tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post8316927993743518975..comments2024-02-26T07:35:50.281-08:00Comments on the style saloniste: Exclusive: Famed Costume Designer’s Charming Canyon House — Theadora Van Runkle Interior StyleDiane Dorrans Saekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-75700892257339236112017-12-11T13:10:57.950-08:002017-12-11T13:10:57.950-08:00Thank you so much for this elegant post. And the h...Thank you so much for this elegant post. And the heartfelt photographs. I just saw both for the first time this morning. She, and her children, were good friends of my older brother from the days when he lived in the Canyon. I only met each of them once -- Theodora, sometime in the 70s, at her wonderful house--which instantly became my ideal; Felicity over dinner in San Francisco and Max when he was working under a car at my brother's later home on Wonderland. Your tribute brought back such wonderful memories of the impact that little house made on me all those years ago. I hope that whoever purchased it loves it as so many others have. Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08162267345024504185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-78743180741018588602016-01-31T09:57:05.585-08:002016-01-31T09:57:05.585-08:00DEAR PAUL-
Thank you so much for your highly viv...<br /><br />DEAR PAUL-<br /><br /><br />Thank you so much for your highly vivid and detailed and wonderful memories of my dear friend Theadora.<br />I knew her for a long time…and she was indeed a great friend.<br /><br />I'm so happy you were able to spend these wonderful times together--doing all of the great adventures she loved, painting, exploring, finding rugs and books, drawing, sipping tea, going to museums, going to galleries, art classes, and seeking treasure in unlikely places.<br /><br />my very best to you--and thank you so much for your wonderful comment. So appreciated. DIANE<br /><br /><br />Diane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-33347194398109488322016-01-30T17:26:15.252-08:002016-01-30T17:26:15.252-08:00What a lovely article and tribute to my good frien...What a lovely article and tribute to my good friend Theadora. <br /><br />We first met nearly 30 years ago at the Barnsdall Arts Center. I had just returned from a summer in Bolinas and headed up early morning - me in my wool serape and ragged jeans - to register for one of the uninstructed life drawing workshops. There sat Theadora, herself waiting to register. She gave me the once over, then asked, "What are you, a Hollywood Shaman?" <br /><br />Over the years, we dragged out art materials all over Southern California, trading stories from our filmmaking days and supporting each other in our vow to follow Winslow Homer's axiom..."a watercolor a day!" Many a time, Theadora would coax me to climb someone's fence to nip a small branch from some exquisite white geranium, and others, that she would then root and grow in her garden. <br /><br />We both had epiphylum (orchid cactus) collections, so we were always pruning and sharing clippings to root and grow, as well.<br /><br />Those rugs you refer to as Chinese are actually tribal Persian rugs from Iran, Iraq, and elsewhere in the region. I once ran a small hobby business called Low Price Persian Rugs, and Theadora insisted on coming over with each new shipment to pick out ones for herself. Of course, I gave them to her for less than cost. What are friends for?<br /><br />I also see in your article many of the crystal and other items she would buy as she dragged me through the valley antique shops and warehouses hidden away from regular traffic. She talked me into buying a giant 400 pound cement bust of Alexander the Great that had been used as a prop in a Cecil B. Demille movie. Ha! I've still got that, as well as other pieces.<br /><br />Over the last few years of her life, we would spend two days a week together, photographing hi-res digital images of most of her artwork. I still have a complete set on disc of all the costume design sketches, as well as many, many of her watercolors. We would then sit in front of my giant computer screen as we color corrected each image to Theadora's specifications. We established a small enterprise, producing and selling fine art reproduction gift cards and prints of artwork from a small group of five of us, including Thea, produced on 100% cotton rag, archival papers and sold in gift shops and museum stores throughout the Los Angeles basin. You can see one of the prints, "The Banquet of the Beheaded," leaning against the wall on the floor near the base of her spiral staircase, one of two I had gifted her at her last Christmas. She welcomed me to her table as family. <br /><br />During all this time, Theadora related endless stories from her career, which I helped write into somewhat of a Hollywood tell all - nothing cheesy mind you, but engaging nonetheless - to be illustrated with her paintings and sketches as the story unfolded.<br /><br />And we were building sales books for agents and sales people to hawk the prints and cards throughout the U.S., when Theadora took ill, and in 10 short months, she was gone. I should have known at first, when she started bringing over china and vases and such, saying she never used them anymore.<br /><br />On the morning after her passing, not yet knowing, I sat down at my computer and looked out the window to see my dog, Shanti, catch a squirrel and take it to the studio door out back. My partner of some time set the squirrel free and came in the house to say that Theadora had come to visit in the garden. That's when I opened my email to find her son, Max's, note that Theadora was gone.<br /><br />She was a wonder; one of my best friends. And I still miss her very much. Paul Chirumbolohttp://paulchirumbolo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-77979605118693857112015-09-02T12:16:57.703-07:002015-09-02T12:16:57.703-07:00judith-
