"The 'Loft,' less modern . . . "

Cathy Post and her beloved dog, Jackson

Greetings all,

I can still remember the first time I met her. It was the early summer of 1988 and I had flown to San Francisco to interview for a position with Ralph Lauren. I had walked into the shop looking for the gentlemen with whom I had scheduled the meeting and this wondrously glamorous lady, in these amazingly beautiful shoes, informed me that things were running a tiny bit late, but that he would be right with me. That chic, stylish lady - in the 4 inch chocolate crocodile heels - was Cathy Post. And we have had the opportunity of working together through both of our careers with Polo over the last 20 years.

Cathy - now the general manager for the Polo Ralph Lauren store in downtown San Francisco - had her wonderful loft apartment, in the South Beach district, featured recently in the SF Chronicle.

I was delighted to see her fresh, comfortable 'take' on the expected loft living 'south of market' street. Concrete, yes. Steel, yes - but with lush velvets, Asian furniture, French antiques, and whimsical accessories to keep an interesting balance.

" - Her two-story home, which in another person's hands could be a

cold shrine to modern art, instead is a cozy, chic fortress.

"I want people to feel comfortable in my home," said Post, who has lived in her

1,350-square-foot dwelling for two years. "I don't want it to look like a

decorator did it." But Post did enlist the help of interior designer

John Wheatman to help her pick colors for the walls.

She has purchased all sorts of mannequins - from antique French haute couture forms to headless mannequins to a mannequin with a ram's head and marionettes with no heads - in her world travels and at flea market sales, and even from the late I. Magnin store. - "

- When she (Cathy) entertains, she prefers walk-around mixers for several dozen friends to seated dinner parties.

"I want people to be at ease," she said. "I've had small dinners, but I prefer more interactive socializing." -

Chic, elegant, and interesting. I've always loved Cathy's great style, both in her wardrobe and her home. And it has been such fun seeing how both of our lives, and our styles, have evolved in the years since that first day. The giddy, nervous young man looking for a career. And the chic lady in the crocodile heels.

hope everyone has a productive week,

tartanscot

for the complete article from sf.gate