MDS- How would you define your style?

SR: MY DECORATING IS OBJECT DRIVEN, AND OFTEN THOSE OBJECTS ARE ANTIQUE OR ONE-OF-A-KIND…IN MY FIRST YEARS OF DECORATING FOR MYSELF THOSE OBJECTS WERE OLD AMERICAN WICKER AND HANDMADE WOODEN BOWLS…I STILL HAVE A BELOVED AMERICN QUILT, ALL IN SHADES OF BROWNS AND REDS, THAT I BOUGHT FROM MARSTON LUCE IN WASHINGTON IN HIS FIRST SHOP…THAT SHOP HAS CHANGED ADDRESSES AND HIS STYLE HAS MOVED ALONG BUT THE THINGS HE SELLS STILL HAVE A CERTAIN INTEGRITY AND CHARM…

THOSE ARE QUALITIES I LOOK FOR IN FURNITURE AND OBJECTS FOR MY INTERIORS…I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN COLOR AND USED IT AT FIRST TO FILL THE SPACES, MUCH AS YOU SEE THE BRIGHT STRONG COLORS IN A LOT OF CURRENT YOUNG DECORATING…I STILL LOVE COLOR BUT NOW I AM MORE INTERESTED IN NUANCED SHADES WITH DIFFERENT PIGMENTS THAT CHANGE WITH THE LIGHT…I WILL ASK A COLORIST SUCH AS SCOTT FLAX IN LOS ANGELES, TO MIX CUSTOM PAINTS FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS SUCH AS THOSE WITH ART COLLECTIONS TO DISPLAY…

I LOVE HISTORY AND THE HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND THIS INFORMS MY WORK….AND COMFORT…I BELIEVE IN MIXING BEAUTIFUL OR INTERESTING OR QUIRKY THINGS WITH DEEPLY COMFORTABLE FURNITURE AND THEN CHAIRS OR STOOLS THAT CAN MOVE AROUND AND ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT GROUPS…THIS IS POSSIBLY BECAUSE I GREW UP IN A FAMILY THAT HAD FRIENDS OVER OFTEN AND MY HUSBAND AND I LIVE THAT WAY…LOTS OF FEEDING FRIENDS!

The Hollyhock Store on La Cienega in West Hollywood

MDS- Where did you grow up and how do you think that influences your work?

SR- I GREW UP IN NEW ORLEANS AND WAS A QUIET AND OBSERVANT CHILD. I NOTICED EVERYTHING: FLOWERS AND GARDENS AND THEIR SCENTS AND THE WONDERFUL ARCHITECTURE OF NEW ORLEANS, FROM THE CLASSIC CABILDO AND PRESBYTERE TO THE SHOTGUN HOUSES ALL OVER THE CITY AND THE DELICIOUS FOOD- OF COURSE THAT INFLUENCES WHO I AM TODAY!

Jackson Square- New Orleans

Shotgun Houses- New Orleans

MDS-  If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

SR- GARDENING AND READING AND FEEDING FRIENDS!

Suzanne’s garden in the winter- Veltheimia bulbs, flowering quince, and early roses on the roof.

Fifi and Beatriz- Visitors in Suzanne’s kitchen.

MDS- Who or what is inspiring you right now?

SR- AFTER A DECADE AND MORE OF EXPLORING THE EAST, I CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF MY OLD FRIENDS FRANCE AND ITALY.

The scene at Suzanne’s Lunch at Café Marly by the Louvre 2 weeks ago.

MDS- What is the favorite room in your home?

SR- I DECORATED THEM ALL AND I LOVE THEM ALL.

Suzanne’s Hancock Park home entry

the Hancock Park living room

the dining room

Last Dhalias of the Season in Suzanne’s Hancock Park dining room

Suzanne’s NYC  Pied-à-terre living room

another elegant and refined room of the pied-à-terre

the bedroom

MDS- Is there anything you obsessively collect?

SR- NOT REALLY! A COLLECTOR MUST HAVE THE ONE THING MISSING FROM A COLLECTION. THERE ARE THINGS I LIKE AND BUY, ESPECIALLY FOR THE TABLE: OLD BLUE AND WHITE CREAMWARE, CHINESE 18th CENTURY PLATES, OLD FRENCH AND BELGIAN LINEN– BUT I DON’T COLLECT IN A SYSTEMATIC WAY.

Creamware breakfast table in Florida

MDS- Fill in the blank: “I could never own too many ____!”

SR- Books

Suzanne’s top selling book- At home: A Style for Today with Things from the Past.

MDS-  What do you want to be known for?

SR- TIMELESS ROOMS, WELCOMING ROOMS, PERSONAL ROOMS, COMFORT, CHARM, SERENITY.

A table in Suzanne’s NYC apartment- 18th Century plates, sheffield silver, and modern italian glasses

MDS- What do you think is chic, stylish and glamorous?

SR- HAVING DINNER OVERLOOKING THE LIGHTS OF LOS ANGELES AT SUNSET TOWER BAR, AND MY FRIEND, MILES REDD!

Sunset Tower Bar- Suzanne’s and my Favorite place for lunch!