ROOMS TO REMEMBER: The Classic Interiors of Suzanne Tucker

I have been a fan of Suzanne Tucker's work for years now, and had been anxiuosly awaiting the release of her new book: Rooms to Remember: The Classic Interiors of Suzanne Tucker from The Monacelli Press. So you can imagine my elation when I received a copy from the publisher! As soon as I received it, I spent the whole evening perusing it's beautiful glossy pages. These are my personal impressions of the book:

The cover is gorgeous. The book is beautifully put together with huge full bleed photos on most of the pages. The organization of the book is just how I like it: the chapters are arranged by catagories of information. For example, Chapter 1 is titled Bones and Architecture, Chapter 2 is Scale and Proportion, Chapter 3 is Balance, Contrast and Harmony, Chapter 4 is Individuality and Personality, and so on. The other great thing is that the book is written by Suzanne Tucker herself, so you really get an inside look at how Suzanne thinks about design and the processes she uses in her work. It is truly a "great read": fascinating and colorful.

Suzanne Tucker is one of those versatile designers that can create magic in any style and pull it off without a hitch. Contemporary or traditional, classic or "California Style", she can do it all with chic aplomb.

I highly recommend it not only as a wonderful resource and something simply stunning to look at, but also as a book that was fun to read. It will be one of my "go to" books when I need ideas or inspiration for my work, or just my life.

I was lucky to have a chance to coorespond with Suzanne and ask her a few questions. I hope you enjoy enjoy our conversation and some of my favorite pages from her book (these are but a fraction, I assure you!) ....the first of many to come, I hope!

Suzanne, your book is just so beautiful and the projects are so varied. Where and how do you begin the process of conceptualizing your designs for your clients?

SMT: I’m so glad you used the word ”process” because that really is what great design is all about! Too often the client thinks of the tangible “project” but it’s much more about the intangible process – getting to know the client, listening to them, asking questions, learning about their dreams and desires, picking up on their nuances and then of course the house or apartment or room itself – the mood, the quality of light, the architecture, the bones, and the challenges. I’ve developed what I refer to as my design Rorschach test where I’ll quickly show countless textiles, furniture, colors, textures and photo images to a client. Just by gleaning their initial responses I am able to pretty quickly discern what their style and tastes are and from there I begin to paint the picture.

What/who inspires you in your work?

SMT: The “what” can be almost anything around us on a daily basis which is all about keeping your eyes and mind open! But I find I’m most inspired when I travel and the exposure to different cultures, architecture, local crafts, and even indigenous paint colors can become my greatest source of ideas. Travelling with my digital camera is a must (daily!) and I always have a slim one to slip into an evening bag as you never know where or when your curiosity will strike. I take snapshots of everything from the obvious rooms and architecture to floors, grills, ceilings, hinges, bark, leaves, you name it! Sometimes I know what I’ll do with what I’m shooting or perhaps it will evolve like the curve of an antique chair leg, which could end up inspiring a repeating swirl in a mosaic floor pattern. I look for curves, shapes and colors. I’ve even photographed shadows. Returning with 600-800 pictures is the norm!
And the “who” inspires me are certainly the great designers from the past, John Fowler, Nancy Lancaster, Henri Samuel, Frances Elkins, Michael Taylor, Billy Baldwin, the great architects – Adams, Kent, Soane, Le Notre, Palladio, Mizner, George Washington Smith – my library of books! And from the present, there are many colleagues whose work I admire but if I started listing them I could get in trouble with those whom I don’t mention! Ultimately, I feel it’s really my clients who inspire me to be creative, to seek out something special, and to make a house unique to them.

You were lucky to have worked with one of the Masters of Design, Michael Taylor. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Mr. Taylor?

#1 BIG! He was a tall man, had tremendous presence, thought big and designed big! And #2 - That I miss him! And I often times wonder what he would be doing today and think about how his work would have evolved.

How has your aesthetic evolved since your days with Michael Taylor?

