Dina Bandman Profile

 With a lifelong passion for design and decorative arts, Dina Bandman stepped away from law school studies ten years ago to set up her interior design studio in North Beach. She hired a talented staff and decisively signed up gifted artisans, specialists of all kinds, top contractors, vendors, and suppliers.

Her fresh approach to traditional design results in tailored spaces with quiet maximalism and rooms that feel comfortable, beautifully edited, and highly functional; she finesses hand-painted wallpaper, custom detailing, bespoke fabrics, and painted finishes to create emotionally engaging and personal rooms.

“This has been an intense and highly rewarding initiation into the fast-changing world of design,” said Bandman. “We are excited about all the newest fabrics and materials and always appreciate classical and traditional products with staying power. I have a profound respect for the history of design. My clients are adventurous, and a touch of ‘old’ can make a house feel like home.”

Bandman’s full-service attention to detail resonates with both families and single executives. Her projects range from single-family homes to splendid new city apartments to residences of historical importance.

Bandman’s first creative move was to dream up one of the most original and dramatic rooms designed for the annual education fundraiser at the San Francisco Decorator Showcase. In 2017, she created (from a closet-sized storage room) a dazzling luxury laundry, complete with a high-functioning dog-washing setup. The designer’s inspired concept was the drama of hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper with graphic indigo blue mountains inspired by ancient Chinese paintings.

"It was my first solo Showcase, and I wanted to make a memorable impression, so I pulled together unexpected luxuries," Bandman said. "Wallpaper by de Gournay exudes sophisticated luxury, but it's surprisingly practical, and the pet wash was something innovative that all dog lovers can appreciate." There was also a flower arranging station, lined hampers, concealed storage, and Clive Christian cabinetry.

It was a hit and propelled her company into the future and three more Showcase houses. “I am grateful that I can support University High School’s financial aid funds by doing something I love so much,” said Bandman. “It is so stimulating to be able to design freely. With de Gournay, it is so easy to make a room special. I always enlist their help."

Clients praise her perfectionist approach to functionality and practicality and her ability to design rooms that seduce with subtle colors or witty ornamentation. Hand-beaded wallpaper and a custom-crafted Lucite crib were hits in her Showcase nursery. Soft pink magnolia lace and wafting bed draperies in a sun-filled bedroom were another Showcase house success.

Problem-solving is her forte. "Law school made me an analytical thinker, and devising artful and beautiful solutions is an essential part of the design," noted Bandman. "Recently, we hid an unattractive radiator behind a beautiful chest I designed. The lower door panels were replaced with grilles."

Bandman and her team have had an intensely creative year and anticipate another exciting year ahead. Projects include two mountain residences, and large-scale ground-up builds.  "It's exciting to be working in Aspen, Baton Rouge, White Fish, Jackson, Tampa, and Park City," Bandman noted. She also continues her work on long-term projects in San Francisco. "Each one is designed to fulfill the homeowner's dreams."

"The project I am feeling very attached to now is in Saratoga. Florida," said the designer. "It's the home of a young couple with the two cutest girls, and they love de Gournay, Jamb, and the classical architect Gil Schafer. The house is a nice size, and they value fewer but bigger rooms. We are already planning to paper five spaces in de Gournay! Although not a ground-up build, we are touching every interior surface, and the home will be completely unrecognizable from the inside and out when we are done. It will be the definition of Fresh Traditional.”