Posts under ‘Hermes’

James Andrew Photographed by Tate Gunnerson

Many of my fellow bloggers have written great pieces on what we are doing here at WIJW. Recently I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with the brilliant writer, journalist, and blogger, Tate Gunnerson. His site, “Strange Closets,” offers a wonderful glimpse into people’s private worlds through his home tours. Enjoy the link and take a look at some new photos of my Murray Hill apartment. Gunnerson captured some great images of my dining room table set for an immanent dinner party, and I’m pictured in my never before published entrance hall. The walls are covered in “Cassati Stripe” a wallpaper available only to Parish Hadley clients. The ceiling is painted “Paper bag” in Donald Kaufman paint. Resting on an English regency cabinet is a 1940’s French plaster recumbent ram I found at a Paris flea market flanked by a pair of red lacquer lamps by Maison Jansen that I acquired through Sothebys - these have a spectacular provenence, having once illuminated the Duke of Windsor’s dressing table. I’m standing next to a portrait of a falcon by the legendary Van Day Truex and an unusual Louis XVI chair with a Chinese export panel above the seat - both pieces were acquired at the Villa Fiorentina auction at Sothebys.

I’m wearing a silk ikat print shirt in aquas and blues and 100’s of buttons, and navy linen pinstripe pants - both by Gucci, Hermes “blue jeans” blue leather belt with silver buckle and Lanvin teal/turquoise suede sneakers.

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Ever since I spotted a pair of Chinese porcelain cranes at the uber chic drawing room of Ann Getty’s Parish Hadley decorated San Francisco home I have been obsessed. Their graceful lines and gorgeous turquoise bases lend the most perfectly elegant quality to any interior. As you might imagine I was thrilled to come across this outstanding collection of 17th century Chinese porcelain cranes at the Chinese Porcelain Company. Also on display are a pair of beautiful 18th century Hawks. Of note are the gilt brackets supporting this fine grouping - a nod to Stephane Boudin of the legendary firm Maison Jansen who used similar brackets to great effect in the decoration of Leeds Castle for Lady Baillie. I think I may have the perfect spot for these gorgeous creatures!

I’m wearing a minty aqua cotton Jacket by Gucci, Tom Ford shirt with french cuffs in pale blue cotton Glenn plaid, Charvet Paris retro print pocket square in pale sapphire blue and white silk, Seaman Schepps silver pearl cufflinks with pale blue sapphires, Hermes “blue jeans” blue leather belt with silver buckle, khaki pants are Gucci, Dior silver leather sneakers and the delightful jack Russell, Oliver, at my feet.

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It may look like I’m at a bazaar in Africa, but this is actually the flea market on West 25th St. between Broadway and 6th Ave. in New York City. One can find a great selection of hand crafted textiles here, and I often have pillows made from them for my clients. This sort of textile can add a the perfect human touch to a room. If you are not near a market like this check out my friend Sharyn Compton’s site to find an amazing selection of items.

Am pictured here admiring a spectacular cloth in shades of green with gold thread that would be perfect to use as pillows! I’m wearing a Tom Ford brown cotton safari shirt, over a Michale Kors ivory cotton knit top with crocheted placket, olive drab cotton shorts by Masons, woven white cotton belt with bamboo D rings and crocodile buckle by Gucci, “Chelsea” boots in brown leather by Gucci, brown suede and saddle leather satchel also by Gucci and Tom Ford sunglasses.

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Much of my aesthetic inspiration comes from all the books I have read and collected over the years, and so I was quite thrilled to go to a book signing by the brilliant author and style maven, Susanna Salk.

Salk’s book, Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style, is a true testament to an enduring legacy. Her most recent work, Weekend Retreats, invites us to wander through some of the most wonderful homes and private sanctuaries. These are two must reads for anyone wanting to expand their style vocabulary.

Like CZ guest, Babe Paley, and Slim Keith, Salk not only defines effortless style, but embodies it. At the risk of going on a bit, I hope you will forgive me a quote from Truman Capote:

“It may be that the enduring swan glides upon waters of liquefied lucre; but that cannot account for the creature herself - her talent, like all talent, is composed of unpurchasable substances. For a swan is invariably the result of adherence to some aesthetic system of thought, a code transposed into a self-portrait; what we see is the imaginary portrait precisely projected.”

Susanna Salk and James Andrew

Here I’m at the divine David Duncan gallery with the very beautiful glamazon Susanna Salk. I’m wearing a navy cotton pique jacket by Gucci, turquoise silk pocket square by Charvet Paris, Turnbull and Asser shirt in navy cotton with contrast white collar and cuffs, Seaman Schepps cufflinks in precious turquoise and white gold, medallion print pant in turquoise, aqua, and navy by Gucci, Hermes “Blue jeans” leather belt with silver buckle, navy blue leather captoe slip on shoes by Gucci.

