T W G : Design Journal

INNER SPACES BOOK: DELTA CELEBRATION

View of the main house from the guest cottage



Paul Vincent Wiseman and The Wiseman Group were recently fêted at the Sacramento River delta farm of Leslie and Chiles Wilson. The occasion? A hometown book launch party for Inner Spaces, showcasing thirty-five years of the firm's interior design work. The Wilson abode is included in the new book.


View from the back side of the home, which faces Mt. Diablo
Photo - Matthew Millman

Close-up of pool area at dusk
Photo - Matthew Millman


Architected by David Morton and Kurt Melander, the Wilson compound seems absolutely at home on the property. The modern farmhouse and its out buildings sit in the middle of a large pear orchard and relate comfortably to their agricultural setting. The architects have achieved a masterful balance between historical and contemporary aesthetics: with its simple lines, tin roofs, and white plaster walls, the architecture gives a nod to the property's history as a farm labor camp during the Great Depression, all the while reflecting fresh, modern design.


The guesthouse, designed in the same vernacular as the main house
Photo - Matthew Millman

Chiles Wilson (L) looks on as Paul addresses the guests
Photo - Kirsten Honeyman


This event was especially meaningful to Paul Wiseman: he grew up in Walnut Grove with Chiles Wilson as his best buddy, and the bulk of those attending were dear friends and family wishing him well as the book makes its debut.


Hostess Leslie Wilson
Photo - Richard Snyder

Nancy Moser (seated), a dear friend of Paul's mother and one of the first people to appreciate his design talent,
with Paul, Katie Moser, and granddaughter Sarah Moser
Photo - Richard Snyder

Pan van Loben Sels, friend of Paul's mother
Photo - Richard Snyder

Sadie Darsie, designer at TWG and family friend, with her boyfriend, Ali Razavi
Photo - Richard Snyder


Paul reviews the book with party guests Laura & Rob Towne and their daughter and son-in-law
Photo - Mauricio Munoz

Jan Quesenbury, friend of Paul's mother
Photo - Richard Snyder

Bruce Honeyman adds a little musical interest to the gathering
Photo - Mauricio Munoz


Paul greets an old friend, Chad LaBenz, who traveled from Florida to attend the gathering
Photo - Mauricio Munoz

Paul with childhood friend, gardener, and artist, Daisy Mah
Photo - Richard Snyder

Architect Kurt Melander, artist Tom Cordell , TWG CEO Kevin Peters, and Chase Roberson, assistant to Paul
Photo - Mauricio Munoz
  
Chase Roberson, TWG Design Principal James Hunter, and Angus Whyte, longtime friend of Paul
Photo - Mauricio Munoz

Guest Phil Benson
Photo - Richard Snyder

Alex Wilson, farmer James Christie, and Chiles Wilson, Jr
Photo - Mauricio Munoz

Paul with Lynn Stutz and his cousin, Cathy Wiseman Hemley
Photo - Mauricio Munoz

Nicole Wiseman, Paul's cousin, and Richard N. Snyder, Paul's partner
Photo - Mauricio Munoz

Richard Snyder, Janice Wiseman (Paul's sister-in-law), and Kirsten Honeyman (writer for TWG)
Photo - Mauricio Munoz

Guest Stacy Benson
Photo - Richard Snyder

Case and Brian Wiseman, Paul's nephews from two different siblings
Photo - Richard Snyder

Hilary Wiseman, Paul's niece, and Chiles Wilson, Jr., her good friend and son of the host
Photo - Richard Snyder

James Hunter, TWG Design Principal
Photo - Richard Snyder

Pear orchard painting by Chinese immigrant artist, Ming, whose works are collected by the Wilsons
Photo - Richard Snyder



A big thanks to the Wilsons for hosting such a delightful event!

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AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS: THE WISEMAN GROUP RECEIVES A JULIA MORGAN AWARD

James Hunter, Brenda Mickel, and Paul Vincent Wiseman of The Wiseman Group are awarded by Marc Appleton
All photos - Drew Altizer, unless noted otherwise



At a recent awards ceremony hosted by the Northern California Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, The Wiseman Group was given a Julia Morgan Award for their work in interior design. The awards, named for nationally renowned Bay Area architect and classicist Julia Morgan, seek to recognize and laud contemporary excellence in the classical tradition of design. Some of the Bay Area's most creative architects, designers, artisans, and craftsmen as well as local students and patrons were honored at the ceremony, which was held at the beautiful Carolands Chateau in Hillsborough. According to the ICAA's Northern California website, "it is the goal of the Chapter that through continued exposure and recognition, these awards will laud practitioners for their work and educate both laymen and professionals about the enduring excellence, appeal and importance of the classical traditions in design and those who contribute to its advancement."

West façade of the Carolands mansion
Photo - A.R.Deer

The classically appointed Bordeaux Room of the Carolands 

Joel Barkley of Ike Kligerman Barkley Architects and Richard N. Snyder

Ed Hardy and Paul Wiseman

Mark Ferguson of Ferguson Shamamian Architects and board member of the national ICAA with Natalie Jacobs

Paul Wiseman, Elisa Stancil, Kay Evans, Richard Snyder, and Joel Barkley

Architect Andrew Skurman and his wife, Francoise Skurman

Akira Kurihara of Andrew Skurman Architects with Eric Friedman and Mike McDonald of Ryan Associates

Tom Kim, Kevin Peters of The Wiseman Group, and Mike McDonald

John Toya of Ike Kligerman Barkley with Elisa Stancil of Stancil Studios

Brenda Mickel and Paul Ryan of Ryan Associates Construction

James Hunter and Jay Jeffers

Lynn Carey and Kay Evans

Gary Guthrie of Guthrie Group

Stephen Suzman of Suzman Landscape Design, with Tom Kligerman of Ike Kilgerman Barkley

