have evidence of a new season through the changing color of the flora.

There is nothing more sumptuous as a traditional autumn palette of colors. These colors of rust, bronze, ochre, apricot and the like conjure up the exotic and make for a wealth of inspiration.

Here are some inspirational possibilities for an “Exotic Autumn”:

Dahlias!

A Rose Cumming fabric:

A painting by Gustav Klimt:

Missoni rugs:

How about a unique Hermes scarf?

Or an elegant Pierre Frey fabric:

Nothing beats the beauty of a genuine Kilim rug:

There are a plethora of inspirational choices, so go out and find your own ”Exotic Autumn”.

David J. Hansen

Photos from top:

1) Pierre Frey Anatolie fabric from the Pierre Frey web site

2) Dahlia photo by Lindsay Williams-Ross

3) Rose Cumming “Bird in Circle” fabric from Dessin Fournir web site

4) Klimt painting “Fullfilment” 1902

5) Missoni rugs from jrenee.com

6) Hermes scarf image from reimeika.ca web site

7) Kilim rug from vanishingtextiles.com

Farewell To A Venerable American Artist

2011-08-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

Cy Twombly died last month at age 83. He had been, quite simply, “My ART hero” for the last 25 years. One of the most admired and influential American painters of the past half century, he was most well know for his spare calligraphic scribbles and poetic engagement with classical verses.

I first became acquainted with Cy Twombly’s work years ago when visiting a jobsite in East Hampton, a venerable address with a low-key vibe and a high tone chic. It was in the early days of my design career, and I was the design assistant who did the leg work back and forth from Manhattan to the “Shangri-La” of East Hampton whenever we needed to be onsite for painters, delivery people etc. Those were the days… I still have a vivid memory of stepping in to the stunning “laid back” living room awash in beachy grays and blues, I stopped dead in my tracks. There before me, on a lone wall was a piece of art that stirred my emotion. I had never seen anything like it. I was later to learn that the artist was Cy Twombly and that the piece was one of a series in his “grey series”. That was the moment I fell in love with Cy Twombly’s art.

Edwin Parker “Cy” Twombly, Jr. was a Virginia boy who showed an interest in art beginning at age 12. He was educated in the United States School of the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), Art Students League of New York, and the Black Mountain College in North Carolina but spent the better part of his life living and working in Rome. A contemporary of Rauschenberg, Kline, Motherwell and Johns, Cy Twombly is perhaps most well known for his “blackboard paintings” (1967-1971) that were large in scale, freely scribbled, and calligraphic in style. They were known as the ‘grey paintings’, featuring terse, colorless scrawls done apparently while sitting on the shoulders of a friend, who shuttled back and forth along the length of the canvas.

Twombly was also hugely fascinated with art and ancient history, which is shown in his series of work based on classical history such as Leda and the Swan, The Birth of Venus and the Iliad. Apollo and the Artist, a series of 8 drawings consisting solely of inscriptions of the word “VIRGIL” and Fifty Days at Illiam, a 10-part cycle inspired by Homer’s Iliad and the enormous red spirals in his Bacchus paintings. He was fearless about spreading his work across vast surfaces, with some pieces like “Panorama” covering over 11 feet across. “The Age of Alexander” was a 16-foot wide canvas.

Cy Twombly’s work has been shown at major galleries all over the world, with permanent collections in the US at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 1990, his 1971 untitled blackboard painting sold for $5.5 million and in 2011 one of his “untitled” pieces sold for $15.2 million.

It is said that the most important continuity that Mr. Twombly cultivated was that between artwork and viewer, with his ultimate subject nothing less than the human longing to communicate.

I know that is true. His work speaks to me.

Barbara Ashfield

Photos from top:

A) Cy Twombly in Rome 1962 from cytwombly.info

B) “Cold Stream” from Guggenheim-Bilbao.es

C) “Apollo and The Artist” fro tate.org.uk

D) “Fifty Days at Illiam Shades of Achilles Patroclus and Hector” 1978 from wikipaintings.org

E) “Bacchus” from the Telegraph UK

F) “Roman Notes” from Antique Trader web site

G) “Untitled” (inscribed to the Tate) 2008 from tate.org.uk

Meandering In Wine Country Under The Clouds!

2011-07-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I took a quick jaunt up to Wine Country, which is always a welcome diversion! I managed to fit a lot of sights into my short trip. Although the weather was less than ideal (it was pouring rain when we left), it made for an extra dose of natural beauty.

