I dreamed of John Saladino

Over the weekend, I dreamed of John Saladino.
I dreamed that I attended his lecture about ancient Italian architecture and about how he re-imagines those same classic design principles in his modern-day construction and decor.
 


I dreamed that John Saladino had, despite his monumental stature in the design world, an easy nature and disarming wit. 

I dreamed that pearls of wisdom rolled from John Saladino - things like:

dining room in Saladino's villa

"Your dining room is your theatre."
 
 
 
Saladino's bedroom in his villa
 
"Layering makes a room more complex and interesting."

powder room in Saladino's villa


"When we are young, we are taught how to read, but not taught how to see."
 


from Saladino's furnishings line 

 "Use plain fabrics and simple shapes and your rooms will never betray you."  



It was an awesome dream to say the least.
But just then -  my alarm clock rang.
I rubbed my eyes and smiled at the remnants of my dream.

But when I walked into my living room....there was a copy of John Saladino's Villa.



Signed by the man himself.



Was it....?

Could it have been...?

REAL? 

signing MY copy of Villa

15 comments:

Allison said...

Lovely post...wish I could have been there! I have always loved Saladino's work.

Acquired Objects said...

Love this post Donna and good for you getting your book signed. Loved your dream!

XXX
Debra~

Unknown said...

What a great post. You had me. His work is dreamy!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

Ivy Lane said...

Great post! That is awesome you got to meet him and have him sign your book! :)

Happy Monday!

Ivy

Capella Kincheloe Interior Design said...

I went to this same lecture in Atlanta, Saladino is a design genius and a very interesting lecturer. This post has reminded me of what a great talk he gave.

Sparky said...

There are some lectures in our lives that change our lives. (I recall a few from graduate school when I was working on my degree in architecture.) Glad you got to go.

Woodside Park said...

ok, now you can send that book over to me :) I love his point of view!
Cheers,
Loi

Pura Vida said...

I shall adopt "your dining room is your theater"...that's a wonderful concept..my hubs is the chef, so I can be the actress who brings forth the food! ha!

Anonymous said...

Stop It!!!! I am sooo Jealous. Love, Love, Love John Saladino. BTW, Have you tried the recipes in the back of the book? Coconut Cake ROCKS!!!

Windlost said...

Love this post. Love how you weave a little story here. Beautiful! And wish I were right there with you...lucky you. :)

xo Terri

Anonymous said...

I knew from the "get- go" it was not a dream.....but a dream come true!

You described him perfectly!

He is a wonderful, wonderful generous man! Charming and delightful (he might hate me saying this......it all comes from my heart!)

He is "talent and taste incarnate!! and Personified!!)

I adore him; and consider him a friend. He just sold his house here (it is't really a house......it is, as he said, a "VILLA"!!

(if you have a minute; read my review of that book on Amazon! It takes the cake!"!

How lucky I feel to know him; to be his friend; and to be able to read him....and most of all to "listen"!

His books will be Classics as long as we have a "world" he can explain the "why" of every decorating decision......every one!

A National Treasure!

Penelope Bianchi

Anonymous said...

I knew from the "get- go" it was not a dream.....but a dream come true!

You described him perfectly!

He is a wonderful, wonderful generous man! Charming and delightful (he might hate me saying this......it all comes from my heart!)

He is "talent and taste incarnate!! and Personified!!)

I adore him; and consider him a friend. He just sold his house here (it is't really a house......it is, as he said, a "VILLA"!!

(if you have a minute; read my review of that book on Amazon! It takes the cake!"!

How lucky I feel to know him; to be his friend; and to be able to read him....and most of all to "listen"!

His books will be Classics as long as we have a "world" he can explain the "why" of every decorating decision......every one!

A National Treasure!

Penelope Bianchi

Victoria said...

Saladino is my all-time favorite designer. Lucky you. I wish I could have attended. Did everyone notice how beautifully he signed your book? Beginning and end lined up perfectly with the sketch above it. He is an artist and, apparently, everything he does displays an artist's point of view.
Best...Victoria

Monica said...

I am new to the design world and thank you for introducing him. His work is beautiful and I loved the sofa photo.

Rachel Joins the Fray said...

This post made me smile!