This is the year of Jay Jeffers. The head of the San Francisco– and Los Angeles–based Jeffers Design Group, who is known for his trademark "Sophisticated Fun" style, has already strutted his stuff at this year's San Francisco Decorator Showhouse (again) and snagged the California Home & Design Award—and 2007 is only half over. But of late it seems every year belongs to the Dallas native. Twice touted among the Top 100 Designers by House Beautiful and an industry leader by Departures, the San Francisco resident continues to take the design world by storm with his bold use of color, masterful mix of antique and modern elements, and penchant for integrating playfulness with an eye toward quality, attention to detail, and scale. Now Jeffers brings the house down with insights into the epitome of chic, the best bargains, and ways to turn your space into a luxurious, livable showcase. —Erika Lenkert
What's your favorite space in your house and why? My sitting room – It’s a small, intimate space with terrific views of downtown San Francisco and the Bay. It has a wonderful sofa that I originally designed for the House & Garden
Hampton Designer Showhouse, and two comfy garden chairs. During the day the space is full of light and at night it’s intimate and cozy.
What's something you should never skimp on when decorating your home? Good fabrics. To me, there is nothing worse than seeing a wonderful antique or what I know to be an expensive piece of furniture upholstered in a rough, scratchy fabric that has no life. There is a reason some fabrics cost more! These chairs were flea market finds that we covered in a fabulous fuschia print from GP&J Baker.