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Book Friday: Michael S Smith

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Recently I had the pleasure of meeting designer Michael S Smith and he gave me a copy of his latest book, Michael S Smith Kitchens and Baths published by Rizzoli.  Page after page are filled with jaw dropping inspiration that every home can benefit from!

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This is such a serene bathroom.  (Photo by Brian Doben)

1 This is such a serene bathroom. (Photo by Brian Doben)

The Asher striped marble Michael used in this bathroom is absolutely stunning. (Photo by Michael Mundy)

2 The Asher striped marble Michael used in this bathroom is absolutely stunning. (Photo by Michael Mundy)

These metallic tiles are very glamorous in the bath. (Photo by Michael Mundy)

3 These metallic tiles are very glamorous in the bath. (Photo by Michael Mundy)

This Italianate home in Laguna Beach, California boasts a kitchen inspired by villas along the Amalfi coast.  (photo by Grey Crawford)

4 This Italianate home in Laguna Beach, California boasts a kitchen inspired by villas along the Amalfi coast. (photo by Grey Crawford)

I really like the clean lines of this palm Springs kitchen. (photo by Grey Crawford)

5 I really like the clean lines of this palm Springs kitchen. (photo by Grey Crawford)

The Moroccan tiling on the walls makes this room adds a layer of pattern. (photo by Simon Upton for The World of Interiors)

6 The Moroccan tiling on the walls makes this room adds a layer of pattern. (photo by Simon Upton for The World of Interiors)

An idyllic setting. (photo by Michael Mundy)

7 An idyllic setting. (photo by Michael Mundy)

Dandelion San Francisco

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Dandelion opened first opened in San Francisco on November 16, 1968, at 3381 Sacramento Street and now their present location is 55 Potrero Avenue in San Francisco. The owners were featured in Martha Stewart Living 10 years ago on the September 2011 issue where we showed their amazing mountaintop retreat and how they entertain within it.

The name Dandelion was chosen because the dandelion is considered a “weed” by adults, but as a plaything by children and the young at heart.  Most of us remember necklaces of dandelion stems, and the delight in “make a wish and blow.”  That joy in childish pastimes inspires every aspect of Dandelion.  They are passionate about celebrating the seasons, holiday traditions, our own cultural history as well as the stimulation of experiencing other parts of the planet.  Dandelion embraces a whole spectrum of design, from the best of the new to the most vital of our rich heritage from the past.  We make every attempt to share the delights of living through great design, inspiring books, and tantalizing tastes.

I was particularly drawn to their holiday items and thought they would inspire your Thanksgiving table—they certainly did mine—I can't wait to set my table with all of the items I purchased.

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Look at this display--there is too much to choose from.

1 Look at this display--there is too much to choose from.

The autumn colors in this arrangement are inspiring me.

2 The autumn colors in this arrangement are inspiring me.

Here is Martha with Steve Fletcher and Carl Croft the owners of Dandelion.

3 Here is Martha with Steve Fletcher and Carl Croft the owners of Dandelion.

Did I mention my camel obsession?

4 Did I mention my camel obsession?

One of the three wise men.

5 One of the three wise men.

This miniature orchestra would make an amazing display.

6 This miniature orchestra would make an amazing display.

Aren't these adorable?

7 Aren't these adorable?

These turkey place card holders are genius.

8 These turkey place card holders are genius.

And they even set a place for Martha.

9 And they even set a place for Martha.

Ooh the soup tureen would go perfectly on my dining table.

10 Ooh the soup tureen would go perfectly on my dining table.

These smoke glasses are modern and elegant.

11 These smoke glasses are modern and elegant.

I could keep this year after year!

12 I could keep this year after year!

Dandelion also has a great selection of vintage inspired cards.

13 Dandelion also has a great selection of vintage inspired cards.

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This would really make a statement on a buffet or entry table.

17 This would really make a statement on a buffet or entry table.

or this one...

18 or this one...

This is one of my favorites.

19 This is one of my favorites.

This one is quite beautiful as well.

20 This one is quite beautiful as well.

A turkey painting.

21 A turkey painting.

22

These persimmons and pomegranates would make a pretty centerpiece.

23 These persimmons and pomegranates would make a pretty centerpiece.

These autumnal pieces look so pretty silvered.

