12.03.13

Beverly Russell – 12 Things I Can't Live Without

Beverly Russell, Beverly Russell Enterprises

#1
Eames coffee table with gold leaf top, one of 100 made in a special edition by Herman Miller. which the company generously gave me in celebration of being honored with a Life Time Achievement Award from IIDA Co-Cal Chapter – dare I say – in 2003.

#2
My collection of Killim rugs and Indian fabrics. I love the “wabi sabi” imperfection of these rugs and fabrics which reflect a true artisan handcraftmanship.

#3
My 2001 VW Beetle which I bought carefully because I knew it would outlive me. Only 72,000 miles on the clock so far, so my prediction will probably be accurate.

 #4
Jeremy at Vidal Sassoon’s salon on Little Santa Monica. He is the creative director and from the UK, lives in a downtown loft and keeps me up to date with everything hip and happening, as well as giving me the best haircuts.

 #5
My Mac Book Pro, so exquisitely designed. I have been an Apple fan since 1986 (before many IIDA members were born!).

#6
My Poltrona Frau 1929 red leather armchair and ottoman given to me by my good friend James Goodwin when he was running the Italian company in New York, in celebration of an amazing fundraiser event we pulled off for Interior Designers for Licensing.

 #7
Four foot square glass table/desk commissioned from New York artist Mark Schaeffer which rides on a minimal skeleton of tensile steel supports. It’s almost invisible, multi-purpose for multi-tasking, very elegant.

 #8
Aum & Garden, a favorite shop on Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks where Jerome the owner “gets” my metaphysical books and is holding a book signing for me on Dec 7.

#9
My Bose radio which is permanently tuned to 91.5 the KUSC classical music program (also my station of choice when driving my Beetle.)

#10
The Arboretum, Huntington Gardens and Descanso Gardens for playing hooky when I should be working.

#11
The ultimate necklace by artist Anado McLauchlin made with hundreds of non-precious beads, buttons and bits of rubbish. It beats diamonds and pearls any day.

#12
The New York Review of Books. I have been a subscriber for decades. As soon as it comes in the mail I drop everything and read, read, read.

Beverly Russell was born and educated in the UK and began her career in journalism and publishing in London working on Fleet Street newspapers. She emigrated to the United States in 1967 and was renowned as a magazine editor in New York, where she was a Senior Editor at Conde Nast’s Brides and later House & Garden. In 1978 she became Editor in Chief of Interiors and subsequently Editorial Director of Architecture magazines. She has also contributed to the Home section of the New York Times.

She launched Beverly Russell Enterprises in 1991, acting as a creative consultant to major corporations and educational establishments, formulating traveling exhibitions, nation-wide seminar programs and other promotional activities to enhance corporate and educational themes. At the same time she authored and packaged a number of best-selling books on architecture, design, and cuisine. Her most recent self-published works are inspirational, including Ask the Flowers, The Adventures of Kundun the Golden Cat, Crossings, Espacios, and Lines on Aging.

She has received numerous honors for her achievements, including Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Fine Arts from Kendall College of Art & Design, andParsons School of Design, New York.