Comments on the style saloniste: Style Central: Michael S. Smith

He is one of my favorite designers! I love his cur...

2013-04-21T07:24:18.568-07:00

He is one of my favorite designers! I love his curated style. Beautiful post!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Hello Diane, Thank you for your kind words. I am ...

2013-04-17T21:55:01.682-07:00

Hello Diane, Thank you for your kind words. I am heartened the tale is a happy one, and thank you for putting my mind at rest. Today, good as my word, I walked over to Christie's and purchased the catalog. I restrained myself from peeking into it while at the office, looking forward to reading it and studying it this evening. But no, Boy wrested it from my hands and wouldn't give it up a moment this evening, as he was both wrapped in it AND rapped with it! I am looking forward to studying it tomorrow evening, and attending the preview in person on Friday. Yours ever so, Reggie

REGGIE- Thank you so much. I'm honored that ...

2013-04-17T13:50:44.787-07:00

REGGIE-

Thank you so much. I'm honored that you took a moment from your divine and getting diviner blog.

The Malibu house: no, it did not end badly. The owners (sorry I can't divulge) are wonderfully philanthropic people who have been clients/ patrons of Michael's for approx 20 years...and they have done sequential houses with him, including Majorca, London, New York (Carlyle...has been published) and Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez. They love to create houses. They created this one--there was a big offer--and it was sold. No regrets.
The wife, a lovely woman, is on the boards of major museums, and he keeps out of the papers (you would never have read their names) and it is all very discreet. Note that their names and descriptions are not in the Christie's catalog or in any press. I have always admired their discretion...never a trace. You'll be happy to know it is all good...and that museums we know and love will benefit well from all of this.

Please go back to Paris soon...or do a trip to Rome...your reportage was fantastic and you and I love all the same top three!
Brilliant.
fondest, DIANE

Hello, Albarosa- It is always lovely to hear from...

2013-04-17T13:44:52.643-07:00

Hello, Albarosa-

It is always lovely to hear from you--and your superb taste and travel and ideas. Thank you!

Hello, Capella-

So happy to hear that you worked with Michael Smith on the Malibu house! It must have been fantastic.
beautiful residence. best DIANE

I was gobsmacked when I saw the story about this h...

2013-04-16T22:52:16.553-07:00

I was gobsmacked when I saw the story about this house in AD when it was published several years ago. Pored over the pictures, read every word of the story and captions, and returned to it many times over. Marvelous. I am saddened that such beauty is, indeed, ephemeral, and the house has been sold and its carefully assembled contents are now being dispersed to the winds. It suspect it is a story that does not have a happy ending. I plan on walking over to Christie's tomorrow to buy the catalog, and then returning on Friday to visit the preview. Thanks for notifying us, your fortunate readers, of this. Reggie

Thanks for the news Diane, I am looking forward to...

2013-04-16T10:43:22.338-07:00

Thanks for the news Diane, I am looking forward to read the book (I loved the previous one you wrote with him)and curious to know about the results of the auction.
(Please continue to write long posts, I love every single word and image!)

Dear Friends- I had the sweetest note from Micha...

2013-04-16T09:53:39.233-07:00

Dear Friends-

I had the sweetest note from Michael Smith's office:

"Indeed. It is hard to capture how much we loved the piece in 140 characters."

Thank you, Michael, and thank you, Robert.

DIANE

MARY- Yes, thank you! I agree...Michael now has a...

2013-04-16T09:52:52.643-07:00

MARY-

Yes, thank you! I agree...Michael now has a 20 year career...and every year he learns more and more. It is his total devotion to his work that is admirable.

I'm so pleased you liked this post...stay tuned! DIANE

Dear Greet- I'm so glad you have seen the Mi...

2013-04-16T09:51:36.195-07:00

Dear Greet-

I'm so glad you have seen the Michael Smith book and catalog. You might think about requesting the catalog--there is some beautiful panelling (all new of course) and the antiques and art are a great reference! Quite Belgioque, en effete!

I love your blog and hope all my readers have seen the BELGIAN DESIGN lists...most special. DIANE

Thank you. This, like all of your posts, sets the ...

2013-04-16T05:07:17.821-07:00

Thank you. This, like all of your posts, sets the bar high for beautifully detailing and capturing the essence of a designer's or artist's work. This villa is a masterpiece. Michael Smith vast knowledge and talent seems to be ever evolving.
Mary

Dear Diane, I can't wait to have a copy of Mic...

2013-04-16T04:00:21.064-07:00

Dear Diane,
I can't wait to have a copy of Michael's new book in my hands!
He is such a gorgeous designer! Love love love his work! Exquisite!
xx
Greet
PS Thank you so much for your kind comment on my latest blogpost! I so appreciate it!

Dear Friends- I had the loveliest note from Terr...

2013-04-15T23:20:49.211-07:00

Dear Friends-

I had the loveliest note from Terri Price. I so appreciate her comments.
One note: I often receive message and comments...that remind me (well, I write them...) that the blog posts are very long. I sometimes start a new blog post thinking 'This one will be short'...but then I keep adding more images and more information, so they are always long.
But...be of good cheers. I have some wonderful surprises for you in the next weeks.

HERE IS TERRI PRICE'S LOVELY MESSAGE. I LOVE IT:

Hi Diane, such a lovely post on Michael Smith. I read some on the treadmill and will read the rest tomorrow at work when I need a mental health break. Haha. So I will comment soon. I still need to properly read your Cambodia posts. I was drooling over the photos. You need to write a book about yourself. :)

Hugs, Terri

Coulda! You are absolutely right. This is such an...

2013-04-15T23:18:38.590-07:00

Coulda!

You are absolutely right. This is such an astute comment. Yes, MICHAEL SMITH'S will be a reference catalog for many years--a definitive collection, a certain taste and connoisseurship.
Thank you so much for your great ideas and comment.
best, DIANE

Some sale catalogs do serve as a useful reference ...

2013-04-15T23:13:18.415-07:00

Some sale catalogs do serve as a useful reference and I think this might rank as one of them. I adore the range from those sheep to the chair...

JOHN- Thank you.I can't wait to read your rep...

2013-04-15T13:59:54.564-07:00

JOHN-

Thank you.I can't wait to read your report.
Yes, the loggia is wonderful...and I like the smaller more eccentric rooms as well.
best DIANE

I have gone lot by lot through the auction catalog...

2013-04-15T13:54:46.522-07:00

I have gone lot by lot through the auction catalog and have already written a post about the house that is schedule to be published next week. Although it would be hard to pick a favorite space, I really like the Loggia and how it is furnished.

STEFAN- Yes, the sale catalog is amazing! I was i...

2013-04-15T10:30:10.838-07:00

STEFAN-

Yes, the sale catalog is amazing! I was impressed by the depth of the collecting...and with all the best pieces at the front of the book. Then...for those who might not be wanting to add another Picasso or Scully to their collection...there are little things, pillows, vases and beds and chairs at the end of the long sale. It will be fascinating to see he prices realized.
The book is amazingly good--it is more arty than the others...but in the end it is like a 'secret' how-to book for the observant reader, with lots of information. Highly collectible.
very best to you as always DIANE

I am SO excited for his new book, were you involve...

2013-04-15T10:13:15.274-07:00

I am SO excited for his new book, were you involved with it as well? I just received my copy of the Christies catalog in the mail on Friday and POURED through it this weekend. I just admire his work so much. Thanks for this great article as always!