INNER SPACES BOOK: LOOKING BACK AT 2014

Moritz Hammer (KGM Architectural Lighting), James Hunter (TWG design principal), Jessica Barnard (TWG designer), and Mauricio Muñoz (TWG design principal)

This time last year The Wiseman Group was fêted by Therien & Co. at their La Cienega showroom in Los Angeles. The occasion? The publication of TWG's book, 

Inner Spaces: Paul Vincent Wiseman and The Wiseman Group

. It was fitting that the SoCal company played host to the San Francisco-based Wiseman Group: Therien, 

a 

Dessin Fournir

 company, h

ad deep roots in the San Francisco Bay Area before opening a Los Angeles showroom in the late 1980s.

JP Hayden (Hayden & Fandetta Rare Books) and

 Patri

cia Sims (Therien)

Chase Roberson (TWG) and Andrew Huge (Deloitte Consulting)

Kirsten Honeyman (TWG blog author) and Michael Danahy (Writer/Producer)

Devin Donner (Rudin Donner Design, Inc.) 

and Bill Dono

hoe (Donohoe Design Works)

with 

Kevin Peters (TWG CEO)

The company is a purveyor of timeless period antiques, but in keeping with shifting design tastes, has also created a division devoted to 20th Century classics. Thus their location on La Cienega Boulevard is known throughout the U.S. and Europe as a one-stop source of premier quality decorative arts.

Mary Kate Spach and Tim Barber (both of Tim Barber Ltd. Architecture), Keith Granet (Granet Associates), and Brenda Mickel (TWG design principal)

Suzanne Shepela, 

Brian Pinkett

, and 

Lauren Fulton (all of 

Landry Design 

Group)

Guests were able to wander among the company's several showrooms and take in their lovely contents. CEO Kevin Peters greeted guests and Paul Wiseman signed books during the event. Wiseman Group Designers, Mauricio Munoz, Brenda Mickel, and James Hunter mingled with guests and sipped celebratory wine.

Phaedra Wilson (Munder Skiles)

Alison

 Chozen and TWG client 

Jill 

Chozen

Tom Stanley, Ron Woodson (Woodson & Rummerfield's), and Rocky La Fleur (Kneedler|Fauchère)

Paul Wiseman (TWG founder and president)

An after-party dinner was hosted by The Wiseman Group at nearby Ago. All in all, a lovely evening!

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FIELD TRIP: OUR BLOG AUTHOR VISITS LA FONDATION LOUIS VUITTON

On a recent trip to Paris our blog author, Kirsten Honeyman, visited the new Gehry-designed art museum in the Bois de Boulogne. Please enjoy her guest post about the experience.

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

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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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FIELD TRIP: FOCUS ON FRANK GEHRY

Kirsten Honeyman with Frank Gehry's "Rose for Lilly" at the Disney Concert Hall in L.A. Photo - Kimberly Dougherty

Regular readers of the Design Journal will have noticed a lack of activity on the blog of late. Kirsten Honeyman, our blog author has been focusing her full attention on the firm's first interior design book, Inner Spaces, to be published in 2014. Kirsten is part of a team that includes TWG President Paul Wiseman; CEO Kevin Peters; Design Principals James Hunter, Brenda Mickel, and Mauricio Munoz; staff members Chase Roberson and Carrie Swing; author Brian Coleman; and photographer Matthew Millman. The team has been working furiously -- selecting photographs, supplying information about projects, providing design input, and reviewing the manuscript -- to meet deadlines for publisher Gibbs Smith. Everyone is pleased with the progress, and the finished book promises to be a wonderful exploration of the firm's work. There are many exciting aspects of the book project (more on that later), but one of the most thrilling is the contribution of a foreword by Frank O. Gehry, arguably the world's most famous living architect.

A façade of the Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California Photo - Kirsten Honeyman

With Gehry so much in the forefront of the team's consciousness, Kirsten decided to make two excursions to experience the master’s work. First stop: Gehry's acclaimed Disney Concert Hall. Paul Goldberger, currently a Contributing Editor at Vanity Fair and previously the Architecture Critic for The New Yorker (1997 through 2011), has described the hall as “surely the most distinguished building” in downtown Los Angeles. “The auditorium is the finest interior Gehry has ever made," Goldberger opined in 2003, noting that the “shape of the hall and its warm rich wood, suggest a musical instrument.” Kirsten was not able to tour the interior of the concert hall, as there was a matinée being performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but she did capture several images of the building's exterior. She enjoyed roaming the hall's interior public spaces as well as strolling around the perimeter of the building.

Photo - Kirsten Honeyman

Photo - Kirsten Honeyman

Photo - Kirsten Honeyman

Kirsten was completely humbled by her second stop at the Stone Photography Studio in Davis, California. Recently retired from careers as mental health professionals, Andrea and Rob Stone have turned their avid interest in photography into a second career. Andrea has created a portfolio of photographs called the "City Reflections Project," which has been published in three international publications. Many of these large-scale images were taken at Gehry's Experience Music Project in Seattle.

Frank G Interpreted #2 Photo - Andrea Stone

The Bishop Photo - Andrea Stone

In Gehry's highly reflective metal surfaces, Andrea's artful eye has composed and captured "paintings." She has taken the experience of Gehry's architecture in a wonderful and unexpected direction; her images offer a unique avenue for enjoying Gehry's work -- one that the architect himself might not have foreseen!

Luminosity Photo - Andrea Stone

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