A Natural Pairing

Dunkirk brings the beauty of IAP’s indoor-outdoor collection back to the SFDC

Above image: Aurora side tables by IAP in in Matte Black and Bronze.

By RHONDA HIRATA

To dwell in the landscape is a sublime California state of being. Kirk Wayland and Ginger Raphael, the husband and wife team behind leading SFDC showroom Dunkirk, live in the Oakland hills, and recently redesigned their front porch and garden to complement their serene natural setting. For the finishing touches, Wayland reached out to friend and longtime colleague Margaret Collard, founder of International Art Properties (IAP), an esteemed collection of artful indoor-outdoor planters and furniture in lightweight, sculptural forms.

Stylish woman walking by large planters with small shrubbery in them.

Maverick planters in Bronze.

“I wanted a pair of vessels to be a statement for two topiary trees flanking the end of the walkway,” says Wayland. He chose two Maverick planters, pieces whose striking, curvaceous form and bronze-hued finish recall the aesthetic of Richard Serra. “I’m inspired by clean, modern lines that incorporate an Eastern quality,” notes Collard, whose annual treks to Asia inform her aesthetic. For nearly four decades, she showcased her collection—as well as curated Asian antiques and museum-quality porcelains—at the SFDC, before relocating her business across the bay seven years ago.

Wave planter in White, Ajax table in Bronze, and Rincon side table in Stainless Steel.

As their collaboration unfolded, Wayland, Raphael, and Collard realized that while IAP was a go-to collection for hospitality designers, it was unfamiliar to many in the residential realm. Knowing that the line’s midcentury and contemporary aesthetic would be a perfect complement to Dunkirk’s collections, they were inspired to bring IAP back to the SFDC and to the showroom’s superb roster of leading indoor-outdoor brands. IAP can now be found alongside global collections including Dedon, Tuuci, Gloster, and Kettal.

Three exterior views of upscale lounging furniture.

Dunkirk’s portfolio of international outdoor collections includes Gloster (top), Kettal (right), and Dedon (bottom).

Made by hand of both natural and synthetic materials, each IAP piece begins as a fiberglass shell that is hand-finished and polished to create a rich, dimensional surface. Depending on the environment, the piece will develop a soft patina or a subtle matte finish over time. “Our finishes—bronze, copper, zinc, cast iron, and stainless steel—work with virtually any outdoor setting,” notes Collard. “They provide the ultimate framework for well-crafted retreats.” Indeed, Solage Napa Valley and Ritz Carlton Waikiki are among the refined refuges featuring IAP’s pieces.

“We work with residential, hospitality, and commercial designers to create welcoming sanctuaries for their clients,” notes Raphael, “and outdoor spaces are essential extensions of the home.” From Napa to San Francisco to Hawaii and beyond, IAP’s vessels connect architecture with nature to create an elevated visual landscape.

Dunkirk site

IAP Site

A Natural Pairing

By RHONDA HIRATA

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