Designer Crush Q&A: Russ Diamond
Author:Lindsey Shook1. Where do you currently live in CA and what’s your favorite thing about how your personal space is designed?
We live in Old Agoura which is like living in the country. It’s unpretentious, rural and tranquil but also very eclectic from a design standpoint. We live in a sprawling one story Seventies ranch house that has a New England farm house feel to it with antique pine floors, paneled ceilings, vintage furniture and antiques. It’s very homey.
There’s a big equestrian community there and we took an old horse arena on our property and converted it to our own personal dog park for our two Briards, Bruno and Stella.
2. What space in your home would you love to renovate? What changes would you make?
My kitchen. It’s already a large space but I would like to open it up even more to accommodate a custom Bonnet island range– the same one Thomas Keller cooks on at The French Laundry. We’re going to have one in our Santa Monica showroom very soon.
3. In real life, what’s your favorite work-related project you’ve completed to date?
Our Pasadena store is on the National Historic Preservation List. It was built as a commercial laundry facility in the Twenties. When we rented it, much of it had been gutted by a previous tenant so we spent a lot of time and energy trying to keep the integrity of the space and preserve the period detail. We created a period- feeling outdoor patio space with a live stone hearth oven from Wood Stone Home. We also added historic architectural elements that created the right product and customer flow.
4. You’ve been gifted a fabulously furnished dream home but can only bring one item from your current space. What would it be?
Definitely my new TopBrewer coffee machine—which I can operate for customized, incredible coffee from my iPad. There has never been anything like it.
5. What’s your creative process when picking out fixtures or appliances for a space?
I gravitate towards innovation: I believe in the use of technology to simplify one’s life but with an eye towards design quality, construction and durability.
6. Where do you score your favorite interior design items? Any shopping tips?
I take yearly shopping trips to Europe for the trade shows, but also to get inspired. Paris is my favorite destination. It’s the vibrancy of the people, the sights–and I love the Left Bank. I found some great items for our home at the Paris Flea Market. I wander all day and get lost there, which is exactly what I like.
7. Any celebrity sightings in your Snyder Diamond showroom?
Dom Delouise was a beloved regular back in the day. He was a consummate do-it-yourselfer and loved to jump behind the parts counter and try and solve customer’s plumbing problems.
Barbra Streisand, Diane Keaton, Martin and Janet Sheen, Ted Danson, Harrison Ford – they’re all long time customers.
8. What new design trend are you excited to integrate into your showrooms?
We’ve been among the first to incorporate new technologies in the kitchen and bath…sensored faucets, the automatic lid and heated seats of the Inax toilets, the TopBrewer coffee machine – the interacting of apps with tablets and iPhones controlling and personalizing your cooking and bathing experiences.
9. Lightening round! (pick one)
Beach or mountains?
Beach
Twitter or Facebook?
Architectural Digest or Wallpaper?
Wallpaper
Should you spend money on a fabulous bathroom or kitchen?
Bathroom
Would you rather shop new or vintage?
Vintage
Great view or perfect pool?
View
SF or LA?
LA!
10. What’s one tip you wish someone had told you when first starting out working for the family business?
Stay true to your principles, don’t compromise your vision AND get everything in writing.
Check out more info on Snyder Diamond on their website.
