James Andrew at Ralph Lauren.

We here at WIJW make no excuse for being escapists – in fact we think a good dose of it is a must, if only for our health. And when we think Escapism with a capital “E,” our minds invariably take us to the South of France – and how about let’s set things seaside a la 1950′s when people were smart, beautiful, unbelievably wealthy, and every single ray of sun glancing off that azure ocean said “all is well, all is well.” Impossibly perfect you say? – Well I’ll tell you it sure beats most of the “realistic” scenarios constantly trying to crowd our heads!

Although it may appear that I’m standing here in a handsome Juan-les-Pins villa, I’m actually at the Ralph Lauren flagship store on Madison Avenue @ East 72nd Street here in New York City where it is always easy to elicit some of our favorite dreams. As I’ve mentioned, I did put in several years at Ralph Lauren, learning my craft while creating similar scenarios for them. This being said, it will come as no surprise that I would become particularly excited whenever a “South of France ” collection came along, and it always gave me the welcome opportunity to make my very best SOF design dreams a reality. Even now at James Andrew Interior Design I still draw on Ralph Lauren and collections like this one to help produce many of my own fine interiors!

Antibes from the South of France collection at Ralph Lauren.

La Plage, is the name of their latest “South of France” incarnation, and I have to say I am loving this collection – The Antibes rattan lounge chair (right) is absolute perfection and I cant wait to use it along with many other items from this collection in upcoming JAID interiors!

Transitioning from winter to spring, I’m sporting an azure cotton corduroy jacket and skinny khaki pant both by Gucci, Balenciaga chambray band collar shirt with contrast blue and white cotton stripe lined collar,placket and cuffs, Turnbull and Asser pale blue silk pocket square, Hermes “blue jeans” blue leather belt with silver buckle, Lanvin taupe suede and patent leather sneakers, Oliver Peoples KVA glasses and my fragrance is Creed Citrus Bigarrade which conjures up images of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor living in glamorous exile at their palatial villa in Cap D’Antibes – La Croe.

James Andrew 2010 - photos Lars Stephan

In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There’s nothing you can’t do,
Now you’re in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new,
The lights will inspire you,
Lets here it for New York…

From “Empire State of Mind,” by the brilliant Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

It’s no wonder this is the music used for the upcoming “Sex in the City 2” – such a celebratory ode to this fantastic city!

When I was a boy, I constantly fantasized about living in New York City – watching classic television shows like Green Acres with scenes of Eva Gabor on her Park Avenue terrace, or Family Affair with all it’s fabulous New York City imagery, I knew one day I’d make NYC my home.

This time of year we often become introspective – reflecting on what we have accomplished, the joys, the sorrows, where we need to make improvements in our lives etc.. When I think back on all the circumstances that brought me to where I am today, it was a lot about creating my own reality – imagining what that reality would look like, and taking action to achieve those dreams. This New Years, I’m taking time to recapture the same excitement and enthusiasm I had back then, and I’m planning on having the most spectacular new year. We at WIJW trust this year finds you well on your way towards realizing your must outrageous dreams and desires as well!

CHEERS!

Dressed to celebrate the holiday, I’m giving slightly formal attire a bit of a twist. Harking back to some of those old Ralph Lauren ads, I’m wearing my super chic shearling coat by Gucci, with a black wool dinner jacket, black wool pants, black and white silk polka dot bow tie, silver chain link belt and black patent leather shoes all by Gucci, Richard James shirt in white and black cotton stripes with French cuffs and contrast white collar, Seaman Schepps black pearl cuff links, Charvet white silk pocket square, pale blue peccary gloves by Sermoneta and KVA sunglasses by Oliver Peoples.

Photos by Lars Stephan.

James Andrew - Shopping at The Frick

The holiday season is here and now is the time to start thinking about our gift lists! I made good inroads into mine recently at The Frick Gift Shop. This is a brilliant place to find a select group of fantastic gifts that are not only super chic and unique but also very well priced. Some of my favorite items are the Frick mansion blueprint mug and tray; the Frick collection tin plates based on Chinese and Sevres porcelain plates at the Frick (it’s no surprise these were featured in VOGUE); the wonderful coffee table book Art in the Frick Collection : Paintings, Sculpture, Decorative Arts; and the Riesener Tin Pencil Box (filled with colored pencils) with a detail on the lid of a marquetry commode made for Marie Antoinette.

