the style saloniste: Meet Me on The Skirted Roundtable

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Meet Me on The Skirted Roundtable

Make a pot of lovely tea (or put on your walking shoes) and listen to my my recent podcast interview with Joni, Linda and Megan on The Skirted Roundtable.

Joni and Linda and Megan are the fabulous design bloggers who created The Skirted Roundtable to interview designers and design editors.

We recently did a 50-minute chat about design, design blogging, traveling alone, how bloggers must avoid plagiarism, design books, designers, and travel.

Connect here: www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/06/noted-author-diane-dorrans-saeks.html

You'll also enjoy reading recent posts on my 'vintage' design books—books I wrote over ten years ago—on Cote de Texas this week. Read more on www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com.

I'm truly grateful to Joni, Linda, and Megan for their kindness and their insight into design and blogging. Thank you!

And for more thrills, check on Canadian artist Patti Friday's post today.
Patti recently listened intently to my interview (as she was out walking for exercise) and she created the most wonderful feature today on her colorful and highly original blog. View Patti's thoughtful, witty, and bright feature on: www.pattifriday.com/2010/06/diane-dorrans-saeks/

And don't forget to stay in tune with The Style Saloniste.

Next week, I'll be reporting on discoveries, adventures, highlights and news from my very recent trip to Paris.

Cheers,

DIANE

10 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...: I loved the interview Diane! It was incredibly interesting and a treat to put a lovely voice with your lovely face!; June 17, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Karena said...: Diane I will listen first thing in the morning!! I always adore your posts!

Karena
Art by Karena; June 18, 2010 at 12:06 AM
Brillante Interiors said...: I always follow the ladies at the Skirted Roundtable, very enjoyable time of learning and discovering. It was a special treat to hear you talking. Bravissima.; June 18, 2010 at 2:30 AM
Diane Dorrans Saeks said...: PAMELA-
How lovely to hear from you. Your words on my blog roll ae so cheerful!
Thank you for lovely words.

Karena: Great, listen and let me know. The girls and I actually chatted for hours, and this is a distilled version of our interview.

Albarosa--thank you. I think their interviews are brilliant, and where else can you hear Peggy Russell and Steven Drucker and designers and a range of talent. It's wonderful.

cheers to all friends, DIANE; June 18, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Love Your Homes said...: Diane,
I did half of the interview today and I will do the rest tomorrow on my morning walk, I'm tuning in all the way from Stockholm.

I love you classy posting...true talent!

Ingela; June 18, 2010 at 4:10 PM
The Antiques Diva™ said...: Diane,
Just popped over to say Hello after being WOWED by you on the Skirted Roundtable! Your travel advice was 1st class, the blogging advice even more so, and more than that... I loved the way you described your life! Graceful living at it's finest... Delighted to discover your blog.
Best,
Toma Haines; June 19, 2010 at 6:37 AM
Abigail Stopper said...: Diane,

I truly enjoyed your interview with The Skirted Roundtable! Hearing about your childhood in New Zealand and your evolution into a writer was very inspiring to me. I particularly enjoyed your comments on plagiarism and crediting the artistic talent behind your posts.

Looking forward to your next blog post!
Abigail; June 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Diane Dorrans Saeks said...: HI INGELA-
I love Sweden (especially Stockholm and the archipelago in the summer)--so I'm delighted to welcome you to THE STYLE SALONISTE. I will be writing about Sweden in an upcoming blog feature--but did you see my feature on GUNNEBO in my archive.
Thank you so much for your kind message. Please be sure to stay in touch.
Hi Toma-I love your blog and your antiques collections. Bravo to you. Yes...traveling alone is the ultimate luxury. However, I always have friends to see in the destinations I choose (Paris, Jaipur, Venice, Stockholm, London, New York, etc) so I'm traveling alone and seeing friends when I arrive at my destination.But I love to head off for an adventure alone--exploring the Rajasthan countryside or finding unknown neighborhood for myself, in London or Brussels. When I travel to places where I don't have friends (...can't think...well, I do have a friend or two in Istanbul...and Antwerp...well, you get the idea)...I make an appointment to meet an art curator or to interview an artist or a talented person I admire. Then I have a friend...an interesting one.
Hi Abigail: I hope you will sign up with my one day seminar on antiques and art and connoisseurship, Mid October, through UC Berkeley. Ask Rae Hagner about it. Your blog is most interesting. Love it.
Cheers, DIANE; June 19, 2010 at 9:32 PM
MEADE DESIGN GROUP said...: I had a fantastic time - It is so much fun listening to you ladies.; June 21, 2010 at 9:23 PM
Anonymous said...: Diane,

