The 2025 edition of the San Francisco Fall Show recently marked its 43rd year. Remarkably, Suzanne Tucker has missed the annual event only once. In 2015, after decades of involvement in various capacities, the interior designer became show chair. During her tenure, the caveat that objects must be antiques was dropped. Now, limited-edition and one-of-a-kind contemporary and modern pieces are also on offer. Here, Tucker shares tips on collecting and designing.
Create contrasts. Don’t shy away from pairing a museum-worthy treasure with a flea market gem—it’s about personality, not price tags. I wholeheartedly believe in the beauty of the mix—contemporary with vintage, sleek modernity alongside timeworn charm. For instance, in this library I designed (left), an inherited Biedermeier table works for a game of backgammon or dinner for two. An antique rug sets the color palette and grounds the room for newly made upholstery. And the collection of objets in the bookshelves range from an ancient geode to porcelains and personal finds. But above all, whether it’s a Sotheby’s splurge or a roadside rescue, scale and proportion reign supreme.
Don’t dismiss brown. Brown furniture got a bad rap a few years ago, but many of these pieces were crafted by true masters. Their warmth, weight and wonderful imperfections add depth, texture and that all-important whisper of history to any room.
Ask around. Engage with the dealers at the Fall Show; they love nothing more than to talk about their pieces. Also, the last thing they want to do is pack everything up and ship it back. So, if something that you have your heart set on is still there on Sunday, make them an offer. They would much rather have it go to your house than take it back to their shop.
