We like visiting museums. But not just for the exhibits. As much (perhaps even more) to admire the often interesting architecture and rummage around the obligatory design store.

Examples of our growing collection of resulting artifacts can be found in previous posts on New York’s MoMA. I find it almost impossible to leave without buying something.

Well, the other day we visited SFMOMA, the San Francisco equivalent. The building itself was impressive in its own way, inside and out. Not really to my taste but certainly striking.

Inside, the usual mix of familiar design-related items along with some surprising finds. That reminds me, we sent them bib ‘n’ burp samples a while back. Must chase that up.

Needless to say, we picked up a few items. I got myself a brand new (and long overdue) mousepad to rival Karen’s (from the Guggenheim), which I’ve secretly coveted for years.

I also picked up a couple of books, not from the shop attached to the museum though; at the airport. Yep, just when I thought I was safe…there it was. Good timing, actually.

I always buy a book on city architecture and hadn’t found any for SF thus far so I got this, along with a book from apartment therapy, above. Perfect for decor voyeurs like us.

As you may have guessed from the airport reference, we’ve left San Francisco. Great city and I’m sure we’ll be back. But first on the agenda, an all too familiar bout of jet-lag!

Oh, if you’re not a regular reader, and thinking ‘how can they afford to be jetting-off all over the place?’ our recent trips have come courtesy of a British Airways grant.