The COUPAR Edit
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Celebrating Black History Month: The Art of Aaron Douglas
Aaron Douglas (1899-1979), a significant African American figure in the Harlem Renaissance, was a Renaissance man, painter, illustrator, visual arts educator, and philosopher. New York's Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 30s was the focus of black intellectual and cultural activity.
Pantone Color of the Year: Viva Magenta
Pantone has announced its color of the year for 2023: Viva Magenta. This vibrant, bold hue possesses an undeniably strong energy.
Take 10 With Vistage Chair Walter Paulsen
Where do CEOs and business owners go when they need to make better decisions, strengthen their teams and grow their businesses? For Krista Coupar, it is her monthly Vistage Group meetings. The global organization has an outstanding 60-year-plus track record in executive coaching.
Pillow Talk: René Gregorius and the Renaissance Bed
René Gregorius and Stephanie Pineo, aficionados of early antique furnishings, craftsmanship, and design, opened their Los Angeles business Gregorius/Pineo in 1984 at the back of a North La Cienega Blvd storefront. They later moved to an elegant showroom at 651-653 North La Cienega Blvd. Interior Design Hall of Fame honoree Melvin Dwork told Architectural Digest almost ten years later, "Gregorius/Pineo is one of the best places out there."
COUPAR Holiday Celebration: Truffle Shuffle
Each holiday season, the COUPAR team finds a unique way to get in the spirit and celebrate with one another. In recent years, we’ve lunched at Spruce and indulged in curated spa gift baskets. For 2022, we switched it up and embarked on a virtual cooking adventure with the help of a company called Truffle Shuffle
Take 10 With Collector Suzanna Allen
With the success of this year's San Francisco Fall Show, COUPAR predicts antiques are back after a long hiatus. While during the eighties, nineties, and early 21st century, the one percent couldn't get enough of the rarest, most esoteric furnishings and objets d'art, the Great Recession plunged us into a gray world of visual austerity. But now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain problems, buying off the floor is an excellent solution for interior designers.
COUPAR Out and About
In 2022, COUPAR celebrated the continuous return to normalcy through various industry events. From Showroom Happy Hours to the San Francisco Fall Show, the team has enjoyed seeing familiar faces again and connecting with new ones.
History of the Industrial Center Building: Marinship
COUPAR's client Rebecca Katz Art located in Sausalito's landmark Industrial Center Building (ICB), will participate in the Winter Open Studios. Before the massive 107,000 square feet structure was an artists' community, it was home to WWII shipbuilders.
Hispanic Architecture in the San Francisco Bay Area
As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we acknowledge how early Spanish and Mexican occupations defined San Francisco's built landscape. The Bay Area's Mediterranean climate and abundance of adobe material adapted well to Spanish colonial architecture.
Book Signing Jubilee: The San Francisco Fall Show
COUPAR is proud to be the sponsor of the Book Signing Jubilee at The San Francisco Fall Show. With publications from over twenty experts in architecture, design, and the decorative arts, it will be hard to make a selection. One of the many books we are excited to peruse is Michael S. Smith – Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House.
Through The Lens: Remembering Photographer Fred Lyon
Renowned photographer Fred Lyon passed away last week at 97. COUPAR remembers him for his photographic eye, quick wit, and kind heart. The 4th generation San Franciscan showcased the city during the golden age of photojournalism in silvered shades of black and white.
Private Collections: Art for Empowerment’s Sake
Private Collections, held this September 14th, is a special one-night event that provides an exclusive look at the art-filled homes of some of San Francisco’s most respected art collectors.
San Francisco Fall Show Dealer Profile: Epoca
San Francisco Fall Show chair and designer Suzanne Tucker of Tucker & Marks places antiques in each of her projects. "For me, antiques give a room soul. There do not have to be many antiques, and they do not all need to be the finest examples. But the rich patina of old wood, painted finishes, or burnished metals gives a lovely juxtaposition to what is new. It can make a room more interesting, balanced, and unique," she says.
Art, Antiques, Design, and Books: The San Francisco Fall Show
This year marks the 40th anniversary of The San Francisco Fall Show, and in celebration, the theme is Ruby Jubilee. American fashion designer Bill Blass said, "Red is the ultimate cure for sadness." After the show's two-year absence, COUPAR is elated that it returns to Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion and runs October 13-16, 2022.
ICAA Northern California Julia Morgan Awards: The Green Room
The Institute of Classical Architecture and Art Northern California Chapter (ICAA Northern California) recently celebrated the 2020 and 2022 Julia Morgan Awards at The Green Room in the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center. It was fitting that winners and peers gathered in its Beaux-Arts splendor.
The Journal: Telling a Company’s Story
Storytelling is at the crux of marketing, especially in the design industry. Each firm possesses its unique narrative, and these narratives expand with each project they complete. There are various platforms to convey these stories, but one of the most impactful is through a company’s journal on their website.
And The Award Goes To: QuarryHouse
Congratulations to COUPAR client QuarryHouse for winning the prestigious Julia Morgan Awards in Craftmanship & Artisanship for 2022.
Inventing the California Look: Through The Lens Of Fred Lyon
The long wait is over for interior design aficionados. Rizolli has compiled Fred Lyon's residential photos of San Francisco's wealthy elite spanning from the 1940s to the 1980s. While this ephemeral world no longer exists, it has influenced generations of designers.
Women's History Month: Design Influencer Edith Wharton
To celebrate Women's History Month this March, when we reflect on women's contributions to American history, society, and culture, COUPAR looks at the life of Edith Wharton. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and short-story writer accurately depicted the lives of New York's upper class during the Gilded Age.
The Private Portfolio: How To Navigate NDA's and Other Design Challenges
As firms grow and begin to work with more high-profile clients, the likelihood of a client requesting the project be under NDA increases. These projects are often impressive and provide an excellent opportunity to showcase high-caliber work. However, it can be tricky when a company cannot publicize it. There are a few workarounds to discreetly promote these projects without violating a part of the agreement.