You Know It's Autumn When...

...the oranges on the tree are getting bigger,

but they're still bright green,

and dried oranges begin to appear in the markets....

...along with pomegranates & the last artichokes.

One day you wake up and find oak leaves

floating in the pool...

...and when you walk Nicky in the park, even

in late morning the shadows are long...

...and finally it rains...

...Autumn arrives in Northern California!

***

Exclusive Tour Elle Decor SF Showhouse November 12

If you are in the Bay Area, you already know about the sensational Elle Decor San Francisco Showhouse in St. Francis' Woods that opened Thursday evening, November 4, presented by the Junior League of San Francisco. The Showhouse is open until November 21.

If you would like to tour the home and do something good for our four-legged furry friends at the same time, don't miss this event on Friday, November 12, 2010 from 6:30 - 8:30!

Co-sponsored by The Urban Electric Co. with scrumptious catering by Pear & Pepper Fine Catering and Events, this tour will give you a "paws-only" chance to see up close the amazing work of today's most talented designers.

Don't miss this great opportunity! Get tickets here: PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful) and come join us Friday, November 12, for an exclusive viewing of the stunning Showhouse.

Grant K. Gibson's sketch for children's bedroom

bedroom sketch by Suzanne Tucker

The Showhouse at 300 St. Francis Boulevard

in San Francisco's St. Francis Woods

Sunday at San Francisco Fall Antiques Show {& Why I Wasn't There Saturday}

I missed all the excitement of Designer's Saturday at the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show..Billy Baldwin, Bunny Williams..(you'll see why at the end of the post!) but on Sunday I scooped up Lisa and we headed over. The day was stunningly clear, the setting on San Francisco Bay always inspiring.

After a quick and oh-so-satisfying lunch of poulet et pommes de terre roti-to-perfection at the Ft. Mason Farmer's Market, we excitedly headed inside. Yes, things were winding down a bit, but we found lots to intrigue in the show and we met wonderful antiquaires from the world over.

Chinese export watercolors of exotic fruits, 1790-1810

at Arader Galleries

stunning Chinese Chippendale chair for the Chinese

Bedroom at Badminton House, 1754, England

courtesy Ann Getty and Associates

some of the stunning

Lotus Collection of fine antique textiles found

at Kathleen Taylor

***

the show was not all Chinoiserie

mid-century and earlier antiques at

the amazing Downtown includes a pair of these

Spanish revival torchieres

I loved Downtown's breezy and chic approach

from Downtown's website, so worth a visit!

***

wonderful polychrome wood cabinet, 1760's, at

Robert Young Antiques as part of their

European folk art collection

toll road sign from the Lakes District in England,

about 1840; early prototype of the current

popular obsession with subway signs?

***

French company Les Enluminures displaying priceless illuminations

and jewelry from the middle ages in

this chic space lifting the colors of

the medieval illustrations for the display area walls

priceless Florentine illumination

from a choir book, 1423

***

the marina at Ft. Mason, San Francisco..that's the fabled

vegetarian eatery Greens on the right, a favorite of ours

for Sunday brunch with visitors from out of town

the fantastic entry into the

San Francisco Fall Antiques Show,

where the theme was "Chinoiserie"

***

so why wasn't I there Saturday?

meet Nicky, our new 4 month old rescue puppy;

does he

not look like a handful?

well he is! nothing is safe if he is awake!

sorry, Bunny:)

***

Pretty in Provence: Almond Green & Rose Pink

I have to confess I am just not an autumn colors girl. There, I said it. Black & orange, black & brown, burnt orange & brown, rust & olive. Not only do I have crunchy dark autumn to deal with, but now Halloween is upon us with its very restricted palette:)

Which brings me to this lovely respite at Campagne Francaise: could there be a lighter, lovelier, springier or more feminine interpretation of our beloved Provencal* style than this? Are you with me?

like a watercolor, this living room is ready for teatime

thanks to the Holy Trinity of Fabric Designers:

linen curtains: Pierre Frey , chairs in Manuel Canovas,

pillows: Designers' Guild

dining room bathed in sunlight; Pierre Frey linen at the windows,

table found at the flea market at l'Isle sur la Sorgue then covered

with a sheet of zinc (love it!!)

soft and intimate atmosphere created by grey tones with white

and brightened with raspberry. upholstery by Pacific Compagnie

a little theatrical vignette of a screen

and a lampshade which

evoke the spirit of Venice and the 18th C.

love this original fireplace from the 30's in chinoiserie style;

Japanese tea cloth on the wall, Asian lamps with lavender shades and raku,

and that black chair against the almond green..fabulous!

love this inviting sleeping alcove with headboard and

curtains in Manual Canovas fabrics

***

all these gorgeous photos by

Stephen Clement

* this beautiful home is on the

northern coast of France, in Honfleur

selected fabrics to love from

Pierre Frey Manuel Canovas

Designers' Guild

by Kit Golson

Chic Provence Design!

Teatime

Tea in the garden!

gorgeous vase from Moustiers in

the Vaucluse, Provence,

one of a pair my daughter found at a flea

market near St. Tropez

the madeleines and the Minton teacup

set on the French lace cloth in front

of the fountain

some of the old French lace tea cloths I've collected

hand washed and drying in the sun

(I'm channelling my "inner French grandmother"!)

also making an appearance: vintage Japanese teapot

and Art Nouveau silver Tiffany service

the mark on the bottom of

the Moustiers vase

although I don't see my mark on this

chart of the old authentic Provencal

pottery marks...do you?

peeking through the lavender at the

linens drying in the breezes

(ok, it's really sage...but looks a lot

like lavender!)

***

linking to Tablescapes Thursday at

Between Naps on the Porch!

***

Kit Golson

for Chic Provence Design