for San Francisco Victorian
and Contemporary Homes
This circa 1875 Pottier and Stymus 3/4 sized bed, needed an appropriate setting. The fainting room at the front of this San Francisco Victorian home was chosen. Measuring just 10 X 7 feet, the trick was to make this small room seem larger and comfortable for an overnight guest.
To cut down on street noise a 1/4 inch Plexiglas panel was set into the existing window. Layers of draperies were used to help cut down on outside noises. The drape was double lined for extra insulating protection and to make it hang gracefully.
The vertical wall paper was chosen to give more height to the room. A monochromatic pallet of greens was chosen in mostly light shades to make the room appear larger. The naturally dark room was lightened further with the use of a gold window treatment and a gilded cornice and picture rail.
Detail of Victorian bed side stand supporting an 1880's banquet lamp. The owner's collection of Victorian frames inset with San Francisco interior and exterior photos of buildings long ago destroyed, covers the walls.
A damaged plaster casting was found at the Alameda flea market. It was removed from its base, and a new cornice box was constructed for it. The casting was then attached and gilded and then hung above the curtain treatment.
A new ceiling medallion was purchased and painted with the same colors of the wallpapers. The center section was carefully gilded so that dark green showed through to give the look of antiquity.
The dark ceiling was chosen for a contrast. Dark colors recede, and framed with the celadon colored crown molding the ceiling appears higher than it would if painted light.
The walls of this room are papered with a light celadon paper with an embossed print. Although very subtle it provides a great back drop for the owner's collection of Victorian picture frames containing photographs of San Francisco Victorian mansions.
The bedroom and closet doors were both stripped of many layers of paint and then repainted with faux wood-grain to match the bed. Appropriate hardware was acquired and used to restore the period look of the doors.
A carefully chosen Aubusson carpet unites the color scheme of this guest room. The walnut graining perfectly matches the burl walnut bed. The period hardware finishes the detail of the door.