San Francisco’s Modern Masterpiece
Date: January 21–25, 2026
Location: Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, California
Own fine art? Borro lends up to 45% of the appraised value of fine art worth $60,000 or more, with loans from $25,000, and lends against watches, jewelry and other luxury assets from $2,500, no credit check and funding in as little as one business day. Get a no-obligation quote or call 720-458-6788.
On the West Coast, FOG Design+Art has established itself as a pivotal event for the modern collector. Departing from the traditional fair format, FOG celebrates the intersection of art and design, presenting 45 leading international galleries and dealers. It is a hub for discovery, offering everything from 20th-century furniture to cutting-edge contemporary installations.
For collectors looking to expand their portfolio with modern works, FOG offers a curated yet dynamic environment. Borro supports art collectors by offering loans against fine art, providing the liquidity to act quickly when a unique piece captures the imagination.
Discover more art events in our National Luxury Agenda.
Why FOG Matters for Design Collectors
FOG Design+Art occupies a distinctive position in the fair calendar because it bridges the gap between fine art and design. While Art Basel and Frieze focus primarily on contemporary painting and sculpture, FOG gives equal weight to collectible furniture, lighting, ceramics, and architectural objects. This makes it an essential event for collectors who view their holdings as a unified aesthetic portfolio rather than separate categories. The fair’s curatorial committee ensures that every exhibitor meets a standard of quality that makes FOG one of the most trusted buying environments on the West Coast.
The Design Market as an Asset Class
Collectible design has outperformed many traditional alternative asset categories over the past decade. Important pieces by Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Gio Ponti, and contemporary designers like Wendell Castle and the Haas Brothers have seen consistent appreciation at auction. Unlike fine art, where a single artist’s market can be volatile, the design market benefits from functional utility — a collector can live with and use these objects while they appreciate. This dual value proposition makes design assets particularly attractive for collectors who want their investments to enhance their daily environment.
Borro and the Design Collector
For collectors with significant holdings in design furniture, lighting, or decorative arts, Borro offers a lending solution that recognizes the true value of these assets. Our appraisal team includes specialists with deep knowledge of the 20th-century and contemporary design markets. Whether you hold a single iconic piece — a Prouvé Bibliothèque, a Nakashima dining table — or a comprehensive collection spanning multiple movements and periods, we can structure a loan that provides immediate liquidity without requiring you to consign to auction or negotiate a private sale under time pressure.
From Fair to Funding
The connections made and the market intelligence gathered at FOG Design+Art can create immediate opportunities — a piece you have been pursuing for years becomes available, or a gallery presents something that would anchor your collection. Having pre-arranged access to capital through Borro means you can act decisively when these moments arise. Contact our team before the fair to discuss your collection and establish a lending relationship that puts you in a position to acquire with confidence.
Living With Objects That Answer Back
Some pieces do not hang quietly. They have opinions. A sculptural lamp that changes the mood of a corner. A ceramic vessel whose glaze shifts from sage to bone depending on the hour. A work on the wall that makes the furniture around it sit up straighter. At a fair like FOG, collectors do not shop for decoration. They look for company, and they know it the moment they find it.
There is a pleasure particular to this kind of collecting, which is the way a room slowly becomes a portrait of its owner. Nothing is matched. Everything is chosen. A visitor wanders in, stops, and says, who made that? And the conversation that follows is the real luxury, the one no catalog can promise you in advance.
Fine pieces reward patience. They improve as they become familiar, the way a good friend does. The ones that stay are rarely the ones that were most expensive on the day. They are the ones that kept revealing something new after the novelty was gone.
If a moment ever arrives when you want liquidity without selling a work you love, Borro lends against fine art. The piece rests in secure, insured safekeeping, remains yours, and returns to you when you repay. The room waits for it, exactly as you left it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I borrow against fine art?
Borro lends up to 45% of the appraised value of fine art valued at $60,000 or more, with a minimum loan of $25,000, no credit check and no personal guarantee.
Where is my artwork kept during the loan?
In fully insured, secure safekeeping, and it is returned when you repay.
What else can I borrow against?
Watches, jewelry, diamonds, gold, designer handbags and luxury cars, with loans from $2,500.
Ready to unlock your asset’s value? Borro has lent more than $1 billion and holds an A+ BBB rating. Apply now or call 720-458-6788 to speak with a valuation expert.
