Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Grant Gibson, Sacramento Street, and a Rant




Seeing that we have no gas here in Atlanta, I've had to severely limit my running around. I use very little gas as it is because I live in the heart of the city and I don't drive an SUV. But still, it's chaos here with people spending all of their time driving around and around trying to find gas. And when you do find it, you have to wait in line for HOURS. It's absurd. Absolutely maddening. And on top of that our governor is in Europe and seems to be doing little to solve this mess. Needless to say, I'm staying close to home and to the office knowing that the situation may not improve for another few weeks. (That's the rant.)

So, my shopping and browsing is now limited to the internet. It's not as gratifying as the real thing, but it will have to do. And the timing couldn't have been more perfect to do a little vicarious shopping with
Grant K. Gibson.

I've admired Gibson's work for some time now. The San Francisco designer aces that fresh and clean traditional look with some gusto thrown in for good measure . Recently, Gibson was featured in a
California Home and Design article (Oct. '08) extolling the virtues of the shops of Sacramento Street. He's definitely the one to ask. After all, his design studio is located on Sacramento.

I always make a point to visit the Sacramento St. shops during my twice yearly visits to San Francisco. There is something about that street that is so appealing to me. It's not frenzied nor frenetic but rather low-key and charming. In fact, during my last trip there my sister took me to a very trendy, still rather gritty part of town to visit some hip design stores. I took one step out of the car, assessed the situation, turned on my heel and said "May we please just get back into the car and go to Sacramento Street?" What can I say? I'm a creature of habit- and comfort.

There is legendary shop
Sue Fisher King- one of my favorites for linens (Porthault included), tabletop, and accessories. And of course there's Kendall Wilkinson Home. These too are favorites of Gibson. But another Gibson recommendation is new to me: Ribbonerie. Gibson suggests shopping there for ribbon for pillows or lampshade trim. Who doesn't love a good ribbon and trim shop?

And one more gem-
Birch, a floral shop with a black interior (almost like a retail version of Mrs. Delany's Flowers!) Gibson likes the shop because the black walls make the flowers pop.

So for those of you whose style is being cramped by the gas shortage or those who just want to spend some time looking at beautiful things, visit
Gibson's site and those of the featured shops for a little inspiration.




A few glimpses of Gibson's portfolio.


These are the types of beautiful things you'll find at Sue Fisher King


A view inside of Kendall Wilkinson Home


This is just one of many ribbons you'll find at Ribbonerie (both in their store and online.)


A floral arrangement by Birch

Image at top: Gibson about to embark on some Sacramento Street shopping with the doggies. (Photograph by Jen Siska)

37 comments:

  1. I'll always remember the first time I saw Grant's tiny SF apartment on HGTV. Back then it had the Murphy bed. So inspirational. And I LOVE his secretary.

    What can I say about the gas? You summed it up perfectly. It's a mess.

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  2. Courtney- I didn't know about his apt.being on HGTV. I'll try to catch that in reruns.

    Re: the gas- let's keep our fingers crossed that this is resolved soon!

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  3. Whew! That gas situation sounds terrible. Do you sometimes feel that you hardly recognize the country you live in?!

    Thanks for the trip — for many of us they are always vicarious. Still, it's a real spirit lifter.

    Just discovered that our Lt. Governor, Barbara Lawton, is rolling out a new Web site designed to give Wisconsin consumers information on how to save money on everything from gasoline to prescription drugs and college tuition. It's called
    "Barbara's Guide for Penny Pinchers." I'm off to take a look.

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  4. Ms. Wis- Yes, it's a scary time right now. I need to check out the Penny Pinchers guide. If our Gov. ever returns from Europe, maybe he'll do something like that too! But I'm not holding my breath. ;)

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  5. A wonderful trip - both real and virtual!

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  6. Sorry about your gas situation, love the black and white bathroom. Great to use such a bold print in a small space. Enjoy your time at home. Ribbonerie is a great find, thank you.

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  7. Thanks Patricia!

    Shandell's- The good thing about Ribbonerie is that they sell online! But still, I can't wait to go in person :)

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  8. We are in the same boat regarding gas. I have a bad cold so luckily I don't need to leave the house. Last night the news said that this could go on for weeks. We haven't heard boo from the governor.

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  9. Anonymous1:19 PM

    Wow, SOOOO inspiring!

    Love the black & white bathroom...where do you think the wallpaper is from?

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  10. SF Gal- I've seen the wallpaper before and for the life of me can't remember what it is. Let me see if I can find out for you!

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  11. Anonymous1:57 PM

    Grant's new digs are more elegant salon than office.

