Tag: Preview Gala

A Look Back…

Posted on by Ariane Trimuschat

The 2015 San Francisco Fall Show

We’re all looking forward to a return to normal; a time when visiting a restaurant, a concert or an art and antiques fair is not something to think twice about. In the meantime, we can always reminisce about the days of old (i.e. pre-2020) when we did not appreciate the little things quite as much as we do now. In that spirit, here is a trip back to 2015 when the show theme was fittingly, ‘Time After Time’.

The Show introduced a new element to the Grand Entry Hall in 2015: The Designer Vignettes. With the support of DE GOURNAY, we set out to create curated scenes that tied in with the show theme and showcased items from our illustrious exhibitors. For each vignette, de Gournay created custom, hand-painted wallpaper in collaboration with each of the designers.

The designers invited for the inaugural year of the vignettes were FISHER WEISMAN, ALLISON CACCOMA and GEOFFREY DE SOUSA, along with architecture firm IKE KLIGERMAN BARKLEY who was tapped to create the vignette structure, a black shingle-style that drew on the crisp geometry of origami to create a series of porches; folded planes of cedar shingle supported a timber pergola, creating shingle-framed stages for the vignettes.

A person stands near elaborate indoor booths with ornate chandeliers, wall art, gold decor, and elegant furniture. The booths are framed by dark wooden beams, and the setting appears to be inside a large, well-lit exhibition space—a captivating scene reminiscent of A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show.

The 2015 Grand Entry Hall Vignettes

Fisher Weisman’s ‘Midnight Tea in the Garden of Antiquity’ was a fantasy scene featuring Andrew Fisher’s 24k gilded tapestry floating against the custom de Gournay wallpaper, with pieces from exhibiting dealers.

Luxurious room with a crystal chandelier, two ornate chairs, a round table, gold leaves on blue walls, two classical portrait paintings, patterned rug, gold decor, and green hedge in the foreground. The ceiling is glass, letting in natural light—an elegant setting that could easily be featured in A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show.

‘Midnight Tea in the Garden of Antiquity’ by Fisher Weisman Photograph by Drew Altizer

Allison Caccoma created ‘Lounging in the Reflection of the 18th Century’ by wrapping the walls in a custom de Gournay paper–a bold version of an 18th century textile design documented at the V&A in London. She enlarged the scale of the pattern and paired it with a high-gloss, graphic painted floor, giving it a contemporary feel. Mid-century salon chairs paired with an 18th century cabinet and modern lamp work together in an endurance of the test of time.

Elegant room with pink patterned walls, antique chaise lounge, ornate mirror, hanging lights, framed art, potted orchid, and wooden chest. Small glass table holds books; greenery lines the front. Ceiling has black beams and glass panels above—offering a sense of timeless sophistication reminiscent of A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show.

‘Lounging in the Reflection of the 18th Century’ by Allison Caccoma. Photograph by Drew Altizer

Geoffrey De Sousa paid homage to his Portuguese heritage and the mid-century Brazilian furniture designer, Joaquim Tenreiro with ‘Passagem do Tempo’ (Passage of Time). The vignette was surrounded by the sculptural Araucaria Forest hand painted on silk by de Gournay.  The horizontal, spreading branches reference the space age forms iconic to the mid-century period. 

Two wooden armchairs with white cushions face a low wooden coffee table, evoking the refined ambiance seen in A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show. Behind them, a tall bookshelf displays pottery, while a gold floor lamp stands to the right. Walls adorned with tree murals and a glass ceiling that lets in natural light complete this modern, serene space accented by green shrubs lining the front.

‘Passagem do Tempo’ by Geoffrey De Sousa. Photograph by Drew Altizer

The Loan Exhibit, curated by Philip M. Bewley presented a selection of some of the finest period clocks produced in the late 18th century from the private collection of Ann Getty. These extraordinary clocks have movements by the finest horologists of the day, with cases that express the highest aesthetic ideals of the period.

Four ornate clocks are displayed on pedestals beneath a wall marked TIMELINE, each placed under years: 1790, 1820, 1830, and 1880, showing the evolution of clock design across these periods. Each clock has a unique style and color. This captivating arrangement offers A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show, inviting visitors to appreciate both artistry and history.

‘Time After Time’ Loan Exhibit, curated by Philip M. Bewley, Photograph by Drew Altizer

Our exhibitors that year brought the very best as always. And all was unveiled at the Opening Night Gala, an evening everyone looks forward to each Fall, and that we look forward to once again in the near future!

Four smiling men in suits stand side by side at an indoor event, offering a glimpse into A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show. The room features elaborate gold and blue decor, leafy gold branches, rich tapestries, and a framed artwork in the background. The men appear well-groomed and wear colorful suits and ties.

Michael Purdy, Jack Calhoun, Trent Norris, and Jay Jeffers. Photograph by Drew Altizer

A woman in a blue dress and glasses smiles, holding a drink and a colorful clutch. She stands by a wooden table with framed art in a room with red walls, decorative plates, a carved chair, and a striped pink tapestry—capturing the vibrant atmosphere of A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show.

Kaylee Whitworth. Photograph by Drew Altizer

A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show: Two women stand side by side, smiling at the camera. One wears a black patterned dress with pearls and holds a clutch, while the other is in a gray floral dress. They are indoors with elegant decor, including a mirror, flowers, and a chest of drawers behind them.

Show Chair, Suzanne Tucker and Summer Tompkins Walker. Photograph by Drew Altizer

Three women in formal attire stand together, smiling and talking at an art event during A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show. One woman holds a wine glass and plate. Colorful tapestries and textiles hang behind them, adding a rich, detailed background to the elegant setting.

Pamela Babey and Kathleen Taylor. Photograph by Drew Altizer

A woman in a sleeveless white dress and a man in a yellow sweater with a black bow tie stand together, smiling indoors. Behind them is a wall covered with many framed botanical prints. The setting appears to be an art gallery or exhibition, reminiscent of A Look Back at the San Francisco Fall Show.

Samantha DuVall Bechtel and Darren Bechtel. Photograph by Drew Altizer

Alison Gelb Pincus, Flynn Kuhnert, Hutton Wilkinson. Photograph by Drew Altizer

Trevor Traina and Alexis Traina. Photograph by Drew Altizer

Hilary Helfrich, Ally Fleming. Photograph by Drew Altizer

Happy Shoppers! Photograph by Drew Altizer

By Ariane Maclean Trimuschat

Ariane served as Show Director for the San Francisco Fall Show for seven years through 2019. She is now the show’s Director-at-Large, living in Westport, Connecticut with her family.  Follow Ariane on her blog, SOJOURNEST, where she focuses on all things home and travel and on Instagram at @arianetrim