Interview with Interior Designer Jan Showers & Book Giveaway

A-list American interior designer, Jan Showers is best known for creating inviting spaces with a nod to old Hollywood glamour. Her work has been featured on the cover of all the best shelter magazines. And her design firm, based in Dallas, Texas has  been recognized as one of the most distinguished in the nation. 

In addition to designing interiors, Jan launched The Jan Showers Collection in early 2000 and authored a book, Glamorous Rooms showcasing her work and innate sense of style. Jan has graciously offered a personalized, signed copy of her book Glamorous Rooms to one Simplified Bee reader.

Simplified Bee: Jan, Your designs are timeless, functional and glamorous. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

JS: Thanks! Probably from the time I was in grade school, but never dreamed in those days of doing it professionally. My mother always had interior designers and I would enjoy being in on the decision making process from an early age. My mother had wonderful taste. Her mother’s side of the family was French---and, they loved all things French----fashion, interiors, great food (and they were all great cooks, which is why I love to cook). By the way, my mother would have loved your blog because she was Martha Stewart many years before Martha!

SB: Thank you for the nice compliment! So, in addition to designing, you have authored a book called, Glamorous Rooms and your website currently has a quote saying, "Glamour and comfort are not mutually exclusive." What elements bring glamour to a space?

JS: I do think comfort is a huge part of glamour. What good is a room if it looks elegant, but is uncomfortable? We have all seen those rooms----usually, they are composed of furnishings from one period. That is why I love to mix periods and styles. I find that to be always glamorous.

SB: In 2000, you launched your collection of beautiful upholstery, case goods, and lighting. Your current collection is magnificent and I can't decide what I like best - today the Sarah Bench is my favorite. Do you have a current favorite? 

JS: I love the Sarah Bench, too. It is absolutely stunning upholstered in white hide. I also love the new regency lamp in Aubergine---they are murano glass with the timeless style shape of a ginger jar. For me, i am going to add the new Carlyle Console to my entry hall in our new parchment finish.

{Casa Amesti living room. Frances Elkins Interior Design. Photo from Architectural Digest}

SB: Who are your favorite designers?

JS: past---Frances Elkins for her timelessness and the fact that she discovered all of the fabulous French furniture designers in the 1930’s. She was way ahead of her time and her rooms still hold up today. I also love Billy Baldwin and David Hicks. How can I ever forget the first time I saw a photograph of the legendary Villa Fiorentina at St Jean Cap Ferrat in France that Baldwin designed for Mary Wells and Harding Lawrence? I also love the clean, modern look that David Hicks brought to all of his interiors… so chic. Mark Hampton created comfortable inviting rooms that had an understated glamour. Present day designers---Peter Marino is incredibly talented---he is a perfectionist when it comes to detail and I admire his work tremendously. Kelly Wearstler, for her great color sense, Robert Couturier for his fabulous European take on design---his rooms are always exciting to me. 

SB: It seems you are really embracing social media. You are on Facebook, tweet and write a blog. Of the three, do you have a favorite?

JS: For sure, writing my blog that can be found here. It gives me great pleasure! My editor at Abrams, the publisher of my book encouraged my company to be on Facebook. It is difficult to find the time to deal with Facebook and Twitter and I am not sure I am very good at either one.

SB: What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets? 

JS: Hire a consultant so that you will know what to do! I am hiring one this fall as I have no idea what I’m doing! I don’t think people want to know if I have a headache. There is way too much of that kind of chat for me. Tell me something interesting that I would enjoy hearing at the dinner table or at a cocktail party. Who cares if I am on my way to a client’s house or having a good or bad day? The most interesting tweets I read are the ones that give me some news about the design world or the world. 

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

JS: The color in my showroom is Benjamin Moore 1508 Spring Thaw and it works with everything---there must be lots of houses with that color. I’ve had it there since 1996 when we opened and more than half the people who walk in the door ask us for the color. For a warmer tone, I love Benjamin Moore HC-44 Lenox Tan. It’s a great camel color that works well in rooms that look cozy and inviting. I love French blues and one of the very best is Donald Kaufman #33. His paints are incredible---I love his #12, #13 and #25 as well. You really can’t go wrong with any of his colors. I also love Farrow and Ball paints. The color of the conference room in my office is Benjamin Moore HC-144 Palladian Blue---everyone loves it and it’s a great bedroom color as well.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

JS: I really don’t like trends---I love timelessness. I don’t think either of these are trends, but sustainable fabrics and woods will become a part of interior design.

SB: What is your favorite room in your house and why?

JS: This is a difficult question for me to answer because I love every room at our house in the country! If I had to select one, I guess it would be the dining room because of the wonderful times we’ve had in that room with family and friends. I also love the library in that house because my husband and I love to sit there by the fire to read the papers in the mornings and a drink in the evenings.

Glamorous Rooms showcases interiors designed by Jan, including many projects unpublished until now. To enter to win a signed copy of Glamorous Rooms, simply leave a comment {include your email if I don't have a way to contact you}. For extra entries:

• Become a new follower of Simplified Bee's Blog, Twitter or Facebook Page.

• Mention this giveaway in a post or tweet, then leave a comment letting me know.

Please post a separate comment for each extra entry. Entry period closes at midnight PST, Friday, October 1, 2010.

Many thanks to Jan for the lovely interview!