While I acknowledge the sadness that the pandemic has caused in this world, those who know me well are aware of how hopeful, positive and grateful I am as a person. How could I not? My life has been a string of blessings, mostly unplanned - which this island boy is always proud to share. Not only do I want to spread the blessings and pay it forward; it is important to me to give credit where credit is due, and to spread the hope and love. So, as I always do during this time of the year, allow me to share them with you - it is my gratitude letter to all of you, to those who have made it possible for me to be where I am in my personal and professional life at Jonathan Rachman Design.
In January 2020 before we knew how the year would unfold, I embarked on a journey to Europe. I was summoned by a Princess who was introduced to me by a movie director. Together, we started on a mission to preserve, renovate and redesign a palace - truly an honor I never expected in my life, let alone as a designer.
In the same trip, I stopped by in Paris to meet with Flammarion, one of the most respected publishers in the world. I am so humbled and honored, as well as, proud to share with you that Flammarion will publish my first monograph, a gorgeous coffee table book which I am working on together with the one and only, Dean Rhys-Morgan. Besides marking the twentieth anniversary of Jonathan Rachman Design, I’m going to be looking back at some of my most memorable design projects, travels and passions in life : my love for both worlds, the East and the West. Stay tuned for more in the coming year for the title and publication date!
When the pandemic hit, while the world was in lock down, my husband Stephen encouraged me to continue to write my memoir, called The Garlic Peanut Story: Letters to my sister’s children that I started 14 years ago. A blessing in disguise, I was able to finish the book and I am profoundly grateful that it has been recently published by Saritaksu Editions. I am appreciative to my editor, Sarita Newson, and to so many people who have made this labor of love come to fruition. A very intimate and personal project for me, a message of love and forgiveness which, I hope you will share and spread. You may order directly from Jonathan Rachman Design for a signed copy or you may also order it on Amazon in paperback or a Kindle version.
Cover Designed By: Jeffrey Fulgencio
A huge shout out to those who have donated to my “To Bali with Love” funds. Although I don’t have a formal foundation, Stephen and I feel strongly about giving back to the people of Bali who have been hit hard during the pandemic. A special gratitude to the management of the Oberoi Bali and Ibu Janice Mantjika who have assisted us in distributing your donations to those who are in need.
Picture by Oberoi Management. Used with permission.
While we had to temporarily close J.Rachman the store, I am so pleased to report to you that the entire J.Rachman and Jonathan Rachman Design family are safe and sound, and we are so blessed to be able to continue our work remotely and safely or visit our projects as permitted. We would also like to thank our generous clients and supporters who have generously supported our crew funds during the pandemic, on their behalf, we are absolutely touched!
Photography By: Drew Altizer
Speaking of projects, how do I even begin to count all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us this year. Besides having been commissioned by so many repeat and new clients alike, I am happy to share with you all the generous editors and publications who have featured JRD projects. They include the cover of the San Francisco Magazine and articles in House Beautiful, Elle Decor, California Home and Design, Modern Luxury Interiors, Nob Hill Gazette and Louis Vuitton City Guide - among other publications. One special book, de Gournay (you know how special they are to me), included our iconic room in their pages:
Being in on the "ultimate virtual zoom" with Dr. Fauci, Stephen Curry, Tom Hanks :)) and other individuals “coordinated" by Nob Hill Gazette was so fun. But even more fun was having the honor of being a recent guest on Adam Carolla’s show, as well as my interviews with KTLA and OUT Chicago WCPT 820 with Scott Duff. There have been other heartfelt, loving and sincere interviews which I was invited to, and was able to discuss about my memoir, The Garlic Peanut Story's message of love and forgiveness, and my design career. Besides truly honored, this is the part of my unplanned life that I am most pleasantly baffled with, because I have never planned to be this individual, yet, I am more than honored to be the ambassador of a message close to my heart: tolerance, inclusivity, humanity, equality and love!
As if the above blessings were not abundant enough, I am further overwhelmed by even more:
For another year, I was included in The Americas (that’s from Canada to Chile) Top Designer and Architects - another honor I never dreamed of: first it was in 2019, which was a huge surprise - and now for two consecutive years in a row, I am blown away!
It is also my pleasure to share another labor of love in the making: Di Sini Di Sana volume 3 is well on its way, Jenna Scatena, our Executive Editor who has been an editor and writes for many publications such as Conde Nast and Vogue, has taken J.Rachman magazine to another level; while we are also bringing along the talented Liddy Walseth as our Art Director. In this issue, I will be sharing with you my love of Paris and the island of Java; a royal story of "The Empress, The Lady, and I"; and the iconic and personal inspiration Ed Tuttle, and my continued collaboration with Ellis Dunn along with many more stories and messages of love from the East and the West.
Photography By: Douglas Friedman
My body of design as well as my attempt to share them with the world would not be possible without the amazing work of photographers who have been part of Jonathan Rachman Design and the J.Rachman story: Louise Rowley, Douglas Friedman, Suzanna Scott, Spencer Brown, Aubrie Pick, Victor Samuel, Drew Altizer, Jose Manuel Alorda and Mark Leet, thank YOU for your amazing talents! I am in awe of each of your talents and gifts. A special shout out to our videographer and photographer Elijah Settles who is not only beyond talented and professional, he is one of the most loving, humble, compassionate and generous humans I have ever met.
Last but not least, while I miss my parents horribly, I am happy to share with you that they are safe and sound and I cannot wait to hug them again in person. This Loro Blonyo, (the inseparable couple), have been Stephen and my personal inspiration and I dedicate this year and beyond to them!
This week, Stephen and I are celebrating of our 27th anniversary - and with that, I want to thank YOU, every single one of you, you know who you are - YOUR support, care and love have been the reason why Jonathan Rachman Design, Stephen and I are where we are. Enveloped with blessings and love we promise to pay it forward and I hope that, you, too, will continue to spread the LOVE.
With LOVE,
