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Style Spy Interior designer Kendall Wilkinson shines

the limelight on a few of her favorite local sources for style—and that flawless finishing touch By leilani marie labong

Wilkinson at Kendall Wilkinson Home. Milliseme Designs journal; Kendall Wilkinson Couture mirrors, candlesticks and chair; Osborne & Little wallpaper. photographed by Caren Alpert

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Vintage

KeNdalL WilKinson

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Buddhas and French candlesticks with 19th century English tray; Seamus Kiel photography, Peter Isgro sconce, Bergère chair and vintage French armoire; Kendall Wilkinson Couture curved mahogany chair with contrasting upholstery.

nterior designer Kendall Wilkinson’s famous color-saturated style is like her calling card—her striking teal-blue room took the 2007 SF Decorator Showcase by storm. However, one of the S.F.-based designer’s projects, in part­icular, sticks out like a sore thumb: her family’s weekend getaway in Stinson Beach, a misty town north of the city, unapologetically doneup in white. “I didn’t want to detract from the beauty of its natural environment,” says the former film industry executive, who acquired a taste for set design while developing movies-of-the-week for FOX and CBS before launching Kendall Wilkinson Design in 1992. ¶ But the minimalist bungalow is the exception, not the rule. Wilkinson’s signature use of bold

color nods to Alan Campbell’s graphic textiles and San Francisco’s vibrant Victorians. Her recent project, Philanthropist, a designer clothing boutique that donates 100% percent of its profits to charity, is awash in lavender and silver. ¶ This month, the designer celebrates the grand opening of Kendall Wilkinson Home—formerly known as Threshold by Kendall Wilkinson—on S.F.’s Sacramento Street. A sophis­ticated repre­senta­tion of Wilkinson’s tal-

ent for har­monizing modern and antique furnishings, her collection of custom-designed furniture is headlined by a glass-topped table with an 18th century-inspired Lucite base.

And, in keeping with her fearless color theory, a set

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of tufted teal-blue leather dining chairs and a classic Bergère chair updated in black-and-white upholstery with a sunny yellow frame are already top sellers. “It’s all about breathing new into the

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old,” she says. ¶ Here,

Caren Alpert

Green Door Design offers living plants from heather and hydragenea to custom orchid and succulent arrangements.

Orchid exchange and boarding are also available.

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At Ribbonerie, find vintage French Jacquard, Brocade and metallics sold by the yard, plus a wide selection of passementerie— including beaded fringes and vintage tassels.

Wilkinson shares her favorite San Fran­cisco resources—many within walking distance of her Presidio Heights home—that provide finishing touches to bridge the gap between classic and contemporary. ¶ At 6 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month, die-hard treasure hunters cross the Bay Bridge to a former naval air station for the legendary Alameda Flea Market (antiques bythebay.net). “It’s where I find things that need revamping,” says Wilkinson. “I got a 20th century armoire there recently with beautiful lines but a terrible wood finish—nothing a little red lacquer couldn’t fix!” ¶ Five

Ribbonerie

years ago, Wilkinson and her late aunt, Ann Hall, developed Ann Hall Color Design (G&R Paints, 1238 Sutter St., S.F., 415-292-7982), a line of

house paints inspired by old Mother Goose books the designer uses exclusively in clients’ homes. “They’re very saturated paints with a lot of depth, even the white!” ¶ For custom-crafted invitations, Wilkinson relies on her neighborhood paper source, Soiree Stationery (2998 Washington St., S.F., 415-447-9771). In addition to its in-house printing and hand-addressing services, the tiny shop also carries such Bay Area lines as Dauphine Press and Low Bird. “The owners are so creative and always help me dream up stationery that’s classic but imaginative,” says Wilkinson. ¶ As a mother of two small boys, Wilkinson loves a kid-friendly environment well stocked with books and toys. The Ark (3325 Sacramento St., S.F., 415-4408697) carries Thomas the Train items alongside crafty, old-world wooden fairytale figures by Ostheimer. ¶ Susie Turner, owner of Green Door Design (231A Flamingo Rd., Mill Valley, 415-381-1886) helps Wilkinson add an exotic touch to her projects with custom-designed, low-maintenance orchid arrangements. “It’s difficult to replenish flowers when you’re busy,” says Wilkinson. “But I can handle putting a few ice cubes in the soil to keep orchids watered!” ¶ Wilkinson gifts family and friends with one-of-a-kind journals from Milliseme Designs (millisemedesigns.com), handmade by Summer Briggs, a local artist. Briggs emblazons iconic black-and-white hardcover notebooks with vintage papers. ¶ Ribbonerie (3695

“I didn’t want to detract from the beauty of its natural environment,” says Wilkinson of her all-white Stinson Beach house.

On display at Soiree Stationery, Dauphine Press, Luscious Verde, Louella Press and Page invitations alongside a selection of imprintable announcements.

Sacramento St., S.F., 415-626-6184) is Wilkinson’s go-to for notions of every type, from a diamond-patterned blue sateen ribbon that she uses for gift wrapping, to vintage lace and old buttons. Owner Paulette Knight claims to have the largest ribbon collection in the city. “I can always find the perfect finish here,” Wilkinson says.

3419 Sacramento St., S.F., 415-4091966; kendallwilkinsondesign.com. •

Caren Alpert

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