About Town: Jeannie Fraise
Photo Credits: Clay Seibert and Caydie McCumber Photography
Photo Credits: Molly Decoudreaux and Ian Ernzer
Photo Credit: Robin Jolin
Photo Credit: Jof Hanwright
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Stuff
Photo Credits: Wonwoo Lee and Mohammad Gorjestani
Photo Credit: Sean Quigley
Jeannie Fraise, owner of San Francisco–based design boutique and interior design firm Lotus Bleu Design, doesn’t shy away from color, bold prints, and pattern. Her Hayes Valley design shop, layered from top to bottom with splashes of color from bright lemon yellow to lime green and tangerine, is stocked with items from area rugs and throws by Cococozy to handmade duvets by Elizabeth Hewitt of Istanbul-based Tulu textiles, and ceramic lamps in geometric patterns by Jill Rosenwald. Fraise, who travels the globe from Corsica to Indonesia and Vietnam, has outfitted everything from an apartment in Laurel Village to an 8,000-square-foot home in Martis Camp in Truckee. Now, she’s busy working on midcentury residence in Ross designed by architect Roger Cooper.
When Fraise isn’t in the shop, combing the city for one-of-a-kind finds with clients, or at her desk at her adjacent design firm, she scouting the neighborhood for inspiration in nearby design stores. From her go-to Korean restaurant and donut shop, to her favorite bike shop (she owns a custom orange bike that’s parked at the shop when not in use), Fraise shares her top to-do list in San Francisco.
By Jennie Nunn
JUICE SHOP I get my energy kick from my favorite juices at the Juice Shop in Hayes Valley. I was one of their early supporters when they were a delivery-only company, “Juice to You.” I would get a dozen of their amazing cold-pressed juices (like my favorite A+Green or Almond Milk and Coconut Water). It’s impossible to drink any alternate versions after getting the “real deal.”
NAMU SF This is where I get my fix of modern Korean fare. Catering to those on a restrictive diet (like the one I have been following for over 3-and-a-half years), they do a gluten-free version of their signature Stone Pot that cannot be beat. On the way home, I can’t resist carrying a coconut-based ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery next door on my five-block “hike” home.
DYNAMO DONUT It’s my favorite “old-fashioned” donut shop. The vintage aprons in graphic patterns here inspire my love of textiles. My children love their collection of donut story books and are such loyal customers (we go on Saturday mornings before their Wushu class), that one the barista’s actually sent them a postcard from New Zealand when she took a sabbatical to travel around the world.
PAXTON GATE When I want to get my children a real treat, I head to the wonderland atmosphere created at Paxton Gate Kids. I can always find the most creative and inspiring gifts for them and special family and friends. I’m often the one who needs to be pulled away from this treasure trove by my kids.
MISSION BICYCLE COMPANY As a gift to myself for my 40th birthday, I couldn’t help using my interior design eye in putting together my custom orange bicycle that looks like a permanent part of Lotus Bleu’s facade when parked in front.
SF HUNYUAN TAIJI ACADEMY I get my real “workout” and some treasured one-on-one time with my husband at a very grounding Tai Chi practice with Malcolm Dean at SF Hunyuan Taiji Academy. It’s located just around the corner from one of my favorite design sources, Heath Ceramics. Malcolm intuitively personalizes each lesson to his students and their needs in his private lessons and group classes focusing on Qi Gong, Silk Reeling, and more vigorous Tai Chi practices.
MAKER & MOSS Many people think it is only the “big” pieces that matter in budgeting for an interior design scheme. However, the small elements truly pull things together. I like to mix old and new accessories and cull from my client’s favorite existing pieces and combining them with new and vintage ones. The unique offerings at Maker & Moss include the best work of local artisans who use organic materials in subtly innovative and surprising ways.
STUFF When I am sourcing for vintage accessories, I head around the corner to Stuff where I always find the best midcentury items and more. I inevitably leave with a few bags or even boxes of treasures. I use color as a starting point for putting together a design proposal, and also when sourcing accessories for the final installation. This approach definitely makes it easier to search through the almost dizzying aisles of items displayed by the collective of small dealers here.
Pictured: Jeannie Fraise
Photo by Sara Neeble