I so enjoyed your interview with SRT! I really loved your travel tips regarding research before the trip. I'm going to Istanbul in September and I've been keeping a file. I think your idea of making an advance appointment with an art curator is an excellent idea.

Your blog advice is thought provoking. I agree the more original and personal my content...the better the entry. Thought provoking.

Happy weekend to you,

Kari; June 25, 2010 at 3:07 PM

My Newest Book 'Parisian By Design: Interiors by David Jimenez'

A beautiful apartment in Paris is something we all dream of. A bohemian retreat, full of character and charm. Author Diane Dorrans Saeks takes us on a journey with designer David Jimenez as he inspires us with his interiors while sharing his secrets for how to decorate like a Parisian. Interior designer David Jimenez has lived and worked in Paris for years, where he's celebrated for his beautifully livable interiors. With a classic and modern style, Jimenez creates the type of chic French-influenced interiors that so many of us aspire to. In these pages, Jimenez imparts ideas and inspiration for how we can design our own space for comfort and style, layer with textures and colors, and artfully arrange collections of art, collectibles, and books. The book contains a how-to section sharing Jimenez's tips for decorating in the French style, including chic paint colors and setting an elegant table, along with inspiring entries on where to soak up the best design in Paris. Also included is a source section of Jimenez's favorite flea markets, antiques dealers, and art galleries in Paris and New York. With beautiful images and inspiring texts, Parisian by Design is a dream for style Francophiles or anyone looking to artfully decorate their home, wherever they may live.

Welcome to The Style Saloniste

I founded THE STYLE SALONISTE as an online style magazine in Summer 2009. I focus on and write in-depth and exclusive stories and interviews. In weekly features, I present insight into creative interior designers and architects around the world, global style, the world heritage of art and culture, decorative arts, and traveling with passion and fearless enquiry.

On these exclusive pages I write about worlds to explore, ideas, design visionaries, private travel, style leaders, trend-setters, architectural provocateurs, events, unique hotels, distant places and people, and the world’s greatest talents and creators.

Come with me on adventures and meet inspiring people.

Jean-Louis Deniot Interiors

This is the first monograph about the great young French interior designer/architect, Jean-Louis Deniot. Rizzoli, the top of the top, is the publisher. It features super-refined interiors and chic addresses in Paris, Chicago, Chantilly, the Touraine, and Los Angeles, city and country, all with great dash and daring, calm intelligence, and individuality. Jean-Louis is classically trained--and has wonderfully worldly clients. September 19 is the publication date. It's posted on Amazon now (with a former cover). I've been working on this book--282 pages--for three years, and I'm looking forward to introducing you to the ideas, inspirations, knowledge, insight, expert concepts, sources and resources and historical references of Jean-Louis Deniot. His talent is brilliant and blazing. Pages gave extensive information. Click over to AMAZON (click on the cover image), and learn more. It's a beautiful book, superbly designed by Paul McKevitt, who designed all of my earlier Rizzoli books ('Anne Getty Interior Style', 'Orlando Diaz-Azcuy', 'Santa Barbara Living', and Michael S. Smith Elements of Style' and many others. Cheers. See you on the pages.

ANN GETTY INTERIOR STYLE. I'm very excited: Second printing by Rizzoli.

ANN GETTY INTERIOR STYLE, my new 240-page book, was published by Rizzoli mid October. I've been working on it privately for several years—and I am so happy with the beautiful production..with velvety paper and elegant printing. Lisa Romerein produced new photography, and Paul McKevitt of Subtitle New York (who has designed my previous five Rizzoli books) is the accomplished art director. Early comments: 'Congrats on the book. It's gorgeous', James Reginato. 'It's the design book of the season', Jennifer Boles, The Peak of Chic blog. Holly Moore the great editor-in-chief of PAPERCITY in Houston and Dallas said, ' It is the most beautiful book out this fall'.

