25: The BAMO Magazine

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BAMO

CREDITS & CONTRIBUTORS Editors

BAMO Principals

Alyssa Terry Ashley Venturini

Studio Standard

Dorothy Greene Gerald Jue Michael Booth Pamela Babey Steven Henry

Photography

BAMO Contributors

Aubrie Pick Barbara Kraft Blake Marvin Chester Ong Drew Altizer Eric Piasecki Hedrich Blessing John Coolidge John Merkl Ken Seet Matthew Millman Michael Walmsley Nikki Richter Oberto Gili Ottovio Tomasini Ricardo Labougle Steve Hall

Addy Williams Alan Deal Alexa Schroeder Alyssa Muench Amaza Lam Anne Wilkinson Billy Quimby Carmen Bringas Catharine Tarver Conor Doyle Danielle Yuen Dina Marinelli Elaine Smith Elizabeth Ashley Eric Collins Erin Altman Gabriela Chavez Halie Zulch Iara Bachmann

Design & Layout

Janet Mercier Jason Chang Jason Staso Jenny Chan Julie Mohan Kate Power Kay Young Kelly Yin Kitty Smith Lauren McGuier Lexie Eglin Lindsay Noelting Mai Xiong Martin Ă–estlund Melissa Tran Mikana Camacho Neha Sadruddin Patty Hampton Rhonda Lay Sandy Fang Tessa Garcia

A Special Thank You!

Celebrating 25 Years of BAMO Happy Birthday to Us!

CONTENTS

11 Project Envy

19 Floral Tutorial

The Grand Hotel a Villa

Our resident floral visionary Eric

Feltrinelli is the most coveted

Collins give us tips and details

project by BAMO designers,

on how to put together the

find out the rest of the enviable

perfect arrangement.

projects on the list.

Foreword

5

Accessory Obsessions

24

Timeline

6

California Soul: Local Style

27

Reimagining Milan

9

& Projects Instagramming around SF

30

City Guide

32

Authentic Balance:

35

Project Envy

11

Business of BAMO

13

Industry Predictions

15

International Design

BAMO loves to Party

16

Our Global Team

38

Floral Tutorial

19

Shopping Around the

42

21 How to Style a Space

World How to Style a Space

21

6

Timeline

What's in Your Travel Bag

45

At Home/Back Home

48

Designing Principles

54

Custom Pieces

60

Guestroom

72

Must Haves

Notable moments from our 25

Interview & Outtakes

74

Cheers to 25 Years

96

years in the design business.

Our first office: Pamela's living

Our favorite tricks for sprucing up an interior, whether for a beautiful

room!

photograph, or to make a house a home.

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

2

27

Local Style

—

54 Design Principles

"Over the years we’ve grown with each and every client, adding to our bible of BAMO design principles with valuable lessons learned and new eye-opening experiences.

We strive to

Our five Principals discuss their top principles for great design, adventurous use of color is just one of them!

60 Custom Pieces

continuously hone our craft."

— Our design work takes us around the world, but local projects like the

BAMO is well-known for

Tah Mah Lah Residence in Portola Valley remain near and dear to our

beautifully crafted custom pieces,

hearts. We reflect on the Bay Area and California influences that have

get a glimpse into the process

made us the firm we are today.

behind some of our favorites.

35

International Design

72 Guestroom

74 Interviews

The guestrooms at Four

BAMO Principals sit down

Seasons Resort Hualalai

with our Senior Associates

are currently undergoing

and discuss everything from

renovations that include

world travel, childhood dreams,

expansive new bathrooms, a

hair color, and embarrassing

BAMO must-have for any luxury

karaoke stories.

Must-Haves

space. Read on for more BAMO Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is one of a dozen projects BAMO is

suggestions for the ultimate

currently designing in international locations. Our designers share how

guestroom design.

they engage and design for a truly authentic experience in any locale.

3

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19 93 McEvoy Ranch For our first residential design project, located in Marin County, we designed a country kitchen for a client on her olive ranch.

Our work at the property continues to this day.

4

FOREWORD

O

n my way to visits with BAMO, I always happily anticipate the silver platter. The literal one--the tray which, at every meeting, is so thoughtfully presented with coffee and chilled water, sweets and fruit. I look forward almost as

much to seeing Pamela, Gerry, Michael, Steve and Dorothy. But I’m always left thinking, no one else does this--makes me feel so appreciated, and so welcome.

Because that’s BAMO. Graciousness, hospitality, and style are at the core of all you do as a firm, and as individuals. It’s no accident that you’re celebrating 25 years, and will go on to toast to many more. Your award-winning work sets the bar for style and taste, and your projects embody intelligence, excellence, and a passion for your craft.

— But it’s BAMO’s personal culture I’ve come to admire most. The Valentine’s Day gatherings (more lovely sweets), Christmas dinners, and Chinese New Year celebrations (with a red Hongbao envelope for everyone, guests included of course) that bring everyone together. Or, on the rare occasion when I manage to catch a principal not physically on a plane or heading to board one, I love talking to Pamela about Venice and to Gerry about

"I’ve had the privilege of knowing and collaborating with BAMO for nearly a decade now, and I come away from each visit feeling educated, inspired, enriched. "

Japan; to Michael about Gabriel and Grace; or having deep, searching

—

conversations with Steve about Benedict Cumberbatch.

But no matter what far-flung destination a team is traveling to, or textile couturier they’re working with, at BAMO it always comes back to hospitality--to warmth and grace. Your incredible work on Ronald McDonald House was the epitome of that: you didn’t just design beautiful spaces, you designed a wishing tree, put your own children’s artwork in the space, and made sure it was as comfortable--and comforting--as it was stylish.

I’ve had the privilege—and it is truly a privilege—of knowing and collaborating with BAMO for nearly a decade now, and I come away from each visit feeling educated, inspired, enriched. I thank you for that, and wish you congratulations on an extraordinary quarter century.

I, as I’m sure do all of your guests and friends, look forward to many more sweet meetings to come.

Warmly,

ALISA C ARROLL

Alisa Carroll is the Editor-in-Chief of San Francisco Cottages & Gardens magazine, and a longtime treasured friend of the BAMO team.

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2000

WINNER WINNER

Four Season Resort Carmelo wins Best Resort in Interior Design magazine's first Hospitality Design Awards.

BAMO MILESTONES

2001

BENTO BOX JEWEL

Matsuri, a Japanese restaurant in Santiago, Chile, opens.

THE VILLA ON THE LAKE

Robert Burns acquires the Villa Feltrinelli, Benito Mussolini's

2001

With 25 years under our

last residence during the final years of WWII. BAMO transforms the derelict 1892 neo-Gothic castle on Lake Garda into a sumptuous 21-room hotel. The hotel quickly becomes the benchmark against which all other boutique

belt, we have marked

hotels are judged.

many occasions along the

2009

way. Here are some of our

A L L T H AT G L I T T E R S I S G O L D

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora wins 3 Gold Key Awards, including Best Resort, Best Suite, and Best Spa.

memorable moments.

2009

C A P I TA L I Z I N G O N L U X U R Y

Rosewood Sand Hill opens, quickly becoming the social epicenter for Silicon Valley's tech and legal power players, as well as business travelers and well-heeled vacationers.

1991

A FIRM IS FORMED

Pamela Babey, David Moulton, Gerry Jue, and Michael

20 01

Booth launch BAMO, after the Pfister Partnership closes its doors.

FOUR SEASONS MILANO

1993

The interior renovation of Regent Milan expands into a massive architectural restoration. Before the hotel opens, our client, legendary hotelier Robert Burns, sells the Regent brand and our first hotel becomes Four Seasons Milan.

OUR FIRST HOME - MARIN COUNT Y

1993

On an agricultural parcel in Northern California, we design a country kitchen for Nan McEvoy - philanthropist, olive oil artisan, and former owner of the San Francisco Chronicle. We continue to work with this beloved family today.

1993

H E L L O J A PA N

Sun City Kanagawa opens. This is the first of 13 senior living projects for our amazing client Half Century More.

Think five-star luxury living in your golden years.

Villa Feltrinelli One of our most iconic projects continues to inspire

1996

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

H A LL O F FA M E

us, with Pamela Babey and Steve Henry refreshing the

BAMO Co-Founder Pamela Babey is inducted into

interiors in 2016. Rendering of the salon by Jeremiah

Interior Design magazine's Hall of Fame.

Goodman.

6

20 14

2014

L ADY C ANDY

Our first yacht, Lady Candy, sets sail. Wanting to avoid the commercial vibe of most vessels, we employ layered luxury to give the impression of a grand residence.

2015

BA N G KO K LUXU RY

Situated on an iconic property adjacent to the Chao Phraya River, BAMO's designs at the Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok are sparkling and modern.

2015

GOLDEN MOMENT

One of our newest projects, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, is awarded a Gold Key for Best Resort.

WHERE HOPE HAS A HOME

2016

We devote ourselves to a project near and dear to our hearts, designing the Lobby, Great Room and Kids' Great Room for the expansion project at Ronald McDonald House

Four Seasons Resort Dubai The design team took inspiration from the cosmopolitan

at Stanford.

2016

THE BELOVED VILL A

In the midst of BAMO's refresh at the Villa Feltrinelli, our

allure, vibrant culture, and stunning views of the Persian

designs at the property are honored with an ICAA Julia

Gulf. The Shai Salon serves as a lobby, gathering place,

Morgan Award for Commercial/Hospitality work.

and grand facility for guests to congregate.

F R O M D E VA S TAT I O N C O M E S R E B I R T H

2010

20 16

Mumbai's grand dame shines once more after a renovation of Taj's flagship property, The Taj Mahal Palace. We are honored to design the Taj Club Rooms and historic suites.

2010

P R E C I O U S M E TA L

BAMO founders are inducted into Hospitality Design's Platinum Circle.

2011

WO R TH IT S WA IT

BAMO is named Gold Key Designer of the Year, and we couldn't be any prouder.

IT'S EASY BEING GREEN

2012

Designed to be the greenest residence in its class, Tah Mah Lah in Portola Valley beautifully illustrates that California living seamlessly blends casual elegance, indoor-outdoor verve, and environmental stewardship.

2013

LOCAL HONORS

BAMO receives the Hospitality Designer of Distinction Award from San Francisco Design Center.

A I R I LY E L E G A N T

2014

Ronald McDonald House at Stanford

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach opens. The

The Lobby's Tree of Hope sculpture can be used for

hotel stands above the rest with its elegance and subtle

functional seating, or filled with prayers and wishes from

nods to location.

families at the home.

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19 93 Four Seasons Hotel Milan As our inaugural project, what started as the Regent Milano became the Four Seasons after hotelier Bob Burns sold the brand, and was the first of many Four Seasons properties to fill our portfolio.

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

8

REIMAGINING MILANO "Remember, it is the 21st century, which means we don’t forget the past, we reinterpret it. I would not replace everything, I would not change the 'World of Four Seasons Milano.' I would just redress her and get her some new shoes!"

Modern Interpretation

What’s old is old. What’s new is

Sofas would be redesigned to become a

Four Seasons Milano, aimed

modern interpretation of a historic Northern

to establish a modern interior

Italian "Gondola" sofa.

design that would not try to

new. The original directive for BAMO’s first hotel project, the

copy or recreate the traditional remnants of the building’s past

Statement Bar

lives. Warm, luxurious colors

A fun facade to give the bar a

Italian

new identity, standing apart

and accessories. Casual, yet

from the architecture.

elegant

provided a layered backdrop to the traditional and modern lighting, in

furnishings

simplicity

and

attention to detail.

Now, 25 years later, Pamela Babey reflects on the original design and how she would reinvigorate this BAMO icon for today.

The city of Milano is so vibrant and so current that it seems the

Classic Chair

Drama

Glamour

lobby of the hotel should have a shot of power. There is an expected drama and musicality

Keep the Jean-Michel Frank

Addition of dramatic

that is present, after all it is home

chairs but reupholster in new

lighting for a some

to La Scala, and there is power

Fortuny and leather.

theatrics.

from the center of banking. The city is dominated by its interest and its exceptional presence in design and fashion. It is a vanguard in these fields and I have always felt is it magically individual and delightful. There Mirrored screens at tall windows

is a pleasure in design here, and

to add glitter and sparkle.

a distinctly Italian overture that

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—

"One can imagine a scarf thrown on the table after the opera and cocktails being served in Italian crystal and green-tinted octagonal glasses. Always keen to know you are experiencing the best Milano has to offer." — everything does not have to be perfect, but it does

cylinders at the bar become animated with light

have to have personality.

and reflection, the flowers would come alive. Floral arrangements all around would return to a more classic,

For this reason I am infusing the lobby with color.

natural look and plants would be placed at the most

The lovely serene feeling of this space can remain,

effective points. The antique columns would glow and

but it could be expressed differently. Emerald sofas

the walls would remain the same lovely, glowing white

highlight the space, forming focal points for the

plaster.

groups of people there to see and be seen! Green because I always felt there was a lot of green here,

Chocolate brown and pearl grey carpets would

typically more of a loden-green, but this particular

accentuate the emerald sofas, accented by pillows

shade reflects the garden and exudes energy. The

of gold and raspberry. The coffered ceiling would be

injection of color creates a liveliness when few people

reupholstered in apricot Fortuny, adding a glowing

are there, and a pleasurable backdrop when the space

reflection to the guests below. Comfortable and easily

is busy and filled with people who provide the color.

moved side chairs would be in crisp, tailored white slipcovers that were kept immaculate. There would be a

Mirrored screens at the high windows add a

very fresh appeal to the white accents on the green and

much-needed sparkle, a dose of glamour. The sofas

in combination with the raspberry.

recall the fabulous voluptuous antique sofas I have always loved, reinterpreted into the 21st century.

Many of the features remain, the gold mosaic tables, the metal lattice piece. Why would you throw out the pieces that reflect the artistry of the Italian craftsperson?

The Bar would become more of a furniture piece, no longer an extension of the other desks of the hotel but a character element in black and white.

The concierge would remain a sturdy wood piece, but the screen there would also be mirrored.

A dramatic lighting plan would be installed to accentuate select locations. The two glass display

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

10

5 F O U R S E A S O N S H O T E L S Ã O P A U L O São Paulo,

25 PROJECTS TO ENVY

11 R O S E W O O D S A N D H I L L Menlo Park, California

Brazil 12 F O U R S E A S O N S H O T E L 6 L A D Y C A N D Y P R I V A T E

M I L A N Milan, Italy

Y A C H T Hong Kong

13 S U N C I T Y S E N I O R 7 C A P E L L A H O T E L B A N G K O K Bangkok,

L I V I N G Multiple Locations,

Japan

Thailand 14 T E R R A N E A R E S O R T

BAMO team members choose their top 25 most enviable projects, that they loved working on, or wish they’d had

8 T A H M A H L A H P R I V A T E R E S I D E N C E Portola Valley,

Rancho Palos Verdes, California

California 15 M O F F E T T G A T E W A Y 9 R O N A L D M C D O N A L D H O U S E AT S TA N F O R D

H O T E L Mountain View,

California

Palo Alto, California

the chance to be a part of.

