Master of Design

San Francisco-based interior designer Benjamin Dhong is integral to the bay area design community. His work has been widely published, and he has participated in the renowned San Francisco Decorator's Showcase. For the 2023 San Francisco Fall Show [October 12-15], he was selected to design one of the prestigious designer vignettes at the show's entrance. His signature look has been his skill of deftly combining high-low design. He is collaborating with deGournay on a bespoke wallcovering design that will anchor the space and set the tone. In addition to his design work, Dhong has serious entertaining skills. Many moons ago, he organized underground nightclubs. Now, he creates beautiful tabletop environments at his wine country and Nob Hill homes. Segway to another business opportunity launched this fall with a former client, Cloud & Oak, an e-commerce site selling curated products to recreate Ben's entertaining style in your home. The site also offers virtual design services. If you follow Ben on Instagram, you know he is a passionate traveler and curious student; most recently, he traveled to Egypt, Jordan, South of France,  England, Paris, and Berlin. Next spring, he has organized a design insiders’ trip to explore 18^th-century Chinese Wallcovering in grand British houses. The trip sold out in a day—luckily, he is organizing another in the fall of 2024 for all who missed the first trip. A man of infinite style and bounds of energy. We asked him a few questions to learn more about the creative process for his SF Fall Show vignette.

CH: What is the theme for your SF Fall Show vignette?

BD: "La Dolce Vita”..aka “the Sweet Life”. It’s just a wonderful theme, don't you think? Especially since I love all things Italian!

CH: Can you share the creative process with deGournay for the bespoke wallcovering?

BD: The de Gournay family is lovely to work for and has assembled the most amazingly talented team of creatives. I've known the family for years, and it is always inspiring, elevating, and, frankly, a lot of fun to be in their midst. They are pushing me into new territories of embroidered wallcovering. I've been a tad thrifty in using it in our projects, but the Fall Show gives me a magnificent opportunity to dip my toes into all that silken thread. Hope it doesn't ruin me! 

CH:  Are you incorporating any design features inspired by your travels?

BD: Absolutely! When you think of "La Dolce Vita," you think immediately of curvaceous blonde bombshell Anita Eckberg and the sizzling Marcello Mastroianni taking a midnight dip in the Trevi Fountain. Aside from the embroidered wallpaper, we are using a stunning Art Moderne sideboard from the Netherlands. My mother’s family is from Holland, and the Low Countries get short shrift, and its nice to feature their schools of furniture.

CH: What piece would you buy for your private collection If budget was not an issue?

BD: Aside from a crazy love of chairs, I would love a canvas by J.M.W Turner, Cy Twombly, or Joan Mitchell.

bd-interiors.com | sffallshow.org