THE STYLE SALONISTE has a few fans:

"Love your blog"
– Newell Turner, Editor in Chief, Hearst Design Group

"I love your look" – Suzy Menkes, fashion editor for The International Herald Tribune and leading fashion reporter, based in Paris, "I loved reading—and viewing—your blog. So lively and intelligent."

"I so enjoy your eloquently written and stylishly designed blog. It is always a visual treat and a wonderfully pithy read. Fun!"
Andrea Fiuczynski, EVP, Chairman, Sotheby's Americas

"The Yoda of style, apparently"--

Maggie Robertson, California

"To call her a "blogger" is a meagre understatement, for she is far more than that—she is a whirling dervish of creativity, style, and elegance, and a person of the most exquisite and sublime taste imaginable. She is a sparkling beacon in the design world, a jet-setter of the most rarified sort, and an author of more than twenty iconic design books. Her name is Diane Dorrans Saeks."

--REGGIE DARLING, Reggie Darling blog

"What a wonderful blog Diane- and how kind of you to include me." – William Dalrymple

"I enjoy encountering you around the blogosphere."
– Stephen Drucker

"Thank you for your highly enjoyable and informative posts throughout the year. I do look forward to them because of your great knowledge and the detail you include. I really appreciate the work and time that goes into them. They are a bright point in my blog world."
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"Diane, You paint such wonderful images when you speak and write. I always think of your writing as juicy and mouthwatering. You are so inspiring." — Steve Henry, principal, BAMO, San Francisco

"Hello Diane

What a wonderful write up!

I'm currently on the train from London to Brussels....travelling thru Europe for more treasures!

Thanks again for such a wonderful piece

x ray

RAY AZOULAY, OBSOLETE"

Dear Diane,

Thank you so much for your support of Heywood Hill and for the wonderful post you have written. We are delighted that you have enjoyed the shop so much. Do come and see us if you are ever in London. We would love to welcome you and thank you in person.

Kind regards

Clemmie

Clemmie Jackson-Stops

Heywood Hill

"Your blog is great."
– Henry Urbach, Director, The Glass House, Connecticut

Dear Diane, It is always such a treat to get your blogs. You never cease to amaze with your broad array of sources, interests, and topics. Thanks for broadening our worlds with special insight, unique beauty and unparalleled creativity – quite wonderful.

Andrea Murphrey, California

" Thank YOU for bringing us so much interest, beauty and awareness!"

--Prince Richard Holkar, son of the Maharajah of Indore. Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar, India.

"How did I find The Style Saloniste? Via Aesthete's' Lament recommended blogs, I think. Anyway I so enjoy reading it....jolly hard work for you!

--Meredith Etherington-Smith, editor-in-chief, Christie's magazine, London.

"I love your salon. Bravo and Congrats."– Sherri Donghia, New York

"Yours is my favorite blog, in any category. No-one else moves ideas about design, art, and travel forward in such a positive way."
– Philip Bewley, San Francisco

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" I'm so enjoying your blog.....love Richard Shapiro's garden!!!! Very best wishes, Barbara Tfank, www.btfank.com

“I am always looking forward to your blogposts. Your posts are a surplus value to our blogger community of interior design and culture! Thank you, dear Diane!”

--Greet Lefevre, Belgian Pearls blog, Antwerp

"I love your blog. You bring a certain gravitas to the blogging world." – Los Angeles artist, Scott Waterman

"So gorgeous"
– Cote de Texas

"Dear Diane,

you have a warm, truly wonderful way to open gates to your readers ... and let them dream while they follow you."

--Hans Georg Berger, international photographer, Berlin and Luang Prabang.

Brilliant, effortless elegant writing......you are an observer and an explorer of life, beauty and elegance as a traveler...to freeze the moment in time , to live and feel life — a road less traveled - very few people are true travelers...

