A Look Inside a 19th Century Mansion on San Francisco’s Billionaire’s Row, a Beautiful Garden Tour + Summer Outfit Ideas

Today on the weekend post, we’ll look inside a 19th century mansion on Billionaire’s Row, it’s the San Francisco Designer Showcase, plus a beautiful garden tour and a couple of summer outfit ideas.

Happy Saturday friends! It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspiration and goings on.

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Scenes from my week collage.

How was your week?

Looks like graduation season is in full swing. Memorial Day is around the corner which signals the unofficial beginning of summer, and Jim’s birthday. Our patio is open for the season … although we still have to cover our furniture at night because … May gray and June gloom. It gets really damp overnight. In other goings on, I went on a beautiful garden tour and visited the San Francisco Designer Showcase house with Kim. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover.

 

San Francisco Decorator Showcase

On Thursday Kim and I made the trek to San Francisco for the 45th San Francisco Decorator Showcase. You should have seen the hilarious text exchange between us the night before. Each of us having calculated the drive time  – distance + traffic –  grappled with where to park, eat lunch, what to wear, etc. … all the things these types of adventures entail. We both got a little overwhelmed and attempted to offer the other a graceful way out. In the end we both got up, put on our lipstick and ventured out into the big city and I’m so glad we did.

Two woman standing outside the 2024 San Francisco Decorator Showcase house.

The Dutch Colonial Revival house built in 1899 overlooks the Palace of Fine Arts and offers sweeping views of the Bay … from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge. Absolutely magnificent.

 

What really blows my mind is that the 11,000+ square foot house is built on a less than 6000 square foot lot. Yes, it’s 4 stories but still …

Images via Decorator Showcase Facebook 

A few of the neighbors.

The Showcase brings together multiple designers each taking on a space in the house. There are so many wonderful rooms and talented designers and Kim and enjoyed speaking with many of them personally. But it’s a lot so I’m going to narrow my focus to a few of my favorite spaces. Also, it was challenging to capture the rooms with so many people touring the house. Not to worry, I’ll link to a site where you can see wide shots of every space in all their glory.

Come on into the Entry to Remember by Nancy Evars

Image by SEN Creative via Decorators Showcase Facebook

The main kitchen (there are two kitchens) took my breath away and gave me a few ideas for our little house on 4th street. The blue cabinetry, soapstone countertops and mix of built-in cabinetry and antique pieces combined with the home’s architecture took my breath away. Called Culinary Calm (love that), the space is designed by Chantal Lamberto. You can see more at her website here.

Culinary Calm, the main kitchen in the San Francisco Decorator Showcase.

CHANTAL LAMBERTO designed kitchen.

Chantal Lamerto designed kitchen.

Look at the cute space for a doggie to relax and wait for treats.

Kitchen in SF Decorator Showcase.

Images via Chanel Lamberto

I snapped Kim chatting up the designer, Chantal.

CHANTAL LAMBERTO chatting with Kim of Northern California Style.

This tulipiere is so beautifully unique. Kim knew who makes it but it’s too late for me to text her so maybe she’ll let us know in the comments. (Update: The tulipiere is by artist, Kathy Leeds. Thanks, Kim!)

Tulipiere on kitchen table.

The house is full of so many beautiful and interesting details.

Woman taking photos of light fixture.

Are you ready for this … Amy’s Sanctuary and Samantha’s Study, connecting rooms designed by mother-daughter duo Amy Weaver and Samantha Weaver of Amy Weaver Design.

Amy Weaver Designed Bedroom in San Francisco Decorator Showcase

I don’t even know what to say. Probably best to let the photography speak for itself. The rooms feature hand-beaded furnishings by the Yoruba Tribe and Schumacher wallpapers and fabrics.

This is the bedroom of my dreams and I told Kim that the connecting study would make an ideal home for Make Mine a Spritzer world headquarters.

Images via Amy Weaver Design

The Schumacher floral fabric on lumbar pillow are chair are so dreamy.

Schumacher fabric on lumbar pillow.

Details in the study.

Amy and Samantha are as nice as they are talented and it was a thrill to meet them.

Amy and Samantha Weaver of Amy Weaver Design.

