Design Mentor: Candra Scott
The Majestic Hotel, interiors by Candra Scott
Recently, when Georgina Rice reflected on her design mentors, Candra Scott came to mind. Candra started her business in 1979 and is known for reinventing historic properties. One of these is the Hotel Majestic in San Francisco's Pacific Heights. Attorney and politician Milton Schmitt built the mansion in 1902, and his family stayed on the top floor. The four-story Edwardian survived the Great Earthquake, and subsequent owners added a fifth floor. When new owners hired Candra in 1985, it bore the moniker "The Brothel Hotel," and it was a strictly male-gay establishment.
The Majestic Hotel, plaster details
It was only the second hotel that Candra had ever done, and she assembled a talented group of artisans for the project, including Georgina Rice. To reclaim the building's period and cast historic ornaments, which previous owners stripped away, the designer enlisted plaster artist Lorna Kollmeyer. The late Malcolm Cressy of Malder Co. drafted the interior architectural renderings, and his company crafted the custom lighting. Decorative artist Carol Thosath painted the whimsical elevator monkeys in the Singerie style of the eighteenth century that greeted guests. Georgina's workroom sewed the opulent pillows and soft goods.
The Majestic Hotel, elevator with painted monkeys
To recreate the hotel's Grand Dame ambiance, Candra used a golden color palette of ochre, green, and red with layers of pattern. She shopped for French and English antiques and accessories in Europe, finding the mahogany bar for the intimate Butterfly Bar in Paris. Her visions of the lounge started as a gentlemen's club but soon evolved into an enchanting space reminiscent of Deyrolle's cabinet of curiosities. Candra collected rare blue and gold butterflies from New Guinea and Africa to display on the walls. Away from the public rooms, the private suites echoed the same romance with four poster beds.
The Majestic Hotel, Butterfly Bar
In 2001, designer Richard Anderson joined Candra and the company became Candra Scott & Anderson. They continue to work on landmark properties- but Candra, just like Georgina, enjoys reminiscing about the Majestic Hotel, a project from nearly 40 years ago.
Candra Scott and Richard Anderson