Behind The Scenes at William Switzer Headquarters: Part 2 of a series

Our visit to William Switzer in Vancouver started off here with the more glamorous side of the company’s headquarters, their showroom. Now we visit the less inviting, but more intriguing side of their business…the factory where it all begins.

Most of the furniture manufactured for the William Switzer Collection has some hand carved element, if not the entire piece. I learned on my visit that theses pieces are manufactured in factories in either Italy or Spain through relationships built by the company’s namesake William Switzer decades ago. The hand carved pieces, which include anything from mirror frames and chairs to beds and breakfronts are then sent to William Switzer headquarters as natural wood and then finished by artisans in the Vancouver location.

Having specialized in wood and cabinetry throughout my career as a designer, I was most fascinated by the finishing process. The pieces I saw in process included exotic veneers, gold and silver leaf preparation and chemical distressing. There were even a couple of amazing prototypes that had yet to be unveiled to the public.

I must once again thank Mr. Dean MacCracken from our local San Francisco showroom, as well as my William Switzer host, Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas.

Here is some of what I saw at the factory:

My host and tour guide, Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas.

Furniture that had been returned and would be sold in a once-yearly sale.

Unfinished English Georgian style mirror frames.

Storage for large unfinished furniture pieces.

Various unfinished hand carved chairs waiting to be finished.

An unfinished Curraghmore table next to solid wood sideboard.

Unfinished furniture pieces in exotic veneers.

Detail of unfinished desk with burl Walnut and Zebra wood veneers.

Poster spotted in the factory publicizing a 1993 summit in Vancouver with President Clinton and Boris Yeltsin where William Switzer furniture was used.

A William Switzer artisan applies and undercoat for a gold leaf finish.

An overview showing how the colors in the undercoat change with the detail of the hand carved mirror frame.

Preparing a solid wood, hand carved sideboard to be finished.

One of the finishing department spaces with console tables lined ready to be completed.

The Upholstery department working on a variety of pieces.

A prototype of a new table top finish.

The next installment will feature William Switzer furniture in context at my Vancouver hotel.

David J. Hansen

Top photo shows a Palazzo Capponi Center table that has been chemically distressed.

* All photos copyright by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Behind The Scenes at William Switzer Headquarters: Part 1 of a Series

While visiting Vancouver last September I had the privilege of visiting the headquarters of the renowned William Switzer furniture line (my apologies in taking so long to present this). While I was there I got to see their Vancouver showroom located at 611 Alexander Street. I was also able to tour their adjacent manufacturing, finishing, upholstery and shipping operations. Special thanks must be given to Mr. Dean MacCracken of our local William Switzer showroom for putting me in touch with Mr. Adam Switzer-Bellas the grandson of William Switzer who, along with his family operates the company in Vancouver, BC Canada.

William Switzer started his namesake company in 1952 as an Interior Design firm, and in 1978 became a business strictly for the manufacture and distribution of handmade furniture, many which were used by Mr. Switzer throughout his career.

Coming up in later installments will be photos from the warehouse etc. along with some William Switzer furniture that adorned the hotel where I was stayed while visiting Vancouver.

The Showroom. This installment shows photos of the William Switzer showroom in Vancouver, which is in an adjacent location to their manufacturing facility. I’m sure the showroom has changed since I was there, but these illustrate how much William Switzer product they are able to show in one place. William Switzer also manufactures and distributes the Lucien Rollin Collection, originally conceived by another noted Interior Designer, and now made exclusively by their company. The great thing about the showroom is that they are able to show nearly all their pieces and finish options in one place. All pieces are made to order and custom finishes are available.

The building at 611 Alexander Street Vancouver.

The courtyard leading to the showroom entrance.

The door to the William Switzer showroom.

An English Chippendale style mirror in White finish on mirrored wall.

A vignette with large Wing Back style Louis XV chair and matching ottoman.

A vignette with multiple chairs and Zebra wood Art Nouveau buffet.

Austrian Biedermeier secretary and matching chairs.

Large Louis XVI Transitional mirror with reflection.

Vignette showing Mid 20th Century Berger arm chair and matching ottoman.

A room showing different options for Dining rooms.

English oval Birds mirror with ginger jar and matching urns.

Vitrine in Silver finish with gold accents.

Hand carved mirror with bedroom vignette in reflection.

Two Swag Back side chairs.

A new annex to the showroom that was just being finished and arranged.

David J. Hansen

Photographs:

The top photograph is from the William Switzer web site.

All additional photographs are by David J. Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc. All photographs were taken in early September 2010.

Happy Earth Day!

Have a wonderful Earth Day and Easter weekend!

Barbara Ashfield & David Hansen

Antique map image via imagespark.com

VIVA ESPAÑA – SAN SEBASTIAN!

Just back in town after a wonderful 10 days in northern Spain where I visited Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian and Barcelona – the perfect itinerary.

