Design Writers in SF We Follow
Design-hunters, when it comes to leaving our well-curated nests and venturing out into the world, we are looking for ambiance. We are always searching for new restaurants with gram-able tableware, hotels hiding treasure troves of local art, and coffee shops with luxe lighting. Then we want to know more about the inspiration behind each piece. But—out of all the reviews, blogs, articles, and top 10 lists out there—most posts focus on the food, the amenities, the beans… It’s rare to find an article that reveals an amazing space and demystifies the design details. So we’re here to shout out some kudos to two writers who have revealed unique design elements in our favorite local spaces. They are so good at finding these details that we sometimes wonder, how do they do it? Is it their design-curiosity, charisma, or a lifetime of being in-the-know…
Jordan Kushins
of Surface Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Dwell, and More!
Jordan Kushins proves that someone with a creative eye can transcend mediums. From writer, to illustrator and jewelry designer, she weaves together the Surface Design San Francisco City Guide like a wall-hanging. Her description of the Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco makes us wish we could move— just so we can come back and stay here!
“The 196-room Hotel Zeppelin pays tribute to the city’s counterculture history with vinyl record players, midcentury lamps, and psychedelic wallpaper inscribed with the names of famous bands. Graffiti artists Color Cartel’s lobby bar art is illuminated by blacklight, while the gin bottle-filled metal cage is a throwback to the speakeasy that once inhabited the space. Set in a neoclassical SoMa building, Hotel Zetta’s eco-consciousness is revealed in salvaged materials and artworks, including portraits made of repurposed floppy discs and chandeliers crafted with recycled eyeglasses. The 116 rooms are appointed with modular butcher-block desks and Cheng Meng sofas.”
She’s not just contributing to one publication though— check out her posts in Dwell too like “A House Worthy of James Bond and More.” Hats off to Jordan for her research, style, and storytelling!
Meredith Swinehart
Senior Editor at Remodelista
Nightbird
Whether you’re looking for a date-night destination or ideas for a kitchen remodel, you’ll definitely find inspiring designs in Meredith’s articles. We were thrilled to discover this charming design detail from her article about Nightbird “Restaurant Visit: A Nightbird in Flight, in San Francisco” that we’d never have known about otherwise.
“Alter’s mother, a former seamstress, cut and sewed the restaurant’s curtains, napkins, and leather coasters. ‘After bwork, she would make napkins every day,’ said Alter. ‘She and my stepdad would be cutting and sewing at home, and it made them feel like part of the restaurant. We now hand-wash those napkins every day.’ ”
Café Gratitude (Larchmont)
Psst, Workstead we hear your nude leather Sling Chair is on her wishlist!
Who are you following? We’d love to know!
Message or email us your favorite writers, bloggers, editors and publications: social@wescover.com