I am blessed to have three awesome siblings; one brother and two sisters. For the past 20+ years, my sisters and I have been getting together for "Sisters Weekend." The weekend has evolved to fit schedules and life changes, a child being born, birthdays, employment status and significant others coming or going but it has always centered around the three of us spending time together for a full weekend of uninterrupted talking, laughing, crying if necessary and last but not least, eating and drinking wine. We live in three different states now and rotate each year which one of us will be the "hostess with the mostest." The last weekend of September has become our weekend to gather every year and this year it was my turn to host. With one sister coming from Medford, OR and one from Las Vegas we arrived in San Francisco to stay at the Stanford Court Hotel. In previous years we have hit wine country in both Napa and Sonoma, hiked in Zion National Park, hit the casinos, the spa and the dance floor. We have even spent a weekend in Sisters, OR. This year however, we purposely kept the intinerary loose, with some ideas in mind but nothing that tied us to being anyplace at a certain time.
We checked in, got settled, picked the brain of our bellman/concierge about places to eat and headed out. After two suggestions that didn't pan out (another whole blog topic), we ended up at a piano bar in the Huntington Hotel for appetizers and yes, you guessed it, a glass of wine.
It was elegant, cozy and just what we were looking for...someplace we could chat and catch up. So with the piano playing in the background we found a table and sat down. I pulled my chair up to the table and glanced next to us as the tables were really close together. Imagine my surprise when I recognized k.d. Lang with two friends not four feet away. After some whispered discussion, we decided it truly was her. All three of us love her voice and felt like we had truly ended up exactly in the right place at the right time! Her music was our soundtrack for the rest of the weekend. What a way to begin Sisters 2009.
One of the things I had on my "to do" list while in San Francisco was to visit an ongoing Designer's Showcase at One Rincon Hill called Design Above All. The sisters were game so on Saturday morning our first stop was to the South of Market (SoMa) district. Design Above All is in collaboration with the San Francisco Design Center and involved four designers each showcasing a condominium on the 53rd floor of this beautiful urban building. Each designer was given a client scenario and a budget to work within.
This is one view looking across the Bay Bridge toward Oakland
The units were all approximately 2000 sf. with three bedrooms and two baths. Two designers changed the floorplans and reconfigured rooms and two worked within the original layout. Most designer showhouses are traditionally one large home where a designer is assigned a specific room or area. It was very interesting to see what each of the designers did with a whole living space. And let me tell you, this is no ordinary living space. You cannot implement a design plan without taking into consideration the views...they were unparalleled and breathtakingliy beautiful on the clear blue sky day that we were there. I think the view would be equally as stunning with the fog or a storm coming in over the Golden Gate Bridge.
From their website www.onerinconhill.com
As a designer, a huge challenge would be in softening the impact of all that glass but still enhancing those views.
One Rincon Hill is a 64-story building with a weather beacon at the top. It is the first in the Bay Area and stands on the same site as the old Bank of America clock tower (prior to 1993 it was the Union 76 building). Natives and visitors alike can look to the tower for the local weather forecast. Building amenities include 24 hour doorman, concierge, full service valet parking, club-quality professionally equipped fitness center with steam rooms and showers, spacious hospitality room with high-definition DVD theater and catering kitchen for hosting gatherings, full-size outdoor pool with beautifully landscape garden desk, gourmet barbeque area, and reflecting pool with infinity edge. This is not just a building to live in but a complete living experience.
If it is not your style but you would just like to take a peak from the 53rd floor of a high rise condominium, pretend for a moment what it might be like as you look at the pictures below. We had a great time going through each unit, picking our favorite rooms and views. It's only an elevator ride away to a completely different lifestyle...enjoy!
These first images were by Leslie Bamburg of design firm Labexperiment. Her project description was for a single Google executive. He enjoys computer games and skateboards but also has a refined taste in wine, food and culture.
Kitchen with bridge view
Notice the bar stools...they had stormtrooper backsides on them
Master bath with beautiful mosaic tile...it was quite large.
The next unit was done by the architectural firm of Carver+Schicketanz, designers Mary Ann Schicketanz and Carissa Duncan. The project description was for a couple downsizing from a large suburban home to a smaller urban residence. Interior walls were removed to create a master suite with sitting room. 
Walls were moved to create the entryway...using the large mirror expands the space .
Hall bathroom...sorry about the flash. I also like to use a small lamp on a vanity if there is room.
Columns add architectural detail...notice the balcony through the window
The fourth unit was done by Donald Joseph Inc., designers Donald Fugina and Karen Calija. The project description "incorporates modern organic sophistication...characterized by beautiful finishes and furnishings..." It had a "Creative Room" with a floating glass desk and a walk-in closet that held the owner's guitar collection.
One of the most exquisite rooms was the master bedroom with the floating backlit hand-blown glass panel headboard.
These pictures do not do it justice!
This unit truly was about using natural elements...My sister Kelly and I want to recreatethis for one of her bedrooms!
Uplit with rope lighting
My beautiful sister Patti sitting on a cork couch...really! It was soft as butter!!
One last view of the city by the bay...We had a great rest of our weekend. Next year is Las Vegas...I should be able to come up with some hot "must see" design happenings to check out by then! But for now if you live in N. California and want to see Design Above All, here is the info:
Design Above All
Sept. 19-November 1, 2009
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Tickets are available at the door
$20 (includes valet parking)
425 First Street, San Francisco
Ticket price goes to three charities, so it's tax deductible!
Each of these units is $3.4 - 3.6 million and that's why they call it a million dollar view. They are totally furnished as you see them...move -in ready! Want to make an offer?
Leave me a comment and tell me what you think...
Happy Designing!
This is the family room that is adjacent to the kitchen and here is the most comfortable sofa in the world. Someday when the decor is not determined by kids, dog, cat, watching ballgames, etc., I will have a linen covered sofa...sigh. The table I painted and covered the top with cork and a round glass tabletop.
I generally like the mantle to be simple, not a lot of clutter. Some candles, berry garland, some greenery and of course a stack of pumpkins.
I love this pumpkin plate!
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