Posts from ‘July, 2009’

Our 1st Year Anniversary Issue!

Jul 30th, 2009

From our WIJW Lobel Modern post. Illustration Scott McBee

We’re wishing a Happy Anniversary to all of our WIJW friends!

In celebration, and to thank our readers, supporters, fellow bloggers, and sponsors for their ongoing support we’ve asked the very talented Scott McBee to create this spectacular 1st Anniversary Paper Doll. With a nod to the classic paper dolls of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, our dolls recall some of the past year’s outrageous outfits. Download the PDF, print it out on sturdy stock, and have a blast playing dress up with James.

DOWNLOAD the complete WIJW 1st Anniversary Paper Doll collection.

Anniversaries are a great time to reflect on what has come before and to imagine future possibilities. We began WIJW as a means to share a certain design sensibility and to bring our vision for elevated living to a global audience. Happily I can say WIJW has come quite a way in the past year and new previously unimagined opportunities continue to arise. I’ve been asked to do stories on hotels, restaurants, clothing boutiques, and to write columns in mainstream magazines, design clothing, consult, market and advise! I’ve also met many new clients who were looking for a fresh design perspective, and needed help on the array of aspects that make up a great living space. In the end, though, it is the enjoyment that so many are getting from what we do at WIJW that makes this such a pleasure. I was particularly touched by a recent comment from one of our WIJW friends and I hope you all will forgive me another moment of unabashed self indulgence for quoting it here:

Shannon Buchester
on Jul 23rd, 2009.

James, you provide a truly visual feast. I linger over your exquisite images and descriptions and am transported into a place where everything is beautiful! Your elan, immaculate style and joie de vivre are inspirational and exciting. I feel your passion, you truly live out loud.
Congratulations on an amazing life, I adore you x

WOW! I really live for this kind of connection.

It has been a spectacular year and I look forward to bringing you much much more from WIJW in the coming year. Thanks to all!

Light, hugs and blessings,

James

From our WIJW Seaman Schepps post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Idylic Italy post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Princely Puertorico post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Dressing Up post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Riverside Stroll post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Scintillating Santorini post. Illustration by Scott McBee

DOWNLOAD the complete WIJW 1st Anniversary Paper Doll collection.

Angelo Donghia

Jul 29th, 2009

by James.

8 comments

james_donghia

The legendary Angelo Donghia employed clean lines and well defined forms to produce interiors that seemed “…at first sleek and modern, but were actually based on the eighteenth-century belief in sensible proportions and careful symmetry.” It’s no wonder that when Ralph and Ricky Lauren acquired their 5th Avenue apartment, they turned to Donghia and his highly refined design vision to help them create a suitably chic interior. Very happily for us Donghia has included the monumental “Manhattan” sectional created for the Lauren’s apartment as part of their line. I’m planning to use this ultra beautiful piece in an uber stylish young man’s apartment in the fabulous One Madison Park, Rem Koolhaas building.

I’m sporting a white cotton safari jacket by Gucci, a black cotton band collar shirt with flap pockets by Yves Saint Laurent ysl.com, purple skinny jeans by Diesel, black patent leather belt with silver leather trim and grommets by Gucci, with silver leather sneakers by Dior.

Impossibly Fresh

Jul 28th, 2009

by James.

7 comments

james_table

On several occasions I’ve been commissioned to create country and beach house interiors for clients who want a more high style traditional aesthetic, and I’ve more than once relied on this fabulous “garden table” by John Rosselli to help achieve the desired effect. I love its sculptural pedestal base and whimsical faux marble top. It is perfect for a smaller scale dining room and seats six quite comfortably. The one featured here is finished in an elegantly simple white wash, and looks perfectly crisp against these lovely melon colored walls. I’m quite inspired to create a similar room for a client’s Palm Beach cottage – now that would be impossibly fresh and delicious!

I’m wearing a royal blue cotton linen sateen jacket by Gucci, Charvet Paris pale blue silk retro print pocket square, a blue micro strip sea island cotton shirt by Gucci, Seaman Schepps silver pearl and pale blue sapphire cufflinks, shocking pink jean cut pants by Dior, silver chain link belt, white leather loafers, white leather bag and glasses all by Gucci.