Come with me while I share my wine country amble with you...

Lunch at Bouchon!

A stop in at Ma(i)sonry with it’s highly curated mix of curiosities…

Time at the Indian Springs pool spent below moody skies….

A trip to the Solage resort in Calistoga for an early dinner…

Seeing the sights of St. Helena including a trip to the Martin showroom by Erin Martin and Woodhouse Chocolates…

Dinner at Terra in St. Helena...Excellent!...

On the way back a little shopping for a client at one of my favorite places Artifact Design & Salvage…

It wasn’t nearly enough time, so I’m already planning my visit. This time I’m planning for sunshine!

David J. Hansen

Photo at Top: A Bocce ball court at Solage

All Photos by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Create(d) Equal

2011-07-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

There is currently an exhibition at the Berkeley Art Museum / Pacific Film Archive which is near and dear to my heart. The exhibition entitled “Create” features artworks from three pioneering art programs in the San Francisco Bay area: Creativity Explored in San Francisco, Creative Growth in Oakland and NIAD in Richmond.

All three programs were founded by the amazing couple Florence Ludins-Katz and Elias Katz, who shared an unorthodox vision of what an art program could be. Each center facilitates the making, displaying and selling of art by people with developmental disabilities.

The exhibition, which is curated by BAM’s Larry Ridner, along with Matthew Higgs takes art from this oeuvre and elevates it from “outsider” art to significant museum work.

My connection, of course is with Creativity Explored. I wrote a post about CE as part of our “Local Treasure” series when I had started volunteering in earnest back in 2009. Since then, I have joined CE’s Board of Directors, and now have the privilege of actively advocating for these amazing artists and this crucial program.

The nine studio artists from Creativity Explored whose work is featured in “Create” are Mary Belknap, Daniel Green, Michael Bernard Loggins, John Patrick McKenzie, James Miles, James Montgomery, Berta Otoya, Evelyn Reyes and Lance Rivers. Information on all of CE’s artists can be found here. The work of these artists, as well as the others participating in the show may just change the way you look at art!

The exhibition runs through September 25, 2011 at the Berkeley Art Museum / Pacific Film Archive at 2626 Bancroft Way Berkeley, CA 94720. More information on the show can be found here. A national tour of the show is currently being organized.

David J. Hansen

Images from top:

2) Image of Berkeley Art Museum via dailycal.org

4) “Garbage Cans” by Evelyn Reyes © Creativity Explored

Aaaaah, Madrid

2011-06-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

That alone says it all. Just there in April for a few days, Madrid simply took my breath away. Filled with history, Madrid teems with old world charm and chic, with its beautiful 18^th century architecture and classic gardens. Walking through the City I found myself constantly in awe of Madrid’s elegance. There were flowers everywhere, the streets were immaculately clean and the people beautifully dressed.

The Plaza Oriental

A street off of Opera Plaza.

With only 4 days to spend and so many things I wanted to do, I planned my time rather carefully. I wanted to hit the “big things” and still have “down time” to just “experience” the city. I managed to tour the Royal Palace, view fabulous art at Museo del Prado, stroll the Gran Via and walk through the Jardin Botanico. I spent a lazy afternoon sipping sherry in the Plaza Mayor and strolled through the nearby Mercado San Miguel, a feast for the eyes. I had tea at the Ritz, shopped for Majorica pearls and picked up a few pairs of colorful espadrilles for friends. I experienced the Rastro Flea market on an early misty Saturday morning, followed by a coffee again on the Plaza Mayor, where I witnessed men in their 70s and 80s trading stamps and playing chess, most of them in suits and hats – really old world charm. I spent a wonderful evening experiencing the beauty of flamenco and another evening tasting Tapas in a little jewel of a restaurant on the infamous Cava Baja.

A bull fighter in full regalia.

A plastic sculpture.

One of the many beautiful fountains.

Plaza Mayor I.

Plaza Mayor II.

The Royal Palace.

Beautiful tree-lined streets.

Open Plaza.

Vegetable vendor.

Famous Market.

Fresh tapas.

Me with a lamp post.

I will return to Madrid. I will return to Madrid.

Barbara Ashfield

* All photos copyright by Barbara Ashfield for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Behind The Scenes at William Switzer Headquarters: Part 3 of a series

2011-06-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

William Switzer pieces as seen in context.