With that being said, I must admit to having a favorite and that was SAN SEBASTIAN! I’m not sure if it was the people, the hotel, the weather, or the days spent riding my bike along the ocean Promenade that made it so amazing, but it was just that. And what could be better than ending the day at sunset watching the surfers whilst sippingon the perfect mojito! Truly postcard perfect.

Here is a sampling of San Sebastian through my eyes…

Barbara Ashfield

All photos by Barbara Ashfield for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

Flower Power!

Barbara and I recently attended Bouquets to Art at San Francisco’s DeYoung Museum. The event, which was the 27^th annual lasted for five days (March 15-19) and was formerly held at the Legion of Honor.

The event showcases local floral designers and garden clubs interpretations of the museum’s most cherished works using flowers.

Bouquets to Art is organized and produced by the volunteer members of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Auxiliary, and is the largest fundraiser the museums hold for the entire year. The money raised helps fund special acquisitions and educational programs.

Here are some of the photos we snapped while touring the exhibit…

After Diebenkorn...

A Classical interpretation...

After Mark Rothko...

By City College of San Francisco...

Inspired by the upcoming Balenciaga exhibit...

A nude inspiration...

David Hansen

*All photos by Barbara Ashfield and David Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design inc.

Speaking Of Daphne...

After choosing Daphne Guinness as one of my style icons in our last post, imagine my delight when the new issue of Architectural Digest arrived (the next day) with photos of her chic apartment on 5^th Avenue in New York City.

Not many people can boast a portrait of themselves by David LaChapelle. and the use of the color Red seems to be a common thread (which isn’t as easy)…divine!

The design for Ms. Guinness’ residence was implemented by architect Daniel Romualdez. The spread was photographed by Thomas Loof.

The article can be viewed can view here.

David Hansen

Stylish Aspirations

Style. A common enough word, but what does it really mean? The dictionary has many definitions, but is most commonly described as “A particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode of action or manner of acting: They do these things in a grand style”. Certainly style is subjective, but most people can recognize style, and may think of it as something “special” that lacks description.

We would like to thank and pay tribute to our friend and local blogger extraordinaire Kendra Boutell. Anyone who hasn’t experienced her lovely blog “Porcelains & Peacocks” should visit there post-haste! Her posts manage to educate, while dazzling her readers with unique imagery and subjects. A few weeks back Kendra nominated us for a Stylish Blogger award, to which we thank her!

We thought we would take this opportunity to share some of what we hold as sacred and stylish. Here are our two takes on style and inspiration (hence the name Design Squared)…

Barbara:

I think Jackie Kennedy said it best with “Style is not a function of how rich you are, or even who you are…style is a habit of mind that puts quality before quantity, noble struggle before mere achievement, honor before opulence. It’s what you are. It’s your essential self. It’s what makes you ..you.” And I wholeheartedly agree.

As for inspiration, I think I’m most inspired by people who live life on their own terms. I take inspiration fromforeign travels, ensconcing myself in the local culture as much as possible, taking in design, cuisine, art and architecture and watching the locals go about their daily lives. I am inspired at the Farmers Market by beautiful fresh produce and flowers, especially the colors and the smells. And last but not least, rummaging through old issues of House & Garden and Gourmet, neverknowing when something will hit me for a current project.

My style Icons are:

1) Madeleine Castaing for following her own drummer and without knowing it created her own “Castaing Style” that is timeless.

2) The Dutchess of Devonshire for her elegance and her chickens!

3) Diane Von Furstenberg for her enduring style, sophistication, success, and dedication to family.

David:

My sense of what I consider stylish stems primarily from the fantasies of an only child who was captivated by a range of imagery from old Hollywood to exotic far away places. It’s difficult to put style into words, but it’s something you know is right, but defies definition. Three people I would choose to epitomize style would be:

1) Gene Kelly – A masculine archetype who was debonair and always dressed with a timeless dash.

2) Nina Simone – She was someone who had an ultimate command of her craft, amazing verve, but couldn’t be defined by categories.

3) Daphne Guinness – Heir to the Guinness fortune, she is the ultimate fashioinista, who truly loves fashion and the people who create it.

Today we pass the torch as we award our choices for Stylish Blogger Award to:

Claudia Juestel of Adeeni Design Blog

Denny Holland of Denny Holland Studio and

Diane Dorrans Saeks of The Style Saloniste.

Barbara Ashfield & David Hansen

Photos from top:

1) The Duchess of Devonshire from wwd.com

2) Daphne Guinness from LaModellaMafia.com

3) Diane Von Furstenberg from shelterpop.com

4) The Duchess of Devonshire as a young woman.

5) Madeleine Castaing from emilyevanseerdmans.blogspot.com

6) The Duchess of Devonshire with her chickens.

7) Diane Von Furstenberg by photographer Frazer Harrison.

8) Gene Kelly from allstarpics.com

9) Gene Kelly from genekellygallery.com

10) Nina Simone from fatberris.com

11) Nina Simone from cnettv.com

12) Daphne Guinness from L’Uomo Vogue February 2010.