5 QUESTIONS

Steven Stolman's new 'Scalamandre: Haute Decor'

Hear the name “Scalamandré,” and those in the know think Italian luxury. Others picture the company's famed chinoiserie and think high French style.

But one of the surprises in Steven Stolman's new book about the legendary fabric and wallpaper company is the extent to which Scalamandré is actually a very American story — founded in 1929 by an Italian immigrant on Long Island. “Like so many other businesses born out of the Depression,” Stolman said during an L.A. stop on his book tour, “I think that has a lot to do with the grit of immigrants, who fled some kind of depression at home and came to America with such drive.”

As president of the company, Stolman has been leading his own drive, revivingthe moment, she is continuing her track training with hopes of making it to the Paralympics in London at the end of August to compete in the 100 and 200 meter sprints. She plans on making the qualifying time at any number of the races she will compete in this spring and summer. These races will take place in Oregon, Arizona, California and Indiana.

'Financially, it's been a little rough,' said Jane Sesser, Kanya's mother. 'We have a fundraiser every year to offset some of the costs.'

This year, the fundraiser will be an English-themed dinner (in honor of the 2012 Paralympics being held in London) at the home of Jane's sister in early March.

'You get to travel a lot,' Jane said of her daughter's involvement in national and international