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Dreaming in Color: An Autobiography
Kaffe Fassett has led an extraordinary life and is a captivating storyteller with a vivid memory. Born in 1937, he spent much of his youth in Big Sur, California, where his parents bought a cabin from Orson Welles and transformed it into the world-famous Nepenthe restaurant, a gathering place for artists and bohemians. After attending a boarding school run by the disciples
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Hardcover
,
224 pages
Published
September 15th 2012
by Stewart, Tabori and Chang
(first published September 1st 2012)
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Community Reviews
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I opened this up yesterday and couldn't wait to begin reading it. While on a road trip through Big Sur last summer, stopped at a favorite spot (Nepenthe), I was astonished to learn that the restaurant was owned by Kaffe Fassett's family. This little bit of surprising news made me even more anxious to read his autobiography. I cracked it open last night, and finally had to put it down to go to sleep. It was immediately engaging, with wonderful photos embedded throughout. I love the conversational
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Great photos. Beautiful colors (but what do you expect from Kaffe Fassett). He has lived a very charmed life and seems to be well aware of it. Classic example: He saw some yarn in colors he liked so he bought it, learned to knit on a train, Vogue Knitting published two patterns and Missoni calls to see if he will design for them. Another example: 'Oh, you are headed to London? Take the keys to my flat.' Not to say there weren't lean times, but he has managed to flit from one medium and location
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Reading a book about such a brilliant, creative person is an inspiring (and humbling) experience! This is without a doubt the most beautifully illustrated autobiography ever -- loads of gorgeous photos accompany a text divided into the decades of Kaffe's life and artistic accomplishments. I've always admired his quilt fabrics without knowing quite what to do with them, but now I can't wait to use some in my very next project. I've also always loved Nepenthe in Big Sur, without knowing of his fam
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I love Kaffe Fassett - I love his fabrics and his use of colour and his versatility. (And I met him once and he was charming and generous with his time and expertise. And he said my bag was 'fabulous'...) So I saw his autobiography in the library and had to pick it up.
And it's interesting. The writing style is a bit ponderous (and ungrammatical in a way you don't mind in speech but which jars to me in written prose), and yes, the continuous name-dropping is a bit clanging at times, but... he kne ...more
And it's interesting. The writing style is a bit ponderous (and ungrammatical in a way you don't mind in speech but which jars to me in written prose), and yes, the continuous name-dropping is a bit clanging at times, but... he kne ...more
Jul 12, 2014
Donna
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Donna by:
Jeannie, who made me a quilt with Kaffe Fassett fabrics!
Fascinating book, mostly due to finding out his parents started the legendary Big Sur restaurant, Nepenthe, (and reading lots of details of how that came about...) and that he grew up in the hippie days of Big Sur. Henry Miller lived down the road and often ate supper with them, countless creative folks lived in Big Sur then and were a regular part of his family's life. The freedom his parents gave their children and the exposure to all the arts made him the man he is today. I loved his surety a
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Photos are fabulous. He is a fascinating person and so very talented, however, he cannot write. His biography was full of name dropping and meaningless stories. But if you love color, as I do, read the book anyway. You will be very stimulated.
So exciting. The photos are glorious (of course) but also especially well arranged - grouped to tell a story - not merely chronological. Fassett shows fabric, people, places and art together and his inspirations are clear. Not only is his work beautiful, but he has a lead an exciting, colorful life. His writing is conversational and I often read curled up on the couch with a cup of coffee, feeling like I was visiting with an old (albeit exotic and glamorous) friend. Somehow he also makes you fee
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Enjoyed this a lot - discovered BBC 4 radio as a result.
This is an inspiring book for me in so many ways.
