Designer Spotlight: Jan Showers

Jan Showers, like the interiors that she designs, is the epitome of graceful glamour and sophisticated style.  She’s a Dallas girl through and through; perfect hair no matter what and always as gracious as can be.  She has that sort of natural grandeur about her that one only acquires after years of extensive travel and being surrounded at all turns by beautiful things.  She is every bit as stunning in person as the rooms she’s created that fill her two must-have design books, Glamorous Rooms and Glamorous Retreats.  And on top of all of that, she is perhaps the friendliest person you’re likely to ever meet!  She was even friendly enough to answer a long list of questions for us and let us take a peek inside her glamorous world!

Any favorite design trends right now? I am excited that the “undecorated look” is becoming more prevalent.  Any design trends for 2015 that you are excited about?  I am so inspired by Italian designs from the late 1940’s through the ’70’s.  I never met a Gio Ponti chair I didn’t love!

When you’re invited to a cocktail/dinner party, what type of gift do you take for the host & hostess?  My husband, Jim, is a wine aficionado so we usually take a bottle of wine.

On your most recent buying trip to Paris, what was your #1 favorite find? Oh–there are so many–I guess if I had to choose, I would chose a mirrored art piece and several chandeliers and credenzas.

Biggest pet peeve in interior design today?The over decorated look–I like a room to look as though it has evolved over time, not put together in a day.  Not crazy about matching drapery to pillows and other objects in a room.

#1 favorite aspect of your job? There are 3–working with my clients to design wonderful spaces, buying antiques everywhere I go–finding an unexpected treasure is such a thrill, and designing furniture, rugs, lamps and fabrics.

Your go-to source for fresh perspective and design inspiration?  I am inspired by travel and color–my number one would have to be buying trips to Paris or travel anywhere.  Going to an art museum or gallery is always inspiring.

Your top 3 creature comforts? Freshly ironed sheets, a good book and a truly comfortable bed.Your #1 favorite flower and #1 favorite scent?  I adore baby gardenias and love hyacinths, especially purple ones.  I love for flowers to look unstudied and unarranged.  In the summer, I wear Fracas and in the winter I wear L’Bleu.  I don’t like strong scents so I apply very little.

Your #1 must-have for a memorable and fabulous cocktail or dinner party? The right guests seated well.

You are always flawlessly dressed!  Do you think that fashion and interior design communicate with eachother? They certainly do for me–particularly when it comes to colors.  Do you ever find that your personal fashion aesthetic corresponds with your interior design aesthetic at a given time? I think my personal style is relaxed but probably a bit more glamorous in a low key way–I’m not a buttoned up girl and don’t ever wear one designer from head to toe.  My interiors are the same–very relaxed and with a lived in, somewhat glamorous look.

It was the highlight of our year hosting a book signing party for you last year with the release of Glamorous Retreats!  Any new books on the horizon?  If so, can you share any details?  That was such a delightful evening–thanks to all of you at Dallas Mecox!  No new books on the horizon–I have promised my husband that we are taking a break on that front.  A book is a minimum of a 2-3 year commitment!  I’m still doing book signings for Glamorous Retreats.

Your #1 most thrilling/exciting project in your career and what about it made it thus?  I never answer this question because there are too many and it’s impossible to pick!

Who is your ideal client?  Someone who knows what they like or don’t like and can make decisions.

We had so much fun participating in the Spring 2014 Dwell With Diginity Thrift Studio with you and your wonderful team!  What was your favorite part about being involved with DWD and doing a vignette in their Thrift Studio?  Well, we loved working with the DWD team—they are all so wonderful and the work that they do is amazing and incredibly meaningful to so many lives.  I love their mission statement “To help families escape poverty and homelessness through design—one household at a time”.  And they do just that!  It was a truly great and rewarding time for me and my entire team.  We loved doing it and the entire process was such fun.  I am now on their board and it means so much to me to be a part of the team.

What one trait or aspect of a retail boutique, such as Mecox, makes your shopping experience a perfect one? Inspiring displays with truly interesting pieces that are one of a kind that make me want to shop.