Lost and found: a modern art salon brings hidden��and affordable��works to light

Blink and you'd think you were in a Parisian art salon, circa 1925. In fact, it's the penthouse loft of a century-old building in San Francisco's gritty South of Market neighborhood. Thanks to Gaetan Caron and Rob Delamater--two savvy collectors with an eye for offbeat finds--you can find your own hidden masterpiece at the new Lost Art Salon.

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"Salon means 'living room,' which is exactly the atmosphere we wanted," Delamater says. "We wanted a space that was warm, inviting, and accessible." In keeping with that desire, consultations often take place over tea or wine, to the sound of soft jazz. Patrons gather around a midcentury coffee table, in a space warmed by kilim rugs and close to 300 paintings, sculptures, and objects. Most refreshing of all, 80 percent of the pieces are between $200 and $600--prices even a starving artist could afford.

INFO: Lost Art Salon (12-5 Tue-Sat, until 7 Thu, and by appointment; 245 South Van Ness Ave., Ste. 303, San Francisco; www.lostartsalon.com or 415/861-1530)

COPYRIGHT 2005 Sunset Publishing Corp.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group