December JR Newsletter

For Those Who Asked!

For those of you who asked about the chair seat fabric used at our Thanksgiving celebration. The Sunbrella fabric is Upland/spice. This is a great color for outside because it uses the terracotta color to work with pots and the sage color to enhance garden greenery. I have this fabric in my own yard. Sunbrella is great for dining chair seats inside or outside.

Happy Thanksgiving From My Family!

The perfect setting in my daughter and son-in-law's garden. Friends and family gathered to give thanks!

Let The Feast Begin

But before we do begin the turkey, stuffing, pies etc. let us bow our heads and give thanks to God. The world would be a better place if we only took a minute each day to give thanks for things big or small and appreciate the beauty around us. I have always thought the best things in life are free...it is all there, take time to see and appreciate. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Don't Worry About The Children This Holiday!

No need to worry about spills this holiday. With Sunbrella rugs and upholstery fabrics they can enjoy every room in the house. It is that time of year when you want your family and friends to make every room a living room and enjoy!

Thanksgiving Vegetable Idea!

Simple But Elegant Vegetable Dish! As we prepare for the Thanksgiving Feast, I remember a dish I had when traveling in the South of France. Prepared by the Chef of the Hotel Imperial Garoupe in Cap D'Antibes. Simply prepared using a selection of baby vegetables, lightly sauteed in oil and butter. The selection of these baby vegetables makes an elegant accompaniment for turkey. It's beautifully simple, healthy and delicious!

Celebrate the life of Jeanne-Claude!

Let us celebrate the life of Jeanne-Claude, Christo's collaborator who so enriched our lives with "The Gates," a 2005 installation in Central Park involving 7,503 vinyl gates with nylon panels. She will be remembered for this and many other ambitious installations. A true design pioneer.

Preparation For Holiday Guests

Designer Marshall Watson prepares for guests this week. Make sure the guest room is prepped with handy phone, pad and pen; good books, proper lighting, fresh flowers ( Be certain there are no allergies. My brother-in-law can not have flowers anywhere near the bed! ) So important to have your guests feel at home. HomeGoods is a great store to get new linens for the bed and bath. I especially like their Italian imported ones at great savings. It's the little things that count.

Flowers In My Garden!

Here's a shot of the impatiens at the entrance to my house. These salmon colored flowers are just about the only color of flowers other than white in all our gardens. I like this splash of color. It is cool but sunny today in southern California. To quote the artist Claude Monet: "More than anything I must have flowers always, always." Now I am off to see Mary Poppins with my grand daughter.

The Red Glass From Summertime the Movie

On my trip to Venice I found that incredible red Murano glass that was featured in the movier "Summertime" with Katherine Hepburn. Just a simple elegant statement that may inspire your holiday table setting. Have a great weekend.

Villa Lechi Just Between Milan and Venice

Thought you would enjoy this view of the Villa Lechi in the beautiful countryside of Erbresco, about an hour outside Milan. What a delightful house, thought to be designed by Palladio but not confirmed. Looking out my window here in LA, I am getting the same feeling of that beautiful day in Northern Italy! Interior view of the loggia.

Auction Of Design Ichon Robert Isabell

The Secret Cache of Robert Isabell will be auctioned by Sotheby's and what a treasure trove it is. I had the pleasure of meeting Robert when he designed a party for me at Martex. What a talented party planner he was! Bunny Melon befriended him and what a treasure she is; just as delightful at 99 years old. I am sure you know she was really responsible for designing the Rose Garden at the White House for her friend JFK.

Sotheby's

Summit Meeting to Pick Fabrics

Development meeting to prepare for spring market. Pictured Greg Rosendale Brand Manager for JR Collection, Sunbrella; George Jordan, President Miles Talbott Furniture; me and Greg Voorhis, Sunbrella. A great team to work with on some very exciting new plans.

New Melrose Place Set has Joe Ruggiero Sunbrella fabric.

Yup, that's Heather Locklear on the set of the new Melrose Place television series but the fabric on the back cushions is none other than my fabric Wonderweave/Fennel that I designed for Sunbrella. Needless to say the set decorator knew that a heavy wear fabric was needed on this set of daily drama; a fabric that could withstand heavy turmoil! Thank you dear set decorator for making such a wise choice.

Westfield Collection by Joe Ruggiero

It is a beautiful day in LA today with a little crisp in the air! Here is a view just outside my studio/office. I like the Westfield Collection I designed for Miles Talbott because it is so flexible. I can mix and match the various pieces of the modular group to accommodate the number of people; today I have George Jordan from Miles Talbott and Greg Voorhis & Greg Rosendale from Sunbrella to discuss Spring introductions and fabric selections. Speaking of Sunbrella fabric, the covers are Trax/Persimmon piped in Trax/Mink and the pillow is Flower Power. We'll be able to work outside. (That's me in the background getting ready. I will have to add more pieces for my visitors!)

The Wilshire Chair New in Sunbrella Fabric!

