INNER SPACES BOOK: EVENING AT THE HOME OF SANDY & JEANNE ROBERTSON

Hostess Jeanne Robertson speaks to her guests about the design work of Paul Wiseman and The Wiseman Group

The oldest residence in San Francisco sits on a quiet street atop Russian Hill overlooking a large swath of the Bay: the Golden Gate Bridge to the west; Belvedere Island, Angel Island, and Alcatraz to the north; and Berkeley and the Bay Bridge to the east. Sandy and Jeanne Robertson bought their home twenty years ago, and with the help of Walker & Moody Architects and The Wiseman Group they have transformed the historic house into a sanctuary of beauty and comfort. The home was recently the setting for a private book party celebrating the publication of Inner Spaces, a retrospective of the interior design work of The Wiseman Group.

Signed, special edition copies of Inner Spaces

Joan Vinson and Kevin Hsu peruse the book upon arrival

A feature of Paul Wiseman's residence catches Joan Vinson's eye

Host Sandy Robertson greets guests

TWG CEO Kevin Peters is greeted by Laura Robertson and Sandy Robertson

California State Senator Mark Leno chats with John Gunn and Richard Snyder

Rita Laven, TWG President Paul Wiseman, and TWG Design Principal Brenda Mickel

Brett Robertson, Kevin Peters, and TWG Design Principal James Hunter

Jerry Weissman, Lucie Weissman, Nan McDowell, and Jim Grossman

Jim Marver, Stephanie Marver, Paul Wiseman, and Catherine Hoenig

Jeanne Robertson, Mark Leno, and Barbara Rosenberg

Patsy Ludwig

Ann Alkire and Brenda Mickel

Michele Goss, Paul Wiseman, and Connie Goodyear Baron

Richard Snyder, Cynthia Gunn, and John Gunn

Janet Moody McMurty and Deedee McMurty

Paul Wiseman jokes with Kent Eff, Karen & Richard Goss, and Heather Gray

TWG Design Principal Mauricio Munoz with Brenda Mickel

Jeanne Robertson, Paul Wiseman, Joan Vinson, and Cynthia Gunn

Sam Barondes and Richard Snyder

Patsy Ludwig

Catherine Hoenig and Heather Gray

Kevin Hsu, Stephen Suzman, landscape architect for the Robertson property, and Joan Vinson

Jeanne Robertson chats with guests

Tom Beischer, Cynthia Gunn, and James Hunter

David DeWilde, Paul Wiseman, and Joy Venturini Bianchi

Kent Eff and Heather Gray

Stephanie Marver

Lucie and Jerry Weissman with Jeanne Robertson

David DeWilde and Mauricio Munoz

Roger Evans and Aey Phanachet

Bruce Honeyman and TWG blog author Kirsten Honeyman

With drinks in hand, guests were free to roam the three-story Victorian home, taking in its lovely decor, impressive art collection, and spectacular views over the Bay. As the stars came out, guests were treated to a front row seat to The Bay Lights, the world’s largest LED light sculpture across the western span of the Bay Bridge.

View north to Alcatraz and Angel Island

Roger Evans, Kirsten Honeyman, and Joy Venturini Bianchi are regaled by Paul Wiseman

Paul Wiseman points out the Golden Gate Bridge to Joy Venturini Bianchi, Aey Phanachet, and Roger Evans

James Hunter and Tom Beischer

To the east the lights of the Bay Bridge can be seen after dusk

Brenda Mickel, Paul Wiseman, Ann Alkire, and Kirsten Honeyman are served desert on the rooftop

Bruce Honeyman and Mauricio Munoz enjoy a drink in the rooftop viewing room

At one point in the evening, Mrs. Robertson spoke to the assembled guests about her affection for Paul Wiseman and her appreciation of the excellent work of the firm. She thanked James Hunter for his contribution to their projects as well. It was a very special evening for all involved, and The Wiseman Group wishes to thank the Robertsons for all their invaluable support and good will!

Jeanne Robertson, Paul Wiseman, and gathered guests

Carrie Swing of TWG makes sure each guest leaves with a copy of the book

Chase Roberson of TWG looks on as Paul Wiseman says goodnight to Brenda Mickel

Sandy Robertson bids Shirley Sun goodnight

~

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!

~

INNER SPACES BOOK: LUTYENS FURNITURE & LIGHTING WEIGHS IN

Candia Lutyens, granddaughter of the famous English architect and fine furniture maker, Sir Edwin Lutyens, carries on the family tradition with her company, Lutyens Furniture & Lighting. The firm is a favorite source of The Wiseman Group, and their quality furniture and lighting graces many TWG projects. TWG was proud to be mentioned in LFL's latest newsletter and looks forward to future collaborations with the firm.

Lutyens chairs in a Cotswolds-inspired cottage designed by TWG Photo - Matthew Millman

Beautiful LFL lighting fixture in the same  project, showcased in Inner Spaces Photo - Matthew Millman

INNER SPACES BOOK: DIANE DORRANS SAEKS BLOGS ABOUT PAUL WISEMAN

The Style Saloniste is a well-respected online magazine authored by writer Diane Dorrans Saeks. She pens in-depth, exclusive stories about topics covering the world of style. She covers the arts, interviews creative people, informs about design, and shares her extraordinary travel experiences.

In her recent post, "Designer I Love: Paul Wiseman," Diane wrote about The Wiseman Group's soon-to-be-released book, Inner Spaces: Paul Vincent Wiseman and The Wiseman Group. Have a look at the site, and while there, enjoy the treasure trove of interesting articles to be found in the archives.

~

INNER SPACES BOOK: PAUL GOLDBERGER WRITES A FOREWORD

The Wiseman Group is proud to announce that, in addition to an Inner Spaces foreword written by architect Frank O. Gehry, the book will also include a foreword by esteemed architecture critic Paul Goldberger. Given TWG's goal of working seamlessly with the architecture of their projects, it is fitting that these two giants of the architectural world weigh in so enthusiastically on the firm's work.

Mr. Goldberger has an impressive biography. He lays claim to publishing in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair -- a triple crown for talented writers. He is the author of several books, most recently Why Architecture Matters, published in 2009 by Yale University Press; Building Up and Tearing Down: Reflections on the Age of Architecture, a collection of his architecture essays published in 2009 by Monacelli Press, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude, published in 2010 by Taschen. He is now at work on a full-length biography of Frank Gehry, to be published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2015.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Goldberger!

~