After arranging my trip to Vancouver last year, I was excited to have scheduled a tour of William Switzer headquarters as part of my journey, which I reported on here.

On arrival at the Opus Hotel in Vancouver’s Yaletown, the lobby interior was designed in a colorful, modern way with a few lively, heavily carved antique pieces. The antique pieces were what caught my eye. They looked like they might be William Switzer pieces, but I wasn’t sure given the context. I thought this a great coincidence if they were!

When I went on my tour of the William Switzer factory, my host Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas confirmed that these were indeed William Switzer pieces adorning the lobby of our hotel.

Robert Bailey Interiors was asked to freshen up the interior of the Opus hotel lobby earlier in 2010, and conceived the new, fresh color palette. In his blog, he writes about it here.

The Opus Hotel entrance sign.

William Switzer Venetian Louis XV occasional chair.

The Opus lobby leading to the bar.

William Switzer Palazzo Caponi Centre table.

Robert Bailey Interiors was asked to freshen up the interior of the Opus hotel lobby earlier in 2010, and conceived the new, fresh color palette. In his blog, he writes about it here.

The original lobby colors were in the Olive/Burgundy family and not, in my opinion as suited to the playful nature of the already designed space. The new color scheme, which included re-upholstery of the existing Switzer pieces, was implemented shortly before my arrival.

The original color scheme for the Opus Hotel showing Olive and Burgundy.

David Hansen

Photos:

Photos 1-5 copyright by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

*Last photo of Opus original scheme from hdinspirations.com

Behind The Scenes at William Switzer Headquarters: Part 2 of a series

2011-05-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

Our visit to William Switzer in Vancouver started off here with the more glamorous side of the company’s headquarters, their showroom. Now we visit the less inviting, but more intriguing side of their business…the factory where it all begins.

Most of the furniture manufactured for the William Switzer Collection has some hand carved element, if not the entire piece. I learned on my visit that theses pieces are manufactured in factories in either Italy or Spain through relationships built by the company’s namesake William Switzer decades ago. The hand carved pieces, which include anything from mirror frames and chairs to beds and breakfronts are then sent to William Switzer headquarters as natural wood and then finished by artisans in the Vancouver location.

Having specialized in wood and cabinetry throughout my career as a designer, I was most fascinated by the finishing process. The pieces I saw in process included exotic veneers, gold and silver leaf preparation and chemical distressing. There were even a couple of amazing prototypes that had yet to be unveiled to the public.

I must once again thank Mr. Dean MacCracken from our local San Francisco showroom, as well as my William Switzer host, Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas.

Here is some of what I saw at the factory:

My host and tour guide, Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas.

Furniture that had been returned and would be sold in a once-yearly sale.

Unfinished English Georgian style mirror frames.

Storage for large unfinished furniture pieces.

Various unfinished hand carved chairs waiting to be finished.

An unfinished Curraghmore table next to solid wood sideboard.

Unfinished furniture pieces in exotic veneers.

Detail of unfinished desk with burl Walnut and Zebra wood veneers.

Poster spotted in the factory publicizing a 1993 summit in Vancouver with President Clinton and Boris Yeltsin where William Switzer furniture was used.

A William Switzer artisan applies and undercoat for a gold leaf finish.

An overview showing how the colors in the undercoat change with the detail of the hand carved mirror frame.

Preparing a solid wood, hand carved sideboard to be finished.

One of the finishing department spaces with console tables lined ready to be completed.

The Upholstery department working on a variety of pieces.

A prototype of a new table top finish.

The next installment will feature William Switzer furniture in context at my Vancouver hotel.

David J. Hansen

Top photo shows a Palazzo Capponi Center table that has been chemically distressed.

* All photos copyright by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Behind The Scenes at William Switzer Headquarters: Part 1 of a Series

2011-05-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

While visiting Vancouver last September I had the privilege of visiting the headquarters of the renowned William Switzer furniture line (my apologies in taking so long to present this). While I was there I got to see their Vancouver showroom located at 611 Alexander Street. I was also able to tour their adjacent manufacturing, finishing, upholstery and shipping operations. Special thanks must be given to Mr. Dean MacCracken of our local William Switzer showroom for putting me in touch with Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas the grandson of William Switzer who, along with his family operates the company in Vancouver, BC Canada.

William Switzer started his namesake company in 1952 as an Interior Design firm, and in 1978 became a business strictly for the manufacture and distribution of handmade furniture, many which were used by Mr. Switzer throughout his career.