16 R I T Z - C A R L T O N C H I C A G O 10 F O U R S E A S O N S R E S O R T

Chicago, Illinois

H U A L A L A I Kailua-Kona,

17 C H I L E N O B A Y R E S O R T

Hawaii

& R E S I D E N C E S Cabo San

Lucas, Mexico 18 F O U R S E A S O N S R E S O R T C A R M E L O Carmelo,

Uruguay 19 F O U R S E A S O N S P R I V A T E R E SI DE N CE S BA N G KO K

Bangkok, Thailand 1

2

20 F O U R S E A S O N S H O T E L B O S T O N Boston,

Massachusetts 1 G R A N D H O T E L A V I L L A 21 M C E V O Y R A N C H

F E L T R I N E L L I Lake Garda,

P R I VAT E R E S I D E N C E

Italy

Marin County, California 2 F O U R S E A S O N S R E S O R T B O R A B O R A Bora Bora,

22 P A L A Z Z O C A S I N O Las

5

French Polynesia 3

Vegas, Nevada

3 F O U R S E A S O N S H O T E L

23 S E A T T L E O F F I C E S

C A N A L E J A S Madrid,

Multiple Locations

Spain 24 N E W Y O R K P A L A C E 4 F O U R S E A S O N S R E S O R T

H O T E L New York, New York

D U B A I AT J U M E I R A H

25 M A N D A R I N O R I E N T A L

B E A C H Dubai, United Arab

S A N F R A N C I S C O San

Emirates

Francisco, California 4

6

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19 94 Sun City Kanagawa The first of 13 senior living projects for our amazing client in Japan, Half Century 25 YE AR S OFMore.

BA MO

12

BEHIND THE BUSINESS OF BAMO Things aren't always all business for Senior Associate, Jason Chang. But as BAMO's go-to guru for everything behind-the-scenes, we asked for his insights into the business of interior design.

25 years in business is no small feat in the world of interior design, especially given the years of economic downturn and how it impacted our industry. What has kept BAMO successful over the past quarter century?

Integrity without compromise and diversity in our design approach. Strong relationships with our clients that have led to repeat work stretching, in some cases, across the entire 25 years that we’ve been in business.

What are some of the challenges of doing business in our industry?

Maintaining a steady, sustainable project flow is always a challenge, but that is the nature of this business.

Supporting a professional and yet friendly and fun work environment. It is a tricky balance but one that we seem to have mastered, as supported by the fact that over 1/3 of our current staff has been with us for 10 years or longer.

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What practices have we kept as "tried and true" methods over the last 25 years?

BAMO still maintains the same methodical, detailed design process that we always have – no cutting corners,

Quick Tips from the Marketing & BD Duo

even sometimes at the expense of profitability! But we do utilize technology more to help us come up with fresh designs, implemented in shorter periods of time.

What

aspects

of

our

business

approach

have

changed?

Technology has changed a lot in the design field, for both operations and designers. Clients have higher expectations for design process and presentation. For that reason we now have more resources allotted to our tech infrastructure and staff. We’ve recently hired a BIM Manager, and invested in a number of technology programs including: • Adoption of Revit as our new design platform • Specsources for specification writing with Revit integration • Exploration of new visualization tools like Lumion • Using Hightail to a larger degree to allow for better file storage and collaboration with our vendors/clients • Use of SketchUp and Revit for 3D modeling to better inform our designs • Utilization of programs like Go-to-Meeting have changed our project travel requirements and have allowed for more touch-points with the client on the project development • Salesforce for contact management, marketing and business development purposes

TIP

TIP

1

2

Don't be pigeonholed by

Designers have their feet

industry specific technology

and ears to the ground on

or trends. Learn from

a daily basis, so make sure

the latest and greatest

your entire team is excited

innovations and adapt them

and trained in marketing

to work for you.

and business development goals and practices.

What are some of BAMO’s business goals, moving into this next quarter century?

Continue to deliver high quality design products, even more seamlessly and efficiently. Keep BAMO’s designs fresh, by educating current staff on the latest techniques, products and developments, and recruiting the best new talent.

TIP

TIP

3

4

What is the big picture future vision for the firm?

Stay true to ourselves, but always aim to do it better.

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

14

Be proactive and pursue a

You never know where your

collaborative PR approach

next opportunity may come

from which all parties will

from. Be open to engaging

benefit. Your client will

with people beyond your

appreciate you taking

field to gain connections

the lead!

and learn something new.

5 V I R T U A L R E A L I T Y E N V I R O N M E N T S Guest

14 B L U R R E D L I N E B E T W E E N HOTEL & HOME

headsets that construct

25 INDUSTRY PREDICTIONS

environments around them,

15 B A C K T O T H E B A S I C S

when in reality the space is bare bones. This frees the

16 T E C H N O L O G Y

designer to create spaces as

R E S P O N S I V E to the guest/

innovative and interesting

environment that “learns”

(and not necessarily realistic)

from user profiles - favorite

as they can imagine, with

drinks or meals for room

minimal construction costs!

service, time spent in the room for housekeeping.

Designers predict what innovations and changes they'd like to see in our industry over the next 25 years

6 L U X U R Y & C O M F O R T not at the expense of hurting

17 3 D P R I N T E D F U R N I T U R E

our environment.

18 A B U C K E T O F I C E waiting 7 F A B R I C A T I O N with laser

for me in my hotel room!

cutting and 3D printing, see Iris Van Herpen clothing line.

19 T E C H N O L O G Y - F R E E resorts and restaurants. A reverse movement towards

8 P R O P E R M A R T I N I S from

pure human interaction.

room service.

20 F U L LY E L E C T R O N I C D R A W I N G S E T S No page

flipping! Click an elevation tag, the elevation pops up.

Draw a line with your finger through the baseboard to see the profile detail.

21 G E N E T I C A L LY 1

21

E N G I N E E R E D process in

which natural matter grows to create truly organic materials with patterns and 1 V I R T U A L R E A L I T Y

9 V A R I A T I O N S O F T H E

D E S I G N allowing clients

S TA N DA R D R O O M

and designers to step

furniture options, colorways,

into a virtual space and

style, layout.

10 H O T E L S B R A N D I N G

4

process of its creation.

22 M O V E M E N T A W A Y F R O M S U B - B R A N D S so as not to

experiment with design.

2 M O R E O P T I O N S &

textures generated by the

blur guest expectations.

PERSONAL RESIDENCES

C H O I C E S Guests pick a

for rental, like Airbnb. If you

room like seats on a plane.

can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

23 P E R F E C T , D I M M A B L E L I G H T I N G with really

simple controls.

3 C U S T O M I Z E D

11 I N T E R A C T I V E D E S I G N 24 R O B O T I C F U R N I T U R E

E X P E R I E N C E S Hotels

tailoring the stay to the

to create different room

guest, and the impact that

integrates unsightly blinds

types and layouts instantly,

has on guestroom design.

or televisions into windows.

depending on the demand.

4 S I M P L E L I N E S & S H A P E S 7

12 S M A R T G L A S S that

with natural materials.

13 L I V E A L I T T L E W I T H C O L O R we will feel better!

15

25 H U M B L E & H O N E S T LUXURY

BA MO INC

BAMO loves to Party We love any chance to celebrate. Work hard, play hard, right? Time to pop the Veuve!

20 00 Four Seasons Resort Carmelo BAMO designed this distinctly South American resort in Uruguay, which won Best Resort at Interior Design magazine's first Hospitality Design Awards.

18

FLORAL TUTORIAL Office Manager Eric Collins is our resident vibe director, the visionary behind our fabulous celebrations. In his time at BAMO, he’s picked up some major floral artistry skills.

Or, to use his words: he’s “got the gift.”

Floral Idol

Choice Bloom

“I’m enamored by Preston Bailey,

Let’s say it’s your wedding day:

but there’s no way I could turn

what’s the flower of choice?

flower petals into a giant dog. Still,

“Long-stemmed white tulips,

I’m fascinated.”

and that’s it. I mean long, like

Office Signature

goose-neck long.”

If BAMO had to choose between branches and tulips, which one would it be?

“Branches. They last longer, are more cost-efficient, and make a bigger statement.”

Strip Your Stem “Clean your flower, take off the dead leaves. You don’t have to use the whole thing, you can edit for what you need.”

TIP

1

Gain Perspective

TIP

2

“Every once in awhile, stand back and see how it looks. If I cannot assemble it on a round table, I spin the arrangement to

flowers at an angle, to gain

Local Abundance

Flower arranging can create

more surface area and

“Other flower markets don’t

a big mess. "Clean up as

see all sides.”

"Cut the ends of your

absorb more water."

compare to San Francisco,

you go."

because everything is grown just down the road.”

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20 01 The Peninsula Chicago The two-story penthouse spa brings contemporary flavor to the light, warm Art Deco interiors.

HOW TO STYLE A SPACE Whether for a forever home or a lively photoshoot, styling an interior takes both a trained eye and natural instinct.

Color is Your Friend Don't be afraid of it. The perfect amount will allow the eye to travel around the space, and provide a focal point to rest on.

Go Natural Nothing is more appealing than the effortless presence of natural light in an interior. These days it's the preferred approach of most photographers, and we tend to agree.

Books are Always in Style A beautiful tome with a bold cover looks good in any space, and when stacking, books provide height variation and visual interest.

Bring in Organic Textures Elements like rustic ceramics, warm woods, and cozy wools create an appealing sense of calm, inviting a closer look.

ABOVE

Bluff Path Residence, Hong LEFT

Ronald McDonald House at Stanford

Kong CENTER

San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2014

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Green Means Go In our world, plants and flowers are always necessary to make an interior feel complete. From a grand branch display to freshly cut blooms, they literally give a space life.

Personalized Layers Bring an eclectic, collected look to the interior environment, adding personal touches and unique additions that truly reflect the personality of the home.

Food and Drink Adding a beautiful cocktail or colorful piece of fruit gives that truly livable look that we all can relate to.

Animal Instinct

ABOVE

Animals are always a good idea, whether live or in statue

CENTER

Clipper Street Residence, San Francisco, California

form. For our photo shoot at Tah Mah Lah, we spent a

San Francisco Decorator Showcase, 2014

good hour herding the chickens with feed and getting LEFT

the client's dog Flame to pose just so. Was it worth it?

San Francisco Decorator

We think so.

Showcase, 2012

FA R LE F T

Ardmore Residence, Singapore BELOW

Tah Mah Lah Residence, Portola Valley, California

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

22

20 01 Matsuri Restaurant Featured on the cover of Interior Design Magazine, this restaurant in Santiago, Chile is an interpretation of the elegant 23

Japanese house - mysterious, serene and luxurious.

BA MO INC

4 L ACQUER BOXES

25 ACCESSORY OBSESSIONS

are great for accents at tables and shelves. San Franciscobased Pacific Connections imports a beautiful range of colors and patterns.

4

5 J U J U H AT S

from St. Frank, which are divine symbols of prosperity in

Designers reveal their all-time

Cameroon's Bamileke culture.

Bird feathers make up this

favorite item (or latest obsession)

ornamental headpiece, and its soft details add texture and

with which to accessorize a

dimension to a wall space.

space.

6 B E A U T I F U L B O O K S , A LW AY S 5

& FOREVER

Love the original Vogue’s Book of Houses Gardens and People as well as the new release Around that Time: Horst at Home in Vogue.

7 MAKE A SPLASH IN THE P O W D E R B AT H

Be unafraid to go wild, it’s one of the best spaces in a house to 1

6

make a bold statement.

8 MURANO GLASS OBJECTS

1

from Archimede Seguso.

WOOD & CONCRETE

furniture and fixtures from mth

9

woodworks.

THE CHISELED BLUE GLASS VA S E S AT T E R R A N E A

2

2

8

are perfectly suited to pick up

A G R E AT T R AY

the Pacific blue waters captured

or a collection of them, you

in the view beyond.

can't go wrong!

10 3

EL AD YIFR ACH'S QUIRK Y

PLANTS

L' O B J E T C O L L E C T I O N

big and small! They liven up

I love that the objects have

a space and add touches of

functional uses as well as being

interesting shadow. Uplight a

great to look at, crocodile cards

plant and you’ll get dramatic

or art decor dominos anyone?

shadow on the ceiling.

3

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

10

24

11

11

12

FLOWERS

A C C E S S O R I E S T H AT

I like to use them as subtle

C E L E B R AT E A S E N S E O F

additions of color that can liven

PL ACE

up even a minimalist style room!

unique to its heritage and

20

surroundings.

20 A FORTUNY PILLOW & A PA I R O F M Y S P E C TA C L E S

21 A G O R G E O U S PA I R O F CANDELABRA 12

22

21

A N Y T H I N G T H AT I S PERSONAL TO YOUR LIFE 13

14

23

13

23

E M B R O I D E R E D L E AT H E R

CEDRIC HARTMAN SIDE

POUFS

TA B L E

from MARAUTHENTICS on Etsy.

a Classic.

14

24

RETRO CLOCKS

LUS TR E WA R E A N D O I L

They have such vivacious colors

PA I N T I N G S

and lines.

25 H A N D - PA I N T E D C E R A M I C S

are always a great accent for a

—

space and symbolize a craft that has been around forever in our

"Plants liven up a space and add touches of

human history.

interesting shadow. Uplight a plant and you'll get dramatic shadow on the ceiling."

— 18

15

18

BASKETS & BRONZE BOWLS

V E LV E T

is having a moment right now, 16

love these velvet notebooks in

JOURNAL BOOKS

an array of sizes and colors.

displayed open, like little personal works of art.

19 MARBLE ACCENTS

17 16

25

G UAT E M A L A N FA B R I C S

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BA MO INC

20 07 Cypress Drive As featured in Architectural Digest, this modern house on the 18th Fairway at Pebble Beach "derives its warmth and visual interest from texture rather than from pattern or color."

CALIFORNIA SOUL: LOCAL STYLE AND PROJECTS After 25 years, our team has gained an understanding of California living and design.

A few of our designers weigh in.