Robert Baird of the Salt Lake City ICAA chapter, Paul Wiseman, and Joel Barkley

Martin Chapman of the Fine Arts Museums, SF, with Adrian Taylor of Hyde Park Mouldings

Elizabeth Everdell, Coby Everdell, and Kristin Haller

Pamela Babey and Brenda Mickel

Jessica Barnard and Anna Sweeney of The Wiseman Group

Daryl Davis and Julia Morgan Awards juror, Robert Davis

Shay Zak of Zak Architecture with Mary Moore

James Marzo, Ugo Sap, Elizabeth Everdell, and Coby Everdell

John Davis with Jason Powers of ZFA Structural Engineers

Greg McIntyre of Shears & Window with Suzanne Tucker, Event Chairperson

Natalie Jacobs, Mark Ferguson, and Marc Appleton

Brenda Mickel and her husband, Ned Mobley

Martin Chapman of the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco

Mark Ferguson awarding Andrew Skurman

Philippe Grandvoinet, decorative painter, and Suzanne Tucker of Tucker & Marks

Patrons John and Cynthia Gunn receiving a Julia Morgan Award for their support of ICAA

John Gunn, Andrew Skurman, Cynthia Gunn, and Peter Lyden, President of ICAA national

James Hunter, Cynthia Gunn, and Paul Wiseman

James Marzo of Marzo Design with Richard Beard of B.A.R. Architects

Cristiane Turl with Jessica Barnard of The Wiseman Group

Kathleen Taylor of The Lotus Collection with Paul Wiseman





OUT AND ABOUT: MADELINE WEINRIB OPENING AT SFDC

Madeline Weinrib with Paul Vincent Wiseman

Photo - Drew Altizer Photography


An opening party was held at Madeline Weinrib‘s new showroom at the San Francisco Design Center‘s Galleria on Thursday, April 3. Several members of the TWG staff attended, including Brenda Mickel, Paul Wiseman, and James Hunter.

Design Principal Brenda Mickel
Photo - Drew Altizer Photography 


Weinrib is known for a sophisticated style that is at once timeless and modern. The showroom carries her collections of heirloom quality carpets and artfully conceived textiles, accessories, and home accents. In an interview with Diane Dorrans Saeks, Weinrib shares that she has wanted her designs to be contemporary, yet reference the traditional fabrics from which many of her ideas were drawn: "If it were a really strong design, it would work well in other environments. Great design should have flexibility. Using traditional motifs that have been simplified and pared to their essence has allowed me to achieve this duality."







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OUT AND ABOUT: JAY JEFFERS BOOK LAUNCH

TWG Design Principal James Hunter with Jay Jeffers

San Francisco-based interior designer Jay Jeffers celebrated the release of his new book, Jay Jeffers: Collected Cool (Rizzoli), and many of The Wiseman Group staff were in attendance. The launch party was held Thursday, March 27 at the new pop-up accessories shop Cavalier@Coup located inside Coup d’Etat. By all reports, the event was a big success...

Jay Jeffers

Jay Jeffers signing copies of his book

Carrie Swing of TWG and Kaylee Witworth


Samantha Schiff (TWG Assistant Designer), Kalyee Whitworth, and Kelsey Mazzotta (TWG Assistant Designer)

Suzanna Allen (former Personal Assistant to Paul Wiseman) and Kevin Peters (TWG CEO and CFO)

Kevin Peters with designer Scot Meacham Wood


Sadie Darsie, Chase Roberson, Shannon Jue (of TWG) and Debbie Gray of De Sousa Hughes Showroom
James Hunter and John Toya of Ike Kligerman Barkley Architects enjoy a moment with other party attendees


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OUT AND ABOUT: COCKTAILS ON THE PENINSULA

Front entry area with large pivoting door


The Wiseman Group was recently invited for cocktails at the Hillsborough residence of clients of the firm. The occasion: the completion of the design project's furniture installation. The hosts wanted to share their lovely home with the staff and show their appreciation for a job well done. Design Principal James Hunter lead the creative team with assistance from Designer Luis Alves, both of whom were on hand to answer questions and show everyone around.

Library furniture installed, with finishing accessories soon to come

Seating near the living room fireplace with additional decorative elements yet to be installed

Seating by the fireplace accented with pillows in Fortuny's Shanti pattern

Panel above fire place raised to reveal a flat screen television

Small patio outside of the master bedroom suite, featuring a black oval soaking tub

Master bathroom vanity

Guest bathroom shower


The clients have a preference for modern design, evident in the home's architecture and in their choice of furniture and fixtures. The house was completely remodeled (by Charlie Barnett Associates) to increase a feeling of interior spaciousness. In spite of the large size of the great room, which combines the kitchen, dining area, and seating near the fireplace, the house feels warm and comfortable -- much to the credit of the design staff.

Design Principal James Hunter flanked by the client and her neighbor, also a client of TWG

The client with CEO Kevin Peters


President Paul Wiseman and Design Principal Brenda Mickel


Designer Luis Alves and Kevin Peters


Designers Kelsey Mazzotta and Victoria Reynolds with attorney Richard Snyder


Designers Jessica Barnard, Anna Sweeney, and Victoria Reynolds


Accounting Manager Eloisa Saquilayan, Designer Marilyn Autry, and PVW Assistant Chase Roberson


Kevin Peters with (from left) Designers Anna Sweeney, Lauren Daley, Marilyn Autry, Sadie Darsie, and Kelsey Mazzotta


The staff enjoyed seeing the project firsthand and appreciated the gracious manner in which the clients showed TWG their thanks!

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