Frick Plates

Frick Art Book

Frick blueprint gifts.

Frick - Antoinette pencil set.

I love that these offerings are all inspired by actual pieces from the Frick collection. So not only are you getting wonderful and well priced gifts, but your purchases help support and promote the Frick!

These and many other gifts are all available either at the gift shop or online. Also please note today -Tuesday, December 1, there is a special holiday shopping day!

“An eagerly anticipated annual event, when the Museum Shop expands into the Garden Court for an all-day shopping opportunity. You’ll find specially selected items for everyone on your gift list. Shop during regular Collection hours, 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.Open to the public.”

Members will receive 15% off on all items, as well as free gift wrapping for purchases.

“Not a member? Join Now.

After a bit of shopping I took a few moments to languor in the opulent beauty of the Frick. I’m wearing a Wedgewood blue cotton corduroy jacket,dove grey cashmere turtleneck sweater, wool/cotton check pant in grays, forest green, Wedgewood blue and black and blue sued loafers all by Gucci gray silk pocket square is Hermes.

James Andrew at the Gerald Bland gallery.

I was very happy to attend a book signing party recently for the new fabulous book, “Sister Parish Design,” at the super chic Gerald Bland gallery.

The signing was beautifully complemented by the water colors of the very talented and stylish Mita Corsini Bland whose works illustrate and highlight the many points and stories presented in this recent release.

I must say the event had me remembering my days at the legendary firm of Parish Hadley. Among the many aspects of design put forth there, I think the notion of Comfort was the most singularly important aspect of the Parish Hadley aesthetic. Even in the grandest of interiors there was always a sense of an elegant yet welcoming comfort. This notion is equally as important to me today at James Andrew Interior Design, whether I’m doing a luxe minimal interior or going for a classic high style vibe.

Sister Parish's aubergine lacquered drawing room. Illustration by Mita Corsini Bland.

Brooke Astor's legendary red lacquer library. Illustration by Mita Corsini Bland.

Celebrating this event, I’m paying tribute to Sister Parish’s delightful drawing room with it’s aubergine lacquered walls and hot pink curtains – I’m wearing an Aubergine silk velvet jacket, shocking pink silk knot turtleneck, black and white mini hounds tooth wool pant all by Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent aubergine suede “Eton” boots, gray H print silk pocket by Hermes and black leather tote by Gucci.

James Andrew at David Duncan Antiques.

Maison Jansen (founded in 1880) worked in a vast array of design idioms, and their reputation for producing the finest luxury furnishings kept them in demand worldwide by the most discerning clients right up until the house closed in 1989. I’m pictured here at the David Duncan boutique, having spotted a perfect piece to bring to you – the “Royal” dining table. Quite in keeping with the sleek luxe elegant aesthetic often featured by Maison Jansen, this ultra sharp piece in black lacquer with blackened steel legs and gold plated accents is also extremely versatile as it can easily extend or fold flat for storage. So regardless of how small your digs are, you’ll be more than prepared for that gang of fabulous friends you impulsively invited to dinner! Not enough seating you say? Why not ask Duncan for a spectacular set of Louis XVI chairs to finish the look!

The Jansen Royal dining table at David Duncan.

After a sniff around the boutique I’m enjoying Duncan’s lovely terrace. I’m wearing a dusty pale blue suede biker jacket by Gucci, Tom Ford pale blue cotton glen plaid shirt with french cuffs, silver pearls with pale blue sapphire Seaman Schepps cuff links, forest green cashmere tie by Borrelli, check pants in gray, black, blue, and forest green by Gucci, Hermes “Blue jeans” blue leather belt with silver buckle, “Windsor” loafers in black leather by Yves Saint Laurent, dark green leather gloves by Sermoneta,black, leather tote by Gucci and Dior sunglasses.

James Andrew portrait by Rory Gevis.

I was thrilled when artist Rory Gevis asked me to be a part of her “Iconoclast” series. Gevis honed her eye while working as fashion editor for magazines like Taxi, W, Harpers, Mirabella and House and Garden, as well as while working as creative director for major beauty companies like Estee Lauder, MAC, and Tom Ford color. Gevis tells us that she seeks to “really capture a subject’s essence.” She cites influence from the work of such classic cinematic masters as Fellini, Francois Truffaut and his alter ego Jean-Pierre Leaud.

