The Style Files: Jaime Rummerfield

{The Gorgeous and Talented, Jaime Rummerfield at her Showroom}

Jaime Rummerfield, of Woodson and Rummerfield in Los Angeles, has long been one of my favorite interior designers. As fiercely talented as she is fabulous, Jamie has designed spaces for a long list of celebrities including John Travolta and Kelly Preston, The House of Versace, and Christina Aguilera. She and her design partner, Ron Woodson have created a glamorous image spanning both interiors and personal style that evokes images of Hollywood’s golden era in the 1950s and 1960s.

Woodson and Rummerfield’s design style is bold, inspired, and entirely unique. While their aesthetic is reminiscent of the Hollywood Regency look, it goes a step further. Jaime coined the term “Modage” to describe her firm’s style, which is a mix of modern and vintage. I love how grand their designs are! When something is as bold as the rooms designed by Woodson and Rummerfield, they feel special. They are no longer spaces in which to dwell, but occasions to celebrate! Jaime and Ron penned a book, High Style that is a must for anyone who loves design and Hollywood glamour. It features gorgeous photographs of their work, along with tips for decorating and entertaining. I blogged about Jaime and Ron for the first time nearly two years ago and I must say that I am beyond thrilled to have Jaime as a guest here today.

Name: Jaime Rummerfield

Occupation: Interior Designer

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

LDV: What inspired you to begin your career in Interior Design?

JR: In elementary school I saw the movie "Wall Street" Daryl Hannah was Michael Douglas' and Charlie Sheen's interior decorator and I thought it was such a chic way to make a living! Truly, I have always known this is what I would do as long as I can remember.

{Jamie and her design partner, Ron Woodson}

LDV: What do you love most about it? What is the most challenging aspect?

JR: The most challenging is realizing that my design career is nothing like the movie Wall Street, really. This business is not for the faint of heart, there is a lot of rolling up your sleeves doing tasks that are not glamorous. Balancing client expectations, timelines, and hundreds of project deliverables keeps me on my toes. However, having the opportunity to do what I love everyday is magical. Seeing, touching & exploring different materials, styles, and looks for a project is very rewarding and inspiring.

LDV: Where do you find inspiration?

JR: Some say everything has already been done. I would agree. Except, I do believe that even if I tried to duplicate something that inspired me, that something new would emerge based on the science behind the combination of context of the space, client needs and approach. Understanding good design is seeing that ordering systems may be repeated, but the conceptual executions are like fingerprints, no two are ever the same. Hence, elements such as details, colors and textures of fashion melded with the ornamentation and nostalgia of vintage decorative arts and furnishings play a big roll in my design inspirations.

{Elsa Schiaparelli}

LDV: Who are some of your personal style icons?

JR: Elsa Schiaparelli, Vivienne Westwood, Chloe Sevigny, Dorothy Draper, Bridgett Bardot, Sofia Loren, Talitha Getty

{An Example of Jamie’s “Modage” Style}

LDV: How would you describe your own style?

JR: "Modage" (literally, I trademarked it). It essentially means modern vintage.

LDV: What is the trait you most admire in a person?

JR: Being genuine.

LDV: What is your principal weakness?

JR: I give 150%, and expect the same in return.

LDV: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

JR: Live in the moment and don't sweat the small stuff.

{High Style by Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield}

LDV: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

JR: Surviving the recent recession! In all seriousness, publishing a design book with Chronicle Books and being inducted into the Library of Congress. Owning a successful design company, I believe, is a big achievement in many ways and being the designer to an A-list clientele is phenomenal. I am always learning from the people around me and inspiration comes in somewhat of a heightened level in Los Angeles ~ that motivates me to strive for more each day.

{Jaime and Ron designed Christina Aguilera’s home.}

LDV: What is your idea of living “la dolce vita”?

JR: Live fabulously everyday; make no excuses for having your own flair and style!

 

Bloom: Peony

Food: Fresh Farmers Market

Drink: Bloody Mary, lots of pickled veggies and cherry peppers

Thing to Wear: Vintage, chunky jewelry

 

Destination: Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula

Season: Autumn

Meal: Picnic at the beach of cheeses, fruits, genoa salami, baguette & cornichons

Musician: throw back ~ Mel Torme, today ~ Miike Snow

Artist: Robert Rauschenberg

{Woodson & Rummerfield recently designed an “Auntie Mame-inspired” living room at the Baker showroom for the Legends of La Cienega event.}

Film: Auntie Mame

Television Show: True Blood

Book: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Magazines: Elle Decor, Veranda, House Beautiful, Angeleno Interiors

Blogs: La Dolce Vita, Coco + Kelley, All the Best, Simply Magic, W&R Style File

Texture: Boucle, Silk Velvet

Fabric or Pattern: Jersey

Color: Black

Scent: Mademoiselle by Coco Chanel

Extravagance: Travel and hand bags

Quote: Life has no limitations, except the ones you make. - Les Brown

 

To see more of Woodson and Rummerfield’s fabulous work, visit their website.

Jaime understands the importance of social media in today’s design industry and is quite active on Twitter. I love it when she posts pictures of her adventures around L.A. Get in on the fun and follow her tweets!