    I've had dinner by candlelight in there...Too Divine!

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  12. Thank you Thank you everyone!
    Come visit in SF anytime.
    The wallpaper is from Farrow and Ball- who doesn't adore black and white!
    Thank you for your support over the years of watching my career grow! I too remember the days of my studio apartment when it was on HGTV with the murphy bed (maybe the reason that I have back issues!). I am not sure when it will rerun: but here is the info: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_haa/episode/0,1806,HGTV_3851_35831,00.html

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  13. Cyber shopping can be a good thing. Thanks to you, I just found something incredible. Now, the trick is to figure out how to exist on air while I use my *lunch money* to pay for it. ;-)

    Thanks for the links.

    Sheila

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  14. Anonymous2:51 PM

    Wonderful and lovely images to gaze upon!

    Love them all!

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  15. Benjamin- Lucky you!! It does indeed sound divine.

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  16. Grant- You're welcome, and it's obvious that you have a lot of fans! It's well-deserved I might add.

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  17. Sheila- I feel your pain! Good luck with it all :)

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  18. Anonymous2:55 PM

    I hope your gas situation is resolved soon and I don't begrudge you a rant!!
    What a great blog and a beautiful escape! Lovely...
    Christy

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  19. Mimilee- Glad you like them!

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  20. Thanks for stopping by Christy! I've heard "they" are working on the gas shortage... but I don't know who "they" are!

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  21. Vie- Oh yes, you're in the same boat there in NC. Good luck!

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  22. I waited in line for half an hour to get to a free pump, then for half an hour AT the pump. My guess is that it was taking about 2minutes per gallon.

    That said, your virtual shopping trip is lovely. Thank you for taking my mind off of the southern fried molasses of our local situation.

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  23. BA- Southern fried molasses! That's the best description I've heard yet. This whole thing is insane.

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  24. Dear Peak of Chic,
    With the material values of our economy evaporating before our imaginations and our wallets, could you do more presentations on the richness of our gatherings, our family collections, on our silver, our dinner tables, our treasures - on what is a part of our lives already and make us rich as human beings. These are the delights that cost so little to share and that bring a liveliness to our workaday world. Your commentaries bring me, as T. S. Eliot writes: "The intellectual pleasure of the senses." Write about what you do already, but continue to write about what does not take a tankful of gasoline to achieve but what imagination will build in human life. Your reflections on entertaining and human company are fun and a pleasure to read. Thank you for your writing and imagination.

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  25. Anonymous8:43 PM

    the has situation here in atlanta is unreal. cannot believe it hasn't gotten national coverage. thanks for the virtual relief...since i can't drive anywhere.

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  26. I live in Asia and don't understand the gas shortage problem. Can anyone enlighten? (Of course I follow the other economic issues very closely - who couldn't, it's a global economy), but the gas shortage is a new one to me.

    Love Grant Gibson's style.

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  27. What a coincidence! I moved to San Francisco six weeks ago and while walking around town today, I just discovered the Sacramento St shops! Besides the home decor stores you mentioned, it also seems to be a great place for vintage/consignment clothes.

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  28. David- Very well said, and something which is important at this time. I will continue to post about entertaining and spending time with friends!

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  29. Anon- It's ridiculous.

    Columnist- When Hurricane Ike hit Houston it caused some of the gas pipelines to be shut down. Because of this, very little gas was being sent up the pipeline to Atlanta and some other Southern cities. The other problem is that our state government seems to be doing little to assist in the effort.

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  30. Marissa- I was not aware of the consignment shops! I'll check those out during my next visit out there.

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  31. Anonymous8:36 PM

    Peak, do you have gas? i am stranded at my house without petrol and cannot get to adac.

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  32. Anon- I have a bit of gas, but I'm trying to make it last b/c who knows when this situation will change??!! And I hate waiting in line at the gas station too. I just don't have the patience for it. I want to go to Lenox but I guess that will just have to wait until next week. Hope you get gas soon!! Are you having ADAC withdrawals??

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  33. i want that bedroom! ... and those doggies! :)

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  34. Elle- Me too! On both counts :)

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  35. I am looking forward to this week as I can actually drive again! I kept close to home the past few weeks, and I feel a bit stir crazy.

    Just checked out the websites for Sue Fisher King and Kendall Wilkinson. Beautiful! Makes me wish I were in San Francisco.

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  36. what a cozy bedroom (Kendall Wilkinson)... I borrowed this for my blog but linked back to you. THANKS!

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  37. just found your lovely blog, its something .
    happy blogging

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