My portrait above definitely has us channeling a 60′s Italian film star and with a lovely glam Bowie twist! We will keep you updated with Gevis’ show dates so you can see the rest of this beautiful series in person!

You may have noticed at this point that I’m wild about the Viceroy Miami! – The beautiful Wearstler interiors, the fabulous staff, the Brickell area… One seriously world class luxury experience! We’d been told that no Viceroy visit would be complete without a bite at their fifteenth floor Eos (Greek for “new dawn”) restaurant – I’m happy to say that a scrumptious Mediterranean inspired breakfast there with McBee was just the most perfectly energizing thing to kick start a new day in paradise.

Our menu highlights included quite a few sharable “smaller plate” dishes – tuna sashimi with watermelon and feta, grouper ceviche iced with mango, cumin, and cilantro, an heirloom tomato salad with feta, artichoke and English pea salad, roasted mushrooms, a crazy good spicy Greek paella, and grilled flatiron steak – all that accompanied by ice cold bone dry Rose in the most beautiful shade of palest salmon and a well dressed table that included pale pink hem-stitched linen napkins pushed my detail oriented buttons in absolutely the right way!

If you happen to stop by Eos for dinner – signature cocktail is a “Pepper Fresh” – a quenching vodka concoction with fresh squeezed yellow pepper, lime juices and muddled spearmint – kind of a twist on the Mojito that I’ve been featuring. Being on a micro-vacation does give one some quarter where sampling cocktails is concerned – a license that McBee and I managed to exploit with some bravado!

Admiring this super chic Wearstler dining room I’m wearing a white and black cotton, wool silk windowpane plaid jacket with white and black mother of pearl buttons by Gucci, Charvet Paris turquoise silk pocket square, Turnbull and Asser black cotton shirt with contrast white collar and French cuffs, Seaman Schepps precious turquoise cufflinks, cotton and linen white, black and turquoise micro stripe pants, black patent belt with silver leather trim and grommets and black leather strappy sandals all by Gucci.

James Andrew photographed by Lars Stephan

Fredrick Victoria, the founder of the super chic Fredrick P. Victoria & Sons was blessed with an eye for excellent design – that, and no small amount of daring made him one of the most respected antiques dealers of his time – it is not surprising that his client list included names like Windsor, Macy, Field, Baldwin, Duke, Stacey, Kelly, Astor, Gimble, Perrault, Whitney, Tree, Pahlman, Gibbons, Taylor, Hadley, Porter and Berlin to name a few.

In Victoria’s fabulous apartment at the magnificent Dakota he indulged his passions for the most fantastic whimsical and exuberant antiques. His curtains were originally inspired by a fanciful almost trompe l’oeil carved and painted curtain. Then a bit later he came across an 18th century over the top carved wood curtain theater prop – The resplendent carved wooden curtains I’m featuring here were based on this prop and hung in Victoria’s bedroom, and he used different variations throughout his beautiful apartment at the Dakota. His friend Albert Hadley was so inspired by these superb creations that he commissioned Victoria to produce a version of these for the library he designed for Ann and Gordon Getty at 820 5th Avenue. I’ve been enthralled by these curtains since my days at Parish Hadley.

Today, Fredrick P. Victoria & Sons continues to uphold its well deserved reputation, and I can’t wait to collaborate with the Victorias on one of my own upcoming project.

I had the great opportunity to be photographed by the brilliant photographer and model Lars Stephan again for this superb photograph. We decided to channel the pose made famous by one of my favorite fashion icons, Yves Saint Laurent. I’m sure Lars will be featured soon in an ultra luxe fashion magazine like L’Official Homme or Arena.

I decided to do a mix of aqua, blue and turquoise, playing off the smaller scale medallion print of my pants with the larger scale of the silk ikat shirt both by Gucci (a very Lacroix look though!) – Hermes blue leather belt with silver buckle and navy suede Gucci loafers.

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 jean” blue leather belt with silver buckle and Lanvin teal/turquoise suede sneakers.

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.