I had an entirely unique education with Michael in that I saw both sides of his work – the big, bold, white “California Look” signature rooms which sold magazines, made the phone ring, and paid the bills to the more elegant, collected, exotic, antique filled rarefied world he so brilliantly juxtaposed for others. The latter resonated with me most strongly and I’ve honestly never had a desire to create a “signature look”. I’ve always been much more interested in the mix, in combining antiques, custom furnishings, contemporary art and personal collections. Michael also felt strongly about architecture. From that mentoring I’ve always been in pursuit of “good bones”, expanded my passion for architecture and am always the architects advocate.

Describe your “perfect client”.

SMT: Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as the “perfect client” but there is definitely a really wonderful good client and a truly dreadfully bad client! Most people think it’s about deep pockets and carte blanche but that’s not the case at all. The best client is the one who can trust – trust the process, trust the professionals, trust the time it’s going to take to do the best job. Michael Taylor often said you are as good as your client, meaning if your client has good taste, it’s a walk in the park. But I’ve also found that the clients who don’t necessarily have great taste but know enough to trust me and my taste, then it can be a dream.

How would you describe your own personal style?

SMT: Outwardly my style is fairly classic – elegant, comfortable and timeless. But inside there’s perhaps a little of the mad scientist! An architect friend referred to my living room as my “decorating laboratory” which isn’t far from the truth at times as I’ll bring in furniture or objects to live with for a while, try them out, rearrange the furniture, test a piece, mix it up, get bored and move on to the next experiment!

What are you working on now?

SMT: There are projects all over right now in all sorts of phases, sizes and styles on which my design staff and I are presently working. We have a fantastic Spanish Revival project south of San Francisco on 12 acres, a spectacular mountain house on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, a city apartment with breathtaking views, a massive, very Michael Taylor-scale house in Sun Valley, Idaho, and various others mostly in California.

What is happening next?

SMT: Well, in addition to the September publishing of my first design book, “Rooms to Remember” and upcoming signings and lectures, I am about to launch Suzanne Tucker Home in January 2010 with a fabric collection in Paris at Holland & Sherry! Très excitant! In February we’ll be launching in San Francisco at Shears & Window and in Los Angeles at Thomas Lavin in March. Holland & Sherry’s New York and Chicago showrooms will have my fabrics after February as well, and it looks like Dallas, Atlanta and Florida may be the next stops. I have also been asked by a major tabletop manufacturer to design a line of china which I find so exciting as it’s one of the things in life I love. And I’m constantly working on custom furniture designs for our clients homes so perhaps 2010 will be the year to launch that line! This past year has been quite busy, to say the least, including installing six projects! Those, coupled with the ones yet to be finished or photograph, create enough material for a second book! Stay tuned!

What color are you and why?

Yellow! A buttery yellow…. Warm, flattering, mixes well with all other shades, makes you happy!

What is on your nightstand?

A photograph of my daughter when she was 4 (she’s now 23!), another of my husband and me on our honeymoon 13 years ago, about 2 ½” of stacked magazines (osmosis?), a silver mint julep cup holding pens, pencils, a nail file and a scale, a notepad from the Quisisana Hotel on Capri, a bottle of water, a clock radio which I mostly ignore, The Help by Kathryn Stockett (a wonderful southern read), A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink (fantastic book!), a really lovely pierced porcelain blanc de chine antique lamp (a client “reject” which I love), and we won’t bother going to the shelf below!

What is your favorite place to escape?

SMT: A beach and the ocean - the best for me to really decompress - the Mauna Kea on Hawaii. Capri for decadent, dreamy romance (my husband calls it “Shop-pri”!), Lake Como for La Dolce Vita, and Villa Feltrinelli on Lake Garda, Italy for the ultimate romantic, indulgent hideaway.

What is your most favorite place to shop and why?

San Francisco antiques dealers because they are knowledgeable and professional; New York because it has everything under the sun and you can never exhaust all the sources; Worth Avenue, Palm Beach for its killer window shopping and the custom linens I order from Kassatly’s; Via Condotti in Rome for the people watching alone!; Paris flea market because one always shops with naive hope that you’ll find the undiscovered treasure; Bergdorf Goodman because it’s Bergdorfs!