24 These autumnal pieces look so pretty silvered.

The corn is fun.

25 The corn is fun.

Wow!

26 Wow!

This turkey will look great on my table.

27 This turkey will look great on my table.

These salt and pepper shakers are really quite sweet.

28 These salt and pepper shakers are really quite sweet.

and this napkin holder is so intricate.

29 and this napkin holder is so intricate.

This glass candlestick has such an interesting profile.

30 This glass candlestick has such an interesting profile.

Look at these convex and concave mirrors I found in the shop.

31 Look at these convex and concave mirrors I found in the shop.

Look how differently they reflect the same space.

32 Look how differently they reflect the same space.

Dandelion has a beautiful assortment of asian dishware for sale year-round.

33 Dandelion has a beautiful assortment of asian dishware for sale year-round.

These are very Skylands.

34 These are very Skylands.

This is a beautiful design.

35 This is a beautiful design.

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The asian teapot section is not to be missed.

37 The asian teapot section is not to be missed.

This would make a great hostess gift.

38 This would make a great hostess gift.

It could be fun to mix this with traditional willoware dishes.

39 It could be fun to mix this with traditional willoware dishes.

Another great gift idea...

40 Another great gift idea...

And here is everything I ordered!!!

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Here are all of my boxes from Dandelion!!

1 Here are all of my boxes from Dandelion!!

I love this label.

2 I love this label.

Here I am starting to unpack...

3 Here I am starting to unpack...

The first turkey to be unpacked.

4 The first turkey to be unpacked.

I just couldn't leave the store without the pumpkin tureen.

5 I just couldn't leave the store without the pumpkin tureen.

I had a lot of unpacking to do.

6 I had a lot of unpacking to do.

Here is one of the three wise men I ordered.

7 Here is one of the three wise men I ordered.

They are going to be great all together.

8 They are going to be great all together.

9

Sometime soon you will see this amazing Ikebana flower arrangement holder being used in my apartment--I got two.

10 Sometime soon you will see this amazing Ikebana flower arrangement holder being used in my apartment--I got two.

Here is everything--I am so happy with my purchases.

11 Here is everything--I am so happy with my purchases.

Happy Thanksgiving!

12 Happy Thanksgiving!

These faux bois plates are exquisite--aren't they?

13 These faux bois plates are exquisite--aren't they?

I love the simplicity of these porcelain pieces.

14 I love the simplicity of these porcelain pieces.

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These measuring cups will come in handy on Thursday.

16 These measuring cups will come in handy on Thursday.

Dandelion: 415-436-9500

dandelionsf.com

Field Trip: Furnish Green

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Sometimes finding the city's best treasures comes by way of happy accident. While my colleague, Decorating Editor Rebecca Robertson, was surfing Craig's List for a stool, she came across a listing from a used-furniture store called Furnish Green, located on the 5th floor of 1261 Broadway, between 31st and 32nd Streets.

Finding it takes a little effort, but the corner suite of this building brims with light and makes a lovely stage for their ever-changing inventory. The owner Nathan prices pieces based on their usability, rather than their "antique prowess," meaning lower (if not somewhat arbitrary: "why $61 and not $60?") prices on items that actually function.

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Welcome to Furnish Green! It's a little tricky getting here, but so worth it.

1 Welcome to Furnish Green! It's a little tricky getting here, but so worth it.

This set of blue metal chairs can be raised and lowered to match heights.

2 This set of blue metal chairs can be raised and lowered to match heights.

Bins and bins of records give life to the furnishings; pieces this unique deserve vintage turntable tunes.

3 Bins and bins of records give life to the furnishings; pieces this unique deserve vintage turntable tunes.

A voluptuous wooden mirror frame; notice the antler in its reflection that I considered glittering for my Halloween centerpiece.

4 A voluptuous wooden mirror frame; notice the antler in its reflection that I considered glittering for my Halloween centerpiece.

Decorating & Home Editor Rebecca Robertson inspects the drawers of a very unique wooden piece that we both loved.

5 Decorating & Home Editor Rebecca Robertson inspects the drawers of a very unique wooden piece that we both loved.

Her vision for this piece was to hold jewelry, which would make sorting through lots of pieces far more organized!

6 Her vision for this piece was to hold jewelry, which would make sorting through lots of pieces far more organized!

Organizing in shallow drawers makes it easy to find items quickly. Plus, this unit is so artfully designed (note the little label slots!).