Local Clientele "People really love living in the Bay Area," says Michael Booth, "The city, the countryside, Wine Country, the natural beauty." Unlike other city's dwellers "they don't necessarily need a second home since everything is so accessible from this one. Everyone is from somewhere else, looking West for the dream lifestyle: outdoors, physical beauty, variety." For Alan Deal, San Francisco's clientele are laid back, but focused, "They have strong ideas, but want to hear yours too." With both natives and transplants, Gerry Jue feels California clients have a more liberal spirit, "They love the great outdoors, sunshine and climate."

"There is a casualness to the California lifestyle, a vibe of equality," remarks Steve Henry. "People don't necessarily need to use their homes to project their social status." And in San Francisco, Michael notes that our urban environment is sometimes dictated by the weather. "With windy and cold nights, people get cabin fever and stay inside. Modern homes have expanses of glass to take in the views from inside."

ABOVE

LEFT

Tah Mah Lah Residence,

Sonoma Residence for art

Portola Valley, California

collector Byron Meyer

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BA MO INC

Made in California Many of our favorite products are made locally. After a recent visit to the Studio Roeper showroom here in San Francisco, Alan feels "their pieces are so beautiful and quintessentially California."

Gerry and Steve agree that Jonathan Browning's pieces are both technical and romantic. "I would love to find an excuse to use one of their pieces in a project," remarks Gerry. And Steve is loving McGuire Furniture's current collections, adding that "their classic and new designs would be lovely in a seaside home."

To Michael, Heath Ceramics are incredibly Californian in concept, remaining true to the original mission of Edith Heath. "They have enjoyed a more recent renaissance and are more relevant now than ever."

BELOW

BELOW

Jonathan Browning

Burl side table from Studio

Chandelier

Roeper

BELOW

BELOW

McGuire Furniture's Petal

Bud vases from Heath

Rocking Chair

Ceramics

BAMO´s Local Touch Our designers have worked on properties across the city and state, and inspiration abounds. Each of our local projects have a distinctive style to their surroundings, but some truly feel like California, through and through.

• McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma, a sprawling property and olive ranch, with multiple residences and a Chinese pavilion .

• Rosewood Sand Hill hotel in Menlo Park, which draws inspiration from the local landscape and attracts a who's who of the Silicon Valley set.

• Tah Mah Lah Private Residence in Portola Valley is an essential example of green living and land stewardship.

• A Wine Country residence with natural details, situated in the lush valley of Dry Creek Road in Healdsburg.

• A Bernard Maybeck residence in Pacific Heights, an example of old-school traditional San Francisco.

• Byron Meyer's Sonoma Valley home by Stanley Saitowitz.

ABOVE

The Chinese Pavilion at McEvoy Ranch

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

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Historical and Contemporary Influences "Some absolutely classic designers who really set the tone in the last 50 years are people like Michael Taylor, John Dickinson, Orlando Diaz-Acquy, and Charles Pfister," notes Gerry. "These were definitive icons of the recent past. Going back, people like Dorothy Draper, William Wurster and Joe Esherick defined a classic Mid-Century Modern style that was really unique and influential." Steve concurs about Pfister, stating that his work "sings California in color, materials and his fresh approach" and also notices the general influence of the California ranch aesthetic and the "authenticity on how things are built."

Michael regards Bay Area Modernism as one of his favorite architectural styles, with "elements like light, air, wood and broad roofs." The work of Charles and Ray Eames has also impacted his view of California designs, not just in their beloved chairs. "Their house in Pacific Palisades isn't a cold, stark type of modern, but has layers of personal items and collections."

In the Bay Area and beyond, we certainly see the influence of the tech community. "That instant culture - it sometimes leads clients to believe that interiors work can happen that quickly," notices Steve. Michael observes that "people have money to spend these days, and are happy to look beyond San Francisco for interior designers."

From Alan's perspective "it has forced us to rethink how we work and live. The world's the limit. With everything accessible at just a few clicks away, everything is an opportunity."

"The world's the limit. With everything accessible at just a few clicks away, everything is an opportunity."

LEFT

ABOVE

Michael Taylor chairs at Meyer

Charles and Ray Eames' Pacific

Residence, San Francisco

Palisades home

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BA MO INC

Instagramming around SF If there’s one thing that inspires the staff at BAMO, it’s the place we call home.

25 SPOTS THAT INSPIRE US IN THE CITY 15

SAN FRANCISCO FOG ANDY GOLDS WOR TH Y

Truly the cool, grey city of love.

AT T H E P R E S I D I O

2 11

10

22 24 M O U N TA I N L A K E PA R K MISSION DOLORES THE FILLMORE Live music at a legendary concert spot.

HIBERNIA BANK

18

19 20 TOSCA CAFE

FILM NIGHT IN D O L O R E S PA R K L A TAQ U E R I A

As the sole San Francisco natives of the BAMO office, Principal Gerry Jue and Marketing & BD Coordinator Alyssa Terry share some of their favorite places.

1

2

3

G R A N D V I E W T H E AT E R

M O U N TA I N L A K E PA R K

CHARLES PFISTER'S

The first cinema in

This was Gerry's boyhood

A PA R T M E N T

Chinatown, built by Gerry's

stomping grounds.

80's sophistication on Nob

10

11

12

FOG

MISSION DOLORES

N O E VA L L E Y C I R C A 2 0 0 2

For Gerry, there's nothing

Memories of Alfred

When Gerry moved there,

more San Francisco.

Hitchcock's Vertigo.

before the tech invasion.

grandfather.

Hill.

19

20

21

F I L M N I G H T I N T H E PA R K

L A TAQ U E R I A

FLORA GRUBB GARDENS

The city dweller's equivalent

Alyssa's childhood spot, her

We'll take everything in the

to a drive-in.

faves are the super taco and

store, thank you!

strawberry agua fresca.

17 7

1 16 18

15 CRISSY FIELD

1

G R A N D V I E W T H E AT E R

4

Gerry's grandfather started the

3

first movie theater in Chinatown.

ALCOA BUILDING

CHARLES PFISTER'S A PA R T M E N T

22 24 9

25

AUB Z AM Z AM

6

AT &T PA R K

8

5 6 11

12 POTRERO HILL Back when Goat Hill still had

14

goats, Alyssa was there

19

to greet them.

ZUNI CAFE An ideal location for a celebration or

23 SE WA R D S TR E E T

just a wonderful SF day.

20

12

SLIDES

21

FLORA GRUBB

4

5

6

7

8

9

ALCOA BUILDING

ZAM ZAM

ZUNI CAFE

CRISSY FIELD

B E L L' O C H I O

AT &T PA R K

The workplace for Gerry in

Formerly known as Persian Aub

Gerry's after-wedding brunch

Gerry's go-to outdoors

Claudia always has something

Both natives love

the 1980s; classic SOM.

Zam Zam, Gerry loved this bar

spot, and a SF institution.

destination in SF.

for Gerry to take home and

enjoying a Giants game at

treasure.

this iconic ballpark.

when Bruno was in charge.

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14

15

16

17

18

ABV

D O G PAT C H WAT E R F R O N T

ANDY GOLDS WOR TH Y

C O T O G N A' S R A V I O L O

AQ UAT I C PA R K B O C C E

TOSCA CAFE

A great spot for a most

Alyssa is enamored by the

These natural installations in

To Alyssa, this is pasta as

This court was the locale for

The perfect night for

satisfying cocktail.

old canning factories and

The Presidio delight Alyssa,

performance art.

Alyssa's first date with her

Alyssa is a French 75

the industrial history.

an artist's daughter.

husband.

and fresh pasta at this ultimate SF bar.

22

23

24

25

THE FILLMORE

S E WA R D S T. S L I D E S

HIBERNIA BANK

POTRERO HILL

Alyssa loves to see shows

At these steep concrete

This patented landmark has

For Alyssa, some of her

at this classic venue.

slides, just grab a piece of

always reminded Alyssa of the

fondest days of childhood

cardboard and GO!

bank in Mary Poppins.

were spent on The Hill.

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BA MO INC

20 08 Loden Hotel With a nod to 1940s sophistication, the intimate restaurant Voya features three dramatic, crystal chandeliers and backlit screens of interlocking circles, the pattern of which is mirrored throughout Loden as a design motif.

34

AUTHENTIC BALANCE: INTERNATIONAL DESIGN From Vancouver to Bora Bora, Milan to Dubai, we design beautiful and functional spaces where people live or stay.

Far beyond the average tourist, as designers we must see a place through the eyes of all types of traveler, along with that of the owner, the brand, and of course the local community. Within each new city or country we find ourselves, a full cultural immersion must take place, always prefaced by detailed research. We investigate and charette, we build image sandboxes, Pinterest boards. Then we take what we’ve learned, including commonly held ideas about a place or culture, and test them against our own experiences in that place.

We visit local markets, see what flowers or unique produce they sell. Walk around neighborhoods, duck into cafes, book stores and bars. Talk to locals to get a sense for their daily life. People watch in grocery stores; they tell you a lot about every type of person. Observe the material vocabulary of buildings, how public spaces are used. Immerse ourselves in architecture, fashion, textiles, and patterns, all things natural and man-made.

Absorb as much authenticity of the location as possible – history, culture, ritual, fashion, cuisine, landscape. Look for the nuances and the surprises, but at the same time pay careful mind to tradition and expectation.

LEFT

ABOVE

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at

Bluff Path Residence,

Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, UAE

Hong Kong

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BA MO INC

Today’s international traveler is a new breed. The expectations are higher for both service and design.

Authentic. Sense of Place. These are no longer suggestions but the rule. Guests at our hotels are more than likely foreign visitors, so we look to provide a cultural experience that is an interpretation; picking up on local flavor and layering with our own design elements to develop a unique vision. The idea is to find ways to subtly enrich the property with a sense of place that is reflective of the locale, but then elevate it by bringing an international sensibility (and international sources) to appeal to the globally-minded guest.

The most natural way to bring authenticity to a space is to incorporate hints of the local vernacular into the details – such as materiality or carving patterns or architectural geometries. But then balance those details on a more contemporary canvas.

RIGHT ABOVE

RIGHT BELOW

Han Yue Lou Solis Hotel,

Tattoo fabric inspiration for

Nanjing, China

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

BELOW

BELOW

Pattern Studies for Capella

Lobby Rendering, Capella

Hotel Bangkok

Hotel Bangkok

For the Capella Hotel in Bangkok, a custom screen in the lobby became a major focal point of the design.

Researching local architecture, history, pattern, and native flora, we extracted the “essence” of each inspiration to develop our version of a pattern that is unique to the project and subtly Thai.

In Nanjing, a funny coincidence led to a local bean inspiring the corridor carpet of the Han Yue Lou Solis Hotel. While it was not intended to be culinary-inspired, after dining on the winged, or “four corner” bean, the unique cross-section we observed ended up finding its way into one of our patterns.

At the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, island tattoos inspired a Tahitian guestroom fabric, while fishing tools found at the museum in Papeete were replicated to create ornamental art.

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

36

Determining the strengths of local craftspeople or native natural resources may also inspire a custom focal piece.

Are they master woodworkers? Are the stone craftsmen world-renowned? Do they have wonderful sources for silk? Letting the local trades shine is a win-win for the guest and the local economy.

At the Four Seasons Hotel São Paulo, beautiful materials and talent were in no short supply. Using Brazilian Pau Ferro, a custom millwork piece was designed to take center stage in the guestrooms. Accents of brass, bronzed mirror and Brazilian black granite finished off this piece which combines the mini bar with display tower, desk and a custom pendant wall sconce. A local art consultant helped to round out the space with ABOVE

BELOW

Brazilian Pau Ferro Millwork

Sun City Takarazuka,

piece, Four Seasons São Paulo

Osaka, Japan

modern pieces from up-and-coming Brazilian artists.

With international residential projects, the tables are often turned. Here, the choice to hire an American designer usually stems from the desire to bring a differing, Western aesthetic to the project. At Sun City Takarazuka, we artfully blended east and west, old and new, contemporary and traditional. Wall and ceiling articulation subtly evoke traditional Japanese design, while staying true to the project’s generally modern aesthetic.

While the BAMO team has designed projects in over 25 countries on five continents, we never tire of seeking out new places to make our mark. Project Designer Elaine Smith dreams of designing a space in Lebanon, “It’s a beautiful country, once dubbed the ‘Paris of the East.’

You can sense the pre-war grandeur, especially in Beirut.

Rich culture and history, wonderful people.”

Associate Martin Öestlund, who grew up in Sweden but studied architecture in Berlin, would love to bring his experience back to his roots, “I still hold the same sensitivities to the very specific Swedish aesthetic.

But with my international design knowledge, I would be excited to bring a very different experience to that design style.”

And Associate Amaza Lam aims to one day design a private ranch or farmhouse in her hometown of Macau. “Macau has a mix of Portuguese and Chinese in its architecture. I love all of the colors, patterns, the signature white trim on historic buildings and the juxtaposition of old and new in this lively city. I want to bring American comfort and leisure to the Sino-Portuguese land along the beach at Coloane. That would be my perfect dream house.”

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BA MO INC

OUR GLOBAL TEAM BAMO is blessed with a staff from around the world, representing places like Cuba, Macau, Sweden, Pakistan, Taiwan and Colombia. Get to know some of the team members bringing their distinct perspective to our firm.

Tessa Garcia Born on a small island outside of Manila, Philippines, Tessa moved to the United States at age 5, growing up in Washington, D.C. Her parents have instilled the Filipino culture in various ways, through the importance of family gatherings to the resilience of the culture at large. She notes that Filipino design is very informal, with an island vibe and the use of natural materials like bamboo.

Amaza Lam Life was leisurely for Amaza growing up in Macau, with art and music as a prevalent part of the academic curriculum. A Portuguese colony at the southeast end of China, it is filled with European style buildings in candy colors like yellow, pale pink and minty green, with traditional details like blue and white painted tile.

Amaza feels that the color, patterns, architecture and mixed cultural influences have infused and shaped her aesthetic preferences while growing up.

Amaza returns once a year and is fascinated by the Museum of Macau (pictured), which features exhibits about the history of the country.

Martin Oestlund Originally from Uppsala and raised in Kristinehamn, aka the "Swedish Midwest," Martin left in 1991 to study in Germany. The country has shaped him as a person in every way. Swedish design is rarely about a big statement or flash and glitz, and takes on a more thoughtful, sensible and modest approach. After 9 years in Berlin, Martin came to San Francisco to experience something different, and after meeting his partner a year later, he decided to stay. Returning to Sweden for visits once a year, he enjoys time at his parents' summer place on the lake (pictured).

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

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Addy Williams Addy grew up on a farm in Salt Springs, Nova Scotia, Canada until the age of 15, an experience that has tempered her need for material things and opulence.