Describe a typical day in the life of Suzanne Tucker.

6:30 alarm… snooze button …. Get on the elliptical (pretty rare these days!)…Mad dash to dress, juggle calls, blackberry and breakfast all at the same time… design meetings with staff and/or clients… emails, phone calls, working lunch (always)… put out fires… solve problems… can I ever get out the door to shop… work too late… come home to what my husband calls “dinner-in-a-drawer” (can’t live without my Thermador warming drawer) wonderfully prepped by our housekeeper…emails, read, zone out falling asleep in front of the TV… too late to bed…zzzzz… And thus the “glamorous life” of a decorator!

Classic and full of personality, Suzanne's work is heady and rich. This is just a taste of this beautiful book. Might be a good thing give this Christmas, to those on your list and to yourself!

Oh! And between you and me.....Suzanne is planning to open a Suzanne Tucker Home section on her website January 2010.....so remember to check it out!

All photos courtesy of Suzanne Tucker and The Monacelli Press

Books, Books, Books!!!! And a Little Music for the Weekend.

There are some exciting books out there right now. Just in time to make it onto your holiday gift-giving lists! And never forget to put yourself on that list! There are a few categories I am always interested in:

Art

Taschen has just introduced a collection of Walton Ford's "beastial tableaux" in this beautiful new hardcover edition: Walton Ford, Pancha Tantra. As you can see from the cover above, Ford was fascinated by the ironic similarities between beasts and humanity.

Interior Design

Next up: the book I have been waiting for is due out by the end of October! Suzanne Kasler, one of my design crushes, puts together rooms that are often described as refreshing, luxurious, lavishly detailed while still maintaining that comfort factor. I am so looking forward to this one! To pre-order and for more information, you can click HERE.

Architecture

For the architect buff, this book is a "must have". Zaha Hadid, long considered to be a "wildly controversial" architect has been creating structures that have firmly established her international fame. Her 30 year career includes not only architecture, but furniture and interior design. An exquisite book to be sure: HADID, Complete Works 1979-2009

Entertaining

I just ordered At Home with Wedgewood, and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. Full of wonderful photos and the creative use of Wedgewood collections by personalities such as Charlotte Moss, Martha Stewart, and Carolyne Roehm, this Tricia Foley book will be one of her best, I have no doubt. A collector at heart, I love to see what others find worthy. Wedgewood, like most things, has had it's "ins" and "outs", but it is truly classic. And classics will always reemerge in refreshing and unconventional ways. This book will surely prove that point.

I am leaving you with a little music to start off you weekend:

I was all set to not like Scarlett. It wasn't anything personal. I think she is a wonderful actress. It was just the idea of the actress/singer crossover thing. But I like this! Pete Yorn is great and together they have put together a very unique sound.

There is nothing quite like a great book and some music on a Fall weekend.

Enjoy!

Diane Dorrans Saeks: Santa Barbara Living

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of receiving an invitation to the San Francisco Book signing of Diane Dorrans Saeks new book, Santa Barbara Living which was held at the incomparable Gumps store near Union Square. You see, the world of blogging is quite a powerful thing. Ms. Saeks had been keeping up with Katiedid, and had seen my post on the Cosmo Cafe. This led her to read my blog profile. It just so happens to say that I love all books by the so very chic and talented Ms. Saeks. I was very excited to be invited and I will always jump at an excuse to go to San Francisco. And what a great excuse!

Some work colleagues and I arrived in San Francisco, and upon walking into Gumps, were met by a very gracious young woman who directed us to cocktails and books. I thought the table where Diane was to sign books was quite lovely, so I thought you might like seeing the beautiful flowers, and some of her previous best sellers. I am sure you remember Michael S. Smith, Elements of Style, and California Country Style, just two of the more than twenty beautiful books produced by Diane Dorrans Saeks throughout her career as author, editor, design lecturer, and feature writer.