7 Organizing in shallow drawers makes it easy to find items quickly. Plus, this unit is so artfully designed (note the little label slots!).

From the front (those side shelving units are not attached) when the rolling door is closed. Once unlocked, the front slatted wood rolls downwards in a truly wonderful whoosh, clinking to a stop at the bottom, revealing the drawers within.

8 From the front (those side shelving units are not attached) when the rolling door is closed. Once unlocked, the front slatted wood rolls downwards in a truly wonderful whoosh, clinking to a stop at the bottom, revealing the drawers within.

We love to shop local whenever possible, but some of the most interesting finds are from overseas.

9 We love to shop local whenever possible, but some of the most interesting finds are from overseas.

Rebecca's jewelry vision aside, I thought these shallow drawers would hold my expansive linen collection quite adequately!

10 Rebecca's jewelry vision aside, I thought these shallow drawers would hold my expansive linen collection quite adequately!

So, I bought it! We've already picked out a place for it in my apartment.

11 So, I bought it! We've already picked out a place for it in my apartment.

This table matched another smaller piece. We loved the unique marbled pattern and its sheer bulk.

12 This table matched another smaller piece. We loved the unique marbled pattern and its sheer bulk.

Rebecca is thinking of hauling this table away herself.

13 Rebecca is thinking of hauling this table away herself.

Rebecca and I rooted around this lovely store, turning up one treasure after another. The inventory is constantly changing, which makes this a constantly exciting place to visit.

14 Rebecca and I rooted around this lovely store, turning up one treasure after another. The inventory is constantly changing, which makes this a constantly exciting place to visit.

I was drawn to the weight and unique grid of this chest of drawers, plus the wood grain is just so pronounced!

15 I was drawn to the weight and unique grid of this chest of drawers, plus the wood grain is just so pronounced!

This vintage wooden file cabinet was absolutely stunning.

16 This vintage wooden file cabinet was absolutely stunning.

Due to the need for some retrofitting, Rebecca resisted the urge to purchase this piece, but we sure hope it finds a worthy home!

17 Due to the need for some retrofitting, Rebecca resisted the urge to purchase this piece, but we sure hope it finds a worthy home!

One last look before moving on...

18 One last look before moving on...

Stools, gadgets and gizmos galore.

19 Stools, gadgets and gizmos galore.

This lighting fixture had Rebecca transfixed!

20 This lighting fixture had Rebecca transfixed!

Scoping out that set of rolling drawers, I'm sure.

21 Scoping out that set of rolling drawers, I'm sure.

We thought this bench would be perfect recovered for Martha's granddaughter Jude.

22 We thought this bench would be perfect recovered for Martha's granddaughter Jude.

But I could fit on it, too!

23 But I could fit on it, too!

The sinuous lines of this deep green metal chair are provocative.

24 The sinuous lines of this deep green metal chair are provocative.

I was obsessed with this adorable vintage pink scale.

25 I was obsessed with this adorable vintage pink scale.

Anything to lighten the mood when weighing yourself!

26 Anything to lighten the mood when weighing yourself!

We both thought this desk was a real find; stately and versatile, its sharp edges lightened the piece's heft.

27 We both thought this desk was a real find; stately and versatile, its sharp edges lightened the piece's heft.

Rebecca was completely enamored with this set of unfinished wooden chairs, especially the lovely color of the unstained wood.

28 Rebecca was completely enamored with this set of unfinished wooden chairs, especially the lovely color of the unstained wood.

Another incredible find we unearthed.

29 Another incredible find we unearthed.

This old screen unfolded gorgeously.

30 This old screen unfolded gorgeously.

Items like this make wonderful projects; with a few yards of new (or vintage) fabric, this uniquely sized screen could be a real statement piece.

31 Items like this make wonderful projects; with a few yards of new (or vintage) fabric, this uniquely sized screen could be a real statement piece.

Browsing the inventory at Furnish Green is a lesson in thrifting for the novice and expert picker alike. Coming up with modern uses for these vintage items was not only interesting, but also empowering as a shopper and home designer. Filling a precise need with the perfect piece is simply put, satisfying. Check out Furnish Green if you're ever near Herald Square. It's an absolute treat!