She can recognize and appreciate luxury and the offerings of city living, but when it comes down to it, she doesn’t need a lot. In regards to design, Canadians are generally very understated, and those influences have kept her taste simple and minimal, yet warm. While she still appreciates the simple houses in the fishing villages of Nova Scotia (pictured), Addy eventually moved out west to San Francisco, joined BAMO, and now enjoys life here with her wife and three young sons.

Carmen Bringas Carmen Bringas was born in Havana, but exiled with her parents and sister shortly after Fidel Castro’s Revolution.

Though she was raised and educated in the US and became a citizen, her Cuban roots and culture were kept alive, and influenced her design aesthetic and life values.

Given the degree of reconstruction and restoration in store as Cuba opens up to the world, Carmen hopes it will be done with respect and authenticity. On a family visit back to her home country in 2015, she captured the crumbling architecture in Habana Vieja, and explored the legendary Habana Riviera Hotel (pictured).

Rumor has it that Carmen’s father (pictured, right) was the first to dive off of a legendary diving board in Havana (pictured, left). A fun-loving couple whose lives in Cuba were well-documented, Carmen’s parents sent about 40 albums to relatives in Spain after Fidel Castro’s rule.

Kitty Smith

Carmen’s dream is for BAMO to someday design and

Born in Toronto, Kitty grew up in Scarborough, a

Caribbean.

execute a luxury hotel on this beautiful island in the

suburb of the Canadian city. She can still relate to all things Canadian: being overly polite and always apologetic. Like a true Canuck, Kitty still loves maple syrup and is fascinated by butter sculpting after seeing the competition annually at the Canadian National Exposition.

Kitty

remembers

admiring

Toronto

City

Hall

(pictured), and was fascinated with the explanation of it as an “oyster with a pearl in the middle.”

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BA MO INC

Erin Altman Growing up in Japan, Erin was influenced by the culture in so many ways, including her philosophy and aesthetic.

In particular, the wabi-sabi approach: perfection in the imperfection. Originally a very simple piece, which was then broken, this ceramic bowl (pictured) took wabi-sabi one step further and fixed it with gold, embracing the imperfection and therefore making it perfect.

While Erin tries to return to Japan once a year, it was her cousin (and curiosity) that brought her to San Francisco, and falling in love made her stay. After meeting Pamela Babey at a portfolio review class in school, Erin was starstruck and BAMO became her dream firm.

Janet Mercier Coming of age in the countryside of Kildare County, Ireland, Janet loved being outdoors and around nature, particularly the colors and textures of the rugged landscape. Ireland’s heavy crafts-based culture grew from necessity, like knit Aran sweaters that kept the fisherman warm and repelled water. The sweater patterns became custom for clans and regions, and took on embellishment through pattern and good design. Janet also enjoys the history of the pub, and how its importance in a village grew through the years; at certain points it was also the post office, the shop, the gathering place, the community center. Though the interior has changed, Moran’s on the Weir (pictured) remains a wonderful old thatched cottage in Galway.

Kate Power Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Kate Power is a very new arrival to San Francisco, but already notices the like-minded cultural similarities to her hometown.

For Kate, British Columbia is particularly focused on green design, so that’s always kept in her back of mind as a designer. Vancouver is known for the surrounding oceans,

mountains

and

forests.

Many

day

trip

destinations to the islands are accessible by boat, and those type of activities are Kate’s favorite thing to do on summer weekends.

The chairman of her former workplace recently built a museum in Whistler to house his British Columbian art (pictured). Called the Audain Museum, Kate finds the space to be architecturally interesting, a contemporary building that also manages to blend into the landscape.

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

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Jenny Chan Growing up in Hong Kong made Jenny a hard-working, multicultural foodie – the culinary culture has given her a discerning taste for cuisine. Our Project Accountant doesn’t consider herself a designer per se, but her eye gravitates towards neutral colors, woods, and bamboo, which she attributes to her Chinese background.

Originally coming to San Francisco for education and cultural exposure, Jenny settled in and joined BAMO. While she visits her grandparents back home every couple years, her family in San Francisco includes her husband and her Great Pyrenees dog, Kumo (picture here in his favorite spot: her lap).

Jason Chang Jason Chang was born and raised in Taiwan until the age of 15. The country has shaped him to be content with what he has, to appreciate where he comes from, and to work hard to get where he is going. Returning for a visit every few years, his favorite moments from his childhood are joyful memories spent with his family (pictured, with his brother as children).

Brought to San Francisco by his mother, a newspaper ad 16 years ago led him to start working at BAMO. He's been taking care of business ever since!

Sandy Fang Sandy was born in Shanghai and raised in Singapore.

When comparing the cities, Singapore has a more modern aesthetic with everything in order. Shanghai is more of a combination of contemporary design and old-world influences.

Returning about once a year, one of Sandy’s favorite places in Singapore is the Lantern Bar on the roof of the Fullerton Hotel. With fantastic views, it is always her first choice for happy hour. Another favorite is Waterhouse (pictured), a boutique hotel in Shanghai, and a stellar example of combining old and new design styles.

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BA MO INC

25 FAVORITE SPOTS TO SHOP AROUND THE WORLD 5

TA I L O F T H E YA K

CEDRIC HARTMAN

I PEZZI DIPINTI

Omaha, Nebraska

New York, New York

Berkeley, California

3

New York City

1 CINDY'S LE I SHOPPE

2

6

Honolulu, Hawaii

10 6 9

4

67 W I N E New York, New York

7

BL ACKMAN CRUZ Los Angeles, California

DE VERA

7

New York, New York

9

8

M O R G A N L E FAY

5 BERGDORF GOODMAN

4

New York, New York

New York, New York

Pamela Babey has a love for shopping around the globe, and stopping to see some of her dear friends along the way at these choice destinations.

1

2

3

TA I L O F T H E YA K

BL ACKMAN CRUZ

CEDRIC HARTMAN

Personal finds in

An air of mystery and grace

The man, and the objects he

Berkeley, California.

in Los Angeles, California.

creates in Omaha, Nebraska.

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11

12

CINDY'S LE I SHOPPE

HERMES

R ANJIT AHUJA

For the aroma alone, located

While in Paris, this is an

Casually regal

in Honolulu, Hawaii.

obvious one for Pamela.

embroideries in Mumbai.

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20

21

PETTINAROLI

OTTICA URBANI

CARLO MORET TI

Engraved stationery and

Modern eyeglass frames in

Modern Venetian glass

calling cards in Milan.

Venice, Pamela has many.

in Venice.

24 25

13

A XEL VERVOORDT Antwerp, Belgium

11

APROSIO Florence, Italy

Milan, Venice, Florence

HERMES Paris, France

PRO FU M O FA R M AC EU T I C A D I S A N TA M A R I A N O V E L L A

16 17 16 18 19

20 21

22

23 L' E R B A V O L G I O

JIM THOMPSON

Milan, Italy

Bangkok, Thailand

18

24

25 12

14 15

THE GALLERIA Milan, Italy

20 R ANJIT AHUJA Mumbai, India

OTTICA URBANI Venice, Italy

4

5

6

7

8

9

DE VER A , N YC

I PEZ ZI DIPINTI, N YC

67 W I N E , N YC

BERGDORF GOODMAN

TED MUEHLING

M O R G A N E L E FAY

Objects and jewels, one

Exclusive and elusive

The best selection and

The windows are always

Objects and jewelry in

Floating chiffon dresses

never knows.

cashmeres and furs.

great orange bags.

entertaining.

New York City.

from NYC.

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15

16

17

18

A XEL VERVOORDT

S A B I N A FAY B R A X T O N

JIM THOMPSON

L' E R B A V O L G I O

I TA L C O R N I C I

THE GALLERIA

The Castle for its royal

Inspired textiles in

The house, for the story.

Romantic handmade

Remarkable, hand-carved

The spectacular place,

weirdness. The Kanaal, a

Bangkok, Thailand.

The shop, just because.

metal foliage, Milan.

picture frames, Milan.

Milan.

dream in the making.

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25

CRISTINA LINASSI

MISSIAGLIA

APROSIO

PRO FU M O FA R M AC EU T I C A D I

Classical table linens in

Handmade Venetian

Beaded jewelry and

S A N TA M A R I A N O V E L L A

Venice.

silver.

accessories in Florence.

Pamela's favorite rose soap, Florence.

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BA MO INC

20 09 Rosewood Sand Hill Dubbed the social epicenter of Silicon Valley, the interiors of the hotel are classic Northern California with a casual, indoor/ outdoor verve complemented by rich wood tones and natural hue.

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

44

WHAT'S IN YOUR TRAVEL BAG? With projects spanning the globe, our team is accustomed to life on the road. Here are some of their must haves while traveling.

Notebook

NY Times Magazine

Anne Wilkinson uses

To catch up on his reading, Alan

Maya Romanoff’s tie-dye

Deal brings along recent copies

paper-covered one to jot

of the New York Times Sunday

down travel notes.

Magazine.

iPad Mini Dorothy Greene relies on the light, easy-to-pack iPad mini for access while afar.

Headphones For Lauren McGuier, listening to music sounds best on her Beats headphones while traveling.

Pamela Babey doesn’t leave home without one of “the kids”

TIP

1

Ziploc Bags Do they clean that? Amaza Lam puts the hotel room’s remote control inside a ziploc bag before using it.

Sleeping Aids

Cozy Socks

magazines. One can only

For long trips to Madrid and

Bring the cozy with you. Erin

flip through the Skymall

other faraway places, Steve

Altman packs thick wool socks

catalog so many times.

Henry brings along a little

for long flights.

Load your tablet with movies and digital

Unisom, to ensure he gets rest.

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WHAT’S IN YOUR TRAVEL BAG?

Snacks

20 09

Candles

Airbus A380 craftsmanship

To bring the smell of the forest

delightful concierge Beams

and a sense of calm to his travel

Gaggenau delightful concierge

destination, Steve Henry packs

Beams vibrant airport, uniforms

Diptique candles.

To up her vegetable intake on her trips to Madrid, Lindsay

Noelting packs baby carrots.

Alan Deal brings bags of nuts for noshing.

You never know what you’ll have to tune out en route, so Martin

For a chic and comfortable travel accessory, Lindsay Noelting packs a

Öestlund always brings his own

thick knit wrap. So do supermodels!

soundproofing.

Hydrating Spray For a mid-flight refresher, Erin

Altman sprays Kiehl’s hydrating mist on her face. Sometimes

Michael Booth borrows some!

Hand Cream

TIP

2 Make your hotel feel like home. Bring a picture of your family or your pet,

To replenish her hands after a

like Michael Booth or

day of travel, Dorothy Greene

Gerry Jue do.

lathers on hand cream.

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

Ear Plugs

46

20 09 Santa Lucia Preserve Nestled into the contours of the surrounding landscape, interior and exterior spaces merge in this ranch style house on the Santa 47

Lucia Preserve in Carmel Valley, California.

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AT HOME/ BACK HOME Most weekends you can find me up at Sea Ranch. The Friday night drive gets you eased into the weekend. We listen to Fresh Air on public radio and arrive after dark. The house is in the woods, it’s dark and mysterious.

Sea Ranch with Steve Saturdays are for hanging out at the swimming pool, shopping for dinner, and typing up notes or doing watercolor sketches. I like to go the local design store, Placewares, and the bookstore, the Four Eyed Frog, and help support the local economy. We don’t have cable so there is no TV per se, just watching old movies and shows. A few favorites are the Dick Cavett boxed sets and Tony’s favorite movie, Juliette of the Spirits.

On Sunday mornings I run the CD player at our church, Mary Star of the Sea. It sounds easy but it is a very technical and high level position. Tony consolidates the collection money and takes it up to the altar. He likes to have the scent of money on his hands. Every third Sunday is “sweet tooth Sunday” and as the hospitality committee we are in charge of making it all look nice and set up on time.

The house isn’t furnished like a designer’s house. That is on purpose.

You have to learn to let go. That is why I have a 3 seater Lazy Boy electric reclining sofa. With a nice Hermes throw it comes off quite well. I had so much furniture in storage, the only thing we had to buy were mattresses.

Animals are a big part of our weekend. We feed two ravens, raccoons, foxes, chipmunks, squirrels, and many varieties of birds. Our favorite is

LEFT & ABOVE MIDDLE

Watercolors of Sea Ranch by Steve Henry

our little skunk. Recently she brought her baby by and that was really precious. Not to be forgotten are our deer and their doe.

Entertaining can become addictive. When our wild rhododendron bloomed this spring we had a “Bloomfest” in the back with lots of tea

RIGHT & ABOVE

Personal photos from Steve Henry's time at Sea Ranch

sandwiches and a punch bowl full of Halekulani mai tais. A few years ago we had our First Annual Hot Dog Fest and that was fun. We need to schedule a Second Annual Hot Dog Fest.

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AT HOME/ BACK HOME I love Providence in the fall and even in the winter. The entire city when it snows, it is so quiet. It’s a small town but not too small, and everyone’s friendly.

Providence with Michael I was fortunate to grow up in one of the most beautiful cities in the country. The architecture is classical, the golden ratio is slapping you in the face everywhere you go. It has the most extraordinary collection of Federal Style architecture, and one of the most beautiful churches in the United States. The first Baptist church in the country was restored by the Rockefeller family in the 1930’s, a really an extraordinary building.

The steeple is modeled on St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London. The entire town has a great history.

ABOVE

ABOVE RIGHT

Snowy Streets of College Hill

Michael's kids Gabe and Grace seeing the sites

LEFT

Michael and mentor Ruby Davis

MIDDLE RIGHT

Historic Stephen Hopkins House

RIGHT

View of RISD, Michael's Alma Mater

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AT HOME/ BACK HOME Each time I’m home, I feel so lucky to have New Orleans as part of my life.

It’s an old friend who has changed over time, but whose friendship always picks up where you left off.

New Orleans with Dorothy Though we moved around during my childhood, New Orleans is home.

I’m lucky enough to spend time there with family and friends at least once a year, usually twice. I know I’m home right from the moment I feel the hot, humid air hit me like a wall!

I miss the houses and neighborhoods, whether a grand home or simple shotgun house, the tall ceilings and proportion of rooms somehow feel elegant and casual at the same time. Along with live oaks that are hundreds of years old, you feel the city has been lived in for a long time – and it has (mostly) accepted its age with a casual, laissez-faire grace. A trait I’m really starting to appreciate at this phase of my life!

ABOVE

ABOVE RIGHT

Dorothy and her brother as

Audubon Park, the one place

children, all dressed up for

Dorothy never fails to visit every

Mardi Gras.

time she's in New Orleans.

