As spring traditions go, it’s hard to beat the annual unveiling of the SF Decorator Showcase. It’s almost impossible to experience the dozens of rooms dreamed up by some of the Bay Area’s best design talent and not walk away ready to kick-start your own abode upgrade. This year one of our favorite dynamic duos, designer Jonathan Rachman and legendary wallpaper purveyor de Gournay, were at it again, collaborating on a stunning homage to the English manor Houghton Hall, featuring de Gournay’s hand-painted ‘Houghton’ wallpaper. Our own Anna Brockway joined Jonathan and Rachel Cecil Gurney of de Gournay to host an intimate afternoon tea to celebrate (and raise a glass of bubbly in-between tea sandwiches) to the collaboration.
![Jonathan Rachman and Anna Brockway pose together in garden](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121159/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-9.jpg)
![Co-hosts Anna Brockway, Jonathan Rachman, and Rachel Cecil Gurney of deGournay pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121208/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-11.jpg)
![Velvet yellow sofa and satin red armchairs in floral wallpapered sitting room](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121134/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-3.jpg)
Insanely Inspiring Surroundings
The tea took place inside the de Gournay showroom, giving guests the chance to get up-close and personal with the new ‘Houghton’ wallpaper, not to mention a bounty of other stunning wallpaper patterns that draped the walls, hung on sample wings, and adorned silk throw pillows. In-between lively conversations, guests sampled from the tiers of tea sandwiches, toast with jam, and spring-themed sweets almost too adorable to eat. The floral-forward surroundings and charming bites made it the perfect way to celebrate one beautiful creative collaboration, not to mention a fitting way to welcome the spring season.
![Octagonal burl wood table with tiered silver platters and food with floral wallpaper](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121147/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-6.jpg)
![Blue floral wallpaper with blue and carved wood bench under an ornate gold mirror](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121155/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-8.jpg)
![Drinks table with floral napkins, wine and champagne glasses, and floral wallpaper](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121151/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-7.jpg)
![Silver tiered serving trays with colorful desserts and green floral wallpaper](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121130/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-2.jpg)
![Exterior sign of de Grounay restaurant in the Bay Area](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121139/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-4.jpg)
![Benjamin Dhong, Suzanna Allen, and Jonathan Rachman pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/08150633/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-22.jpg)
Design Talent To Spare
An incredible crew from the local design community turned up to celebrate the occasion. Attendees included designers Eche Martinez, Benjamin Dhong, Dina Bandman, Krista Hoffman, Caitlin Flemming, Martin Kobus, Kari McIntosh, and many more, as well as local design world luminaires like Ali Grosslight of California Home & Design, Mary-Jo Bowling of Luxe Interiors & Design, and the legendary Suzanna Allen.
![Ninive Calegari, Anna Brockway and Ali Grosslight pose together at luncheon](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/08150637/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-23.jpg)
![Caitlin Flemming, Jonathan Diacoletto, Deniece Duscheone and Chairish's Mugs Buckley pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121229/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-16.jpg)
![Brooke Dirksen, Chris Bergin, Krista Hoffman and Martin Kobus pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121237/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-18.jpg)
![Cherie Slane, Kevin Vawter and Robin Merwin, Eche Martinez pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121217/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-13.jpg)
![Jaimie Belew, Mary-Jo Bowling and Jonathan Rachman pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/08150628/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-21.jpg)
![Dina Bandman and Anna Brockway, Zahid Sardar pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/08150640/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-24.jpg)
![Kari McIntosh, Anna Castagnozzi Bush and Kevin Daniel Dwyer pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121225/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-15.jpg)
![Emily Jones and Nicole Angelos, Katie Spalding pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121221/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-14.jpg)
![Leslie Santarina and Jonathan Rachman, Ariane Trimuschat pose together](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121213/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-12.jpg)
![Allison Speer and Margot Larkin pose together at de Gournay](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121242/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-19.jpg)
![Kelly Cassidy and Annaliese Nicodemo , Kurt Jacob Miller pose at luncheon at de Gournay](https://d1h3pk8iipmcfn.cloudfront.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02121233/degournay-rachman-chairish-tea-17.jpg)
Photos by Ian Chin for Drew Altizer Photography