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” – C.G. Jung

I wish you a late Happy New Year,
"Tavarua" The Traveler

"I had to drop by and say this is just a terrific post on Nicholas Haslam. Of course, I'm biased, but it made me admire him even more." --Colette van der Thillart, associate of Nicholas Haslam, NH-Design, London."Dear Diane,

Magical and sublime...two words that describe both the Taj Lake Palace AND this blog post. Next week's post can't come soon enough."
Sending you warmest wishes,
Jennifer, Jennifer Boles, The Peak of Chic blog, Atlanta

"An utterly dreamy, transporting and ethereal way to start my morning....thank you, Diane."
Xo
Suzanne, Tucker & Marks, San Francisco

"You are a wonderful guide—even if I can only visit on my computer screen"
– Mrs. Blandings, Kansas City

"Skullcap-shatteringly brillant blogger, Diane Dorrans Saeks"
– Brock Keeling, Editor, www.sfist.com, San Francisco

"Someone alert the Pulitzer Prize committee"
– Beth Spotswood, www.bethspotswood.blogspot.com, San Francisco

"Always tuned- eyes- ears- heart

no one does it better."

--Danielle, Art is the Answer

"I love the content, but someone must edit your copy; it needs a grammarian with a sharper eye--not me! Sometimes I wince."— Carol J. Ward, Director, Tabula Educational Consultants

"You are sooo Ms. Style!"
– Sunita Jariwala-Gajjar

As always, you inform, inspire and enrapture. India is very much on my list and seeing it here through your discerning and sensitive eye makes it all the more enthralling.
Thank you as ever,
Frances
www.FrancesSchultz.com

"Totally enchanting"
– Pamela Terry and Edward

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– Martha Angus, interior designer, San Francisco

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xo / M"— Pre-eminent graphic designer, Michael Schwab, Northern California.

"Your greatest admirer. Thank you so much for your beautiful posts!" – Penelope Bianchi, interior designer, Santa Barbara

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– Pamela Babey, interior designer, San Francisco

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–Kaye Heafey, founder, Chalk Hill Clematis, California

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Marlene Gidaro, Sacramento, California

"Thank you so much for your Picasso post. It was like a mini art lesson. Incredible." – Pigtown Design blog, Baltimore

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"Saloniste! Your best of course is yet to come. They are all topping one another. " – Little Augury

"Love your blog very much. Having our sense of taste developed in Saint Petersburg, Russia, among classical interiors of Tsar's Palaces, Marina and I were astonished by your choice of materials for your work. All objects are carefully celected and rightly understood!" – Igor Kozlowsky

"Wish I had your travel life! Wow! Love all your books. Have a great Summer!" –Mary Emmerling

"Dear Diane, Your Blog is a creative inspiration - I look forward to my quiet moments and reading The Style Saloniste - adding to my "bucket list" of travel destinations, books, designers and architects to seek out ....You are a constant source of learning - Thank you." —Andy Schanbacher, San Francisco

"Dear Diane, I have been following your blog since you began it and am always so pleasantly surprised by how much I see and learn each time, and by how well written all your posts are. It is clear that you are not just dashing them off between other more important obligations. it is a pleasure whenever I see you in my Inbox. It is like getting a letter from a really good friend who values my intelligence and my opinion. Thank you!" –Margot von Muhlendahl, Munich

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–Alain de Botton, best-selling author of 'The Architecture of Happiness' and 'Status Anxiety' among others. London.

"As always, your posts are a delight! Inspired and inspiring. The BEST!" –DelRae Roth, parfumeur, Sausalito, California

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– A Super Dilettante blog, UK

Diane, I thought I was brave traveling alone to some of the places I've been; but you have me beat...in spades! --Julieta, Lindaraxa blog, Georgia, US.

Thank you so much for your beautiful writing and stunning images. I am a psychotherapist who loves design, and appreciate getting your email postings immensely. Many thanks for your beautiful work. — Penny Schreiber, Redwood City, CA

Diane: Your posts are always so well written and informative except I've never understood your lack of proofing before posting. Someone with your expertise must want the very best in their work to be presented. The lack of proofing before you post simply detracts from what is otherwise the finest out there. I proof for a living and notice such things but feel certain others do too. Content and subjects are excellent! — Rebecca Hively