Comments on the style saloniste: Writers’ Block: California architect Cass Calder Smith has created a dramatic new writers’ retreat in the wilds south of San Francisco

Great architecture. It would be nice too if you ha...

2013-01-21T00:28:21.142-08:00

Great architecture. It would be nice too if you have glass fencing perth.

What a stunning view, houses and furniture. I real...

2012-07-13T03:38:14.509-07:00

What a stunning view, houses and furniture. I really appreciate this connection with the nature and the wildlife in this spaces. It makes me remember this brand: http://www.brabbu.com/up.html

DEAR PENNY-- My dear and great friend in Santa Ba...

2012-07-11T00:48:22.680-07:00

DEAR PENNY--

My dear and great friend in Santa Barbara...a woman of great style and charm.
Yes...the lion's paws myth or biblical story was from my friend, GRIFFIN, a fabulous art curator in the UK...he has always been one of my favorite correspondents and he has a fantastic blog called A SUPER DILETTANTE...and I was fortunate to find it some years ago and I've always loved it.
Penny--you are a brilliant designer...I hope you are having a divine summer in SB...it is heaven there.
Penny--dear readers--is the famous woman who has rare chickens and she gives the eggs to Oprah who lives next door...Penny passes them over the fence or hedge in a basket...and is world famous for that...I love it...very best, DIANE

Dianne......where did the lions go to get the thor...

2012-07-11T00:19:59.214-07:00

Dianne......where did the lions go to get the thorns out of their paws?

I LOVE that image

Your fan,

Penny

"one of those hermits’ caves where lions used...

2012-07-11T00:12:19.881-07:00

"one of those hermits’ caves where lions used to go to have thorns taken out of their paws.”
Nowhere in print or "on the web" is there anything better than your "blog"!

You are the most marvelous writer

We met when was flying to Spain to furnish my daughter's family apartment (BIG) for her family's year in Madrid!

Lordy!

You are just the best writer in the world!

Bravo!!

Dianne.......you have never ceased too amaze me!

And I will always treasure your tips for avoiding jet lag! I followed your directions......to the letter.

Only time........no jet lag, NONE!!!

Thank you!

Dear Mary, Cindy and Griffin- Thank you so much ...

2012-07-10T14:12:38.669-07:00

Dear Mary, Cindy and Griffin-

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments.

Griffin--your insight into the hermits and caves is very apt here.

This story on the DJERASSI RETREAT--is among my recent favorites, as it combines philanthropy, the encouragement of the arts and artists, as well as creativity, and the best of modern intelligent architecture. Plus the CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPE...the solace of the landscape.

I've been delighted with your reactions--so much!

kindest thoughts, DIANE

My dear Diane, Thank you so much for sharing thi...

2012-07-10T11:51:09.233-07:00

My dear Diane,

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful “writers’ block” designed by the architect Calder Smith.

I believe that a writer needs settled domesticity and a quiet study. He requires discipline and concentration like a ballet dancer. A precision is something hard to achieve in our hectic world. A writer’s labour spreads thinly after taking his soul on the journey of blank pages.
That is why I think that these solitary cabins could be perfect for working and relaxing in a peaceful surrounding. It is worthy of Italian princely studies (studiolo) one often sees in the Italian Renaissance paintings.

Looking once again the photos and reading your words, I am reminded by the experience of the artist, Ben Nicholson when he visited Piet Mondrian’s studio. Ben Nicholson wrote, “The feeling in his studio must have been very like the feeling in one of those hermits’ caves where lions used to go to have thorns taken out of their paws.”

Thank you so much for this post. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

With warm wishes,
ASD

Fascinating...genius use of space

2012-07-10T08:39:31.521-07:00

Fascinating...genius use of space

I am speechless. These cabins are perfection. Than...

2012-07-10T08:16:33.821-07:00

I am speechless. These cabins are perfection. Thank you. Mary