Comments on the style saloniste: DESIGNERS I ADMIRE: J. Randall Powers

his work is uber-sophisticated - i see some billy ...

2009-07-18T17:02:32.918-07:00

his work is uber-sophisticated - i see some billy francis (esp with the use of biedermeier pieces) and some kalef alaton - mr. powers has a fantastic eye and sense of restraint

Diane, just discovered your blog and I really love...

2009-07-15T08:18:45.313-07:00

Diane, just discovered your blog and I really love it. Great interview with Randy. He's a true design talent and a gentleman to boot.

HI HOME BEFORE DARK! Welcome to my salon--which i...

2009-07-14T21:21:10.332-07:00

HI HOME BEFORE DARK!

Welcome to my salon--which is open to everyone with wit, charm, humor, curiosity, and ideas!

Yes, I am creating a salon. It is also an online magazine. I am a long-form writer (not a jotter)...so I want texture and meaning and complexity in my writing and these features.
Look for some fresh ideas, new people, and great places to learn about in the future. And be sure to send comments--I so appreciate your generous and kind and wonderful thoughts. Brilliant.

I think you are, indeed, providing a salon of both...

2009-07-14T18:13:46.976-07:00

I think you are, indeed, providing a salon of both ideas and dreams. Mixing together a rare cocktail of history and the future, blended on the web of infinite possibility. You go, girl!

Hi Paul- LOVE your comment and love your blog. It...

2009-07-14T17:11:10.267-07:00

Hi Paul-

LOVE your comment and love your blog. It will go on my favorites.

PENNY BIANCHI SENT THE FOLLOWING COMMENT ON RANDY:

Hi Diane! This post is over the moon! I love the guy! And I also love that he is self-taught. ASID is really a scary thing. I was an English major in college; and the two "decorating" classes I tried were just abysmal.
I have been fortunate enough to have had an extremely successful (an enormous surprise to me!) business for 40 years; with never even a listed business phone number!
My daughter told me that all of my hair would fall out if I heard what a teacher was teaching in a class she took! "

Never put two mirrors in a room" was one edict!
I am sure there are great teachers; but much of it is just inborn passion and exposure to taste, and an innate eye!
My experience has been so much like Randy's; other kids were out playing and I was rearranging furniture,

And I detest the term "designer" for myself. If "decorator " is good enough for "Sister", Keith Irvine, and Mario and so many others,; it makes me happy to call myself one!

Love your blog. Love you! You are wonderful!

FROM COTE DE TEXAS Regarding your post on COTE DE...

2009-07-13T09:26:00.970-07:00

FROM COTE DE TEXAS

Regarding your post on COTE DE TEXAS regarding Michael Smith gossip:

But I went to the dictionary to look up Schadenfreude to be sure I understood it! Glee in someone's distress or bad luck. You know - I want to tell you personally that Michael Smith is one of my favorite designers. And the blogosphere went NUTS with excitement when he got the job. Everyone was just a littlel over the moon about it. With this rumor, I think we all just like a little shock. Like turning to look at a wreck on the freeway. I was knocked over when I heard it - not sure if it's true because why am I the only in the U.S. who knows it? But I keep being retold it with certainty. That's why I posed the question - is it true? Hard to imagine someone other than M.Smith would be more qualified, imo. I know you are friends and to tell you the truth, I'm sorry to have been told this in the first place. No one was looking more foward to seeing what he was going to do there. So, let's hope we still do get to see it.

"When I need a "breather" I go ther...

2009-07-13T07:21:39.158-07:00

"When I need a "breather" I go there. Its like going to a therapist. I walk out of the museum "in check". The collection never fails to take my breath away. The poetry of the work holds such a magical spell over me that I never tire of going to see it."

i LOVED that!

i'm SO inspired by this post and the work of mr. powers!

2009-07-12T21:43:59.685-07:00

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Diane - one other thing about Randy - I do love th...

