Let’s Get Crafty

Today, the American Craft Council (ACC) opens the doors for their annual craft show at Fort Mason in San Francisco. For design lovers, this display of contemporary craft is a must see—and this year it’s even more compelling due to a quartet of designer vignettes that set the tone for the event.  The concept is called “Make Room: Modern Design Meets Craft,” and it involves four designers creating mini showcases celebrating the ACC’s 75th anniversary. Using craft as their inspiration, each designer has created a setting based on a past decade.  Given the craft influence, the vignettes have a warm, appealing aesthetic. These aren’t icy window dressings; these are touchable spaces where you’d like to step in, pour yourself a drink and open a book.

Sayre Victoria Ziskin (SVZ Interior Design)—the Los Angeles-based interior designer behind such projects as Anina, the colorful, hip bar in SF’s Hayes Valley—represents the 1950s in a living space painted a pale shade of Mamie Eisenhower pink. A pair of feather mules, a prim handbag and copies of period magazines give hints of the imaginary client who exists among handcrafted vessels and tables. 

Paige Loczi (Loczi Design) tackles the 1960s in an exuberantly mod space. The background is the wood paneling familiar to mid-century enthusiasts, but the bold and colorful graphic art and wallpaper she’s layered in enliven the brown walls. Fun twists (think a console adorned with an image of Twiggy, a groovy red-and-white floor lamp, images of sports cars of the era and a pale-blue typewriter) make this one fun to view.  

Speaking of groovy, Elena Calabrese (Elena Calabrese Design and Décor) reminds us of why 1970s design was a lot of fun. Her living room has the feel and imagery of the feel-good decade, including a psychedelic, geometric wallcovering and an oversize work of abstract art. It wouldn’t be the 1970s if there weren’t elements of glitz and shaggy textures—and they are found here in a gilded coffee table, a gleaming floor lamp, and a deep-pile rug and sheepskins. 

Bianca Sotelo of A Fabulous Challenge will unveil her 1940s era vignette today.  The show runs from today through Sunday at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in the Festival Pavilion.