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Posts under ‘Hermes’

Lotusland and Beyond

Sep 11th, 2013
by WIJW.
4 comments
James Andrew, Lotusland - photo Scott McBee

James Andrew, Lotusland – photo Scott McBee

When our dear friend, Philip Bewley, strongly suggested we go to the botanical garden Lotusland designed by the somewhat infamous Ganna Walska 1887-1984 in Montecito, I set about doing some research. After stumbling upon Walska’s proclamation, “I’m an enemy of the average,” I added Lotusland to our itinerary without need for further deliberation. As you might imagine, this sounded like a woman after my heart…and boy, were we glad we went!

Ganna Walska's Lotusland

Ganna Walska’s Lotusland

In case you might not know Lotusland, it’s a thirty-seven acre botanical wonderland – the dream child of Ganna Walska, a Polish opera singer and socialite whose passion for landscape design was only rivaled it seems by her penchant for collecting ever-richer husbands.

Ganna Walska's Lotusland

Ganna Walska’s Lotusland

Forty years in the making, Lotusland was where Walska indulged her passion for gardening. Here, she set about creating the most fantastical landscapes with often theatrical proportions, much of it planted with rare and unusual species. The place is indeed a must-see, but do book a reservation well in advance as space is quite limited and tour groups are rather small due to Lotusland’s residential location.

Ganna Walska's Lotusland

Ganna Walska’s Lotusland

Ganna Walska's Lotusland

Ganna Walska’s Lotusland

Famished after our dreamy tour, we made a trek to one of Julia Child’s favorite little restaurants, La Super-Rica Taqueria in Santa Barbara — which is more of a taco stand really — and lunched on some truly marvelous Mexican food. We returned to the Baccara Resort where we lounged poolside, sipping Rosé, and reflecting on our fabulous journey in sun soaked California. Well tanned, we set off for a lovely dinner at Restaurant Bouchon, a fabulous place serving up the most delicious wine and country cuisine. We were particularly taken by the entrance to the restaurant, which is formed by a massive hedge — sensational!

Photographed at the main entryway of the Lotusland estate, I’m sporting a Tom Ford pink silk basket weave “Spencer” jacket, grey and white gingham cotton voile shirt and saddle leather loafers, white uniqlo slim jean, Gucci python belt with silver double horse head buckle, Hermes grey silk pocket square, Rolex watch and my fragrance is Tom Ford -Lavender Palm.

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Trends in Decorating – Antique and Vintage Rugs

Sep 14th, 2012
by WIJW.
9 comments
James Andrew at the Doris Leslie Blau gallery - photo by Nick Turner

James Andrew at the Doris Leslie Blau gallery - photo by Nick Turner

I’m certainly not one to follow interior design fads and trends, however I’m very happy to see that the use of antique and vintage rugs has become popular again. In my own interior work, I’ve always used fine rugs—not only can they be seen as art for the floor, they also create the foundation upon which the rest of a room can be built. I do love the richness and history they can add to a room, especially in new or modern buildings.

One of my favorite go-to resources for antique and vintage rugs is the highly esteemed Doris Leslie Blau known for rugs of the highest quality and exceptional beauty. I’m currently decorating an apartment in a legendary Art Deco building, and the Doris Leslie Blau gallery is the perfect place to search for sublime rugs.

The following images are a couple that I think will help to create some spectacular rooms!

I’m sure you’ll agree this Chinese Deco with a mink ground and amber border, with accents of lavender and purple is simply divine.

At Doris Leslie Blau

At Doris Leslie Blau

This round French Deco Carpet celebrating the signs of the horoscope will certainly be a WOW element in my client’s circular entrance hall.

French Deco Carpet by Paul Follot at Doris Leslie Blau

French Deco Carpet by Paul Follot at Doris Leslie Blau

Luxuriating amidst Doris Leslie Blau’s large and quite diverse selection, I’m sporting a Tom Ford lilac rose silk wool linen melange twill Snowdon suit, white cotton shirt with French cuffs, grey and Ivory silk wool check tie, brown leather belt with faux tortoise and gold buckle and brown leather tasseled loafers, black pearl cuff links, vintage Rolex watch, Hermes grey silk pocket square and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

Nicholas Turner

Apr 16th, 2012
by WIJW.
12 comments
James Andrew - portrait by Nicholas Turner

James Andrew - portrait by Nicholas Turner

When WIJW was in its infancy, making posts was a fairly spontaneous affair—with photography being pretty nearly an afterthought. I’d simply be shopping for a client at, say, the Chinese Porcelain Factory or H M Luther, I’d see a piece that aligned with my aesthetic, and out would come a little compact camera to capture the scene. Some of these images were definitely better than others, (thankfully, in a pinch, our own Scott McBee would step in to take the shot, and he did manage to actually capture some rather fine images despite the impromptu circumstances!).

Of course, as things progressed—and WIJW started to garner serious international attention—we began to rely on pro-photographers for many of our shots to create a high quality WIJW experience. Subsequently, now that we’ve been at it for some years, I’ve had the great pleasure to work with quite a few fine artist/photographers. Among our quiver of creatives, I hold Nicholas Turner in high regard. As you can see, we’ve reconnected with him just now to produce this intimate and probing portrait (a touch of Snowdon perhaps?), and I must say I’m rather pleased with the results. Incidentally, Turner is working on his first book project—a photo diary of sorts—with a collection of self portraits. We can’t wait to see the results!

I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Country Jacket” in amethyst wool silk tri-color windowpane, white, gray and black check shirt with French cuffs, vintage moon stone cuff links, gray silk Hermes pocket square, Gucci purple foulard and paisley silk scarf as ascot and my fragrance is Creed Royal-Oud.

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