As spring traditions go, it’s hard to beat the annual unveiling of the SF Decorator Showcase. It’s almost impossible to experience the dozens of rooms dreamed up by some of the Bay Area’s best design talent and not walk away ready to kick-start your own abode upgrade. This year one of our favorite dynamic duos, designer Jonathan Rachman and legendary wallpaper purveyor de Gournay, were at it again, collaborating on a stunning homage to the English manor Houghton Hall, featuring de Gournay’s hand-painted ‘Houghton’ wallpaper. Our own Anna Brockway joined Jonathan and Rachel Cecil Gurney of de Gournay to host an intimate afternoon tea to celebrate (and raise a glass of bubbly in-between tea sandwiches) to the collaboration.
Insanely Inspiring Surroundings
The tea took place inside the de Gournay showroom, giving guests the chance to get up-close and personal with the new ‘Houghton’ wallpaper, not to mention a bounty of other stunning wallpaper patterns that draped the walls, hung on sample wings, and adorned silk throw pillows. In-between lively conversations, guests sampled from the tiers of tea sandwiches, toast with jam, and spring-themed sweets almost too adorable to eat. The floral-forward surroundings and charming bites made it the perfect way to celebrate one beautiful creative collaboration, not to mention a fitting way to welcome the spring season.
Design Talent To Spare
An incredible crew from the local design community turned up to celebrate the occasion. Attendees included designers Eche Martinez, Benjamin Dhong, Dina Bandman, Krista Hoffman, Caitlin Flemming, Martin Kobus, Kari McIntosh, and many more, as well as local design world luminaires like Ali Grosslight of California Home & Design, Mary-Jo Bowling of Luxe Interiors & Design, and the legendary Suzanna Allen.
Photos by Ian Chin for Drew Altizer Photography