Designer’s Tribute To A Loving Sister
Jonathan Rachman's Memoir Shares His Struggles Growing Up And How His Relationship With His Beloved Sibling Sustained Him
Celebrity designer Jonathan Rachman, who gained fame as an event planner to the elite and is the owner of Jonathan Rachman Designs in San Francisco, has added another title to his résumé — author. In November, Rachman released his memoir, “The Garlic Peanut Story,” which pays tribute to his cherished adopted sister.
Her love sustained him through a painful childhood in which he grew up queer in a large, dysfunctional family.
Rachman and his sister, who died before the book was written, were separated by geography and time and pursued divergent paths, irrevocably torn to pieces by the damaging effects of terminal illness. Readers learn of Rachman’s deep gratitude to his sibling through letters to his sister’s children.
The book also gives Rachman a chance to talk about his travels abroad, learning to write and how he found gay mentors who empowered him with kindness and wise counsel.
Rachman’s stunning interiors have been showcased on the covers of such stylish magazines as California Home + Design, Elle Decor, Haven and KDHamptons.
Although he never received a formal education in interior design, he trained in fashion and hospitality management in Switzerland. A self-proclaimed romantic, Rachman believes that good design comes from within and should always tell a story. Every color, as well as hue and temperature, has the power to influence people mentally and emotionally, he maintains.
His big break came when he started a floral business and was discovered by Marc Jacobs, who asked Rachman to do the arrangements for his San Francisco store. Rachman’s reputation spread by word of mouth and led to him picking up high-end clients including The Four Seasons Luxury Hotels.
Visit thegarlicpeanutstory.com or jonathanrachman.com.