At Home with Designer Allison Caccoma - The San Francisco Fall Show

Walking into Allison Caccoma’s boutique, Decoration, in San Francisco’s chic Presidio Heights neighborhood is like entering an impeccably curated home that still feels inviting and relaxed. You just want to sit down in the middle of the shop and open a good book. She has an intuitive sense for mixing colors and patterns together and an eye for stunning objets d’Art to bring a sense of whimsy to a room.

A storefront with a dark wood door, large windows, and DECORATION written in yellow text. Inside, furniture and decor items curated by interior designer Allison Caccoma create a welcoming home atmosphere. A green shrub in a pot sits by the entrance, and trees and parked cars reflect in the window. — *Allison Caccoma Decoration storefront on Sacramento Street in San Francisco*

Bright, eclectic living room by designer Allison Caccoma with wicker chairs, green and pink cushions, potted plants, glass table, various ceramics, large white lamp, and art on the walls. Sunlight streams through large windows, highlighting cozy, colorful home decor. — *Allison Caccoma Decoration*

In 2015 when the show introduced a curated revival of the Designer Vignettes, Caccoma was a natural choice. In keeping with the theme that year, “Time After Time”, each designer picked a period on which to focus their vignette and Caccoma chose “Lounging in the Reflection of the 18^th Century” and masterfully mixed old and new, with the walls wrapped in a stunning custom de Gournay wallpaper, a bold version of an 18^th century British textile design, and a high gloss graphic painted floor with a mix of mid-century and 18^th century furniture. She took the theme to heart.

A woman in a black dress sits smiling on an antique light blue couch in this beautifully curated home. The room, designed by Allison Caccoma, features ornate red wallpaper, elegant wall sconces, framed art, and vintage furniture, with decorative objects and flowers adding charm. — *Allison Caccoma, sitting in her vignette, “Lounging in the Reflection of the 18th Century,*
*at the 2015 Fall Show*

With such an affinity for mixing beautiful things, I asked her to confess one favorite piece she owns. “it is of sentimental value,” she shared. “I ‘inherited’ a small slipper chair that was Albert Hadley’s and was left by him at our workroom when he passed away. I don’t know its provenance, but it has a beautiful gilded base with carved fluted legs and stretcher. Every time I look at it, I think of him and am grateful for all that he taught us.”

A red armless chair with a gold base, reminiscent of a stylish designer touch, holds a stack of books in a living room. The chair is on a cream rug near a dark wooden table with decorative vases. Sunlight shines through a window with white trim; a purple sofa is partly visible on the left—creating an inviting at-home feel that echoes Allison Caccoma’s signature approach to. — *Slipper chair from Albert Hadley’s workroom*

For Caccoma, history makes a home. “By history, I mean unique pieces of furniture, objects, books, or art that have a story of who you are or where you have traveled”, she says. “Even if the house is new, it instantly becomes a home when filled with interesting items and collections. You can have a beautiful room with pretty decorating but if it doesn’t have a story, it doesn’t have soul. Soul makes a house a home.”

A white swan-shaped planter with trailing ivy sits on a mosaic-tiled table, its charm evoking the curated elegance of designer Allison Caccoma. Stacked books and a silver dish are nearby. Behind, a vase of pink flowers and a red chair are visible, with bookshelves and greenery bringing warmth and character to the home in the background.

Travel is an important part of Caccoma’s life and work. “I typically travel once a month” she shares, “so I finally have the opportunity to truly enjoy my home during this shelter-in-place time. I have loved being home during the day as I can appreciate how beautiful the natural light is. I wake up each morning and open the windows the gentle breeze is amazing. I’ve made it a point to have fresh flowers everywhere as well. Flowers seem to be bringing us all joy. Maybe because it’s spring too.”

With so much time spent at home these days, workspace has become something new. “The most beautiful room in my home is the dining room—which is why it has become my temporary office. It is a corner room with two stunning original arched windows overlooking a street intersection in Presidio Heights. The architecture is 100+ years old with beautiful plaster mouldings. There is a fireplace in the room—we believe this room was once the parlour.”

A bright dining room designed by Allison Caccoma showcases a round table set for four, floral centerpiece, blue-patterned chairs, green-white drapes, arched window revealing lush trees, blue walls, a tall potted plant, and a gold floor lamp. Light pours in, creating a cheerful and elegant home interior atmosphere. — *Dining Room*

Separating work life from personal is not an issue for Caccoma. “I don’t think I have separate lives!” she confesses. “My work is truly my life but that is largely because decorating is so much about lifestyle. My creative space for drawings, finish samples, schemes, etc. and other desk work remains in one space, but I spend hours in my living room perusing my design books and magazines or on my laptop sourcing, listening to podcasts or webinars, etc. It’s really all one space for me.

The lack of social engagements or commuting time has not slowed Caccoma down. “Even without my normal busy schedule, I have no free time now.” She says. “I have the interior design business, and my shop to run, plus I’m President of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA) NoCal Chapter – all of which have had to pivot and adapt to our new world. It has honestly been an inspiring challenge as we are all in it together!”

A cozy living room, curated by designer Allison Caccoma, features a maroon sofa with patterned pillows, a floral armchair, a red accent chair, and a blue-green coffee table adorned with books and a white sculpture. A side table with plants and built-in shelves holding books and decor complete this inviting home setting as natural light streams in. — *Living Room*

With the recent announcement that the San Francisco Fall Show would take a hiatus for 2020 due to the pandemic, and return in 2021, I asked Caccoma what draws her to the show each year, and if she has a favorite “find”. “I love everything about the SF Fall Show, she replied. “Not only is it a visual feast but it is truly an iconic San Francisco design community event that we all cherish. I’m passionate about antiques and am always delighted to see dealers travel from all over the world to join us. I so look forward to shopping the show with my clients. One of my favorite finds is a rare set of four unusually large early 19^th century antique Chinese framed wallpaper panels from Daniel Stein Antiques this past year. EVERYONE wanted them and my client purchased them! They now adorn her living room absolutely perfectly!”

By Ariane Maclean Trimuschat