One room in this year’s
San Francisco Decorator Showcase that deserves a closer look is the bedroom suite created by San Francisco-based designer,
Brian Dittmar. Filled with exquisite textiles, gorgeous neoclassical antiques and a stunning custom bed,
The Tailor Made Suit(e) should not be missed.
“The room was inspired by a trip to London where I found myself walking down Savile Row dreaming of having a custom made suit done for myself someday...it seemed so indulgent yet so ideal all at the same time. When it came to developing a direction for my Showcase proposal this year, the "bespoke" concept came back to me and I thought it would be a fun idea to create a room around the concept of a tailor made suit. There is a direct correlation between this and creating a room for a client -- the goal is always to make a room that fits the clients needs, wants, personality and taste which is the same as having custom clothing made for you, or tailored to fit.” – Brian Dittmar
The custom metal bed by
Paul Benson is a head turner. Inspired by automobiles, the hand-crafted bed is comprised of hot-rolled steel, brushed brass and polish aluminum.
A quilted linen coverlet, hand-embroidered blanket and silk decorative pillows in chartreuse, plum and citron provide a soft contrast to the metal bed.
On the bedside tables, Brian brilliantly mixes a little old and new. Above an
Adaway Desk Lamp with mercury glass panels and black organza shades is paired with a stately 19th century French marble portico clock.
Brian also masters the art of blending different period styles in the room. This Danish neoclassical commode from
Therien & Co. is a wonderful juxtaposition to the abstract art by
Paule Debois Dupuis and table lamp in bronze with open stacked-link column by Baker.
A Danish Neoclassical armoire stands tall opposite the bed. The herringbone pattern is found in both the arm chair {fabric by Kravet & Lee Jofa} and wool needlepoint carpet.
Many say great design is in the details. Brian’s favorite details in the room are in the window treatments. The wool flannel valances and drapery panels articulate the idea of tailor-made details beautifully. Faux straps with tortoise shell buttons. were created to bridge the pleats of the valance to echo what you might see on a trench coat. He lined the inverted pleats in a contrasting citron-colored satin fabric – a nod to the lining of a man’s jacket. Brian repeated that with a small flange detail of the citron satin fabric on the leading edges of the drapery panels -- like a sleeve poking out from the cuff of a coat.
Between the front two windows, artwork by
Elisabeth Lecourt is hung on the wall. It’s a vintage map of London folded into the shape of a man's dress shirt. Doesn’t this capture the room’s theme perfectly?
I particularly was drawn to the minked-colored chenille wallpaper by Romo. I had to touch it! {Brian said it was okay!} The luxurious wallcovering is also the element in the room that most compliments Brian’s personal style. He also added, “That wallpaper changed the entire dynamic of the room once it was installed....it warms up the room with the rich color and interesting texture and sheen, and it also provides a sound-dampening effect that gives an overall hushed feeling to the space. All of that combines to create a sense of calm and coziness that I think are hallmarks of the rooms that I create.”
In the bathroom, Brian covers the walls in a richly veined marbled wallpaper called
Travertino by Osborn & Little. The
Byrnes Down Wall Scones with black shades by Avrett add to room’s masculine feel. Adding a pop of color, Brian has the ceiling is painted a playful apple green.
“I feel very strongly about creating livable spaces that are comfortable and humanly scaled...and most importantly are spaces in which people want to linger and enjoy the time spent there.” – Brian Dittmar
Congratulations Brian on a spectacular suite!
There is still time to tour this lovely Pacific Heights estate. The
showcase is open now through May 28, 2012.