Coming up in later installments will be photos from the warehouse etc. along with some William Switzer furniture that adorned the hotel where I was stayed while visiting Vancouver.

The Showroom. This installment shows photos of the William Switzer showroom in Vancouver, which is in an adjacent location to their manufacturing facility. I’m sure the showroom has changed since I was there, but these illustrate how much William Switzer product they are able to show in one place. William Switzer also manufactures and distributes the Lucien Rollin Collection, originally conceived by another noted Interior Designer, and now made exclusively by their company. The great thing about the showroom is that they are able to show nearly all their pieces and finish options in one place. All pieces are made to order and custom finishes are available.

The building at 611 Alexander Street Vancouver.

The courtyard leading to the showroom entrance.

The door to the William Switzer showroom.

An English Chippendale style mirror in White finish on mirrored wall.

A vignette with large Wing Back style Louis XV chair and matching ottoman.

A vignette with multiple chairs and Zebra wood Art Nouveau buffet.

Austrian Biedermeier secretary and matching chairs.

Large Louis XVI Transitional mirror with reflection.

Vignette showing Mid 20th Century Berger arm chair and matching ottoman.

A room showing different options for Dining rooms.

English oval Birds mirror with ginger jar and matching urns.

Vitrine in Silver finish with gold accents.

Hand carved mirror with bedroom vignette in reflection.

Two Swag Back side chairs.

A new annex to the showroom that was just being finished and arranged.

David J. Hansen

Photographs:

The top photograph is from the William Switzer web site.

All additional photographs are by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc. All photographs were taken in early September 2010.

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

Have a wonderful Earth Day and Easter weekend!

Barbara Ashfield & David Hansen

Antique map image via imagespark.com

VIVA ESPAÑA – SAN SEBASTIAN!

2011-04-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

Just back in town after a wonderful 10 days in northern Spain where I visited Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian and Barcelona – the perfect itinerary.

With that being said, I must admit to having a favorite and that was SAN SEBASTIAN! I’m not sure if it was the people, the hotel, the weather, or the days spent riding my bike along the ocean Promenade that made it so amazing, but it was just that. And what could be better than ending the day at sunset watching the surfers whilst sippingon the perfect mojito! Truly postcard perfect.

Here is a sampling of San Sebastian through my eyes…

Barbara Ashfield

All photos by Barbara Ashfield for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Flower Power!

2011-03-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

Barbara and I recently attended Bouquets to Art at San Francisco’s DeYoung Museum. The event, which was the 27^th annual lasted for five days (March 15-19) and was formerly held at the Legion of Honor.

The event showcases local floral designers and garden clubs interpretations of the museum’s most cherished works using flowers.

Bouquets to Art is organized and produced by the volunteer members of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Auxiliary, and is the largest fundraiser the museums hold for the entire year. The money raised helps fund special acquisitions and educational programs.

Here are some of the photos we snapped while touring the exhibit…

After Diebenkorn...

A Classical interpretation...

After Mark Rothko...

By City College of San Francisco...

Inspired by the upcoming Balenciaga exhibit...

A nude inspiration...

David Hansen

*All photos by Barbara Ashfield and David Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design inc.

Speaking Of Daphne...

2011-03-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

After choosing Daphne Guinness as one of my style icons in our last post, imagine my delight when the new issue of Architectural Digest arrived (the next day) with photos of her chic apartment on 5^th Avenue in New York City.

Not many people can boast a portrait of themselves by David LaChapelle. and the use of the color Red seems to be a common thread (which isn’t as easy)…divine!

The design for Ms. Guinness’ residence was implemented by architect Daniel Romualdez. The spread was photographed by Thomas Loof.

The article can be viewed can view here.

David Hansen

Stylish Aspirations

2011-03-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Style. A common enough word, but what does it really mean? The dictionary has many definitions, but is most commonly described as “A particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode of action or manner of acting: They do these things in a grand style”. Certainly style is subjective, but most people can recognize style, and may think of it as something “special” that lacks description.

We would like to thank and pay tribute to our friend and local blogger extraordinaire Kendra Boutell. Anyone who hasn’t experienced her lovely blog “Porcelains & Peacocks” should visit there post-haste! Her posts manage to educate, while dazzling her readers with unique imagery and subjects. A few weeks back Kendra nominated us for a Stylish Blogger award, to which we thank her!

