A Tour of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Penthouse – What a View

Talk about a room with a view. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s 20th-story penthouse condominium in the city’s Russian Hill neighborhood has priceless views – Coit Tower, downtown, City Hall, the Bay Bridge and the crown jewel, the Golden Gate Bridge. Newsom hired San Francisco-based designer Michael Agins of Agins & Associates to transform and update the 1,800 square-foot, one bedroom and two bath 1930s Spanish Revival high-rise penthouse.

Here in the living room, Agins arranges the furniture to emphasis the room’s fireplace and mantel focal point by centering the Holly Hunt sofa directly across and lining armchairs on either side. This creates a cozy and inviting place for the mayor and his new wife, Jennifer Siebel to converse with guests. Not wanting to detract from the period architecture and breathtaking views, the elegant arched windows are kept bare. The asymmetrical decor on the fireplace mantel is beautifully done. It would have been a great example in my recent article, Tips on Decorating the Fireplace Mantel.

The living room is anchored by a chocolate, cream and gold Moorish-inspired area rug by Oscar de la Renta. The rug’s gold accents are beautifully picked up by the stunning mustard Portuguese armchairs from Heather & Company Antiques.

The small galley kitchen was opened up and modernized to accommodate large parties. Here is a view of the bar topped with Calcutta marble – it contrasts nicely with the rich brown walls and cabinetry. Agins brilliantly has the custom shelving behind the bar mimic the arched windows in the living room. The shelves are backed with mirrors – love this look!

In the media room just off the living and dining areas, Agins creates a dramatic statement with white leather lounge chairs from Minotti and sweet Twig table from House 849. Aren’t those lounge chairs fabulous!

Here is a view of the media room from the living area. The dark chocolate-colored velvet Holly Hunt sofa and ottoman melt into the walls painted in Pratt & Lambert’s dark brown. The color scheme really allows the urban art to pop.

The warm and elegant master bedroom is gorgeous in a dark green color scheme. The area rug by Kelly Wearstler and the headboard with nailhead are my favorite elements in the space.

On the wall opposite the bed, Agins hangs a collection of mirrors that reflect city views. A cozy wing chair with nailhead detail by Victoria Hagan is placed in the corner next to a window. The tree stump side table brings organic elements to the space.

With the mayor’s wife in mind, a lighter color palette of gray was selected for the library. The lush velvet Holly Hunt sofa is beautifully framed by the floor length draperies in wool. The orange accents – throw pillow and books – are fabulous too!

But, now I am curious because the Newsoms just had a baby girl – Montana Tessa Siebel Newsom on September 18, 2009 – and where is she going to sleep? Do you think they converted the library to a nursery? In any case, she will have a fabulous view. And congratulations are in order to the new parents!

UPDATE: The penthouse was sold earlier this year for a reported $2,935,000. Read it here.

*images from Luxe Magazine

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