Glass of wine in hand, we circled through Gumps bewitched the beautiful holiday trappings throughout the store (see more here). I had to tear myself away to get into what was becoming a quite lengthy book signing line.

Once seated with Diane, I introduced myself and we ended up having quite a conversation about blogging. My apologies to all of those in line behind me! But when opportunity strikes, who wouldn't take the time to have a chat with Diane Dorrans Saeks?! I must admit, I am quite a fan. Diane was so very gracious, kind, and oh so stylish. It is small wonder her books exude the same sophistication. The thing that struck me the most about Diane was that she truly seems to love people. All kinds of people. She is truly interested and engaged. And what better way to capture the detail and life that is ever present in her books.

I had the pleasure of corresponding with Diane about Santa Barbara Living:

"Santa Barbara Living" was a great pleasure to produce and write," says Diane. "It is a magical place, and my book reveals and describes private gardens, interiors, and historic and new houses that would never be visible. The images are a poetic record of an extraordinarily beautiful region and the talented people who live there."

With the very first page, one steps through a door into a world that is beautifully romantic. It represents the ultimate California dream of sun and casual splendor.

Montecito Moroccan-Spanish-style house, interiors by Christina Rottman. Photo by Lisa Romerein.

These are just a few of the amazing photographs gracing page after glossy page. Chapters in the Table of Contents include: Great Estates, Glorious Gardens, Private Lives, The Beach Life, and California Country.

The book starts with the amazing La Quinta, the estate of "film producer, cultural philanthropist, and champion equestrienne Diane de Morrell Douglas." And it only gets better.

Living Room at La Quinta, home of Diandra de Morrell Douglas. Photo by Lisa Romerein

Guest quarters at La Quinta. Photo by Lisa Romerein

John Saladino estate. Photo by Luca Trovato

The Montecito home of designer John Saladino is featured. He describes Santa Barbara this way, " The sunlight flickers through the trees and I am mesmerized every day. The bouquet of sea salt and eucalyptus that captivated me when I was sixteen is still here. In Montecito, I've been able to express my deepest dreams. Here I feel my best."

Dining Room of designer John Saladino Photo by Luca Trovato

The incomparable Mr. Michael S. Smith has designed two of the homes featured in the book. The first is done in a Portuguese style. The second is fashioned after estates in the Italian countryside.

Living Room of Las Encinitas, Interior Design by Michael S. Smith. Photo by Lisa Romerein

Mr. Smith never fails to surpass each interior with the next superb design.

Interiors by Michael S. Smith. Photo by Lisa Rommerein

One of the things I love about this book is how life is portrayed with such a connection to the outdoors. There are so many beautiful outdoor spaces, such as this intimate loggia at the home of actor Rob Lowe and his wife.

Loggia at the home of Rob and Sheryl Lowe. Photo by Lisa Rommerein.

In some instances, the lines between in and out are definitely blurred, but in the most charming of ways. Take the example of the Summerland stable/ art studio of artist Gerald Incandela and partner George Schoelkopf where Andalusian horses are raised. It just exudes a zest for life.

Living Room of Gerald Incandela near Summerland. Photo by Lisa Rommerein

The architecture in California is younger than the Eastern States. But when there is a concentration of homes designed in the well defined vernacular of old California with it's Spanish influences, one can feel the history.

Spanish style home of Michael and Eileen Haber. Photo by Lisa Rommerein

This is but a glimpse of the pages full of amazing photos of a place that could have been lost. The day after the book signing, we, in California, were watching television in horror as many homes in the Santa Barbara area were lost to the tragic fires a couple of weeks ago. In corresponding with Diane, it was determined that none of the homes in the book were affected. But the danger for this to happen in the future is very real. This book becomes a treasure as it celebrates the beauty of the elegant and authentic architecture of Santa Barbara.

It is the perfect gift this Holiday Season. You may find that you must treat yourself to this little gift as well.