See more of this stunning bedroom and study at Amy Weaver Design.

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Kim and I had so much fun touring the Showcase. It took us about two hours to get through the entire home and the volunteers kept trying to move us along.

Two women taking mirror selfie in designer shophouse.

Since 1977 the Showcase has been a major fundraiser benefiting the financial aid program at San Francisco University High School. The tour runs through May 27th so there’s still time to grab tickets to see this incredibly stunning home!

Get your checkbook, the house is on the market for a cool $32 million. You can view the listing, including stunning Showcase photos, here. And see the virtual tour here.

San Francisco Decorator Showcase handbook.

 

Summer in the City … What I Wore

Ok it’s not really summer, but it feels like it here in the ‘burbs. You’ve probably heard the famous Mark Twain quote, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” That’s a fact. So when venturing into the city during the months of May through August, it’s best to wear layers. Still, it’s (nearly) summer and one isn’t going to wear a wool coat (even if that would be welcome!).

Woman wearing linen pants and blue blazer standing in Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.

My striped, linen pants from Reformation are favorite purchase. Paired with a simple cami plus blazer and t-strap sandals and I felt casual but elevated and city appropriate. I get so many compliments on my striped, canvas bag which was an inexpensive Instagram purchase that I use spring, summer and early fall. I’ve extolled the virtues of Veronica Beard’s Miller jacket many times. It’s a splurge for sure but one that pays off over time with multiple wears. And it wearable in all seasons.

Shop ~

 

I hope Kim shares her outfit details because looked so effortlessly chic (doesn’t she always?!) in a custom dress and … well, I’ll let her tell you.

Woman wearing shift dress and jacket on street overlooking the Palace of Fine Arts.

 

Beautiful Garden Tour

Last Saturday Jim and I took the local AAUW’s garden tour. It never disappoints. Six beautiful gardens in the Walnut Creek, Alamo and Danville area. I took so many photos and videos (you can watch my recap Reel here) and it’s hard to choose among them, but here are some highlights …

This ranch style home has the most colorful gardens in front and back. I’m particularly enamored with the front. It’s so nice to be able to fence in a front yard and create even more private, garden spaces. This home has beautiful, mature trees providing tons of shade.

Garden gate covered by roses and other colorful flowers.

Colorful summer garden.

Pretty front yard garden in Northern California.

Don’t you love built-in curved stone bench?!

Built in rounded stone bench in front yard garden.

This traditional home built in the early 1950’s was on the tour six years ago. It was one of our favorites and we were excited to get another look. Two landscape architects live here and this is not a case of the cobbler’s son having shoes.

Lush garden arched trellis with greenery all around.

Charming iron gate leading to pool.

Man walking through gardens toward brick house.

White picket garden gate at entrance to raised bed kitchen garden, with sweet poem.

The final garden on tour was a showstopper. This hillside Mediterranean style home was like a luxury resort. The gardens are terraced starting with a street level lawn and putting green overlooked by an infinity edge pool. At the pool, and main house level, a vast patio with multiple seating and lodging areas, an outdoor bar and kitchen. Winding steps lead to more seating areas with fire pits and stunning views. It just kept going and going … and I’m not sure we saw it all.

Patio are with infinity pool.

Main walking up steps in garden.

Rose filled patio.

 

Favorite Summer Dress

Of course I’m going to tell you what I wore on the garden tour. Ha! You know I love the Jenni Kayne Summer dress and own two – white seersucker and khaki. Last summer I discovered this similar dress on Amazon The Drop. Yes, Amazon. I thought it was probably too good to be true, one never knows. But it turns out to be a fabulous dress that I prefer to the JK. There, I said it. A couple of reasons I like it so much … it has pockets and I love pockets in a dress. Also, the straps are adjustable with three button holes. I use the middle one. I’m wearing an XS.

Woman wearing black dress and hat sitting in Adirondack chair in summer garden.

I also wore it out to lunch this week and threw a black and ecru striped sweater over my shoulders because it gets chilly indoors. The sweater is also from Amazon The Drop, but sadly no longer available.

Woman taking mirror selfie wearing black dress, striped sweater over shoulders and Birkenstocks.