2009-07-12T21:33:20.899-07:00

Diane - one other thing about Randy - I do love that he said he is self taught. As someone who has tried to help turn around legislation pushed on decorators by ASID, it is so wonderful for the self taught to say it loudly and proudly. Designing is artistry and my greatest fear is that if allowed to continue on their current path, ASID will end up outlawing those very artists who notoriously avoid the constraints of school and structure.

MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM HARRISON HOWARD, A SUPERB AR...

2009-07-12T17:33:34.542-07:00

MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM HARRISON HOWARD, A SUPERB ARTIST:
Recently Jennifer Boles at Peak of Chic did a great post on a brilliant artist called Harrison Howard. His Chinoiserie is vivid and witty.
He just send me the following message: and please check out his work on a recent PEAK OF CHIC:
DEAR DIANE:
I want to thank you belatedly for your remarks on Peak of Chic about my paintings. I am familiar with many of your books over the years, and I found your blog a little over a month ago through the label on Peak of Chic. I was a fan of John Dickinson's plaster furniture from the late '70's onward, when I first saw some b & w catalogue sheets from a Los Angeles showroom, and it always seemed odd that I never saw practically anything about his work until the last couple of years. It is interesting that you knew him so well, and maybe you will get around to doing a book on him after all.
I was very pleased by your remarks because chinoiserie is a genre that has remained largely rooted in the 17th & 18th centuries, but offers the opportunity to expand in many new directions that I would like to explore. It was very gratifying that you perceived an effort on my part to break away from the traditional mold, and I think it would be interesting to see what a significant contemporary artist or illustrator like Ruben Toledo or Christian Berard, (if he were still alive), would do with chinoiserie subject matter. Thanks again for your comments. I am glad to see that you are now making regular posts on your blog, and I hope you will continue to do so.

Best Regards,

Harrison Howard

Brilliant interview with a great "decorator&q...

2009-07-12T13:36:47.550-07:00

Brilliant interview with a great "decorator". Exquisite selection of antique, modern, contemporary pieces bringing harmony to the space. Style and grace indeed as you said.
As for "Twombly's trees" they are superb interpretations of what C.T. probably has seen for decades outside his Italian house windows (or around his son Cyrus'house up the Roman hills).

2009-07-12T09:36:02.031-07:00

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Hi Deborah- Foggy Sunday in San Francisco. Welcom...

2009-07-12T09:33:30.518-07:00

Hi Deborah-

Foggy Sunday in San Francisco. Welcome to my blog! I have so many great stories in the works, introducing new talents and casting a new light on classic designers as well.

Yes, you are right that self-educated designers--and that means most of them, from my dear friend Michael Smith to Randy and so many other brilliant stars--are all the more impressive. Some, like Michael, schooled themselves from an early age and with great confidence founded their own companies and never looked back.

Tour de France: yes, go Lance! He has a strategy, he could win, it would be fantastic. Now we are on to Limoges and everyone is talking of the upcoming Alps and Mr Ventoux.

So happy you are part of my 'salon'.

A terrific look into Mr. Powers' personality &...

2009-07-12T08:32:30.424-07:00

A terrific look into Mr. Powers' personality & who has moved him to be the visionary that he is in decorating. My first impression of his designs have been a pure calmness. Makes great sense that one of his style guru's has been Mr. Alaton. So many designers over-design rooms. His approach to letting the well chosen pieces do the speaking, is a refreshing "modus operandi". One can immediately appreciate his designs but after your interview. the same applies to the man. I admire his "filler is prudent" philosophy. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what he does with more color. What impresses me above all is the fact he is not a schooled designer. These individuals amaze me & continue to inspire me. Another testament that great design is a talent. That has been a life long dream. No pity party required, I am just not one of those fortuitous humans; well not yet anyway.
Thank you Diane for visiting my blog this weekend & for the tremendous comments. I am incredibly impressed of your many talents. What really put me over the edge is you are the author of one of my cherished books "Palm Springs Living". I am thrilled you have an appreciation of the Tour de France as I do. It is incredibly easy to become hooked on all levels. Yes indeed - go Lance. I believe he is conserving his strength knowing there is 2 wks left & he will then ride to win! Today is another day of climbing & is guaranteed to be riveting. Looking forward to following your blog.
All the best,
Deborah

Thank you for the sweet and wise comment. You are...