LEFT

To Dorothy, the front porch is

MIDDLE RIGHT

Soniat House, Dorothy's favorite hotel in New Orleans .

the most important room in the house.

RIGHT

Beauregard-Keyes House Courtyard, where Dorothy and her husband held their late morning wedding reception.

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DESIGNING PRINCIPLES

W

e’re often asked what defines a BAMO design. While our style is molded by our clients, worldwide locations, and the diverse expertise of our designers, there are still certain values that ring true in each of our projects. From the very beginning, color and lighting have reigned as a hallmark to every BAMO design. In the 1990’s

when designers of the world were moving away from color and everything was beige and tonal, we pushed strong use of bright, fresh and clear hues. And while our clients haven’t always grasped the need for a scheme that incorporates a dozen light sources, we still take pride in showing the ambiance a wall sconce may provide or the effect of hidden lights at a drapery.

Over the years we’ve grown with each and every client, adding to our bible of BAMO design principles with valuable lessons learned and new eye-opening experiences. Revisiting and refining techniques of scale and detail, we strive to continuously hone our craft. We test our eye and our intuition, things that cannot be learned, through exercises in both exaggeration and restraint.

These principles guide us and are ever-evolving.

Lighting Brings Everything to Life Gerry Jue: Any interior depends completely on lighting because lighting makes everything either come alive or die. Light is the source of color, the source of shadow, depth and texture. Without proper lighting we can’t create the feeling and mood we set out to create. What we do as designers doesn’t happen at all if not lit properly.

We design spaces that flatter the people who are in them. There’s nothing better than candlelight or lamp light that bounces off a white tablecloth, having just the right kind of light hit the face.

And it’s not just artificial lighting, it’s how we manipulate daylight. Glare control depends on how we design window coverings and treat natural light as a component. Or how we build in flexible lighting through the course of a day, with dimmers or flexible window or skylight coverings, sheer or less sheer covering options; these are all important considerations.

One of the Dining Rooms at Sun City Tsukaguchi (pictured right) features a large sculpture made of abstract branches intended to recall a bo tree, a very sacred tree in Buddhism. The materiality, molded automotive plastic in three differing shades of chrome, gives the piece a lot of depth so we wanted to light it as a piece of art but also as if it were a chandelier. However, we couldn’t have glaring accent lights interfering with the guests’ vision. We designed custom, overscaled table lamps and mounted them onto the rim of the concrete fountain in the middle of the room. The four lamps provide a nice glow and flattering side light where people sat, but also have a component that up-lights above. Because of the height and placement, no one can see where the light is coming from, just the beautiful effect on the sculpture above.

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Lighting Creating shadows or highlighting form or shape can be used to enhance architecture, when that’s what you want to say about a space. Sometimes you can do that with hidden light sources, as if the architecture is glowing from within. Other times you can do it in more of a theatrical fashion, using spotlights to create a stageset.

Other times it’s not about the architecture, but about what you want people to see, the objects within. As in an art gallery, often with our interiors we want to put all of the attention on a key piece of art on the wall, a sculpture, or the tabletops in a restaurant.

Color First decide what your goal is; if you are using color in a strong way or quiet way.

When working in a subdued colorway, start with a light fresh palette of stones, woods, wallcoverings and then bring in a variety of materials - lacquer, carpets, and fabrics that support that. Then decide how you want to bring color in as an accent, it can be bold or muted. In the New York Palace suites we brought in a persimmon color and vibrant ikats to ground the silver, oystery palette that was inspired by the cityscape.

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Adventurous Use of Color Steve Henry: Adventurous use of color dates back even to the Pfister years. I remember an image of a dining room in Belgium that had blue and white china set against blue and white Fortuny upholstered walls. There has always been an interesting correlation used to tie in artifacts and the color mood of a country.

The first time I went to Four Seasons Milan, there was a sense of lightness to it. A lot of fresh, creamy white walls, with accents of clear Italian colors in green, rusty red, Naples yellow. The color mood of the whole property is one of lightness and freshness, with an underlying California tone. But it didn’t feel foreign to Italy, because when color was used, it was classic Italian color.

When we started working on the Villa Feltrinelli we decided we wanted to use color in a really intense way in some of the guest rooms, more intensely than our office had ever used color before. In the Veneziana guestroom we did a super saturated, rich Venetian Red. In Orientale, we used the same color but, when mixed with Asian accessories and objects, it gave off more of a cinnabar coloration. In the evening when the lamps are on it’s very warm and rich, but in the daytime, with the sunlight and greenery coming in, it feels very shady and cool.

Swinging in the direct opposite spectrum, our residential client in Hong Kong decreed in our first meeting that they didn’t want any color at all. We took the challenge as an exercise in restraint and happily realized that a restricted palette can provide you with interesting opportunities for variation. You’re able to do design moves in different rooms that are a little more boisterous because the similarity of palette from room to room holds it all together. We developed a sophisticated, pale, misty tonal palette by looking at white and pale grey pearls.

Using this as a base we took a set of antique Italian white painted stools and set them against an English printed fabric in one space, while another highlights classic Asian pieces, but there is a harmony throughout the spaces with the color tone.

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P R E V I O U S PAG E

P R E V I O U S PAG E

Four Seasons Residences,

New York Palace Hotel,

Bangkok, Thailand

New York, New York

LEFT

ABOVE

Middle Gap Road Residence,

Four Seasons Hotel Milan,

Hong Kong

Milan Italy

Scale & The Golden Ratio Michael Booth: Properly proportioned rooms, doors and windows are key to a beautiful space. A room could be empty or it could be filled with stuff, but it has to have studied proportions. The golden ratio is still the best tool for classical proportions, though it’s not used nearly as often as it used to be. It’s a great starting point and then it’s sort of fun to bend and twist, introducing certain surprises as you overscale or underscale in unexpected ways.

One of my favorite experiences with scale is at the former Andrew Carnegie Mansion, now the Cooper

it’s such a wonderful and unexpected surprise. It really

The Details are the Design

puts a smile on your face. This device is used a lot in old

Dorothy Greene: A well-conceived and thought out

German castles.

space sets the groundwork for a successful and timeless

Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. You walk through a tiny doorway and then burst into an enormous room,

interior, but even the most remarkable design vision will not come together unless you have thought through the

BELOW LEFT

RIGHT

The Peninsula Chicago,

Detail drawings & finished

details. The mark of a mastered designer is in realizing

Chicago, Illinois

staircase at Middle Gap Road

the importance of seeing a concept all of the way through

Residence, Hong Kong

to completion, with care and thoughtfulness applied to even the smallest detail.

BELOW

BELOW RIGHT

Island Road Residence, Hong

Four Seasons Hotel Boston,

As you’re visualizing and developing a design, always

Kong

Boston, Massachusetts

consider what the actual materials will be. It’s important not to overlook technical details as an afterthought, as there is a good chance they will impact your original design down the line. And remember, when you get to finalizing the details you’re not 'just documenting,' you are realizing the design!

Simplify, Simplify Pamela Babey: Simplifying comes later in the design.

In the beginning of the process start by piling it on.

When you reach an equitable midpoint, pull back, think, and visualize what you can remove to end up with the strongest design solution. Boil it down to the essentials.

Be guided by what pleases the eye, simplify doesn’t have to mean simple, personally I subscribe to a layered, mix-match culture.

This technique is especially important when you’re working with a team of people, trying to devise final direction and selections. Early on, it’s great to have input from all different team members, but at some point it has to be distilled. The “simplify, simplify” begins to get the team together and on the same wavelength in terms of what you are trying to accomplish, refining the layers of ideas into one complete vision.

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BA MO INC

Scale

Detail

Simplify

The public spaces at the Peninsula Chicago

Detailing can be as simple or extreme as you

This was a guiding line at the Villa Feltrinelli.

and Four Seasons Dubai are both beautifully

choose, from clean and modern to wholly

In photographs you may think “they didn’t

scaled rooms, large spaces that took a lot of

baroque. In either scenario, be sure to take

know where to stop” but when you’re there,

energy to scale correctly. And my first house

key details and study them at true scale. In a

there is a real sense of “just right.”

in San Francisco had very high ceilings and

Master Suite we designed for Nancy Epstein,

oversized windows which I loved.

or the oval stair at a residence in Hong Kong, every component was thoughtfully detailed and intricately developed. That is what makes a standout design.

20 12 Tah Mah Lah Residence The Portola Valley property was designed to be the greenest residence in its class, and is a beautiful 59

example of indoor/outdoor living.

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

60

CUSTOM PIECES:

Shirred Headboard

The vision was to design a bed that is comforting and cozy but not confining. Something rich to look at but without the fuss one sees in classical beds. The end result is light and airy, like a spun silk cocoon.

DETAILS PROJECT PRIVATE RESIDENCE LOCATION HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA DESIGNER ALAN DEAL

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CUSTOM PIECES:

Pikake Toile

A bold and modern blockprinted design depicts scenes from Maui's past, from the days of whaling ships off the coast of Lahaina to the pineapple plantations of old Kapalua. The name "pikake" was given by Princess Kaiulani to the Chinese Jasmine flower, after her beloved white peacocks that roamed the grounds of her estate.

DETAILS PROJECT EXCLUSIVE RESORTS KAPALUA BAY LOCATION MAUI, HAWAII DESIGNER STEVE HENRY, AMAZA LAM CONTRIBUTORS VALLEY FORGE FABRICS

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CUSTOM PIECES:

Signature Chair

A modern, light-scale interpretation of a Louis XIII fauteuil chair, characterized by strong architectural lines, solid turned-wood legs and arms, and clearly expressed upholstered elements.

Premium quality solids and veneers of quarter-sawn Oak with a bleached finish to match Interior Designer’s sample. Open pore wood grain with clear matte polyurethane finish that is resistant to alcohol, oil and water borne stains. Manufacturer to advise if different finish is suggested.

DETAILS

Occurs at Item(s): SE-00-001

SE-00-005

PROJECT LION'S LOUNGE BISTRO AT PENINSULA REGENT

Drawing Title Project No.

THE PENINSULA REGENT Scale

LOCATION

Dwg. No.

WOOD Project Name Drawn By

Revision Date

1213

MR-002

Issue Date

14 AUG 14

1 of 1

SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA DESIGNER GERRY JUE CONTRIBUTORS VAUGHN BENZ

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CUSTOM PIECES:

Tahitian Bench

The traditional Tahitian iri or nohora'a stools were typically carved from a single piece of wood. While Polynesian furnishings generally took on more abstract and aesthetic forms the stool was reserved for high-ranking officials.

DETAILS PROJECT FOUR SEASONS RESORT BORA BORA LOCATION BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA DESIGNER PAMELA BABEY, ANNE WILKINSON CONTRIBUTORS EUROASIA

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CUSTOM PIECES:

Mirrored Screen

Years ago in Jackson Square there was a chic antique shop and in the corners were these magnificently tall mirrored screens. That was the primary inspiration. You could also say that the inspiration came from the image of Coco Chanel sitting on the staircase of her atelier. These versatile, accordion screens, made of antique mirror and hand forged iron, add sparkle and mystery when placed in three corners of this San Francisco Living Room.

DETAILS PROJECT 2012 SAN FRANCISCO DECORATOR SHOWCASE LOCATION SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA DESIGNER STEVE HENRY CONTRIBUTORS TOMMY HICKS, HICKS METAL PAIGE GLASS

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CUSTOM PIECES:

Wooden Sculpture

A modern sculptural feature that anchors the space and spans out like the canopy of a tree over the Lobby and Great Room. An iconic and artistic architectural element for the building and neighborhood.

DETAILS PROJECT URBAN UNION LOCATION SEATTLE, WASHINGTON DESIGNER MICHAEL BOOTH, DINA MARINELLI CONTRIBUTORS CUSTOM INTERIORS

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25 LUXURY GUESTROOM MUST-HAVES

4 B I G & F O G L E S S bathroom mirrors.

5 L I G H T S W I T C H E S &

10 C O H E S I V E L E V E L O F FINISHES THROUGHOUT

11 L I G H T A T T H E R I G H T

DRAPERY CONTROLS

BRIGHTNESS & COLOR

that are placed and grouped

temperature, where you

in a way that makes sense.

need it (vanity, desk, bed, chaise, closet), and where it

6 S P A C E I S L U X U R Y The

enhances the design.

more the better, no tight turns or clearance between furniture.

Pulling from our many years helping to develop design standards for the top hotel brands, these are the “BAMO Standards� for the ultimate luxury guestroom.

12 M I N I M A L D R A W E R S these are just places to forget things!

7 S I M P L E I S L U X U R Y No fussy details.

13 T E C H N O L O G Y T H A T I S INTUITIVE

8 A W O W D E S I G N First impression matters.

9 A R T W O R K that tells a story

14 L O T S O F R O B E H O O K S 15 S U R F A C E Clear space for

and engages the guest for a

your stuff, at the desk, at the

memorable stay.

vanity, at the night stand.

16 S H O W E R S that keep water inside the stall.

17 O P E N C U B B I E S & S H E LV I N G

18 P L U S H S L I P P E R S & ROBES 6

19 G O O D B A T H R O O M

10

E XHAUST

20 E A S Y T O U S E dimmable 1 F L A T T E R I N G L I G H T I N G

light controls.

especially in the bathroom.

21 C O M F O R T A B L E &

When standing at the vanity,

INTUITIVE DESIGN

have soft lighting to both sides of the face. Do not only have downlighting!

7

22 A N U N P A C K A R E A / SU R FAC E

2 T H O U G H T F U L D E T A I L S 1

23 S I M P L I C I T Y

considering where the guest places their luggage, shoes,

Uncomplicated, working

jewelry, where they sit to put

solutions.

their shoes on, or put down 24 F R E E G O O D I E S in the

a glass of wine when sitting to relax.

mini bar .

3 P R O P O R T I O N of each

25 P H E N O M E N A L S E R V I C E

space should be in balance 2

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

with one another.

72

that complements 15

phenomenal design.

20 14 Four Seasons Resort Dubai With its unparalleled location, fresh opulent design, and finely appointed details, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah 73

Beach has risen to the top of the ultra-luxe Dubai BA MO INC market.

INTERVIEW & OUTTAKES: Steve Henry / Anne Wilkinson Steve Henry and Anne Wilkinson have been with BAMO since the early days.

With projects in Madrid and Bangkok, respectively, they discussed the progression of the firm over location-themed cocktails: a Thai-style ginger martini and a Spanish summer sangria.

SH: Okay, so you've done the Ginger martini from China House in Bangkok, and I've done the summer sangria from the Mexican restaurant in the alley outside of our hotel in Madrid. Imagine going to Madrid and going for lunch and sitting outside on a beautiful sunny day, and having Mexican food! They actually, they like a lot of different foods. One thing that's really popular there now is Japanese food.