The new Wilshire Chair for Miles Talbott Furniture. This new chair has many options: with or without skirt, leather or fabric. It is covered in my new Sunbrella fabric called Cote which is available in six new colors. Call Miles Talbott Furniture for more informaion:336-885-7500. Eighty-five Sunbrella fabrics in stock ready for immediate delivery. Our top selling chair frame, the Barrymore is pictured to the left, also available, skirted or unskirted, fabric or leather. The dressing table is from Gat Creek (Xavier desk with Claire mirror top. Part of the Joe Ruggiero Collection)

Richard Frinier,A Designer's Designer!

I attended a celebration for Richard Frinier last evening

to celebrate Richard's Lifetime Achievements at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood and what a joyous occasion it was. Richard had designed a collection for me (photo right) that was never produced but I cherish it everyday for my own home. I honor his accomplishments and look forward to many new products he will design in the years ahead. My congratulations to he and his wife Catherine and thanks for a superb evening!

Pizza, Pizza!

Sorry, without a doubt my favorite meal is Pizza (my grand daughter feels the same way). Well, one of the best is Jean-Georges Pizza Margherita. He has just opened a new restaurant in the Boston W hotel called Market and you can just taste the crunchy crust and mixed sun-dried tomatoes...yum! This is Designer Pizza at its' best.

Miles Redd Uses Decorative Lattice.

I really admire designer Miles Redd and how he used decorative lattice on his New York terrace. The company Accents of France has many options for this traditional French technique of using lattice indoors and outdoors.

Check out Accentsoffrance.com for many more ideas!

Travels to the south of France

Memories of time spent on the Cote D'Azur literally meaning "The Blue Coast." Here at the Villa Ephurssi known for its incredible interiors filled with French period furniture (just about every Louie represented). The gardens at the water's edge are magical.

Comfort is the new design word!

Ruggiero Introduces New Fall Fabric.

The falling leaves drift by my window and on to my new Sunbrella fabric called Royal Oaks in the Wren coloration. This is now ready for quick delivery at Miles Talbott Furniture. The right fabric for interior or exterior design. How flexible is that?

A Beautiful Fall Veterans Day in LA

We remember those who have served this country today. Their service will never be forgotten.

New Sunbrella Color, Citrus.

Italian designer Antonio Citterio (his chair photo left) has inspired me to introduce clear crisp citrus colors to my Sunbrella collection. The pattern (photo bottom right) called Blox features a clean, refreshing splash of color for interior or exterior. Available at Miles Talbott for immediate delivery.

Berlin Wall a Memory

Here at the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the 2oth Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. "Let us tear down all walls and live together, united in Peace"-my thought for today.

Joe Ruggiero launches gallery concept

Joe Ruggiero launches gallery concept: " LOS ANGELES — Furniture and fabric designer Joe Ruggiero has la..."

Bauhaus Exhibit Opens at MOMA

The Bauhaus exhibit opens at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and will showcase the amazing contributions to design as we continue to be inspired by these Masters of forward thinking.

Bauhaus Inspired Sunbrella Fabric

Inspired by my trip to the Bauhaus school in Germany my pattern Chop Block (left) in Sunbrella has the spirit of Bauhaus student Josef .Albers art (pictured above)

This is Organization with Style

New York designer Thomas Britt designed this spectacular ettagere that holds a collection of books and magazines. What a stunning way to organize "stuff" of which I have much to get "rid of." I had to share this with you. Thomas is a genius!

The Joe Ruggiero Collection What's New

Potted Plants for Impact

Lunch & Learn with Joe Ruggiero

Making plans now for lunch and learn events for 2010. Will keep you posted on events throughout the United States and Canada.

Paper Decorations!

Wonderful use of paper in the decorations for the New York Public Library Lions Gala last evening. Credit goes to David Monn and Gayfryd Steinberg. How creative is this: paper bread baskets and paper table mats.

Black,White & Blue

On a visit to Round Hill, Jamaica, I was taken by the decor of the lounge designed by Ralph Lauren. I call it Black, White & Blue. The striking combination of the black & white photos of all kinds of celebs that have visited the resort and blue & white fabric on the upholstery against a white wall was a refreshing look for this tropical island "get away" but it is great for any home. I am working on a blue & white theme (nothing unusual but with a surprise twist) for my Sunbrella introductions this spring. Stay tuned!

A Visit to Noel Coward's Firefly!

What a treat to sit in the same place as Sir Noel did and be inspired by this spectacular view of Jamaica Bay from his vacation retreat Firefly. I love to visit artist's homes and see how and where they were inspired...working on an idea that explores such.

The Gardens at Butterstream

Memories of my trip to Ireland and the gardens of Butterstream. Here we are having lunch with Stu Crowner (our Producer, left) and my daughter Beth (right, television Script Writer). Tony Gonzales (Director of Photography). This charming room is the Garden Room/Studio of owner Jim Reynolds (center). View of the garden through a reclaimed doorway that was once the entry of the Duke of Wellington's town house forms a frame of the garden.Jim believes the eye needs to have a frame to focus on various aspects of the spectacular grounds.