Karen's House of Curiosities

Above: Antique French zinc flames with custom bases flank the fireplace mantel
Above: Antique French shop clock
Today I had the pleasure of having lunch with my dear friend and customer, Karen. I had asked Karen some time ago if I could share photos of her fabulous apartment in San Francisco. And yes, she agreed! Karen's home is a labor of love and treasured objects. Hope you enjoy the tour!

{Lynn} Karen, tell me about your love of vintage and antique items.

{Karen} There is not a single object that doesn't have a story behind it or that wasn't purchased from friends or antique shops/flea markets. I've never gone to Macy's to buy a single piece of furniture.

Above: Collection of antique cashier's boxes. The most special is a military box that Karen purchased in London on September 11th right before she heard about the World Trade Center. The crown was part of signage from Bang & Olefsen in Union Square, San Francisco
Above: Natural curiosities under bell jars
Victorian brass butterfly from De Vera in San Francisco
Fabulous one-of-a-kind shell ring by designer, Mesi Jilly
What started your interest in antiques?

My Grandmother and Mother were big time antique collectors in Colorado where I'm from. Mom was on a shoestring budget so she refinished her own furniture to save money.

Karen wanted these (above) vintage French Louis style chairs upholstered in an "Hermes" orange and her decorator custom dyed them three times to get the correct color. Aren't they amazing?
Karen custom made this coffee table from and old casket stand. Her Grandfather was a mortician and so she thought it would be suitable for her abode!
Above: Collection of vintage black & white family photos
Collection of vintage San Francisco bus rollsigns. Karen was kind enough to loan me the 4th one!
When did you start buying your own antiques?

I started with my friend in the 1980's going to local flea markets.

Above: This vintage Italian beaded chandelier was one of Karen's early finds
Karen's bedroom with her prized crown collection
Karen had museum armatures custom made for her antique French crowns
Another antique crown
Above: 19th Century French dress form store display, painted porcelain Virgin Mary from Karen's Grandma, antique sailor's chest from Timeless Treasures in San Francisco
Above: Antique French laurel leaf award wreaths add a touch of whimsy to Karen's bedroom door

What was your first purchase?

A 19th Century map of Paris.


Eiffel Tower Collection and 19th Century Map of Paris

Stacks of books, books and more books! Karen has a huge collection of them.
Above: Marie Antoinette collectible cup from the recent exhibition
Above: World War II English nurse's hat bucket
What are currently some of your favorite finds?

I started collecting anything French, then I got into religious items including crowns and Santos, and now I'm loving Africana and going a little more modern and bold.

Karen's kitchen is her French Provence room filled with assorted antique French enamelware
Above: 1940's French farm magazine (part of a collection)
Karen's dining area which includes fabulous 1940's French Louis-style chairs upholstered in their original white leather, an antique Italian hand painted screen and a vintage beaded ship chandelier
When Karen first spotted one of these early beaded ship chandeliers, she became obsessed with it. Luckily for her, she found one years later in an antique shop. She bought it right away!

Whimsical Vintage Hotel Postcards

Vienna Coffee House, Mark Hopkins Hotel, S.F.

I was researching some old hotels and stumbled upon the website, alamedainfo.com. They have beautiful vintage photographs and postcards of hotels and historical sights in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here are some of my favorites. Unfortunately, most of these cute restaurants and bars don't exist anymore. Click on the photos for a large, detailed image. Aren't the colors great?Lobby, Mark Hopkins Hotel, S.F. {now that's Hollywood Regency}

Persian Room, Sir Francis Drake, S.F.

Barbershop, Hotel St. Francis, S.F.

Lotta's Fountain, Palace Hotel, S.F.

Fairmont Hotel Bar, S.F. {how about having a cocktail on the carousel?}

White & Gold Room, St. Francis Hotel, S.F.Top of the Mark, Mark Hopkins Hotel, S.F. Fairmont Hotel Lobby, Podesta Baldocchi's Shop, S.F. {Love the old Dorothy Draper carpet...they replaced it when the hotel was renovated}

All Photos Courtesy of Alamedainfo.com

A Little Piece of NYC

Just returned from New York City where my friend Janet and I celebrated her 50th birthday. Six great days filled with lots of laughter, eating, and of course, shopping. New York never disappoints with its unbelievable store windows and outstanding merchandising.



Some of my favorite stops were John Derian in the East Village, Obscura (unique antique curiosities), Ankasa (the pillows are out of this world), Charlotte Moss, ABC Carpet & Home, Bergdorf Goodman and so much more!

There was some great “eye candy” at the Waldorf Astoria. Right up my alley. These lobby windows (below) have gorgeous displays of vintage Waldorf memorabilia. Don’t think we weren’t lurking around the ballrooms looking for hotel silver!

Vintage Key Rack in the Waldorf Astoria Lobby



Vintage Waldorf Hotel Silver & China Place Setting



The windows at Bergdorf’s (below) had backdrops of sepia-toned vintage photos. Gorgeous in person. Bergdorf's window

Bergdorf's window

Whimsical zebra display in Bergdorf's window

I bought a couple of vintage-style postcards from Katz’s Deli (the oldest Deli in NYC) in the Lower East Side. {And the salami & eggs were wonderful}.

Postcards (above) from Katz's Deli



Some cute vintage-style postcards (above) I purchased at John Derian.

Ankasa is one of the most beautiful shops. Gorgeous pillows and linens with the most amazing displays.





I want this pillow from Ankasa!

We were walking by the old Hotel Pierre and found out that they were renovating. Where is all the old hotel stuff?



Janet searching for old hotel relics that they were tossing away!



Elaine's has the best veal in the City! Of course, us middle-aged women had to go to the opening of Sex & the City when we were in NYC!