Thursday, July 22, 2010

Saladino's Master Class...





It suffices to say that John Saladino is a true master of his art, and his recent book which describes the process by which he brought about the rebirth of his California villa is nothing short of awesome.  It is so easy to get caught up in all the wonderful photos, but to actually sit, read and absorb his words is like being given a front row seat in a master class and given first hand account and insight into what stirs the thoughts and motives of this man.  




John goes into great detail about how he took on a monumental and extraordinarily expensive task to bring the villa back to life.  Without knowing and appreciating what was required to bring this project to completion takes away from the full appreciation that one would get when viewing the finished photos.   Mr. Saladino says that the project was 75% structural and 25% decoration.  Most people would have walked away from the tasks and challenges, but his vision and tenacity were obviously stronger than most… as is most likely his bank account.  Regardless, it was apparently well worth it to him… and certainly to his admirers.




The inspiration for the villa’s name was a result of the many challenges… Villa Di Lemma …anyone who has had the experience of taking on an old house or structure knows all too well the many dilemmas!  I can attest to that first hand.  I have an old farmhouse that is nearly a hundred years old… and just to make it livable when we first bought it, so that we could live in it and continue to work on it was extremely labor intense.   I still have upgrades that I need to make (it really is a money pit) before I can take on a lot of the fun stuff…like putting in French doors and remodeling the kitchen.   Right now I am faced with getting the roof replaced at a reasonable sum.  But, when you have three layers of roofing, including the original wood shingles, and many angles and gables that increase the cost, along with new vents, insulation and decking… well it isn’t on the cheap… but I digress…





Mr. Saladino is very generous in his descriptions and explanations of what he did to achieve certain results… and was very open is admitting that his original budget estimate to redo the house and property were well under actual costs.




The book comes with a DVD that gives you the grand tour serenaded by the music of Claude Debussy, with or without the voice over commentary by Mr. Saladino.  I could just watch it over and over again… (For some reason I was expecting his voice to be much deeper… like that of Orson Welles or similar…)





With his expert eye and classical training he leads you through a series of spaces, who’s one point perspectives offer rewards to the viewer.  His creation is a combination of the humble and the magnificent…where nothing is too precious… but rather a pastiche of comfort and beauty… visually, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

29 comments:

  1. Great post! He is absolutely one of the best!

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  2. We don't usually get to "wait for the movie" on design projects. I'd hope these places have a future. Many turn into white elephants.

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  3. Yes, John Saladino is a master!
    I'm looking forward to seeing what he has in store for us next!
    xo
    Brooke

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  4. Terri,
    John Saladino is one of my favorite designers! I love his work sooo much!! This is a greatpost! I filed the pictures! I hope you don't mind!
    Terri, thank you for stopping by !! Your question about the wall treatment : it is limed plaster! You were right!
    xx
    Greet

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  5. Hello Anonymous, thank you and thanks for stopping by. I agree, he is one of the best.

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  6. Hi Terry, I think a lot of projects risk becoming white elephants if the restoration and remodeling aspects of it are not sensitive and respectful of the original architecture... especially when a lot of money is invested into it. However, a lot of the cost is in undoing the damage that is caused from the neglect.

    I have a feeling this place will be well respected and admired long after it passes hands from Mr. Saladino...

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  7. Hi Brooke, I too would love to see what he is working on! Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. Hello Greet, I am more than happy to share these photos. I will probably scan more from the book in the future. The garden photos are wonderful as well.

    Thank you for the information on the wall technique... I am going to try to locate a plasterer that is familiar with the process and technique.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Did you know that this house is on the market - I believe the price is $22 million...

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  10. Hi Holly, thanks for stopping by.

    No! I did not know that it was on the market! That is the last thing I would have thought Mr. Saladino would do given the amount of love and attention that he put into the villa...! I am truly amazed to hear that!

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  11. Hi Terri

    What a gorgeous house, especially those amazing interior stone walls.I would love to hear the tour by the master himself.

    Thanks for your visit to hill country house. The market is slow, slow, slow, at least for homes like ours. I am trying to be patient, knowing the right person is out there somewhere and will find us at the right time. Thanks for asking! Ann

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  12. Hi Ann,
    yes, those stone walls really are amazing and I love how he used hanging tapestries and drapes over them to soften the spaces.

    Good luck with selling your home. With interest rates as low as they are this should be a booming market... but too many other negatives are keeping our economy down... the market would have corrected itself by now if it wasn't being micro managed...

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  13. Every detail about this house is inspiring and beautiful. He has such original talent. Beautiful post!

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  14. Thanks Alice, He really is terrific... but I am still amazed to hear that the property is on the market!

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  15. I was actually quite shocked when I saw the real estate advertisement in SB magazine/listing agent Susan Burns selling Saladino's home. When I saw those first photos of his home after his renovation, it brought tears to my eyes and my heart as I felt he finally found his last earthly home,and I thought I felt his sense of fulfillment that this was "fini", as a designer I understand the need of creating that wonderful masterpiece that is created for ones' self instead of for others, and how difficult that truly is. I wish I could speak with him to know his reasoning and how he can mentally separate himself from such a mystical creation? I can only imagine the quantity of mixed emotions.

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  16. Berly, you have expressed my same thoughts! I would love to know what brought this about...

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  17. Awesome post, I have his first book and seriously need to buy this one. His first one I read from cover to cover and wrote a post about when I first started blogging!!
    Thanks for a great post
    x
    Maria

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  18. Hi Maria, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

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  19. you know.....
    i have to say that
    he must be mt favorite designer of them all.

    xx

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  20. Hi Renee, wouldn't you just love to be able to participate in a real classroom setting with him? His work to me represents the highest level of ability to design a space that doesn't look contrived or pretentious.

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  21. I would love to be able to hear what makes him tick. I've been lusting after those parsons chairs and just decided to make some up for my dining room......Great post, if he comes to Brenham let me know!!!!!!Maryanne xo

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  22. Oh Terri, thanks for telling me about your post. I love John Saladino and this post on his stone house. Every photo is just wonderful. Is it really for sale? 22 million? Wow!

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  23. Hi Delores, and thanks for visiting. Can you believe it? I really thought he would be there to stay...

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  24. Hi Maryanne, I love those chairs... next time I have him over I'll let you know...!

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  25. Beautiful house and beautiful details. He is one of the best designers.
    Thank you

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  26. Hello Cote Provence, I'm glad you stopped by... it gave me a chance to "find you"... and I will add you to my list so that I can follow you.

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  27. A wall technique? Does Greet have a wall technique that she wants to share? Her family are masters at everything! Ok but this is about Mr. Saladino. I must go back and read more, but I skimmed over because after the first photo I decided I must have this book and slowy absorb every single page!
    Thank you for doing this wonderful post and tribute to him & also thank you for stopping by the other day.
    xo Lisa

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  28. Hi Lisa, you will absolutely love Mr. Saladino's new book and the CD that comes with it. I had a little trouble playing the cd at first... but I went into the files and selected tracks. There are two verions on the disk... one is just background music to the video tour and the other is narrated by Mr. Saladino.

    The wall technique that Greet and I were referring to is that of lime plaster. I am going to put together a posting on it... so stay tuned...

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  29. Hi Terri - Just a quick THANK YOU for visiting me! I am looking forward to reading more of your fantastic blog!

    A tres bientot!

    XO

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