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8 Top Designers Pick Their Favorite Things from the San Francisco Fall Show

See what treasures caught the eye of Brian Sawyer, Nina Campbell, John Ike, Suzanne Tucker, and more

By Geoffrey Montes
Elegant room with nature-themed mural, orange chairs, wooden table, artistic decor, and lush greenery.
A vignette by Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeleyen at the San Francisco Fall Show features a de Gournay paper depicting Rome as the backdrop. Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Known as the West Coast’s longest-running art, antiques, and design fair, the San Francisco Fall Show never fails to bring together a stellar cast of respected dealers from across the globe. Now in its 41st year, the annual event marked its opening on Wednesday evening with a lavish gala benefitting the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Well-dressed guests mingled amid treasures from the age of antiquity up through the early 1970s, with four dreamy de Gourney–sheathed vignettes in the Grand Entry Hall by Lauren Santo Domingo, Nina Campbell, Benjamin Dhong, and the duo of Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen. Of course, among the thousands of stunning works on view are bound to be a few standouts, so Galerie reached out to eight leading designers to see what caught their eye as they perused the aisles.

Luxurious antique room with ornate chandelier, statues, and paintings, featuring a lavish decor setting with flowers and sculptures.
The Steinitz booth features an 18th-century gilt-bronze chandelier. Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

1. Brian Sawyer

“Something that caught my eye was an 18th century Italian gilt-bronze chandelier at Galerie Steinitz, the legendary Parisian dealer. The chase work, the rock crystal pendants, and the overall structure of the tiers were sublime. It would be perfect for a formal entry hall or intimate dining room. I also love the pair of Flemish walnut consoles at Antonio’s Bella Casa and a Japanese pigment-mixing stone I bought from Angus Wilkie.”

Antique furniture exhibit with ornate decorations, featuring carved wood pieces, a vintage clock, and potted plants.
Bernadette Truxal’s gallery, Maison & Co. Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

2. Nina Campbell, Design Council Co-Chair

“I’m at the stand of Bernadette Truxal’s gallery,Maison & Co., and I just love her aesthetic. I particularly want the Hans Kögl wisteria sconce. I love the fluidity and the wit. I think that there should always be something light in an interior. It is also beautifully made, which is so important.”

Eclectic art gallery with diverse sculptures and vintage furniture on display.
A sculptural tree by Italian sculptor Mario Ceroli at Philip Stites. Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

3. John Ike

“I was drawn to a sculptural tree by Italian sculptor Mario Ceroli at the Philip Stites booth. I’ve been fascinated by Ceroli for years. I included a suite of pieces in a room I did for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York several years ago. The pieces are raw and pure fantasy. Philip told me he believes this tree a commissioned piece, a one-off.”

Detailed close-up of a carved wooden table with ornate floral patterns and claw-shaped legs on a gray carpeted floor.
A detail of the table. Photo: Gil Schafer

5. Gil Schafer

“Cove Landing’s inventory never fails to delight the senses, and this year’s booth is no different—a marvelous cabinet of curiosities. The well-regarded dealer in New York is new to the show and a great addition. Among many wonderful things at the show, I fell in love with this exuberantly carved 18th century Irish oak drop leaf table (with the carving likely being from the 19th century) from their booth—almost more sculptural art object than table; the drop leaf showing off the exquisite carving even from across a room. If only I had a spot for it at home! Great!”

Antique wooden drop-leaf table with ornate carvings and turned legs.

4. Suzanne Tucker, Chair of the San Francisco Fall Show

“I am swooning over this fantastic 18th-century Irish table with its exquisite carving! It is an utterly unique and rare piece brought to us by Cove Landing from New York. We are delighted to have them as one of our newest dealers in the Show bringing extraordinary treasures!”

Antique wooden morphing table with four hinged panels and elegant tapered legs on a gray background.
A hexagonal table brought by Carlton Hobbs. Photo: Carlton Hobbs
Vintage beige armchairs with wooden armrests in a dimly lit room, next to a stone sculpture and wooden table.
A pair of 1940s Italian club chairs at Philip Stites. Photo: Geoffrey De Sousa

6. Geoffrey De Sousa, Design Council Co-Chair

“Two amazing things I loved were a pair of 1940s Italian club chairs at Philip Stites. The chairs have an extraordinary silhouette that I’ve never run across before and has aged bronze accent hardware that’s so chic. I also love this 18th-century hexagonal library table from Carlton Hobbs, which would make the perfect library or dining table!”

Elegant room decor with a rustic wooden table, ornate mirror, ceramic vases, lamps, art, and a deer sculpture beneath.
James Sansum’s booth. Photo: David Kleinberg

7. David Kleinberg

“I have my eye on a massive Japanese table from James Sansum. It’s ancient and modern and has wonderful scale.”

Antique furniture display with ornate mirrors, a decorative cabinet, and red walls at an exhibition.
The booth of C. Mariani Antiques. Photo: Kendall Wilkinson

8. Kendall Wilkinson, Design Council Co-Chair

“I saw this Venetian Chinoiserie Secretaire and was immediately drawn to it for a current project. The coloration, size, and provenance are exceptional. Authenticity in antiques is essential to me, and I have been buying from C. Mariani for almost 30 years. This piece dates from the mid-18th century and is a magnificent example of Venetian Chinoiserie and woodworking skills. Whimsical, elegant, ornate, and simply stunning. We plan on pitching this for a client’s bedroom. It’s perfect in size and scale and evokes the sheer beauty of skilled artisans.”