Whenever I’m in San Francisco I like to head to Presidio Heights for its antiques shops and design emporiums. On a recent visit, I discovered yet another reason to make a detour to this chic neighbourhood: Found by Maja, a delightful new boutique filled with decorative finds from around the globe – from Turkish towels ($40) to photography (from $5,000) by Bay Area artist Jock McDonald .
The bijou space abounds with bright colours and instantly brings forth memories of the souks of Marrakech, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar and Balinese street markets. Vibrant fashion accessories – cerulean Andraab cashmere scarves (from $350), Cambodian silk-bead necklaces (from $30), Malaysian silk-ikat clutches (from $100) – vie for attention with exquisite Indian rugs (from $50) and gleaming brass lanterns (from $1,200). Everything is sourced and artfully curated by owner Maja Lithander Smith, with the work of Guatemalan basketmakers and Vietnamese seagrass weavers temptingly showcased against Farrow & Ball Hague Blue walls, armchairs swathed in Uzbekistani silk velvet, and custom brass and glass shelving.
I was only in town for a weekend and had just a carry-on bag, but Found by Maja’s alluring mix got the better of me. I left with a pair of Swedish brass candlesticks ($180) by Klong and a charming Berber wedding blanket ($400) in neutral shades, while my teenage daughter was taken by the leather lasso necklaces ($80). And had it not been for the 3,000-mile journey home, a pair of vintage Milo Baughman brass and navy leather chairs ($1,800) would’ve been mine too.