January, 2016:

James Andrew at the Chinese Porcelain Company – Paintings by Scott Mcbee – photo Matt Brown

As many of you know, Scott McBee’s animal paintings were first shown in Lyford where the works were promptly snapped up by eager collectors. Now you can see McBee’s exhibition “Wonderland Menagerie” here in the city at the Chinese Porcelain Company. The spectacular show just opened two days ago to rave reviews!

Of the work, McBee tells us: “A life-long affection for animal life has provided much inspiration for my current body of work. Certainly, growing up with 3 horses, 14 dogs, various cats, and other animals has greatly influenced my life and art! I owned and marveled at many toy animals as a child, and these cherished memories are the basis of my chosen subjects. To me, they were miniature pieces of art, and I still see see them as such. Now, by rendering this myriad of beautiful creatures in highly saturated pigments, unusual color combinations, and elevated materials such as gold leaf, I celebrate and share a continuing sense of playfulness and joy.”

Chinese Porcelain Company’s Pierre Durand lends his enthusiastic impressions: “…the viewer’s eye is immediately hooked and drawn in for a closer peek…McBee renders every detail: from the fur of the llama to the flick of the zebra’s tail. With McBee’s signature flair, each animal wears its own poignant expression and is filled with whimsical quirks.”

This is a not-to-be missed exhibition and it is amazing to see the work in such a sublime setting mixed with the rare antiques and 20th century modernist masterpieces that you’ll always find at the Chinese Porcelain Company.

I am photographed at The Chinese Porcelain Company by the endlessly talented Matt Brown surrounded by Scott McBee’s marvelous menagerie. I am sporting a Tom Ford charcoal wool glenn plaid suit, magenta large scale check silk tie, magenta silk pocket square and black and saddle leather loafers, custom made cotton shirt in charcoal and magenta stripes by Paul Stuart NY, Seaman Schepps grey pearl cuff links, vintage Rolex, fragrance by Tom Ford London, and a bit of a sun kissed glow courtesy Tom Ford Bronzing Gel.

I recently received two new tremendous tomes: A Day at Château de Fontainebleau and A Day at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. These intimate and exquisite volumes offer the most incredible insight into two of the most iconic French châteaux. With lavish photos, engaging tidbits and supporting historical records, they are all that we’ve come to expect from Flammarion.

From: A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

As many of you know, Fontainebleau was one of the few royal residences left in tact after the French Revolution, and it and many of the choice pieces of the original art the palace still houses are all beautifully rendered in this extraordinary little volume. Just 37 miles outside of Paris, and enchanting beyond belief, it’s well worth a pilgrimage to see. Hop in your Citroën (or take a quick train from Gare de Lyon) and go.

From: A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

From: A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

From: A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

A Day at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte by Jean-Charles de Vogue and Ascanio de Vogue (who are 5th generation ancestors of the estate). Vaux Le Vicomte certainly inspired the design of many palaces – most notably Versailles. With its spectacular Le Notre designed formal gardens, Le Vau architecture, and Le Brun interiors, it is the quintessential French chateau. Its gloriously superb proportions and pristine grounds will have you instantly transported to the 17th/18th c. – especially if you happen to take a stroll along the grand allée on a drizzly day when there are few other visitors to break the spell! In any case this Flammarion publication is sure to evoke all of this and more for you — the book is your own private tour and grants wonderfully exclusive access. Just be prepare to be enthralled by the secrets, power struggles and jealousies of court life captured within its pages!

From: A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte

From: A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte

From: A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte

Needless to say, your copies of A Day at Château de Fontainebleau, and A Day at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, make a perfect pair, and will perhaps wet your appetite for a visit (and certainly serve as an outstanding memento upon your return as well!).

James Andrew at Newel – photograph by Matt Brown

Newel has moved their showroom and gallery to 306 East 61st! After shopping for so many years at Newel’s massive East 53rd Street warehouse-like space, I was quite curious to see their new digs at 306 East 61st. Well, in a word, it’s splendid — the look of a beautiful modernist apartment and, as expected, it is filled with the most tremendous assortment of treasures. I was also thrilled to see there the carved wooden palm trees that were pictured on the cover of the Maison Jansen book! Imagine being able to recreate one’s own version of that iconic dining room — just beyond sublime! And with such a wide assortment at Newel one could certainly find all that would be needed to create a version of said dining room…as well as any other room one might want to produce!

With a well-cuarated selection of elegant objects representing every possible style – from magnificent modernist to la Turquerie – there is simply something for every interior. And their new location makes Newel quite handy to the D&D Building where most New York designers will find themselves on an almost daily basis, ensuring that Newel will continue to serve as an invaluable go-to resource for the discerning decorator.

I’ve included a selection of items from Newel that I was absolutely wild about and look forward to using in upcoming projects.

Detail: Middle Eastern Syrian Moorish table

Italian terracotta figure of the Borghese Boar

Detail: Belgian round coffee table resin with inset lapis

Faceted coffee table in blue glass with brass detailing

Coffee table with a black lacquered panel top

I’m photographed by Matt Brown at the new Newel location. I’m flanked by the grand Jansen carved wood palm trees and considering how I would best create a spectacular room with them. I’m sporting a Tom Ford cashmere/wool suit in an ivory, charcoal and claret check, white cotton shirt, claret silk knit tie and black silk pocket square, Seaman Schepps black pearl cuff links, vintage Rolex, Max Verre red leather tasseled loafers, Creed Acqua Originale Geranium and Vetiver fragrance, and a bit of Tom Ford Bronzing Gel to add a touch of sun.