tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post6557493650091185003..comments2024-02-26T07:35:50.281-08:00Comments on the style saloniste: Architectural Wisdom from the Great Howard BackenDiane Dorrans Saekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-12896927206891162092013-10-11T03:02:19.112-07:002013-10-11T03:02:19.112-07:00I´ve always fantasized about living in Napa Valley...I´ve always fantasized about living in Napa Valley one day, owning a small farm or vineyard..you know, enjoy the crisp mornings and blue skies. I think it´s a different kind of life there, connected to the the earth and less complicated somehow. And I feel like Howard Backen is paying tribute to this amazing Napa lifestyle with his works. I love how he brings outdoors in.Adam P.http://partnershiptoronto.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-41042489892486641532013-09-30T11:27:05.318-07:002013-09-30T11:27:05.318-07:00Great post with so many deals and perfect spacing....Great post with so many deals and perfect spacing.Jane Kilpatrick Schotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13180782161704403156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-5396795118282631172013-09-30T11:26:45.968-07:002013-09-30T11:26:45.968-07:00Great post with so many deals and perfect spacing....Great post with so many deals and perfect spacing.Jane Kilpatrick Schotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13180782161704403156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-24354157825097043292013-09-06T11:14:59.746-07:002013-09-06T11:14:59.746-07:00Dear Carol-
You are correct!
The Meadowood proje...Dear Carol-<br /><br /><br />You are correct!<br />The Meadowood project was his first with Bill Harlan.<br />It's a fantastic hotel/resort and I love staying there.<br />It's a complex...of villas and cottages and the restaurant and a clubhouse and pool...<br />The Backen book is great...and I think some early projects were not able to be included. Their firm has so many ongoing clients--Restoration Hardware, for example, and Harlan--that they always have projects lined up for years.<br />I'm so pleased with the Harlan effect and the Backen effect on the Napa Valley. Their influence has been so great in setting a low-key and unobtrusive tone in the Napa Valley...and now everyone is clamoring for Harlan wines, of course, and everyone wants to work with Howard. <br />Carol--so happy to read of your French adventures, always...and your Paris stories are vibrant and fantastic. very best and bon weekend, DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-49735609392199205932013-09-06T08:07:47.262-07:002013-09-06T08:07:47.262-07:00I'm wondering if Backen worked on Harlan's...I'm wondering if Backen worked on Harlan's Meadowood as well. I did somme artwork for them and stayed as well. It was heavenly.<br />Beautiful work!<br />Merci CarolgParisbreakfastshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03558314043814894010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-81110535884306907392013-09-03T13:19:36.613-07:002013-09-03T13:19:36.613-07:00Dear Philip-
Yes, you will see his words of wisd...Dear Philip-<br /><br /><br />Yes, you will see his words of wisdom...'an axis needs a destination'...for example.<br />Note how he states that the interior dictates the exterior...meaning placement of windows and doors especially.<br />In a few concise words...he tells you everything you need to know to design intelligent interiors and exteriors.<br />It is fascinating to see the range of his work--but with guiding principles of simpilicity and order...order...and appropriateness to the use and setting.<br />I admire also that he has worked with some clients--Rudd, Harlan--for decades on many buidlings. This is such an endorsement of his ideas, his quiet personality, his finished work...the enduring nature of his design. Such inspiration!<br />best, DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-54316880973861858612013-09-03T13:16:38.623-07:002013-09-03T13:16:38.623-07:00Dear Stefan-
Thanks for your comment.
Howard Bac...Dear Stefan-<br /><br />Thanks for your comment.<br /><br />Howard Backen is so influential now--and has been at work for 5 decades, with his best work to come, no doubt.<br /><br />best DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-75620121355746884032013-09-03T12:43:07.442-07:002013-09-03T12:43:07.442-07:00Dear Diane,
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoye...Dear Diane,<br />I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed this post. The first thing I noticed when looking at the photographs included here was the incorporation of California vernacular styles -the rural barns and their rooflines and board and batten facades. I thought this was successful in creating a sense of place. The next thing I noticed was the massing of these forms to adorn a hilltop, and executed with a powerful clarity. It was of real interest, then, to read in the text Howard Backen's influences -architectural theory and principles from antiquity to the Modern period. These projects show, to me, how a grounding of these principles create designs of excellence, no matter what the style.<br />I have been enjoying all of your posts.<br />Warmly,Philip Bewleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593795071070337798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-45703423525780839612013-09-03T11:11:46.580-07:002013-09-03T11:11:46.580-07:00Amazing and imaginative: beautiful work!Amazing and imaginative: beautiful work!ArchitectDesign™https://www.blogger.com/profile/01481754380363676771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-39928620930372430752013-09-02T14:49:15.775-07:002013-09-02T14:49:15.775-07:00Dear Terri-
You are so lovely to write.
Yes......Dear Terri-<br /><br /><br /><br />You are so lovely to write.<br /><br />Yes...correct...Howard Backen and Ann Getty are worlds apart...and both wonderful and talented and specialized and focused.<br /><br />My Ann Getty book has been very successful I am pleased to say, and I'm happy it reached Canada. I was in Paris over the summer...and was pleased to see it in book shops there.<br /><br />I wish you every happiness and a great and glorious and inspiring fall...very best DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-53805821725433682512013-09-02T14:39:31.966-07:002013-09-02T14:39:31.966-07:00Hi Diane, thanks for sharing this lovely essay on ...Hi Diane, thanks for sharing this lovely essay on Howard Backen and his work. I will have to look for the book as I am trying to branch out and learn more about other architectural and decorating styles that don't immediately seem "my style". His tastes are more contemporary than mine, but I really do believe there is something to be said for a home that is somehow more integrated with its landscape, a bit more honest somehow, in style and materials. <br /><br />In other news, I just picked up the Ann Getty book (speaking of different style!) yesterday and hadn't realized you'd written it! Nice to see your name on the cover. I came home and told David about you. I have just begun to read it, as the first few passes were about admiring the photos and now I will admire your beautiful phrases. I do recall now you blogging about it but I think I'd forgotten you wrote it!!<br /><br />I also saw your photo in a magazine not long ago - was it House Beautiful I think? One of those party photos - you were wearing black I think but a bright shawl - green?! I thought, there's Diane! And felt very connected to the whole scene. haha.<br /><br />Take care and have a lovely week. Best, Terri xoWindlosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17014227226507484798noreply@blogger.com