Susanna says she was inspired by our First Lady and the chic floral dresses she wears - off the rack but custom tailored - and her bracelet cuffs are vintage.

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I have never been one to settle for small fantasies - I prefer to dream big! One of my long standing dreams has been to acquire a town house in New York City like the one featured here. Almost every day I pass by this magnificent house and visualize myself living there - I have the entire house decorated in my head! In my experience, whatever we can really feel and believe possible in our lives can be achieved through positive action. Let’s dare to see ourselves as strong, capable, successful, and possessed of the patience and stability to keep moving in the direction of our dreams.

As the poet James Allen put so eloquently -

“Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream you shall become.

Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be.

Your idea is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.”

Visualizing myself living in this amazing townhouse, I’m wearing a white cotton pin stripe jacket by Gucci, white cotton French cuff shirt Gucci, Seaman Shepps cufflinks in black pearl and white gold, Charvet Paris pocket square in a white and gray silk retro print, black skinny jeans by Diesel diesel.com, black patent leather belt with silver grommets and silver leather trim, black patent leather shoes and white leather bag all by Gucci, with Dior sunglasses.

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My dear friend and fellow blogger Ronda Carman has partnered with Vicente Wolfe to act as an online gallery through her excellent “All The Best” blog. Ms. Carman will be featuring a very limited edition selection of Wolf’s stunning photographs titled “Trees of Nambia.” The blog medium really does offer exciting possibilities for collaboration between bloggers, artists, and designers!

Shown here with my stylish friend Ronda Carman at the super chic Vicente Wolf gallery, I’m wearing a cognac pieced suede jacket by Gucci, Michael Kors ivory knit top with crocheted placket, Gucci python belt and lavender micro corduroy pants, Dior sneakers in silver leather.

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A visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art never fails to inspire - the Wrightsman Galleries and their period rooms, the costume exhibitions, the English rooms and of course the huge collection of exquisite paintings and sculpture - all feed the soul and ignite the imagination. I’m stopping for a moment to admire an almost perfect pair of draped torsos. I can see these flanking the doorway to my tropical villa’s drawing room - dreaming large!

On a rainy day, I’m wearing an ivory cotton corduroy jacket by Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent pocket square in a royal blue, black and gray silk paisley, Tom Ford shirt in pale blue Glenn plaid cotton, Seaman Schepps cuff links are silver pearls with pale blue sapphires, paper denim cloth jeans, Hermes navy leather belt with silver buckle, Swaine Adeney Brigg umbrella with bamboo handle, Adidas Goodyear driving sneakers.

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Whenever I’m developing a new home or renovating an existing property I always insist on raising the door heights to at least eight feet. Large doorways can really enhance the sense of height in a room, creating the drama and touch of grandeur that are two of the James Andrew design trademarks. I’m dreaming of doing an interior where I can use monumental doors painted in an outrageous color like the turquoisey-blue ones featured here!

I’m wearing a navy velvet jacket by Gucci over a feather weight cashmere rugby shirt in pink and burgundy also by Gucci, navy and white silk polka dot pocket square by Battistoni, Hermes “blue jeans” blue leather belt with silver buckle, Diesel white skinny jeans and navy blue suede Gucci loafers with Gucci sunglasses.

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I was so excited to see this campaign style day bed by the French designer Andre Arbus for Gilbert Poillerat in the window of the fabulous Liz Obrien Gallery. I had often marveled at images of this elegant piece in the book, “The World of McMillen,” where it was photographed for a 1954 modern French design exhibition called “Paris in New York.” McMillen used this elegant day bed in their ultra chic living room display, softening its masculine ironwork by draping yards and yards of dotted Swiss muslin from its regal gilt coronet. McMillen was the design house of choice for many years until the legendary pairing of Sister Parish and Albert Hadley with whom it was my great honor to work!

Here I am feeling like a crowned prince, wearing a black wool flannel jacket by Gucci, coral, white, and black silk pocket square by Hermes, mini black and white plaid cotton shirt by Yves Saint Laurent, white shell with multi coloured coral beads cuff links by Seaman Schepps, grey flannel pants and silver chain link belt both by Gucci, black leather tote and black suede with leather trim loafers both by Gucci, Louis Vuitton document folder and Dior sunglasses.

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I recently went to the New York Gift show comprised of a host of select artisans showcasing their newest collections. One of the definite highlights of the show was my friend Simon Scott’s fabulous display for his company Jardins en Fleur. A grisaille trelliage fantasy was the back drop for his very exciting assortment of chinoiserie inspired furniture, lighting, and accessories. His fresh take on classic designs will chic up any space!

Here I am wearing a Gucci tweed nailhead suit and green bold plaid cotton shirt, a Turnbull and Asser white and black bold geometric patterned scarf, Hermes black leather belt, black suede Belgian style loafers by Gucci and black leather tote by Gucci.

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