AW: Well, it's funny you say that because in Brazil, there's a big contingent of Japanese, the most Japanese people outside of Japan live in Brazil, and they have a lot of Japanese food and a lot of Japanese restaurants, and they love Japanese food.

SH: I think in Madrid, it feels so exotic, it's kind of like here in the U.S., when we have a restaurant that has really great classic American food, you sort of gravitate away from that. You want something that's really different, that feels kind of special. One of the very best meals I had in Madrid, our client took us to this place, I think it was like on a Saturday at noon. They took us to this really special little restaurant right off of Retiro Park, in the center of Madrid. That's sort of like Madrid's Central Park. We were in this really chic little restaurant, we had our whole meal standing up. I had the best thing, it was French fries

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

74

fried in duck fat and on top of it was a fried egg over easy, just bursting and running all through it, and black truffle shaved on top. It was fun, because when you're in places like that where families go, you see their children, and the children present themselves in a sort of formal way.

It's kind of interesting to see children dressed in a very

—

"There's this innate order, but overlaid on that order, there's this loose, wonderful poetry, and you add in these lovely touches that sometimes people see, sometimes they don't see." —

formal way out with their grandparents and their parents.

It's so different from here in California.

AW: Well, my kids definitely don't dress like European kids. They like to wear their shorts and their flip flops pretty much everywhere they go, regardless of the temperature.

SH: Yeah, I'll never forget, on one of my first trips to New York City, I was staying with a friend of a friend and she was from Los Angeles. Our friend that took us, she said, "Look at everybody. Look at how they're dressed, if we were doing this in Los Angeles, everyone would have on jogging suits." The other day you said, "Well, fashion plays such a big role in interior design." I thought that was really interesting that you said that, that was intriguing.

AW: I think that I didn't necessarily mean it as fashion and interior design are on the same path, per se, but more that interior design, like fashion, has trends and changes and different eras become popular and different color palettes and different moods.

SH: When I look at your projects that you do, you always bring this sense of style to them. It's the furnishings and the fabrics and the carpets, but also the accessories and the artwork. It just has a real specific attitude and vibe to it. I think that's a really great thing, because when I look at you, when you come into the office, you're always, you present yourself. I just wanted to talk about that for a minute, because I think in California in particular, we don't really present ourselves as designers, in how we get up and get ourselves together in the morning. Especially in our office, which is an office where a lot of our work is international work, and we're not needing to run out and meet with clients a lot. We sort of fall into these patterns, like I'm trying to get out of my khaki pants.

AW: Well, I definitely get into patterns, and especially because San Francisco is such a homogeneous temperature, you kind of have your go-to, my V-neck cashmere sweaters that I wear three days out of five. I do think about it, for sure, and I do think that it's part of a designer's psyche and a designer's attitude. You always look pulled together. You don't just throw something on.

You think about it, and the clothes that you wear make you feel good and the spaces that you're in can make you feel good, or they can make you feel tired or schleppy.

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SH: You're polished. You have a very feminine, polished look, and you're always beautifully accessorized.

AW: Thank you, I appreciate the compliment.

SH: It feels good and it sets a tone, and maybe we should have a day when we say, "Kids, crank it up. This is crank it up day."

AW: Like "wear a tie Wednesday."

SH: When I worked in Texas a lot of our clients were local.

There was a, this was in the late eighties, and there was a dress code in the office. Men had to wear a coat and tie, every single day to the office. Ladies always had to wear a dress or a skirt, they couldn't wear slacks. It was even in our dress code, in our handbook, about your shoes.

The heels couldn't be run down on your shoes, and if you had to go to a job site, you needed to take another pair of shoes, that you weren't wearing your dress shoes.

I thought it was really kind of silly in a sense, but then I started to kind of respect it.

AW: It's instructive, I think, and it makes you think about what you're going to be doing and how you're presenting yourself, for sure. One of my favorite quotes, and I can't remember who said it, but whenever I dress down and feel a little schlumpy, I think, oh, I'm not living up to that quote, which is, "Dress like you're going to meet your worst enemy, and you want to look good."

SH: That's really great. I think it's like when you do that, you're putting on a cloak of protection and confidence,

ABOVE

Anne Wilkinson and Steve Henry

AW: The way that your projects look and feel to me is, there's this innate order, but overlaid on that order, there's this loose, wonderful poetry, and I think that you

and I think that's important.

add in these lovely touches that sometimes people see, AW: I have a question for you, actually, because I feel

sometimes they don't see. Sometimes you can catch it

like your projects are always beautifully pulled together,

in a photograph, sometimes you have to be there and

but there's a certain poetry to them. I was wondering if

experience it in person.

you feel like the fact that you are a painter, that you do these beautiful watercolors, that you have this kind of

SH: You and I have been here since the early 1990s,

loose, flowing style. Do you feel that that translates to

you were the first employee, you were brought on, two

your design aesthetic?

months into Pamela and Michael and Gerry and David working out of her kitchen. Then I came on board, then

SH: Gosh, that's a really intelligent question. I think and

Dorothy came on board. I think the aesthetic here at the

I work so intuitively that I don't stop and question what I

office has really changed in that time period. When I look

do. I just sort of, like when I do a painting sitting outside

back at projects that we did back in the beginning, like

- because I always paint outside, I never paint inside - I

when I look back at, for instance, McEvoy Ranch, and

just, I like the act of doing it. I put a quilt down on the

I look at how kind of classic it was, a lot of that had to

ground, I set my things down, I get comfortable, and then

do with the client's collection of furnishings from her

I just start doing it. I don't even draw, I just try to start

previous homes, and how we respected them and kind

painting on the paper. I just sort of let it happen, and I

of repurposed them. Then the mix of her contemporary

don't question, what is my next move? I just do it. I think

artwork. It was a very interesting mix of antiquities and a

in terms of how I pull a room together or conceptualize a

few contemporary touches here and there. I think that's

room on a project, maybe I do it in a similar way.

one attitude of our office, but I think that one thing that

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

76

I was so excited about was when I started seeing those

up high school in Ithaca, New York, and had pretty much

photographs come through of Four Seasons Residences

done dance from the time I was six up through high

Bangkok, I was just like, "Oh, my god, I wish I could do

school, and it was a career, basically. I took twelve classes

a project like that. I want a client that's going to let me

a week and practice after that.

do something really elegant." And really contemporary, and what I call, it's very polished and international. I'm

SH: Let me ask you a question. When did you do your

so glad that BAMO was working on a project like that,

homework?

because we've needed that in our portfolio for a long time. Because we've always known we could do it, we just

AW: I did it at the studio during down time.

needed a client to let us do it.

SH: When you talk about how you would do your AW:

I feel like we have always had that ability, and

homework, in and around your rehearsals, that makes

we have more capabilities, but a lot of times people

me understand how you're able to juggle your work as

hire you for what you've done previously, so they're

being a wife and a mother to two young boys, because

not necessarily looking for you to push the envelope

sometimes we see e-mails from you and we're like, "Anne

in a different direction. I think with Bangkok we were

sent that e-mail, that was one o'clock this morning."

fortunate that the client had hired us and liked what we

Maybe I see a pattern...

were doing. I don't think he really expected us to go that contemporary, but once we started showing him those

AW: The multi-tasking pattern.

ideas and that aesthetic, he totally bought into it, and he really, really loved it. I think that it shows in the end

SH: You were a multi-tasking adolescent, and it's just,

product. He is a good client in that he understands good

it's who you are. Describe your design aesthetic at your

design and he appreciates good design.

house.

SH:

I think too that's a little bit of a progression of

AW: It's classic Craftsman bungalow. Built in 1916, so it's

our aesthetic here at the office, whereas I think in past

a hundred years old this year. We didn't stray too far from

years, we were always known for a bold use of color and

that in our renovations, because that is the character

pattern, and I think now we're changing that a little bit. I

of the neighborhood and the character of the house. A

see it, I saw it in the work that you and Gerry were doing

lot of times, when people are looking to buy a house,

in Bangkok. That's one thing that I thought was really

that's what they want. They want something that's of the

beautiful. You can look at that work and the polish that

character.

it has and the elegance that it has. It looks beautiful now, but it's going to look beautiful in seven and ten years

SH: Well, finally this year, I said, okay, I'm going to get new

from now. It's interesting how we've evolved through the

slipcovers, because they had holes in them. I'm going to

years, isn't it?

freshen things a little bit. Because as you say, we're the cobbler's children with our own homes, and you look at

AW: I feel like, though, these days, there's a shift back

other designers and you think, well, they use their homes

to pattern and color and all the things that people have

as part of their business and it's sort of like their calling

eschewed for a few years are suddenly becoming vogue

cards. Often for young designers, it's a launching pad.

again. There's this new awareness of traditional, classical

Because you're able to be your own perfect client.

qualities that people want and admire. There's a spin on it. There's kind of a vintage, it's about the story, rather

I think that as we work as designers, we have a personal

than necessarily the quality of the aesthetic.

aesthetic that we've sort of fallen into. It's kind of like, it's a part of our history, and it may not be something that

SH: See, there you're bringing, without intending to,

we would do for ourselves if we started afresh, but I think

you're bringing your kind of stylish fashion sense to how

it's kind of like a picture. It's a picture of who you are and

you describe a way that design is moving forward and

your history. We all have that. You can't work against it,

progressing today. Let me ask you, because when I first

you've got to go with it.

started working with you, it was like, "Anne is a dancer, she's a ballet dancer." I had never even met or known a ballet dancer. I just thought that's so fascinating. How did your career evolve and land and transform into interior design?

AW: It was an accident, just happenstance. I was finishing

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INTERVIEW & OUTTAKES: Gerry Jue / Lauren McGuier Principal Gerry Jue and Senior Associate Lauren McGuier have been collaborating on senior living projects in Japan for over a decade and a half. With icy shochu cocktails in hand, they sat down for a chat.

GJ: How many times have we been to Japan together, 16 years? That's a long time, and Japan being Japan, that's a lot of opportunities for us to embarrass ourselves. One of my questions is what would be your most embarrassing moment in all your

are served some whiskey. And I don't drink whiskey, so, I'm sipping on my whiskey, and, eventually, it comes around to us needing to sing. And we have on our wigs. I had a plastic samurai wig on, and you chose the song. You said let's do a duet.

travels in Japan?

GJ: I must have had a lot of whiskey that night.

LM: One involved karaoke I'm sure. And the other

LM: And I was like, "Okay." Because I don't really like

involved me not reacting well to some food I did not

singing, so, sure, let's do a duet. Oh, it was Elvis, Love

enjoy. Where the best advice I was ever given was

Me Tender. I'm thinking, oh, my God, I'm singing

just to drink more beer.

Love Me Tender with Gerry.

GJ: I think a lot of embarrassing moments revolve

GJ: Well, that's an old standby.

around karaoke for us. And I think the time there's pretty intense, so, you know, at the end of the day

LM:

everyone wants to let off steam.

voice, and, two, I can't sing, and I think I just didn't

And I realized, one, you have a really good

sing and I just let you sing the whole thing.

LM: Well, I remember the first time doing karaoke

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

with you. It was in Kobe. We went down a dark

GJ: Well, put a mic in my hands and things can get

hallway. There were just doors. No adornments, or

out of control. I remember my very first karaoke

anything, and there's a private karaoke room with our

experience was in a black-painted bar that was full

own private cocktail hostess, and we sit down and we

of mirror. And it was behind one of those black doors

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—

"I think a lot of embarrassing moments revolve around karaoke for us. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to let off steam." —

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that you knock on. About six or eight stories up in a little sliver building in the Ginza. And the hatch opened, and the guy opened, and our host had some sort of secret password. We were let in, and it sort of dawned on me that we were in a karaoke situation with hostesses. This one, she told us her whole life story and it turned out she was the hostess with the heart of gold.

I had another embarrassing moment that I just remembered. And, actually, this has sort of achieved the status of mythical lore by now because I was thinking about it, and I cannot remember if it actually happened to me or it happened to Richard (Beard). Let's just say it happened to Richard ... because it's so funny. We were in a job trailer in this very serious job meeting, and he excuses himself to go to the bathroom. And he goes to the bathroom, and he realizes that he's supposed to swap out of his construction shack slippers into the toilet room slippers which are these plastics slippers that have toilet written on them in big, white letters. He switches into them, and he uses the bathroom, and, then, he comes back to the meeting. He's in the meeting and we're there, and very serious and intense, and there's a break in the meeting and we lean back, and I notice that he's still wearing his toilet slippers. He was so embarrassed.

After all these years...It's been great, really. It's been hard, but it's been nice to go together and we've learned a lot together, and we still do. You're Japanese.

LM: Yes, but I didn't grow up speaking Japanese ... is the funny thing, so, one of the early trips that I went to Kobe my grandmother sent a letter... Must have been a few weeks in advance of me going.

GJ: What's the phrase you use the most when you're there?

LM: Probably "Good Morning".

GJ: When I go, the assumption is that I know how to speak Japanese, so, it's very awkward. I go into department stores or anything, and I'll just be browsing and the sales girl will come up to me...And when I say I don't speak Japanese they'll cover their mouths and laugh.

If you weren’t in interior design, what did you think you would do?

LM: Well, I always thought if I wasn't going to be doing design work I was going to save for my mid-life crisis to go back and become a chef. I still think of baking and pastries a lot. More than cooking.

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ABOVE

Gerry Jue and Lauren McGuier

Gerry Jue

incredible sense of seeing the world and everything, and he walked. Back then, before cars were common. And he had virtually no money, but he was very charming, and it was in the twilight of the British empire, and, so, being British and being a gentleman still opened some doors. He was a very charming personality, so, he would get invited to amazing things. And, then, he wrote about it and it's supposed to be just absolutely fascinating.

When there wasn't mass communication and there was still, you know, sense of mystery surrounding other cultures. You know, when I was younger I had this dream of traveling the world with, this is totally obnoxious but, traveling the world with an American Express card, a white button-down Brooks Brothers shirt, 501 blue jeans, a pair of suede Oxford shoes and an evening suit. And I thought that's all I would actually ever need, and I'd go around the world, traveling like that. And a black tie.

LM: You never know what you'd get invited to. Have to be ready. Always must be prepared.

GJ: In college, that was a big fantasy.

LM: Did you ever go traveling for a while after college?

GJ: No, because I had no money. In 1986 when I first went I did my big grand tour of Europe, and I spent a month in Italy, and a week in France, and a week in England. Just with a duffle bag and no hotel reservations, nothing. Just

With several retirement facility projects in

buying a train ticket and going somewhere. I loved it. It was great.

progress for Half Century More in Japan,

LM: I did that as well. We went for three and a half months?

