COUPAR Design: Shopping For Antiques At Epoca And Garden Court

Epoca vignette, Photo: Jack Hutton

COUPAR Design is currently working on an Edwardian apartment in Pacific Heights showcasing jewel-toned hues and classic furnishings. The homeowner wants to add a few select antiques to the design. COUPAR agrees with designer Suzanne Tucker that “antiques give a room soul.” Lead Project Manager Monica Eng visited San Francisco's Epoca and Garden Court Antiques, conveniently located under one roof in a former SOMA cheese warehouse. Epoca, owned by Eric Petsinger, mixes exceptional 20th-century furniture and accessories with more traditional pieces, whereas Jim Gallagher, the owner of Garden Court, highlights fine English and Continental antique furnishings.

Garden Court Antiques, Victorian Walnut Tripod Side Table, English Circa 1860

Monica was in for a treat as the pair "know their stuff." Eric opened Epoca in 2003, and Jim started at Garden Court in 2002. Their introduction to the esoteric world of antiques began in the mid-nineties when they worked for the dealer Ed Hardy. Designers and collectors now seek their expertise, and Epoca exhibits at The San Francisco Fall Show. Jim just received a new European shipment. Noticing a preferential shift, he bought smaller, distinctive furnishings that complemented contemporary interiors as opposed to oversized items. "People seem to appreciate having unique pieces that enhance the character of their space," he says.

Garden Court Antiques, Continental Brass Mounted Mahogany Commode, Circa 1860

COUPAR Design's client requested an antique side table for her Gilded Age living room. The space features period architectural details with a tufted sofa covered in emerald green Italian velvet; the Verde Alpi Serpentine fireplace surround echoes the verdant color. A travertine and dark metal coffee table companions the upholstery, and a plaster and bronze hanging fixture illuminates the grouping. Monica searched for a side table with patina and personality; Eric and Jim showed her several options. She also sourced a neoclassical commode that COUPAR could convert into a powder room vanity. Again, they suggested solutions while offering chilled champagne.