Most creative designers translate their taste beyond fabrics, wallcoverings, floor stains and finishes, to every aspect of life. And around the holidays, we love to see how our favorite designers bring their talents to the holiday table. One of San Francisco’s most notable designers, Catherine Kwong, gives us an exclusive look at her plans for Turkey Day adornments.
“I love decorating with garlands and wreaths for the holidays. The fresh leaves smell amazing, and it’s a simple way to make things look instantly festive. This olive wreath is from Oakland’s FloraCultural Society, but you can learn how to make your own with Studio Choo’s latest book, The Wreath Recipe Book.”
photo credit: Good Eggs
“This Serena & Lily table runner features a beautiful embroidered detail, and there are tiny mirrored details, perfect for reflecting dinnertime candlelight.”
photo credit: Serena and Lily
“MARCH is the ultimate destination when it comes to elegantly understated pieces for the table. The gorgeous, airy store in San Francisco houses beautifully handmade pieces and gift-worthy pantry essentials you didn’t even know you needed. For Thanksgiving, I would pair these Brickett Davda plates with this pair of John Pawson bronze candlesticks.”
photo credit: MARCH
photo credit: MARCH
“These Marc Blackwell highball glasses are the perfect mix of formal and casual. Cavalier Goods is one of my favorite places to shop for accessories and hostess gifts. These jewel-toned glasses are perfect for my current favorite holiday cocktail concocted by chef and blogger behind ‘We Golden‘, giving the Old Fashion a California twist.
SMOKY GRAPEFRUIT TEQUILA OLD-FASHIONED:
-Start with a traditional Old-Fashtioned recipe
-But substitute Whiskey with Anejo Tequilla and Mezcal
-Garnish with a little burnt grapefruit
Highball glasses at Cavalier by Jay Jeffers
“Autumn is a time to reconnect with nature. I love using fruit, such as persimmons or pomegranates, to create simple tablescapes that bring the colors and textures in from the outdoors”
photo credit: Design Love Fest
“This geometric trivet from Anthropologie is almost too pretty to cover up!”
photo credit: xx
“Hudson Grace is known for keeping our cupboards stocked with simply elegant and versatile dishes and glassware. But at their stores in San Francisco, Larkspur, and Santa Barbara, you’ll also find vintage treasures discovered by proprietors Monelle Totah and Gary McNatton on their buying trips, where they scour markets all over Europe for gems like these monogrammed linen napkins and French wood serving boards.”
photo credit: Instagram by @hudsongracesf
photo credit: Instagram by @hudsongracesf
“Better at setting the table than you are at cooking? Yeah, me too. My secret weapon is Good Eggs which is an amazing delivery service that delivers the best in local produce and food vendors right to your front door. You can order all of the Thanksgiving staples, including turkeys from BN Ranch, cranberry sauce from Batter Bakery, and even freshly-baked pies from Three Babes Bakeshop!”
photo credit: Good Eggs
About Catherine Kwong
Catherine Kwong Design specializes in high-end residential projects, with an emphasis on modern architecture and custom detailing. The firm brings a fresh approach to elegant, tailored interiors – mixing modern with vintage; high art with personal treasures – to create moments of unexpected beauty.
Catherine Kwong started her career in New York, designing luxury interiors for Studio Sofield and flagship stores for Ralph Lauren. After many amazing years of learning and creating in the city that never sleeps, she moved home to her beloved San Francisco, and Catherine Kwong Design was open for business in 2011. Over the course of her career, Catherine has worked on interior design projects all over the world, some of which have been featured in Architectural Digest, Town & Country, and House Beautiful among others. She has had the opportunity to work for and learn from such legendary designers as Bill Sofield, Ralph Lauren, and Paul Vincent Wiseman. Catherine holds degrees from Brown University and Parsons School of Design.