We thought we would take this opportunity to share some of what we hold as sacred and stylish. Here are our two takes on style and inspiration (hence the name Design Squared)…

Barbara:

I think Jackie Kennedy said it best with “Style is not a function of how rich you are, or even who you are…style is a habit of mind that puts quality before quantity, noble struggle before mere achievement, honor before opulence. It’s what you are. It’s your essential self. It’s what makes you ..you.” And I wholeheartedly agree.

As for inspiration, I think I’m most inspired by people who live life on their own terms. I take inspiration fromforeign travels, ensconcing myself in the local culture as much as possible, taking in design, cuisine, art and architecture and watching the locals go about their daily lives. I am inspired at the Farmers Market by beautiful fresh produce and flowers, especially the colors and the smells. And last but not least, rummaging through old issues of House & Garden and Gourmet, neverknowing when something will hit me for a current project.

My style Icons are:

1) Madeleine Castaing for following her own drummer and without knowing it created her own “Castaing Style” that is timeless.

2) The Dutchess of Devonshire for her elegance and her chickens!

3) Diane Von Furstenberg for her enduring style, sophistication, success, and dedication to family.

David:

My sense of what I consider stylish stems primarily from the fantasies of an only child who was captivated by a range of imagery from old Hollywood to exotic far away places. It’s difficult to put style into words, but it’s something you know is right, but defies definition. Three people I would choose to epitomize style would be:

1) Gene Kelly – A masculine archetype who was debonair and always dressed with a timeless dash.

2) Nina Simone – She was someone who had an ultimate command of her craft, amazing verve, but couldn’t be defined by categories.

3) Daphne Guinness – Heir to the Guinness fortune, she is the ultimate fashioinista, who truly loves fashion and the people who create it.

Today we pass the torch as we award our choices for Stylish Blogger Award to:

Claudia Juestel of Adeeni Design Blog

Denny Holland of Denny Holland Studio and

Diane Dorrans Saeks of The Style Saloniste.

Barbara Ashfield & David Hansen

Photos from top:

1) The Duchess of Devonshire from wwd.com

2) Daphne Guinness from LaModellaMafia.com

3) Diane Von Furstenberg from shelterpop.com

4) The Duchess of Devonshire as a young woman.

5) Madeleine Castaing from emilyevanseerdmans.blogspot.com

6) The Duchess of Devonshire with her chickens.

7) Diane Von Furstenberg by photographer Frazer Harrison.

8) Gene Kelly from allstarpics.com

9) Gene Kelly from genekellygallery.com

10) Nina Simone from fatberris.com

11) Nina Simone from cnettv.com

12) Daphne Guinness from L’Uomo Vogue February 2010.

IN THE "PINK"

2011-02-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Color makes a splash in our lives, be it subtle or smashing. Always has, always will.

With February now in full view my mind’s eye seems clouded in images of pinks. I have a lifetime of memories associated with pink, something like walking through the days of my life wearing rose colored glasses. Let me share my “pink” with you…

Pink was the color of my ballet slippers in Annabel’s dance class, and pink was peppermint ice cream from Edy’s.

Pink was the color of my bedroom growing up and the shade of my first lipstick when I turned 16.

Pink is the color of my favorite champagne, and flamingos in the Camargue.

Pink is the color of winter skies at dusk and new babies wrapped in white blankets.

Pink is the color of the roses on my birthday.

Pink is my favorite sandstone and the color of tourmalines from Brazil.

Pink is the filling of raspberry macaroons from Laduree and the color of my favorite lemonade.

What color is your month?

Barbara Ashfield

Photos from top:

A) Cherry Blossoms from flickr.com

B) Vogue cover 1957 autumn fuschias

C) Pink butterflies from flickr.com

D) Serendipity Chocolates tasting “Salon” by Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

E) Guest room at the Cotswalds.

F) Grapefruit Anise Sorbet from Gourmet magazine.

G) Pink Sunset photo from zingerbug.com

H) Pink Rose.

I) Farrow & Ball Lancaster Pink in Northhamptonshire Photo by Ivan Terestchenko.

J) Macaroons from Laduree from victoriawithlove.bogspot.com.

A New Resource From an Old Friend!

2011-02-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

Creativity Explored, our wonderful local art program has become like an old friend. My involvement with them has escalated to a position on their Board of Directors, of which I am honored to serve.For those of you who don't know about Creativity Explored, they are a local organization where people with developmental disabilities make, display and sell their art. I was even moved to write a blog post about them back in 2009 here.

