Truth and Beauty

All of above, with exception of colorful, chicken-bedecked

antique rug (see Alexander's, below), are tucked into a

lovely corner gallery at De Sousa Hughes

in the San Francisco Design Center.

The Truth: Beauty is Essential, Isn't It?

Chapter IV: Magic Carpet Ride

Richard Habib was a most excellent guide as we swept through his space (Alexander's Decorative Rugs)...there's much to learn: Richard has an astonishing breadth of knowledge. And a great view (just look through that window!).

Morrocan to Love: SFDC Chap. III

from ann sacks

Today at the San Francisco Design Center, Chapter II

Jim Gallagher, of Garden Court

Antiques, and a compelling slightly-gilded

ruby reason to start collecting papier mache.

Holding treasure? Another wonderous red.

(Speaking of, my little red camera

was not doing so well yesterday:

she is old and on last legs, I fear.)

Nautical. Nantes. Via Paris Flea Market.

Blue to die for.

(See post below.)

British. Campaign. Go ahead, die twice.

This is worth it.

(Acknowledging a salute to Japanese craft.)

Once the French Revolution really got rolling, you'd probably want to have hidden this gorgeous piece of work (Vive Le Roi). Don't lose your head over it. Just pack it up tidily and dash off in nearest non-gilded carriage. Send Marie Antoinette lovely thank-you letter. Get out of town. Stow treasured needlework in voluminous skirt. Go. Now.

Surely, this would look swell in my office.

A girl can dream.

Spiky. Happy. Waiting for well-wicked beeswax.

Once more, with gusto. A sweet Italian romance.

All of these wonders:

Garden Court Antiques, SFDC.

Many thanks, again, to our

magnificent host, Jim Gallagher.

Today at the SFDC, Chapter One

Yummy Stuff.

This from Garden Court Antiques.

Above, the delightful Jim Gallagher, who spent an awfully long time and was the soul of patience answering (so very many) questions about the exquisite pieces in his shop.

So completely smitten was I by the finds from the flea market in Paris (top photos), and the Italian bits (bottom) and everything else (coming in next post) that I can't exactly remember any details. I could call my wonderful cohort on this mission and have her try to fill me in, but neither of us had pencil or paper as we stood, entranced, listening to the stories behind each of these pieces.

Suffice it to say that Jim knows his stuff, has a unfailingly elegant eye, and can tell you everything you need to know when you visit him at the San Francisco Design Center.

More, here.

And more coming, soon, from the SFDC (from Jim & Co., a little Ann Sacks, and a sweet Secretary from De Sousa Hughes).