Blogger Babble: All the Best

By Emily Hsieh
June 1, 2010

Ask any top interior designer which blogs they follow, and chances are All The Best will surface on each of their required reading lists. It’s an especially impressive feat considering Ronda Carman, All The Best’s author, had zero professional design experience nor connections prior to launching ATB, and pens her column from all the way over in Scotland. Known for her Q & A’s with style insiders ranging from Kelly Wearstler to Tory Burch, Carman recently submitted to her own interview with The Inside Source. We talked about her blog and her all important aesthetic.

The Inside Source: How’d you end up in Scotland?

Ronda Carman: I’m originally from Texas, but my husband is a professor and accepted a teaching position over here at the University of Glasgow. We’re really kind of risk adverse, so it’s funny we took the leap, and it’s been five years now. I never would have thought I’d live over here.

TIS: Why a design blog?

RC: My background is in marketing and fundraising, and when we first moved here I worked for The Royal Scottish National Orchestra as director of corporate fundraising. I’ve always loved design though, and though I’d love to be a designer I’m smart enough to know I’m spatially challenged! My blog started as an outlet to keep tabs on what was happening design-wise in the States. Rita Konig at Domino picked up on it and one morning there were 2,000 hits. She put me in touch with designers, and I did a lot of interviews and created original content. It really took on a life of its own. Then two years ago I convinced my husband I should quit my job and do this full time. In the last year I also started my own business helping designers use social media. It’s crazy that I can be sitting at home in Scotland doing all this. It’s just me and I love it.

TIS: Is it ever challenging keeping up on design from so far away?

RC: A lot of it honestly is email and also Skype. I’m on the phone all the time. I love talking to people and love making connections. I’m also really lucky to travel a lot and get to meet designers in person. It’s amazing how you can make these connections by way of the Internet and by reading other blogs.

TIS: What are some of your favorite blogs?

RC: StyleCourt introduced me to the blog world. After reading it I was inspired to start my own. I also read Peak of Chic, who has the most amazing collection of House & Gardens that go back 30 and 40 years. And I like Tartan Scot, which is written by a San Francisco-based designer who’s originally from the South.

TIS: How would you describe your personal style?

RC: I’m very laid-back traditional. Everything I do is grounded in tradition, but I’m not uptight!

TIS: Who are some of your design icons?

RC: David Hicks, Diana Vreeland, Billy Haines, Dorothy Draper, Helena Rubenstein.

TIS: What inspires your creativity?

RC: Honestly, it comes back to people and storytelling. For every person that I profile and every story I hear, I know there are thousands more.

TIS: What are some of your most prized possessions?

RC: Probably a chandelier my husband gave me for my 30^th birthday. It’s a French antique, and he actually got it on eBay! I had been following it on eBay and one day it sold and I was furious thinking someone else had gotten to it, and turns out my husband went into my account to buy it for me as a surprise!

TIS: Are you a big eBay shopper?

RC: Oh yes!

TIS: Are there certain things you look for all the time?

RC: I can spend hours on my sofa with my laptop with a glass of wine shopping for art! I just counted, and I’ve got 11 pieces hanging in my house that all came from eBay. Most are abstract works—all of my furniture is traditional and I like the contrast. I search for nudes a lot but they can get really expensive. I tend to go for muted pieces in black and white, graphite, soft blue, and shades of grey. I look across all mediums though I’m particularly interested in stuff from the '30s through the '70s. If you’re not looking for one particular artist, which I never am, you can find some great deals within that time frame.

TIS: Best eBay scores ever?

RC: I have a sweet oil painting from the 60’s that reminds me of a rainy day in Paris. It was $9.99! I love telling people that I got it from eBay for less than ten dollars. I also once found a great deal on an Alberto Giacometti piece that was actually verified.

Here, Carman reveals some of the pieces she’s watching on eBay right now:

Roll over items for details

'69 Abstract Art Stanislav Cap Ink Drawing Etching Print

"A great etching signed and dated 1969. Like composers, I often find myself drawn to eastern European artist."

(buy it now price, $199)

Vintage American Abstract Artist Monogram

"A brilliant 1970 abstract. I love the shades of red against strong black lines."

(buy it now price, $499)

Aubrey Penny 1917 Original Signed Color Ink Painting

"I have been looking at this 1971 color ink on Hammermill paper by Aubrey John Penny for ages. Maybe it’s time to place a bid!"

(buy it now price, $99.95)

1924 Luscious Vermeil Match Bos Holder Repousse

"I love anything in Repousse, especially this vermeil Sterling silver matchbox cover frame by Kirk & Son."

(buy it now price, $74.99)

Reed and Barton 8" Silverplate Blue Enamel Bowl

"In 1961, Reed & Barton came out with Color Glaze, 'an enamel-like translucent painted finish' developed primarily by craftsman-in-residence John Prip. My husband and I started collecting Reed and Barton enamel bowls after inheriting one from his mother."

(buy it now price, $25)

Reed and Barton Red Enamel Bowl 1960s John Prip Silver

(buy it now price, $24.99)

'68 Alberto Giacometti/Andy Warhol/Robert Rauschenberg

"A fascinating catalogue published to celebrate the opening of the ICA at Carlton House Terrace in London organized by renowned curator and art critic Mario Amaya. One month after this show ended in June of 1968, Mario was with Andy Warhol when Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanas."

(buy it now price, $79.96)