Las Tejas in Montecito. Photo by Lisa Rommerein

Elle Decor Amour

Last night I had the honor, thrill, pleasure...pick any of the above.... of meeting Margaret Russell, Editor in Chief of Elle Decor Magazine. The Ann Sacks Showroom in San Francisco hosted a very swank cocktail affair for a book signing of Margaret's must have book:

SO CHIC, GLAMOROUS LIVES, STYLISH SPACES.

When I arrived at the party with book in hand (I had bought the book as soon as it hit the shelves!) , the first thing I did was scan the room to see if I could find Margaret. It didn't take long! She looks just as fabulous in person as she does in print. And yes, she was wearing a beautiful little black dress. When she began signing books, I approached and introduced myself as Katiedid. It was so much fun to learn she not only knew who I (Katiedid) was, but seemed very excited to meet me! Talk about flattered! I just have to say that she has got to be the most gracious and kind woman in the the shelter magazine biz. She very generously spent quite a bit of time chatting with me and Kate of Girl Meets Glamour (more on that in a sec!). I was thoroughly charmed!

She was genuinely interested in what we had to say about the blogging world, and we gained a fair amount of insight on how she views them. Be assured that she does find the time in her very busy schedule to read them, and is quite aware of what's happening out there! She truly enjoys them and does try to keep up. One thing she was very concerned about was making sure that the photographers of those fabulous photos we love are credited! (I hope all of you bloggers out there will take her up on that, as will I!)

Well, lucky me! I also got to get together with my good friend Kate from Girl Meets Glamour (Kate's on the right).........(OK, OK, that's her on the left!). Isn't she just about the most beautiful blogger out there?! Her blog name fits to a tee. We had a blast sipping cocktails and gabbing about what else? BLOGGING and, well, design, fashion, and needless to say, SO CHIC ! We were desperately seeking Karen of Alkemie and Robyn of Garden Rooms, but sadly could not figure out who they were among the masses. A picture exchange is a must for future events!

As we left, we received a very sweet gift bag with a copy of the latest Elle Decor, a really nice scented candle, a little box of personalized M&M's, a rolling straight edge (no designer is without one!) and some other goodies. A very nice way to wind up a wonderful event.

Thank you to Ann Sacks for putting on this event! Definitely a wonderfully memorable evening.

I will leave you with one more party picture!

1.(Friend Jelena, Margaret, Kate, friends Andrea and Kerry, and moi!)

Benjamin Noriega Ortiz and the New Met Home Collection

So, I had posted awhile ago about Benjamin Noriega Ortiz and his design talents, which he deftly illustrated at the Mondrian, Scottsdale. Mr. Noriega Ortiz has joined forces with Metropolitan Home to create the Metropolitan Home Collection:

This new line of home furnishings will be debuting at retail stores this fall. I must say after visiting the website, I was much more impressed. There are some really creative and beautiful pieces that reflect the exceptional abilities of Mr. Noriega Ortiz. (My favorite is the Dining Table with silhouette legs. )

I was also checking out the latest and greatest on Mr. Noriega Ortiz' website, and lo and behold, he has additional photos there. Here is just one:

If any of you are unfamiliar with Mr. Noriega Ortiz, here are a few of his many brilliant design projects:

New York apartment Media Room as featured in Metropolitan Home October 2006. I love his signature feather lampshades. Very "luxe"!

The Living Room in the same apartment. The use of seersucker for upholstery is wonderful as is his use of antiques in such a modern way.

I can never resist a white bedroom.

Images from the Casa Decor Showhouse in Miami as seen in Blueprint Directory January 2007.

Images from the Mondrain Scottsdale. This hotel has been in too many publications to count. It is whimsical and beautiful, don't you agree?

Mr. Benjamin Noriega Ortiz will be introducing his new line of furniture at Macy's Trend House in Chicago, IL, on September 26th if you happen to be in the area. He will also be doing a book signing for his new book:

A new furniture line AND a book signing?!? Sounds like the place to be Sept. 26th!