Coast to Coast with Ken Fulk - The San Francisco Fall Show

Ken Fulk is not known for minimalism. One has only to visit his San Francisco Magic Factory, St. Joseph’s Art Society, or any of his restaurants, clubs, hotels or other myriad of properties he has designed to see the sheer breadth of his imagination. He is at once an old soul and a forward thinker and has become known globally as not just a leader in the design field, but a stylemaker across multiple platforms. He and his team of 75 designers, event specialists and architects are split between SoMa in San Francisco and TriBeCa in New York City conceiving, creating and producing for his namesake company, Ken Fulk, Inc.

A man in a black tuxedo with a white shirt and black bow tie stands against a dark background, smiling with his arms crossed. His hair is neatly styled, and he appears confident and formal—much like one might expect for an interview with Ken Fulk.

Fulk is a longtime a supporter of the Fall Show, most recently serving as Chair of the exclusive Designers Circle, and, in 2018, designing a Vignette for the Grand Entry Hall of the Show. The theme that year was “The Sun, The Moon & The Stars” and in typical fashion, Fulk took it one further and dubbed his vignette the “Zodiac bar”, an imaginary 1980’s private lounge for Fulk and his jet-setting friends, lined with jewel encrusted custom-made de Gournay wallpaper. The vignette came complete with a story filled with scandalous activities, affairs, and courtroom drama, spun from his creative mind.

Colorful eclectic living room with pastel geometric wall art, purple armchairs, a round table, black bar with stools, checkered floor, vibrant rug, lush plants, ornate lighting fixture, and wall-mounted golden sculptures and mirrors. Large bouquet on bar. Inspired by an interview with Ken Fulk, the space blends bold statement pieces and playful textures for a whimsical yet sophisticated vibe.

The ‘Zodiac Bar’, Designer Vignette by Ken Fulk at the 2018 Fall Show.
Custom Wallpaper by de Gournay. Photograph by Drew Altizer.

Fulk knows a thing or two about throwing a good party, so his take on the Fall Show’s Opening Night held some weight, “it remains the best party of the year” he exclaimed, – “everyone is dressed to the nines, you see all of your friends, and who doesn’t love mounds of caviar!” Indeed.

Three people pose and smile at an indoor event with ocean wave decorations in the background, reminiscent of a stylish set from an interview with Ken Fulk. The person on the left wears a gray vest and plaid pants, the middle person wears a gray hat and long skirt, and the right person wears a black coat and glasses.

Ken Fulk with Diane Keaton and Ray Azoulay at the 2012 Fall Show Opening Night Gala, Photograph by Drew Altizer Photography

An active shopper at the show, Fulk shared one prized purchase in particular with me, “my favourite find at the show over the years has been a pair of 19th century Scottish urns (from Finnegan Gallery) shaped like trees that flank the entry to our home in San Francisco.”

A tranquil Japanese garden features a wooden fence, tall gate, trimmed shrubs, rocks, gravel, and round stepping stones. Various green trees and plants surround the area, creating a peaceful outdoor scene bathed in natural sunlight—an environment that would not seem out of place in an interview with Ken Fulk discussing serene spaces and thoughtful design.

Scottish Urns flanking Fulk’s San Francisco home, from Finnegan Gallery

With homes in San Francisco, Napa, New York City and Provincetown, and clients around the world, Fulk is not used to staying still. As with us all, 2020 changed all that for Fulk who was in San Francisco when the lockdown started. “We spent the first two months in San Francisco and then decamped to our home in Provincetown, MA.,” he shared. We make this annual pilgrimage and it felt important to uphold the tradition this year.” The home is charming and one can see what draws him to this summer fishing village and artist colony. His favourite room in the house is his library, “it has been adopted by the dogs as their room – so we tend to all gather there for naps, fires, and reading,” he says. It’s painted a glorious curry color and glistens in the morning sun and glows with candlelight in the eve.” Books, history and stories are important to Fulk, who is drawn to creature comforts, “I think it’s important to be surrounded by things you love that provide comfort, tell a story and anchor you in a place. Books, objects, furnishings – layered or minimal – all help craft our own personal narrative. There’s nothing better than a deep comfortable chair by the fire and a great novel – oh and a nice glass of wine doesn’t hurt,” he adds.

A cozy yellow sunroom with large windows, a daybed with patterned bedding, American flag outside, wingback chair, wicker chest, and art on paneled walls. Nautical decor and natural light create a warm, inviting space reminiscent of an interview with Ken Fulk—eclectic touches abound. The rug adds texture to the wooden floor.

Library in Provincetown Home

His favourite piece in the house is a painting. “We own a seven foot tall self-portrait of Charles Hawthorne from 1898.” he shared. “He painted it just a few years prior to founding the Cape School of Art establishing Provincetown as the foremost artist colony in the U.S.”

A painted portrait of a light-skinned person wearing a long dark coat with a fur collar, standing with one hand on their hip and the other holding a cane. The background is dark, drawing attention to the subject’s confident pose and formal attire, reminiscent of the stylish compositions discussed in an interview with Ken Fulk.

Self Portrait of Charles Hawthorne, 1898

Work does not halt while Fulk is summering in P-Town, “I am fortunate enough to have a studio space across the street in a home we recently restored. It’s a 1780’s sea captain’s house and later was home to Mary Heaton Vorse a key figure in the labor and civil rights movement and founder of the Provincetown Playhouse. It now houses the Provincetown Arts Society an extension of our non-profit arts hub – the Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation in San Francisco,” he explained. “Thankfully we have never been busier so there’s little free time – but it is nice to balance all the work with more time hiking and swimming with the family.”

A landscaped backyard with green grass, a round wooden table, four chairs, stepping stones, a pride flag on a tall pole, a fenced garden area, and a two-story house with wood shingles evokes the charming style often discussed in an interview with Ken Fulk. Lush trees and a small shed are in the background.

Mary Heaton Vorse House, Provincetown, MA

The pandemic has curtailed his schedule, but Fulk has found a silver lining. “Certainly I agonize over the immense tragedy and tumult we’ve experienced during this time – but simultaneously this period has been filled with great beauty for me; months spent with dear friends, my dogs & husband cooking, laughing and holding on to one another. I am deeply grateful to be healthy and safe, sheltered in a crooked house by the sea with creatures I love.”

By Ariane Maclean Trimuschat
Ariane served as Show Director for the San Francisco Fall Show for 7 years through 2019. She is now the show’s international liaison as Director at Large, living in London with her family. Follow Ariane on her blog, Sojournest, where she focuses on all things home and travel.