Shop ~

 

 

Odds & Socks ~

Last week Kim shared a spring and summer bag edit, along with Cindy (link in Kim’s post) for their Signature Style series.

Current Favorites ~

 

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And that’s what I have for you today. Let’s go and see what’s inspiring Kim and Elizabeth.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE

PINECONES AND ACORNS

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If you missed last week’s post, I shared a lifestyle tour including the home of a favorite blogger.

Wishing you the best weekend, cheers from Snowberry!

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  • Juliet this was such a fun week. Thank you again for asking me to go to the Big City with you. I’m so glad we got out of our bubbles and went! What the heck happened to my hair? It got crazy fuzzy as soon as the fog hit me. Your outfit was perfection for a summer day in the city! Had that south of France, maybe I’m doing Cannes vibe and enough warmth for the city in summer.

    The tulipere is from Ojai artist Kathy Leeds! I forgot and should add it to my post too.

    Wow the garden tour is so fun. Can’t believe you get to have that close by! Loved that gate and the sweet sign! Must be cool people. Your dress looks fantastic.. perfect with a striped sweater!

    Thanks for sharing the bag edit! I know some bags work for decor- other won’t.
    Well you deserve a chill weekend. I was up until 1 am going through these showhouse photos.
    It was hard to capture the rooms with all the people about. No full shots!

    Hope you have a great weekend !! xoxo

    • Oh my gosh, Kim … the comment I made related your summer bag posts was in reference to another item I was planning to include but had to take out because it was getting too long … and too late. Anyway, loved your bag round up … and always look forward to your style and shopping advice. Thanks for the info on Kathy Leeds. I’m going to look her up. That tulipiere was amazing, I’d love to have something similar. I’m so glad we made it to the city after all the hand wringing … and your hair looked great. Everyone, including me, was commenting on how the damp air was effecting their blowouts … we weren’t alone. Loved your beautiful dress, but I’m sorry you were cold. As my mom always said, one must suffer to be beautiful. She, of course, was Southern. Anyhoo … have a wonderful weekend. xoxo

  • Hi Juliet! You and Kim look fab, as always! Summer in San Fran sounds like summer on our peninsula here. So chilly! I am loving that Amazon dress, but don’t know if I would ever get to wear it here… Loved your comment about Make Mine A Spritzer world headquarters, ha! Also, that show house is the biggest Dutch colonial I have ever seen! Thanks for sharing all the inspiration!

    • Of course you could wear it, Molly. Just toss on a sweater. Even though we live in a fairly great climate I’m in a sweater year round. Air conditioning you know. You would have loved the showcase house, so much to see and the home’s architecture was beautifully highlighted. Happy weekend! xo

  • Wow what a heavenly tour l just love the kitchen and that blue!! And the gorgeous bedroom so restful. Highlight though was seeing you both together!! Have a lovely weekend Juliet!

    • Francesca … thank you. Being with Kim is always a highlight for me too! That kitchen was amazing and I need to find the paint color. Stay tuned. Wishing you a lovely weekend too. xo

  • Juliet,
    Happy Saturday! It looks like you and Kim had an amazing time at the Showhouse. One of these days I am going to “crash” your outings!
    What a beautiful house! 11,000 sq ft. on 6000 sq feet. That means the new house in Layette can be bigger than you originally thought.
    The Make Mine a Spritzer World Headquarters is going to be stunning! Love the blue, especially the kitchen.
    As for the gardens!!! WOWOWOWOW! They are amazing, I love the first one, it seems very cottage like to me. Not that I do not appreciate how beautiful the other one is.
    Both you and Kim always look effortless. Your style suits you. I love both outfits.
    Have a wonderful weekend Juliet!
    xo Elizabeth

    • Elizabeth! That’s what I thought about our new little house. Of course I mentioned going up and down to Jim and he rolled his eyes. The city planning department is giving us a hard time already, I can’t imagine how they’d react if we said we wanted to dig down and go up up up! You would love the showcase house. It’s architectural details alone. Breathtaking. Not to mention the billion dollar view. I need to find out what the cabinet color was in the kitchen … it was just gorgeous and worked perfectly with the soapstone counters. Thank you for your kind words … have the best weekend! xo