I was first introduced to Kaffe Fassett's work as a Rowan devotee in the early nineties, when I first learned to knit. Fassett's designs in Rowan's glossy pattern books were always eye-catching, unique and beautiful. While his designs were not something that I would normally make for myself, they are true works of art, with bold and joyful use of color. They are truly inspiring. Most recently, I have become acquainted with Fassett's line of fabri ...more
I was first introduced to Kaffe Fassett's work as a Rowan devotee in the early nineties, when I first learned to knit. Fassett's designs in Rowan's glossy pattern books were always eye-catching, unique and beautiful. While his designs were not something that I would normally make for myself, they are true works of art, with bold and joyful use of color. They are truly inspiring. Most recently, I have become acquainted with Fassett's line of fabri ...more
I have been a Kaffe Fassett fan for 30 years. He is probably the biggest reason why I knit -- I was drawn in by the sheer number of colors and shadings of his work, and because of this I have studied his type of knitting for years and years, never feeling bored.
I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Kaffe Fassett began as an artist from California, moving to London as a young man and learning about life and art through the years he has lived there. He stumbled upon knitting, and ...more
I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Kaffe Fassett began as an artist from California, moving to London as a young man and learning about life and art through the years he has lived there. He stumbled upon knitting, and ...more
I've liked Kaffe Fassett's sense of color since I first saw the book Glorious Knits, and then Glorious Needlepoint. This book gives an idea how he started out in California and then through various world travels and living in England developed his extraordinary sensitivity and boldness with color. He has also delved into mosaic, patchwork & decorating, in books and also in TV productions, which I didn't know about. We get to see and hear about his many influences and the people he has met th
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Wonderful. Full of color. Behind the scenes anecdotes. Inspiration in words and pictures. I only wish he had revealed a bit about his romantic relationships. I feel a bit rude saying that, but I felt that he could have mentioned it to complete the picture of his life. I assume that his studio partner is also his life partner, and I'm interested in how their relationship inspires his work. I know my husband has an influence on my work and we are not in the same field.
I have always loved his incredible sense of color and was wondering how and where his life has taken him. What a marvelous read! Mr. Fassett comes across as a very likable creative genius, who has such a passion for whatever he creates. Such an engaging read. I have been reading it nonstop for the day, today. I had a feeling that once I started to read it, I would not want to put it down.
For anyone who is enamored with the California central coast area of Big Sur, and who loves creativity, this is a must read. The beautiful color photographs, the fascinating family history, and the story of one man's creativity is inspirational.
Entertaining memoir. Kaffe Fassett sprinkles his autobiography with famous names from the worlds of art, fashion, film, literature and more. His own career path is interesting as well, taking him from fine art to knitting, needlepoint, interior design, mosaics and quilting. Many wonderful photographs. Lots of "eye candy".
Wow, an amazing and inspiring man, and an amazing and inspiring book!!
Kaffe tells many wonderful stories about his life, his creativity and his inspirations - it's written like he's right next to you, having a chat. I enjoyed every moment, and the photos are sumptuous!
Right, off to do some creating!!
Kaffe tells many wonderful stories about his life, his creativity and his inspirations - it's written like he's right next to you, having a chat. I enjoyed every moment, and the photos are sumptuous!
Right, off to do some creating!!
Four stars for the glorious photographs, three for the constant name-dropping (okay, he did really meet all these people, but still) and the somewhat dogged prose. I particularly enjoyed reading about Nepenthe and the crazy gang of artists who hung out there in the 50s and 60s.
Waited about 2 years to read this. I just didn't love it. He is an extremely talented knitter, his needlepoints are amazing. I couldn't believe he remembered every little detail and either kept diary a or made it up. Glazed over some things and droned on about others.
A surprisingly well written autobiography on a very personal level. I found the name dropping a bit tedious and some probably mundane occurances were glamourised, but Kaffe's growth as an artist and his undeniable talent with colour and design cannot be denied.
Hard to rate this one. The writing is pedestrian but the story is interesting for anyone who has followed Fassett's amazing career. Photos are glorious and inspiring. I enjoyed it.
Interesting chap, interesting life and lots of colour.
Loved it! Kaffe is my favorite fiber designer, so it was interesting to follow his journey.
Too much bragging! Poor writing style generally... But very interesting life. Good photos.
Beautiful book and a juicy read. Inspires the artist in me as did his many other books and fabrics.
WHERE does he get his energy?! I was "exhausted" after reading his book!
Wow....does Kaffe know people or what.
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