When you stay at the Oriental in Bangkok, you just never know who you are going to run into. I’ve been here for the past couple of days and on this trip I met Thomas Britt, a legendary designer whose quirky personality and extravagant and layered design has carried him through many years in the interior design industry and the darling of Architectural Digest.
With his distinctive raspy voice, he related stories of his career over lunch at The Veranda overlooking the river – stories of his travels in India and the Maharani of Jaipur which offered a great and unexpected insight into one of New York’s grandest designers.
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VW Home by Vicente Wolf
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#1 by Mrs. Blandings on February 1, 2010 - 6:53 pm
He was just in my living room a couple of months ago! The most delightful, engaging, talented man. So glad you had the chance to meet.
#2 by melissa on February 2, 2010 - 4:56 am
Was it a chance meeting??????
Some wonderful natural perfumers in that part of the world….
xxoo
Melissa
#3 by Karena on February 2, 2010 - 5:49 am
Yes. Thomas Britt, a design icon from Kansas City! My hometown.
Karena
#4 by Gary Nelling on February 2, 2010 - 4:13 pm
Thomas Britt looks like a raconteur. I imagine he is wonderful company at lunch. Though I prefer your spare spaces, I’m sure we could all learn a lot from him. The Kansas City connection is interesting. That’s also John Saladino’s home town. Ron Mann is from mid-Missouri. Let’s hear it for Missouri! – Gary
#5 by Valerie Wills on February 2, 2010 - 11:02 pm
WOW…. the mention of the Oriental in Bangkok… I stayed there way back in 1992….. loved my trip to Thailand.
#6 by Gary Nelling on February 3, 2010 - 7:13 pm
Speaking of lunch, I just heard on CNBC that Denny’s Restaurants, which as per their CEOs statement serve primarily blue-collar communities with the highest unemployment, have had a free meal program during this recession which numbers in the millions and which they will continue into 2010. I don’t know the details including its promotional aspects, but apparently there is one corporation putting its money where the mouths are, and on rare occasion there is such a thing as a free lunch. Let’s hear it for Denny’s!
And I just saw a recent project of Thomas Britt’s in AD that was spare and monochromatic. But good designers keep experimenting and expanding. Interesting. – Gary
#7 by Dorys Saxlehner on February 4, 2010 - 1:51 am
Speaking of AD darlings. I was shocked your name is no longer on the AD 100. WTF? I’m Cuban and very upset at this!
#8 by michelle on February 4, 2010 - 7:19 pm
What a great place to run into someone…sounds so chic…
Best,
Michelle
#9 by Michele Keith on February 4, 2010 - 8:38 pm
Leave it to you to find not only a gorgeous hotel, but such an interesting person staying there! I’m sure he was as enthused and enlightened by the stories you told of your travels as you were of his!
Michele
#10 by Karena on February 6, 2010 - 3:53 pm
Oh and don’t forget the amazing David Jimenez here in Kansas City.