2009-07-10T14:36:31.411-07:00

Thank you for the sweet and wise comment.

You are right and I think you typed that typo just to make me feel better!

Off I go, a girl's got to eat, especially when it's a late Thai meal with some favourite people, bon soir Diane.

CLARITY-- Oh, well, Ha! I did not mean quite so m...

2009-07-10T14:25:17.568-07:00

CLARITY--

Oh, well, Ha! I did not mean quite so many typos...
As I said, it is a rare post....typing faster than speed of brain...that does not contain a TYPO....

CLARITY- Typos (or should I say tpyoos?)...welco...

2009-07-10T14:23:44.522-07:00

CLARITY-

Typos (or should I say tpyoos?)...welcome to the club.

I am often writing late into the night--and it is a rare post that does not have a type.

My dear dear friend Terry, who edited many of my early books and was a brilliant editor and a knowing soul--always assured me that typos were good luck. OK...I'll go with that. Typing as fast as I can.

HELLO, JENNIFER- So pleased to hear we are all me...

2009-07-10T14:21:54.730-07:00

HELLO, JENNIFER-

So pleased to hear we are all members of the RANDY POWERS FAN CLUB...a large and happy gang.

Have had so many personal and emailed comments on Randy--many people appreciate his beautiful polished work.

Lovely post and thank you for your sweet complimen...

2009-07-10T13:18:24.656-07:00

Lovely post and thank you for your sweet compliment, I would be touched to be added to your bog roll and am glad you enjoyed my post.

I am charmed by the beautiful and open rooms, decorated without the separation of classic or contemporary. This is truly someone who fits their work and that is a rare thing, unless that person is an artist, (I dislike typos, Diane, especially my owne, but it was late and after a long shoot).

Diane- Wonderful interview! I've always admir...

2009-07-10T07:10:44.906-07:00

Diane- Wonderful interview! I've always admired Randy and his elegant style, but what is also refreshing is his warm personality- something that is evident in this interview. And I'm with Randy- I prefer the term decorator.

YES, I do adore Randy. Holly Moore knows him so v...

2009-07-09T17:28:15.892-07:00

YES, I do adore Randy.

Holly Moore knows him so very well. Her comments are so precise, detailed, and insightful--and she is right, Randy is always totally present.
And did we say handsome! And funny.

JONI-thank you so much for honoring me and my new blog with a visit. I love Cote de Texas and your vivid enthusiasm, generosity and spirit. I aspire to your greatness. You were one of the very first on my 'favorite blogs' roll.
Sally, Clarity and KK: Yes, the best heaven would be designed by Randy...with Randy for company, sitting, laughing, and saying "you must buy the set of Cy Twombly books, or 'did you see the new show at the Met', or 'let's go and look at antiques' or 'let's have dinner with Holly'. But...remember, heaven is on earth, so we can have dinner with Randy and Holly, and we can go junking with Randy.
Randy: I think I'll have to do another blog!

2009-07-09T15:57:51.243-07:00

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What Holly said is so right! Randy truly has put...

2009-07-09T14:48:28.935-07:00

What Holly said is so right! Randy truly has put Houston on the map for great design. His interiors highlight each painting, each chair, each vase - yet, each piece comes together in a unique and aesthically thrilling way. I can look at a room he has done for hours, just admiring this or that, and then step back and look at the entirity in a different way. His eye is unerring, there is never a misstep.

His mention of Billy Francis is interesting. IMO - the two of them have been the best that Houston has produced.

When I die - if I get to heaven and it Randy has n...

2009-07-09T13:53:44.000-07:00

When I die - if I get to heaven and it Randy has not designed it I dont want to be there! Randy is brillant!

OMG I love all the white w/a touch of wood. Thank...

2009-07-09T12:48:34.147-07:00

OMG I love all the white w/a touch of wood.
Thanks so much for introducing us to J Randall Powers!
Sally