A Collector's Abode - Sojournest.com

I was first introduced to Antonio Martins’ unique design vision when I entered his Master Bedroom for the 2014 San Francisco Decorator Showcase. A sea of blue and white centered around a magnificent antique bed, it was the kind of room that made you want to linger; it was sparse yet so original and it took time to take it all in. The inspiration for the room was a family heirloom: an 18th century Portuguese Bilros bed that had been passed down to him over the generations. He commissioned decorative artists Katherine Jacobus and Linda Horning to hand-paint a series of over-sized blue and white tiles and then shuffled the tiles into a random collage. The effect was spectacular and mesmerizing; a puzzle waiting to be put together.

SF Showcase Room — Martins wanted to honor his heritage and at the same time create a very 21st century room. It was accomplished with the juxtaposition of a 17th Century bed, Portuguese Azulejos (blue & white tile) and contemporary pieces and art. The Portuguese Bilros bed is the focus of the room. The walls, painted by Linda Horning and Katherine Jacobus are inspired by Portuguese 18th Century tiles. Each is an exact reproduction of a tile in the museum of the Azulejo in Lisbon, but enlarged from 5”x5” to 24"x24”. The bedside table is an original John Dickenson from Coup D’etat. Photography by Drew Kelly

Seven years later, the blue and white tiles now grace the entry of his San Francisco home. “I had them stacked in my garage for years,” he shared. “When I bought this house, I said it’s now or never. I had just enough for the entry and the staircase. The result was incredible.”

The entry is lined with enlarged reproductions of 19th Century Portuguese blue & white tiles, hand painted by Linda Horning and Katherine Jacobus for the 2014 San Francisco Decorator Showcase and repurposed for this space. Custom Metal and white lacquer console table designed by AMID and fabricated by Fabian Fine Furniture. 18th Century Italian Nativity Scene image. Sculpture on acrylic box: Porcelain “Some Letters”, 2013 by Sandra Osborne. Sisal runner by Stark Carpets. Collection of 18th Century Portuguese candlesticks. On staircase landing: 17th Century late Ming Huanghuali Seal Chest. Strada Flush-Mount Ceiling Light by Kelly Wearstler. Photography by Christopher Stark

Martins has lived an international life and that experience translates to his home. Born in Portugal and raised in Brazil, he spent years in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Europe before settling in San Francisco where he founded his design firm Antonio Martins Interior Design in 2004.

Martins' dream dressing room was built around a two-piece store display cabinet bought at auction. A small brass plaque above the center shelves reads "Julius Bender, Manufacturers of Store and Office Fixtures...Chicago, USA". Fabian Fine Furniture adapted the piece to be a floor to ceiling piece by adding the drawer section and building an additional wing to match. “Birds Birds Birds” chandelier by Ingo Maurer gives a touch of whimsy. Viper bench in bronze and leather. Photography by Drew Kelly

His home is a showcase to his eclectic, personal style. Martins’ living room is a conversation piece. The walls are covered, salon style, with 57 antique portraits of men. “I like lots of art displayed together,” he says, “but with a focus; just one subject.” He sourced the paintings from auction houses over a period of two years. “I’m hooked on Live Auctioneers,” he shared. To tie them together, he only purchased paintings of men against a dark background and framed them all in gold frames. “That’s the thread between them,” says Martin, “the peacefulness in the chaos.”

Martins’ years living in Asia gave him a deep admiration for symmetry. “Even though it’s salon style there is a method to it, you have to look for a certain geometry,” he said. “There is an order in the pieces and there needs to be a coherence. Not one thing should jump out; they need to have dialogue together, then you have harmony without the chaos.”

Martins acquired the leather reading chair in the corner of the room at a New Orleans auction; it’s a brilliant design. It was created for reading, straddling the chair with a book on the back desk, but it’s also called a ‘Cockfight Chair ‘as it allowed users to sit in the chair bird in hand, and chest protected from the cockfight by the leather back.

His collection continues in the dining room with a series of 2,000 year-old Han Dynasty warrior Stick Men that Martins purchased in Hong Kong. The juxtaposition of these figures against the backdrop of the formal portraits in the living room was unintentional but make for an interesting visual.

Han Dynasty Stick Men — The dining room features an antique American Primitive slab top tavern dining table from the early 19th century, found at a local auction paired with Cab chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Collection of Han Dynasty stick men are displayed on the walls. The original “bed on a wall” Murphy Bed hardware and door was used to hide chinaware storage area a bar and more antique portraits. Pendant lighting 85 Lamps by Rody Graumans for Droog. Photography by Christopher Stark

Another delightful antique chair is in the master bedroom, a Dutch commode he bought at auction and left in its unstuffed condition. “My favorite house ever was Rose Tarlow’s in L.A.,” says Martins. “She had a stunning room with vines in the living room and she had a chair with the stuffing coming out. I loved it.”

Antique Dutch marquetry toilet chair, 18th century, Holland, with floral inlaid mahogany, early leather upholstered seat and headrest, each open to reveal interior compartments, with original upholstery. Purchased at Auction at Millea Bros Ltd, NJ. Paintings by Pam Shehaan, Wallpaper by KF Hempcloth–Slate Shimmer, Window Treatments by Dianne Kirchner, Window Treatments Linen: Barnegat Deep Navy, Blue color on trim: Benjamin Moore – HC-154–Hale Navy. Photography by Christopher Stark

Downstairs, Martins has his studio, a wide-open space set between his open-walled garage and gravel patio, that can be transformed for any purpose. “I didn’t need the space,” he said, so he left it sparse. “It’s an art gallery, a dance studio, a yoga room, we do a cooking club here, the back stairs lead to the kitchen.”

I am captivated by Martins’ ability to meld together a rustic charm with a more formal, polished feel. “Without planning, I think my 10 years in Asia had a lot to do with it,” he explained. “Every house should tell a story–born in Portugal, raised in Brazil, the Asian positioning of objects–with my home I am trying to tell my story. I have a chaotic number of objects, but they are placed carefully. It’s organized chaos.

Title Image: Collection of antique portraits line the walls of the living room, overlooking an eclectic collection of furniture and art objects. Custom slope arm slipcovered sofa upholstered in Glant Linen. White marble low marble plinth rectangular coffee table by Restoration Hardware. Industrial side table by Big Daddy Antiques. Collection of 17th, 18th and 19th Century Portraits. Art light on large portrait by Vibia Light. Custom-made fireplace surround and screen by Fabian Fine Furniture. Photography by Christopher Stark

PHOTOGRAPHY:
Drew Kelly
Christopher Stark

ENTRY:
Hand Painted Tiles by Linda Horning and Katherine Jacobus
Sandra Osbourne
Stark Carpets
Kelly Wearstler Lighting

DRESSING ROOM:
Ingo Mauer

LIVING ROOM:
Glant
Restoration Hardware
Big Daddy’s Home & Garden
Vibia Lighting
New Orleans Auction Galleries

DINING ROOM:
Cassina
Droog

MASTER BEDROOM:
Millea Bros. Ltd.
Pam Sheehan
Benjamin Moore

GALLERY & GARAGE
1770 Workshop
John Mayberry
Frank Gehry Wiggle Chair
David Weeks