Gerry and Lauren travel to the country at least

know what? I'm not going to make any hotel reservations.

four times a year.

And I don't know, I did the same thing. I thought, "You Not even for the first night." That was a big mistake. We finally found a place after we started stressing out. We started in Greece and spent three weeks touring islands

LM: It's funny because it's (Lauren's son) Zavi's fourth

and Athens, and, then, worked our way through Italy, and

birthday party is tomorrow, and he's definitely aware it's

ended in Spain.

his birthday. And he made a request to go to the jumpy place. He wants balloons for all of his friends and he

GJ: (Pouring shochu) In Japanese culture, you have to

wants a cake with a rainbow airplane and stars all around

pour someone else's drink.

it. This is my task for tonight. Is to go home and bake a cake, and decorate it with a rainbow airplane. But it all

LM: You're not allowed to let somebody's drink go

has to be dairy-free.

empty.

What about you, what were your dreams when you were

GJ: Right. And you're not supposed to pour your own.

younger?

And when someone pours for you, you're supposed to hold your glass up for them to pour. You're not supposed

GJ: Who is that guy, Patrick Leigh Fermor. I think right

to leave it there.

after the turn of the twentieth century British Guard and he wrote a lot of books. He decided as a boy, as a

If your dinner mate gets to the point where they feel like

young teenager, that he was going to walk to Istanbul.

they have to ask you to pour their drink, then etiquette

I think he basically said, " I just want to ..." He had this

has already been broken.

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INTERVIEW & OUTTAKES: Dorothy Greene / Addy Williams Great design is a thing of beauty, but the behind-the-scenes machines keep the business running smoothly. Principal Dorothy Greene and Senior Associate & Project Manager Addy Williams have both expanded their efforts beyond design, overseeing many aspects of project coordination, employee management and ensuring that our firm continues its success. These busy mothers jump started their day with a chat over cappuccinos.

AW: What got you to San Francisco?

DG: It was a dot on the map. My grammar school, my high school, and my college were a block from each other. I just needed a change from New Orleans, and San Francisco sounded good. It didn't sound hot. How about you?

AW: My friends in college said that I would like San Francisco. I'd been on the east coast the whole time. I'd moved around, but I hadn't moved off of the east coast and with its high-energy, Type A, New York/Boston people. I tried to get here out of college and of course there's no jobs. So I went and worked for this firm called Cini-Little and was there for 9 months in DC. I actually love DC, but there was an opening in their San Francisco office. I was 23 years old and getting a paid move to San Francisco. Who says no? I went, and I'm here, and I haven't left. That's been since '99.

DG: You got here in '99, I got here in '89. I arrived two weeks before the earthquake. Welcome to San Francisco! Chaos. I got the call, "When are you coming home?" But I stayed and my two year plan turned into a 27 and going plan...

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AW: What got you into to hospitality design?

DG: My first job out of school was working for the Gap on Banana Republic stores. I hadn't intended to go into interiors but found I really liked the scale and detail. I then moved to the Pfister Partnership, which is where I met Pamela, Gerry, David and Michael. The rest just fell into place and here I am.

—

"Your job comes with you, and with technology now there's never a reason not to respond except for self-discipline." —

AW: I thought that I wanted to be a nutrition major. I did one semester of that, found out calculus just wasn't my thing, and so I did an internal transfer to the hotel school.

I finished it up, with focus on design. Basically, I've been swirling around hotels and restaurants related to design and construction throughout college and high school. I slowly made my way here. It's the industry I knew, and design was the side that I liked of that industry.

DG: I never had a, "This is what I want to do" moment. I started out in college in biochemistry. My roommate was in architecture and she ended up becoming an attorney.

I took on her major. She had sketchbooks to do and I'd say, "I'll do your sketchbook". I got in it through seeing what she was doing and realizing I liked what she was doing more than I liked what I was doing.

AW: I never had this conviction of what I wanted to do.

People would ask you, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" I had no idea. All I know is I rearranged my room a lot and I built hay forts in the barn. There was potentially the beginning, though unrecognized.

DG: How has raising a family and working in the design industry, which has notoriously long hours, worked for you?

AW: I work my additional hours from home, which is hard because I think there's a disconnection working the compressed shift. You lose that feeling of being here, with people here; it's definitely a very team-based, community-based type of job. So, doing the other half of your job at home takes care of it, but not fully. A lot of design firms it's everyone working until midnight, that's the expectation, you don't even think otherwise. Luckily, I think BAMO of all firms is very accommodating and very flexible, but I think it's a hard industry and you don't leave your job when you go home. Your job comes with you; and there are emails, and with technology now there's never a reason not to respond except for self-discipline.

DG: I think travel was the hardest thing, and as you said, just as long as you're flexible and get the work done, you find a way. You can blur the lines between the personal

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and the professional and kind of extend your day beyond, it's just having the fortitude to make sure that you also put boundaries on it. Otherwise, your day can go all day.

Where do you stay when you travel, and how does this impact your ideas about hospitality design?

AW: So, I'll say that where I stay is perhaps not where people would want me to stay, which is to say I stay in Airbnbs. I'm an Airbnb host. Even before kids we started doing it because we wanted to actually experience what it was like to "stay as a local". Otherwise, you feel like you were a tourist. We're still tourists in an Airbnb, but you really felt like you got a sense of, what would it be like to live there, considering we're not moving from San Francisco. This is our way to explore without having any commitment. Some are very, very basic, others people actually do good level of hospitality. They provide you with the coffees and sweets when you arrive. It's interesting how one's personal home can actually morph into the hospitality arena. It's then interesting how that experience has been translating to some hospitality firms. Some are considering management of Airbnb-like properties, because they realize that their guests don't want to be stuck in a tower in the central business district. There will always be hotels and there will always be different grades of hotels, but I think that people are looking for other experiences.

DG: Yeah, it's important to immerse yourself into the culture and the place. We can't really stay in the quality of hotels that we work on. What I try to do when I travel is to visit the hotels I want to see and walk through them and really look around and see what's working well and

Cambodia, some of those aspects. For me, I'd find that ABOVE

Addy Williams and Dorothy

very interesting.

Greene

DG: What keeps you up at night?

see what makes it unique. Even if I'm not staying in the AW: What work-wise keeps me up at night is our project

hotel, I try to see the hotel. That's important.

work and having to try and find a new way to keep AW: That's what I need to do more of.

customers happy, because they're not asking for our traditional or typical services. How do you maintain

DG: It's hard when you've got 3 little kids in tow.

the relationship, how do you make your client feel like you're hearing then at the same time respecting and

AW: What is your favorite place to visit, work or leisure, or

maintaining the boundaries for BAMO? I see how the

where do you want to visit?

industry's changing, but it seems to continuously evolve into these different variations of the design process. No

DG: My husband is from San Francisco, but both of his

one seems to want the typical process anymore.

parents are Greek. He used to go there for summers as a kid, but hasn't been back in years. His goal next summer

DG: That's probably true. I don't know if it's a long-term

is to get our family to the Greek islands. There are so

trend or short. I agree that we have to adapt to and figure

many places I'd love to see, but that's next on our list.

out how to keep doing what we do best in a changing environment. I do think about the changing nature of the

AW: I think for us, it's to see more of the Philippines,

business and the running of the business. I worry about

not just where Carlota's family is, but explore some

those things, but I've got to say the things that inhabit

more. Then also explore more of Southeast Asia. To be

my dreams would be design-related. Did a detail turn

able to go see the islands there, to see Vietnam, see

out right? Was that field decision right? Is it going to be

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84

successful? Those are the things that probably have on the whole kept me up more. I'm looking at the totality of my career.

AW: When to give, when to not give. You look at these design firms who have the strong attitude and you hear

is this flexibility and this ease with different programs and 3D studies and sketches. There's a little bit of hand drawing involved, but a lot more with 3D programs and adaptability and flexibility in willing to jump in and be part of the process. I think that's terrific. I see a lot of enthusiasm and ease with being thrown new challenges.

that they don't give on anything, but you wonder how could that be possible? It would be great just to be a fly

If someone's reading this magazine and they're

on the wall in all these different firms, or these different

interested in working for BAMO, what do they need

meetings. What happens behind the scenes?

to know?

DG: It's an interesting business. Most of us came to it

AW: You have to have some sort of work experience.

through the design side. We're all learning as we go on

Additionally, if it's the same as our industry, in this case

the business side.

hospitality, that puts you in a better position. I feel like academics actually haven't caught up with the work

AW: One aspect of design in general that's bothered

expectations. Pure academics aren't enough to prepare

me: it's that it depends upon throwing things away

you for a position.

and renovation. From an environmental standpoint, our whole business relies on the fact that someone in

DG: I'd say we look for someone who's still curious and

10 years is going to say, "Wear or otherwise, fashion

flexible about the design process. That's important to

dictates I must change." A lot of it's going in the trash.

me, that someone's going to come in, look, observe,

No matter how green of a designer you are, it's just that's

and feel comfortable bringing in their own ideas, but

what this business is about. It's a hard thing, knowing that

embrace that going from school to a work environment

you're contributing to that.

still involves learning. You're not coming out fully formed to do the job. You're learning as you work. I'm still

What do you do or where do you go in San Francisco to

learning things.

unwind?

AW: I think recognizing and appreciating the design DG: Lately, my husband and I (and we get our kids

is not just the idea, but it's the execution of the idea.

occasionally to go with us) take hikes through the

There's a lot of great ideas, but they can't be realized

Presidio. Sometimes you look outside and you think it's

without working and putting your head down and

foggy and cold, "I don't want to go outside", but the

figuring out how is this going to go together.

minute you get out there, it's just so beautiful walking through the eucalyptus trees. And you can't beat the

DG: If you weren't in interiors, career wise, what would

view.

you be doing?

AW: It used to be going on walks for us. We're in the

AW: Sometimes I miss the country. I feel that there's no

Mission so the scents are very different. We would

opportunity in this arena in the countryside. It's a very

definitely go on walks in the Mission and just graze our

urban profession. I can't really say what I would do. I only

way through Valencia Street, which was a great, fun way

know farming and designing.

to go. Now, just going out to a local bar just to have a drink to unwind is nice. There's not as much unwinding

DG: I don't know, I just don't think I would have taken a

these days.

different path...This is where my path took me and I can't imagine taking a different one.

DG: We are both at times involved in hiring. Have you noticed any particular trends or changes in the types of people that are coming in to the industry?

AW: I feel that generationally there's an expectation for many to fast-track right up through the design hierarchy and a lack of appreciated for all the technical nuts and bolts and things you have to understand. To have great ideas is not enough.

DG: The other thing I see, which I think is just fantastic,

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It was my hairdresser who said, "why be natural when you can be supernatural?"

Pamela Babey

25 YE AR S OF BA MO

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INTERVIEW & OUTTAKES: Pamela Babey / Alan Deal After designing residences from Hong Kong to California together, Pamela Babey and Alan Deal have forged a partnership in design complete with creative curiosity and lively banter.

AD: I was really curious when your love affair with Italy started.

to want to do odd traveling. I just want to go back to Venice all the time. Now, I want to go to Myanmar.

Where do you want to go?

PB: It must have been about 1964 or 1965. When I

AD: I've always want to go to Russia. I want to go to

first landed in Florence and Venice, it was easy. Once

Saint Petersburg.

I got off the train in Venice. Venice was the hot spot.

It was summer vacation from Cal. Cal had charters to

PB: My manicurist just came back from Saint

Europe all summer and you'd take a Cal Charter over

Petersburg. She was telling me she went to Saint

and then you would get a Cal Charter back at the

Petersburg and it was fabulous. She said the food

end of the summer. You're gone all summer and so

was fabulous. Everything was so clean. Museums

I went to Italy. Actually, that was the summer I went

were fabulous. Everything was fabulous.

to Greece too.

AD: I've always had a fascination for it. It's not like AD: Is that when you went to Iran? That same

I am particularly fond of Russian culture or I'm of

summer?

Russian heritage. There is just something about seeing those onion domes. That's Moscow. Every

PB: No, I went to Iran afterwards. I went to visit

time I see these iconic pictures of Russia, when I

college chums who were from Iran. I had already

see the palace that was converted to the hermitage.

been working for SOM at that time. That was 1971

They're just like, wow, these are way over the top, I

or 2 or something. SOM did a lot of work in Iran for

want to see them.

the Shah. The Shah was still there when I went there.

Gosh, I used to do odd traveling. Now, I don't seem

PB: We were thinking we have to plan a trip there

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but I want to go to Sweden too because I want to see the white furniture and the white interiors and no beige.

AD: No beige.

PB: Nothing beige. I don't want to see any beige anymore.

AD: I remember when we were working in Vienna and we did that side trip to Prague. I've never been in the city like that. It's just so fascinating. So European, so old world.

It's not like Venice, it's not like anything else but you think about it and you think of Old Europe.

PB: Yes, it's kind of rough and rugged and small but then really ornate.

AD: Ornate and quirky ornate. Not over-the-top ornate like Vienna where everything is gilded and bigger than life. It's just very playful like everybody was having fun and let's try this and let's try that. I have to go to Vietnam - I'm excited to go because I have never been but somehow I'm dreading it...All I keep thinking about is how hot and humid it will be. I will be a wet rag.

PB: Take mosquito repellent.

AD: I have gotten a recommendation, someone said that there is this great fruit stuff that's supposed to make you immune to things. I don't know.

ABOVE

BELOW

Pamela Babey and Alan Deal

Fresh-cut roses, a Pamela Babey signature

PB: You always do the opposite of what I tell you to do, don't you?

AD: Just that you and I always look at things and come up with the same diversion from the standard except you go left and I go right and I go right and you go left.

PB: If you were going to put a book out, what would you write the book about?

AD: I don't know the answer. Some people are like, boom, this is what I'd write a book about.

PB: I think I would write a book about magic rabbits. Do you think awards are important?

AD: I think awards make you feel good but they also put you in the situation where you're just like, "I want to win. I want to win," and then you don't and then you're disappointed. It's just what a group of people happen to respond to at that particular time in that particular grouping.

PB: Oh, you would have something rational to say.

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was important and brought that into the functioning of the hotel and the aesthetics. When he worked with someone, I think he went with people who he trusted.

AD: It seems to me the best clients are the ones that enjoy the process and want to be part of it and get excited when you show them things and talk about it.

You can't judge a picture before it's done and if you start moving in two or three things and the dots aren't connected, of course, it won't look finished. I mean, what does look finished when it's not finished? You can't judge something before it's done and so many clients do that.

