Meet local Russian Hill business owner and designer Christina Weber of Studio Patró.
Her towels and aprons are coveted by locals to lifestyle guru Martha Stewart. I had the chance to catch up with Christina to learn more about her new location.
Q: Tell Us About Your New Location
A:. The studio is located on the corner of Hyde and Green, a space I’ve had my eye on for nearly 20 years. Previously an architectural firm, it became available last year after a retrofit, and I knew I had to have it. It’s heaven. The light pours in from the west in the late afternoon, which is often why I stay and work late. I am also very fortunate to have Seven Hills restaurant as my next-door neighbor — they often bring me a bowl of soup, some focaccia and a glass of wine as the day winds down. The neighborhood is a tight-knit community — everyone looks out for one another.
Q: What is Studio Patró?
A: Patró means ‘pattern’ in Catalan, and we specialize in hand-printed kitchen linens and colorful aprons. I started my business in Cow Hollow, and moved to North Beach for six years. Our new location functions as a design studio, workshop and retail space where we are always creating more linen goods for the home.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
A: I had a graphic design business in Denver and San Francisco, but when the bottom fell out of everything in 2008 I was ready to pursue something different. Because of my experience designing Williams Sonoma’s catalog and my love of textiles, it felt like a natural transition to design and make kitchen linen products.
Q: Why linen?
A: There’s a tradition behind linen. It was used in coronations, bicentennials, and for commemorative events. It’s special. My mother had linen calendar tea towels in the 50’s and 60’s and they were simply the best. During a trip to London, I found some beautifully designed linen tea towels and bought them all. I started using them to wrap gifts – cookbooks and bottles of wine or champagne. As hostess or birthday gifts, they were a hit.
What’s unique about linen is the fibers from the flax plant, which are longer and stronger than cotton fibers, resulting in a more durable fabric. Linen is also stain and odor resistant, making it ideal for use in any kitchen environment. The best way to care for your linen goods is to wash them in cool water and air dry to avoid wrinkling in the dryer.
Q: What do you think is the perfect host/hostess gift?
A: Wrapping a cookbook, a special bottle of olive oil, jars of caramel and chocolate sauce, or any of your own homemade goods with a linen tea towel makes a beautiful and functional gift.
Q: Where do you shop in SF?
A: Retail has become homogenized, so it's hard to find something really special. Luckily for us, the response at this location has been amazing. People miss being able to touch and feel something unique and special. Some of the local shops I love that offer that same kind of experience include Heath Ceramics, The Perish Trust, The Gardener, Little Vine and AB Fits on Grant Ave. and MAC on Grove St.
Studio Patró 1898 Hyde St, SF, CA 94109 | (415) 775-3432 | www.studiopatro.com