In the past few years they have joined forces with the likes of Recchiuti Confections and the retailer CB2 (the off-shoot of Crate & Barrel) to use some of the artists works as powerful images on rugs, pillows and chocolates. This is all done through a licensing program, which has become an essential component of CE's art sales.

Another program which has gained momentum over time is CE's Art Services Program. This program allows clients to commission, rent, exhibit or consult about art from CE artists. This program, although available to anyone has been geared toward design professionals. There has been a significant interest in CE art by designers of commercial interiors, in fact our Board President Amy Eliot of Tom Eliot Fisch discovered CE through working on a project for her firm. My mission has been to bring the message of Creativity Explored's Art Services program to professionals working primarily on residential interiors. To that end, we have organized a reception for designers and architects on February 9th (this coming Wednesday) from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. If your in San Francisco, please come and experience this program first hand. More information can be found here.

David Hansen

Photos from top:

1) Artwork by Diane Scaccalosi in Avalon Mission Bay III lobby.  Interior Design: Tom Eliot Fisch, Building Architect: Arquitectonica, Photography: Tom Seawell.

2) Lobby at Avalon Bay. Artwork by various artists. Interior Design: Tom Eliot Fisch. Photography: David Wakley.

Fresh Starts!

2011-01-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

Before I decided to pursue interior design, my former career was in retail window display and visual merchandising. Every January my former vocation seems to come to mind. After all the work of decorating a large retail store for Christmas it was almost painful to think of eradicating any signs of it from the premises. To abandon all the red, sparkle and luxe the look of Christmas defines; the New Year was usually met with a different visual approach.

This visual language usually consisted of tones of blue, aqua and indigo while incorporating natural textures like linen and burlap. The textiles used were usually of an exotic nature like paisley, ikat or batik. The merchandising theme to accompany this departure was usually called “Fresh Starts”, or some related variation. This was meant to quite literally represent the visual equivalent to the “Anti-Christmas”. Depending on what retail establishment you worked for you might or might not be promoting Valentines Day which might or might not mean using more red as a display device so a firm demarcation was required to erase the former holiday away.

I’ve been thinking about this idea since ringing in 2011 and trying to apply it to an interior design context. What would “Fresh Starts”, or the “Anti-Christmas” look like in an interior? I’m thinking light, airy spaces that feel like a vacation. Some good examples might be some of the legendary Michael Taylor’s later work, a Moroccan Riad, or perhaps the work of Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz. The possibilities are endless.

What are your “Fresh Starts”? Whatever this means for you, just breathe and let the holidays become a memory!

David Hansen

Photographs from top:

1) Bergdorf Goodman window display May 23, 2008 photographed by Rudy Panzano for anothernormal.com

2) The Mondrian Hotel with interior by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz.

3) Dixneuf La Ksour Riad from Hoosta magazine.

4) Michael Taylor interior photographed by Russell MacMasters from Architectural Digest.

5) Nacho Polo interior photographed by Andrea Satini from yatzer.com.

AN APPLE A DAY…

2011-01-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

New Year’s Day…. A day filled with the promise of good will and good fortune in the coming year. For me it’s opening the last gift of the holiday season. I always seem to be full of joy on this day, as if all I have to do is wish for what I hope for in the coming year and it will magically happen.

For the last 10 years, give or take a year or two, I’ve chosen to spend New Years Day with my dad at the beach. Typically we venture out in the early afternoon and head over the hill to glorious Half Moon Bay. For the last 2 years we’ve lunched at Sam’s Chowder House where, when the weather permits, we sit outside in big Adirondack chairs around a cracking fire and get lost in a couple of hours of conversation or sometimes just silence while taking in the beautiful view before us. The ocean has such an ethereal and calming effect.

The crowning moment of New Year’s Day is when I toss an apple into the ocean on which I’ve written my wishes for the new year. I got this idea from a friend years ago and it’s stayed with me ever since. For what it’s worth, I’ve been both lucky AND fortunate, as many of my dreams and wishes have come true.

I wish you a year filled with promise and good fortune.

Barbara Ashfield

Photos:

Top photo of my Dad on the beach

Second photo of the harbor at Princeton By The Sea

All photos by Barbara Ashfield for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T14:07:00.000-08:00

Here is wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011!

Barbara & David

Christmas Memories - Living In A Winter Wonderland!