They just get terrified. Why, I don't know, because it's usually not the money. Sometimes it is but usually it's just like, "What will my friends think?

That goes to the question. What's the ideal client? The ones who have respect for what we're going to do for them. You have to have their interaction but you don't have the challenge of ... Why are you doing that? Why are you doing that? Sometimes, you can't explain every little line on the piece. You just intuitively put it there.

PB: What do you think about our anniversary? What do you think about celebrating 25? I think we should celebrate it.

AD: I think any milestone should be celebrated and 25 is a milestone. It's 25 years, wow. When you think about it, AD: I've never liked competitions. I've never liked

so much happened in 25 years.

competing for things. It's like if you like me, cool. If you don't, don't but there is this competition mentality which

PB: What I was thinking about is that most of the people

some people are really good at. Get these target points,

who work here weren't born when we started.

get this, get that. I don't play the crowd. It seems to me that's more of a play with the crowd kind of thing.

AD: Some. Let's just say some.

PB: I love them when you win. Do you think our best

PB: They say "Who's Woody Allen?" I was just talking

clients travel a lot? I think they do actually.

about men with white hair. Maybe Mick (Jagger) should not be dyeing his hair. Maybe Mick should be going

AD: I didn't think about it before but, I think, our best

white too. Now, maybe I should be going white.

clients do travel a lot whether it's on their private jet or yacht, or just because. I think they do because they can

AD: I have to ask it. When did your hair become "your"

and because they're curious and because they like to see

color? I don't think you're born with this color, were you?

the world. I think it's people like that that hire people like us. They want somebody who challenges them and

PB: In 1986. I went to my hairdresser and I said, "Okay.

reminds them of things they've seen and things they've

Enough with that sort of washout color. Let's do

done. I don't think that the client who travels a lot is

something more permanent." He was the most incredible

necessarily the best client because they're never here to

colorist. He was also a faux painter and he did Venetian

talk to us!

plaster and he was really an artist and he did my hair for a million years. It was my hairdresser who said, "Why be

PB: I think, every client that we like and every client

natural when you can be supernatural?"

we have as a residential client has been someone who travels, has had experience traveling. That was the good part about working with Bob Burns because he'd been everywhere. He'd seen everything and he knew what

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"Coming back into the city, when you pop out of the tunnel, and see the Golden Gate Bridge in front of you, the Bay, the city, it still takes my breath away after all this time. It's one of the most spectacular things you'll ever see.

And it's just a commute."

Michael Booth

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INTERVIEW & OUTTAKES: Michael Booth / Billy Quimby

Michael Booth and Billy Quimby have more in common than just their shared experiences designing in Dubai, Chicago and California. They both still truly love the art of travel. And a good martini.

MB: What do we have in common? We know every

MB: I thought that was pretty brave to show in a job

in and out of the American Airlines Frequent Flier

interview. Also, it was the talent aside of all of that. I

Program. (Sips drink) Is that straight vodka? We both

believe I hired you on the spot. What else do we have

enjoy martinis. We're both extraordinarily handsome

in common? We're both from the East Coast.

and sought after.

BQ: We both went to really good East Coast schools.

BQ: I interviewed with you in 2000.

MB: We're both really loyal to our mothers.

MB: Oh, that's right. I hired you.

BQ: True. Did you always want to be an architect?

BQ: So, what did you think of me when you first interviewed me?

MB:

Did I always want to be an architect? Yeah,

off and on, but I was always afraid of math. I never MB:

Pretty much what I think of you now. You

thought I could do it. Then I got to school and

were very forceful. You were very passionate,

realized that math wasn't as important. I don't know

particularly about your degree project from school,

why I had that perception.

which impressed me. You were almost militant, yet simultaneously adorable about it. I remember it was

For me, architecture is more than just the visual.

like a gay and lesbian center.

It's always been this very intuitive response. I love architecture. It's my passion and pastime. I love

BQ: It was called Queer Dwelling: A re-appropriation

looking at it. I grew up in a beautiful place with

of the suburban home.

beautiful architecture. That really shaped me. I'm

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lucky that way. A lot of people grew up in a beautiful place and have no idea. I was really fortunate.

I was also really influenced by my grandmother, who was an avid amateur interior decorator and just could not stop herself from changing things and throwing an entire room of furniture out after 5 years and starting all over again. It drove her husband crazy, but she just couldn't stop. I just loved watching her.

Then I worked for a woman in college who was a tremendous influence on my aesthetic. She really influenced me a lot on how to look at things and quality.

She also influenced me on how beautiful the city that we lived in was and pointed out things to me that I had never seen or realized.

BQ: Since English is so important to you. Why weren't you an English teacher?

MB: Actually, it wasn't English. It was History. That was my other calling. U.S. History, to be specific, but now I've morphed into European History. I was somewhat of a history buff. I actually couldn't decide if I was going to go into fine arts and architecture or history. I read history instead. Did you always want to be an architect?

BQ: Yes, actually. When I was a little kid, I'd sit and sketch floor plans of houses that could fit more people, probably because I had so many siblings. We were all living these three little bedrooms. I also wanted to be an

ABOVE

Michael Booth and Billy Quimby

actor or singer.

MB: That's right. You are a good singer. You've always sung at our Christmas parties. Remember when I encouraged you to pursue architecture, move to Los Angeles, and get a job as an architect to get it out of your system?

BQ: Yeah. I deserved that, actually. It worked. I had spent 5 years in the office, culling my detailing skills and really getting a feel for what interiors were. I still had the notion that I wanted to be a single family residential architect.

Truly, when I got there, I still thought it. I still didn't realize they didn't care much about interiors.

MB: I thought you had to get the architecture thing done to truly decide which way you were going to go.

Fortunately you came back. Often too, some of the best interior designers are architects. It's a big bias of mine, but it's true. Or at least have a strong architectural degree or background. I haven't done mine. I haven't stopped this and gone to work for an architecture firm.

Too late. Next life. I worked for an architecture firm in New York, but it was through that that I fell into interiors.

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—

"I'm largely fascinated by antiquities, so I lived in Rome during university, that still remains at the top of my list as one of the most beautiful cities." —

that time we drank Manhattans. He would set our double Manhattans up in a row and we'd just go for it.

MB: We are so spoiled. I worry about, the problem with this is that when I retire...I'll have to rely on my kids.

I made the mistake to flying with my children, when they were two and three years old, business class, with upgrades and stuff like that. Now their expectations are first and business class, which they haven't flown in a while. "Why can't I fly business?". Oh boy, the monsters I have created.

BQ: Weren't they eating at Zuni Cafe since they were babies?

MB: Ha, yes. What do you like about San Francisco?

BQ: For me, San Francisco, when I moved here when I was 22, became my home. I was just really stubborn, and thought that San Francisco would become a new family and a new home, and it has been that.

MB: I've lived here 31 years. The longest thing I've ever done in my entire life.

BQ: Except live.

MB: California, when I first came here, I thought this MB: You've got the travel bug worse than me. I can't

was, and it still is, one of the most beautiful places on

travel like I used to because I have children now.

Earth. I came here by accident, well it wasn't intentional.

I was in LA. I came up here at the last minute to swing

BQ: We're both fascinated by travel and planes.

through it, because I always assumed it's like Boston.

People used to say that years ago, "Oh, it's just like

MB: We get a kick out of airplanes.

Boston". That couldn't be farther from the truth. It's not at all like Boston. I just was enchanted with it. The other

BQ: For me, when I get on a plane, the best part is the

thing about it is that you can go not very far away, and

door shutting and knowing that you are going to be on it

be in absolutely the most spectacular natural beauty

for this extended amount of time and you can just watch

you'd ever see in any part of the US. It's incredible. What

movies or just relax. It's changing now with WiFi.

else do I like about San Francisco? The people. Everyone comes here. It's like Manhattan.

MB: I'm torn on that one. It's great to work sometimes, but gosh, I miss those hours, where you have to read a

BQ: The variety of talented and educated people. It's

book or the newspaper or catch up on movies. A big part

amazing. You said you had a question for me, before?

of air travel was to get away from it all.

MB: I typically have forgotten because I'm having BQ: We used to travel together and you would be

short-term memory loss. It was a good one too. Damnit. I

engrossed in the New York Times the whole time.

can't remember what it was.

MB: I would read it from cover to cover, every stupid

BQ: This is like, straight up vodka. That's why.

article. Planes are so exhilarating for me still, and airports.

Do we have any fun stories from travelling together?

MB: What was my other question? Oh, I know. Can you see yourself staying in Californian for the rest of your life?

BQ: We can go back to the first house we worked on together. We had a routine. After each site visit, we would

BQ: No, actually. I think part time. I've always had a

rush back to the Reno airport. We knew the bartender. At

fascination with having a house in Maine. On the coast

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MB: Really? Wow. I didn't know that. What part?

inside and you happen to see their views, and it's like, I didn't even know views like this existed. It's so surprising.

BQ: I've been up the coast of Maine. Kennebunkport, up

Every time you go somewhere there's something new to

there. It's beautiful. Spent the Fourth of July there once.

see. I think that's one great thing.

I've always been fascinated with Maine. It has to be a MB: I have to say, I have the most amazing view from my

cabin on the coast. I guess you could do it in Seattle too.

house. We're on a corner so we've got two exposures. It's MB: No, it's not the same. Maine has the four seasons.

something you take for granted all the time until you go

Winter is brutal, but I think brutal winters are fine. I don't

someplace else and see a better view than you have, or

care. It makes spring and summer even that much better.

sometimes no view, it's interesting.

BQ: I like that you can just drive down the road, stop at a

BQ: I'm always amazed. Every time I go through a

little shop, and pick a lobster.

different street that I haven't been down in a long time, and you happen to be the passenger, or you're sitting

MB: What's the most beautiful city you've ever been to?

somewhere different in the car, and you look a different way, you're just, whoa. I've never seen this before.

BQ: I'm largely fascinated by antiquities, so I lived in Rome during university, and that still remains at the top

MB: That's it. Also one of the things I'll always cherish is,

of my list as one of the most beautiful cities. Every time

people from all over the world come to see it, and then

you go around a turn, you actually move off a main street,

we just kind of drive over it all the time, because it's our ...

and you just explore, you find something new. So much BQ: Our home.

design study to be seen about proportions and symmetry that you just don't get until you see these things in person. Istanbul would be top of the list. Istanbul is just

MB: Coming back from the North, back into the city,

this mix of Islamic architecture, antiquities, and it's just,

when you pop out of the tunnel, and see the Golden

it's wonderful.

Gate Bridge in front of you, and the Bay, and the city, it still takes my breath away after all this time. It's one of

MB: London's fascinating to me. They don't fear modern

the most spectacular things you'll ever see. And it's just a

architecture, good and bad. You just see amazing stuff

commute. That's funny.

there, juxtaposed with old stuff, it's a visual delight.

It's constantly re-inventing itself.

Rome is different.

It's a tiny city compared to these metropolis. Rome's Pantheon is one of my favorite places to actually be. I had the privilege, twice, to be in the Pantheon during a full

BELOW

rainstorm and have the rain come through that oculus on

Michael Booth and Billy

the top, and just land in the middle of the floor. I was there with the kids, and to have that happen, it was a cloudburst. It's one of the most amazing things you ever see. Rome is beautiful. Then there's Providence, Rhode Island, where I'm born, and I go there, and I thoroughly relax. Mike says it's amazing. I walk around there and I'm just at peace. It's a very beautiful place. Tiny but beautiful. I find this city very stressful. Visually stressful on an architectural level.

BQ: Here, you mean? San Francisco?

MB: Yeah. In some ways it's a grid, and I find when it breaks, like in Glen Park and Saint Francis Wood in Forest Hills, it just kind of meanders and rolls around, it's like a kind of break from all this grid, grid, grid. It's interesting.

BQ: The topography of the city just lends itself...

Sometimes you get invited to someone's house, and they're in a different neighborhood than you, and you get

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Quimby

20 15 Four Seasons Residences Bangkok Set along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, this ultra-luxury property is an oasis amidst the vibrant chaos that is modern 95

Bangkok, with glamorous private BA residences MO INC within.

CHEERS TO 25 YEARS For each of their sit-downs, our pairs of Principals and Senior Associates decided on a favorite drink to toast.

Here's what they sipped.

Shochu Cocktail

Summer Sangria

As a nod to their project work

Inspired by his travels to Spain,

together in Japan, Gerry and

Steve prepared for Anne a

Lauren sipped Shochu on ice

sangria of rosĂŠ, with Grand

with lemon and mint.

Marnier, Cognac, and fresh berries and plums.

Veuve Clicquot

Having become synonymous with BAMO celebrations, Veuve was the drink of choice for Pamela and Alan's conversation.

Ginger Martini With projects in Bangkok, Anne's martini had a refreshing Thai spin, using fresh-squeezed lime juice and ginger, and a dash of Cointreau.

TIP

1

Cappuccino

TIP

With Dorothy and Addy's busy

2

schedules and early mornings, cappuccinos were the drink of choice, with personal mugs reflecting their family stories.

open bottle of champagne

Classic Martini

For a classic Martini, always

in the fridge, place a spoon

After a long and busy day, the

chill your glass and your

To keep the sparkle of an

chosen cocktail for Michael and

in the bottle opening,

Billy is always a martini.

handle down.

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vodka or gin.

CREDITS & CONTRIBUTORS Editors

BAMO Principals

Alyssa Terry Ashley Venturini

Studio Standard

Dorothy Greene Gerald Jue Michael Booth Pamela Babey Steven Henry

Photography

BAMO Contributors

Aubrie Pick Barbara Kraft Blake Marvin Chester Ong Drew Altizer Eric Piasecki Hedrich Blessing John Coolidge John Merkl Ken Seet Matthew Millman Michael Walmsley Nikki Richter Oberto Gili Ottovio Tomasini Ricardo Labougle Steve Hall

Addy Williams Alan Deal Alexa Schroeder Alyssa Muench Amaza Lam Anne Wilkinson Billy Quimby Carmen Bringas Catharine Tarver Conor Doyle Danielle Yuen Dina Marinelli Elaine Smith Elizabeth Ashley Eric Collins Erin Altman Gabriela Chavez Halie Zulch Iara Bachmann

Design & Layout

Janet Mercier Jason Chang Jason Staso Jenny Chan Julie Mohan Kate Power Kay Young Kelly Yin Kitty Smith Lauren McGuier Lexie Eglin Lindsay Noelting Mai Xiong Martin Ă–estlund Melissa Tran Mikana Camacho Neha Sadruddin Patty Hampton Rhonda Lay Sandy Fang Tessa Garcia

A Special Thank You!

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