Forgive me for not answering sooner…I hav...judith-<br /><br />Forgive me for not answering sooner…I have been traveling.<br />Yes, of course I recall you very very clearly--you were always at the Old Milano.<br />It was a magical time…<br />Can you please send me your book…and send me the bill/ invoice and I will send you a payment.<br />write to me at ddswriter@earthlink.net<br />and I will give you my address.<br />Yes…I have all of her portraits and paintings…and letters as well/<br />Thank you so much for writing…and please contact me via email.<br />I would love to catch up. I'm so happy you found this story…and please send it on to all GUALALA friends…artists and writers all…please contact me. DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-78582497033433880942015-09-02T12:02:03.197-07:002015-09-02T12:02:03.197-07:00I have adored this house since I first saw it in y...I have adored this house since I first saw it in your book. I have lived here in my imagination for years. When I finally broke down and set up a pinterest account, one of the first set of images I wanted to save was of this house. But I couldn't find any online. Thank you so much for capturing this final vision for posterity.carrpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16726596939143045758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-23253817838307394572015-08-31T20:20:21.906-07:002015-08-31T20:20:21.906-07:00Hi Diane,
You may remember, me, Theadora's Gu...Hi Diane,<br /><br />You may remember, me, Theadora's Gualala pal, Judith, who managed the Old Milano Hotel, 1980-84, until it was sold. You and I met then, and as I started to read this piece, I knew it was you writing. This is an incredible treat, to time travel through her home and studio--so personal! I only visited her once, 1983 or 84, with my daughter Heidi, for a week or so. She insisted that each of us sit for a watercolor 'portrait' in the studio, and being a saver-type, we of course have these treasured paintings. As well, I have a small collection of her drawings, self-portraits, and a few costume illustrations. Everything Thea ever gave me I still have, She meant the world to me, believed in me at a critical point in my life.<br />Thank you, Diane, for this beautiful tribute, for that is what it is. Did you see Mary Reinhart's story about Thea in the Pasadena Weekly, a few weeks ago? Thea and the Old Milano live on in my recently published memoir, "Bookbinder's Daughter, a Life Lost and Found," chapter,"Hotel." <br />With Love and fond memories,<br />Judith Fisher Judith Fishernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-30970833318136624972015-08-16T14:48:06.025-07:002015-08-16T14:48:06.025-07:00Ah! This exquisite, elegant, playful, dreamy home...Ah! This exquisite, elegant, playful, dreamy home & garden! It has been my dream house ever since I first saw it back in the sixties when Theodora gave a magnificent wedding for mutual friends. I composed & sang the wedding song & played the dulcimer. ��So very sixties! What an extraordinary home. How I wish I could buy it right this minute!Emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-74589033070791734372015-08-12T10:52:30.206-07:002015-08-12T10:52:30.206-07:00such talent + Amazing her home xxpeggybraswelldesi...such talent + Amazing her home xxpeggybraswelldesign.compeggy braswellhttp://peggybraswelldesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-22402814301149720742015-08-11T17:24:16.182-07:002015-08-11T17:24:16.182-07:00What a beautiful setting for a creative free spiri...What a beautiful setting for a creative free spirit! Easy to see years of careful, loving collection in her house.Tricia Rose Rough Linenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00573237539119278172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-51442583868331453142015-08-11T10:36:53.492-07:002015-08-11T10:36:53.492-07:00Dear Friends-
I've received such lovely messa...<br /><br />Dear Friends-<br /><br />I've received such lovely messages from around the world regarding the Theadora post:<br /><br />This morning, from London:<br /><br />Meredith Etherington-Smith, the great one:<br /><br />"lovely posting Diane - she sounds such fun! And I always admired her costume design....really interesting and quirky.<br /><br />All the best - Meredith"Diane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-84338733173221288072015-08-11T10:35:14.461-07:002015-08-11T10:35:14.461-07:00
Tania Vartan--herself a great artist in textiles...<br /><br />Tania Vartan--herself a great artist in textiles and other media--so talented--<br /><br />sent a lovely note:<br /><br />DIANE--<br /><br />A wonderful remembrance, Diane! TANIADiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-24730878208296997722015-08-11T07:40:11.069-07:002015-08-11T07:40:11.069-07:00Dear Diane, I can see that Theodora was a most won...Dear Diane, I can see that Theodora was a most wonderful friend to you!<br />Her home is a dream, a vision, an artist's paradise.<br />Thank you for the gift of this so talented woman and the life she led.<br /><br />xoxo<br />Karena<br />The Arts by Karena<br />Artist Nicoletta BellettiKarenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206642885608991170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-66873115682484509992015-08-10T12:56:35.052-07:002015-08-10T12:56:35.052-07:00Great post indeed. Beautiful places!
Loved her co...Great post indeed. Beautiful places! <br />Loved her costumes in all the movies she did. She was brilliant in her work!<br /><br />http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/Beauty Followerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064505003960613753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-67820010319454379532015-08-10T10:55:54.272-07:002015-08-10T10:55:54.272-07:00
HELLO-
Thank you…yes, an earlier version of he...<br /><br />HELLO-<br /><br /><br />Thank you…yes, an earlier version of her decor (before all the white paint) was published in Victoria.<br /><br />Yes, her house was also in one of my early books, CALIFORNIA COTTAGES…thank you for reminding me.<br /><br />Lovely to hear from you. I love your blog. Do stay in touch---DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-60947667787674056982015-08-10T10:20:57.863-07:002015-08-10T10:20:57.863-07:00Thank you for this beautiful post, not only a wond...Thank you for this beautiful post, not only a wonderful look into Theodora's beautiful home, but a beautiful tribute to her. What a talent she was, her costume designs are legendary, and her home, amazing! I seem to remember it was featured years ago in Victoria magazine, or one of their design books. FrenchGardenHousehttp://frenchgardenhouse.com/blog/noreply@blogger.com