2010-12-23T22:25:00.000-08:00

I think Christmas time will always be filtered through one’s experiences as a child. I was lucky enough to spend my childhood living in Colorado, where one of the most magical things was the existence of four seasons…four distinct seasons. In San Francisco it can be hard to tell what timeof year it is by the weather, and a change in season can be lost on sunshine or torrential rain.

It seemed that we were always prepped for Christmas by the weather well in advance with snow (this sometimes happened as early as Halloween) so it always “felt” likeChristmas was coming. It seemed that if it didn’t snow at least a little that Christmas wasn’t going to be as good. Besides thesnow, some of my most treasure memories of Christmas were:

An annual Christmas shopping trip with my Grandmother, where she would take me to the Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver for lunch,

Going to see the Nutcracker ballet each year with my Mother,

Buying a fresh Noble Fir from our local tree lot,

Seeing the Christmas lights in Denver’s Civic Center,

Helping to decorate and attending midnight mass at our church, St. Luke’s Episcopal,

And of course gifts!

The gift of a cowboy hat from my Godparents in Dallas, Texas.

Merry Christmas, and best wishes to you and yours!

David Hansen

Photos from top:

1) Pine tree photo from Apartment Therapy.

2) Brown Palace Hotel postcard from cardcow.com.

3) Nutcracker photo from The Denver Post web site.

4) Tree photo from GearPatrol.com.

5) Denver Civic Center from flickr.com.

6) Interior of St. Luke’s Church Denver, Co.

7) Statue of St. Michael from St. Luke’s church courtyard.

8) Vintage photo of the author.

Bieder-Merry Christmas!

2010-12-16T11:08:00.000-08:00

The spirit of Christmas was ever-present in San Francisco last Thursday night when the “Jingle & Mingle” event took place at the Presidio Officers Club, an event known for beautiful and creative wreaths designed by some of San Francisco’s best and brightest creative minds. The premise was simple: Design a non-perishable wreath to be sold to the highestbidder …a la silent auction. The event is sponsored by Children of Shelters, who donate all proceeds to assist the City’s children living in transitional shelters by providing for both their basic and in-depth needs. The organization has been around since 1995, and was founded by Lois Pavlow.

Early sketches on a Starbucks napkin.

The creative process for our wreath started over a cup of coffee and a sample of veneer; a beautiful piece of birds-eye maple. What followed was a lively conversation about the Biedermeier period and restrained classicism. Ultimately, we decided on a starburst design, further reinforcing the idea with the star edged in black. Crowning our star was a very wide vintage stripe ribbon in black and cream from The Ribbonerie. As for the wreath construction itself, Barbara and I knew we didn’t want anything too “out-there” or trendy. After many sketches, we finalized our star, seeking the advice and direction of an expert wood shop. We enlisted the help and support of an old friend, Segale Bros. Wood Products, a local custom cabinet shop with whom I have been designing for years. They were kind enough to keep with the spirit of giving by making the donation of product and labor to further the cause. The wreath was cut out using a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine. The expertly crafted star matched our vision perfectly. It was indeed a Bieder-Merry wreath, evoking in our minds, a classic holiday symbol.

The star shape in the birds eye maple after being cut out on the CNC machine.

The Jingle & Mingle event was beautiful, one to be remembered and to participate in again.

Laying out the vintage ribbon.

Have a Bieder-Merry Christmas!

David Hansen

Top Photo:

The finished wreath on a festive Red door.

All photos by David Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

A Recap From Dining By Design 2010

2010-12-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

We’ve been busy preparing our clients for the holidays, but we didn’t want to miss posting some highlights of our local Dining by Design event.

DIFFA’s Dining by Design celebrated 10 years in San Francisco on November 17^th & 18^th with the annual “Table Hop & Taste” on Wednesday and the gala dinner on Thursday. Here are some highlights from the event.

The lead photo is of a table designed by Robert Fung for Hartmann Studios.

Detail of a table by Adeeni Design Group for Poggenpohl that utilized poetry and referenced the sea.

"La Cage Aux Fauxnique" was designed by Steven Miller and Paul Benson.

A table referencing a "Tee Pee" covered in illuminated Ektachrome slides by Gensler and Haworth.

Slide detail.

The interior of the table by Gensler & Haworth.

A table for Restoration Hardware designed by Gary Spain with Will Wick.

A table for the San Francisco Design Center designed by Candace Barnes.

Barbara Ashfield & David Hansen

All photos by David Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.