  • Hi Juliet,
    I so enjoyed seeing all the fabulous pictures of the 1899 Dutch colonial in Pacific Heights. The rooms are just gorgeous the designers are so talented. The mother daughter team look like a great team. What they created was a feast for the eyes. The views from this home are breath taking. I lived in Pacific Heights in the mid 1970. It’s a gorgeous area. Nothing has changed.
    You and Kim are the Adorable’s, you are both the fashion girls of quite a lot.
    Do you not wear a bra of some sort with The Drop Amazon dress in black? It must run large to order an xs. I’m small from the waist up. How do I check out the striped canvas bag you got on Instagram?
    The AAUW garden tour I loved too. The sign on the gate, “Come in the EVENING,” etc. is fun.
    Have a lovely weekend.

    • Katherine, I know … that sign. Loved it too. How wonderful it must have been to live in Pacific Heights. I jump at any chance to drive up and down those streets and gawk at the beautiful homes. And views! As for the dress, it does run large … I find that with most brands these days. Very generous sizing. And yes, I can wear a bra underneath. I’m partial to the Truly bras and there’s one that works really well. Hope you have the best weekend! xo

  • A happy Saturday to you, Juliet! Wow, that home…simply gorgeous! I might have to see if I can find time to visit before it ends. So much fun to see the over-the-top designs, and you had a lovely visit with Kim, as well. I think the garden tour sounds just as much fun, and it’s a bit closer, so I’ll have to look into tickets for that next year for my mom and I. If there’s one thing she would love even more than the home tour in Lafayette, it would be the garden tour. I think I’m going to request that you dedicate a post at the beginning of the year of all the home and garden tours in the area that you visit. They’re just so enjoyable and a great way to come up with ideas to use at my home.
    Your dress is darling on you and will be perfect for your upcoming summer travel.
    Enjoy your week. I know I will – my son and I will graduate this week from our local junior college with horticulture degrees! It was a fun thing to do when Covid first hit, and who knew we’d see it through to a degree.

    • Oh my gosh, Janet! Congratulations! What a huge accomplishment and so fun to do this alongside your son. Is this for your own personal gardening interests or are you currently, or planning to pursue a career in horticulture? So many questions.I’ll make note of your garden tour request … great idea. I’m always looking for new tours to take. If you can get over to the Decorator Showcase it’s well worth it … it’s absolutely stunning. Congrats again!!! xo

      • Thank you! I appreciate that very much. It was an incredibly special accomplishment to share with my son. I’ve always loved horticulture and plants, and I’ve always wished I had done my bachelor degree in horticulture instead of communications. I’m a certified master gardener for our county, so I can definitely apply the knowledge there, as well as in my own garden. Or for any others that have questions.
        Yes, please-a checklist of home and garden tours you are aware of around here, I’m all about it! They are always so incredibly inspiring. I just heard about one in Grass Valley last weekend that was apparently quite lovely.

        • Oh, Grass Valley! One of my nieces lives there. I wish there was a roundup of NoCa home and garden tours. Maybe I can try and start one. That’s so awesome that you pursued your dream and got it done. Congrats, again! I could use some plant advice … our garden is under attack and we’re tearing our hair out. Of course, it’s not really horticulture related … is wild critter related. Hard to balance maintaining a pretty garden while staying in harmony with nature and local habitats. Hope you’re enjoying the holiday weekend. xo

  • Hi Juliet (aka Mom today)
    I would like to purchase the black dress.
    Can you please tell me what specific Truly Strapless bra works for you. I have bought many strapless bras and they all fall down to my waist. Does Nordstrom’s carry this bra?
    Thx for your extra help. I do appreciate it. I’m far from my Nordstrom. I buy on line from them.
    Thx so much.

    • Katherine, I don’t wear a strapless bra under it. I’ve never found one that works either. I wear True & Co. bras – they’re unstructured – and the scoop neck words for me under this dress. https://bit.ly/3LkEwf0

      Hope that helps! xo

  • Hi, I’m Juliet … welcome to Make Mine a Spritzer where we talk about all things home décor, classic style and more! I’m so happy you’re here!

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