James Andrew - photograph by Christian Fuchs

WIJW has opened a wonderful conduit to so many truly talented people throughout the world, and we count our artist friend Christian Fuchs high among them!

Given the tiny sample of Fuchs’ work here, it should come as no surprise to you that I’ve acquired several of his spectacular photos for both myself and for my clients.

Photograph by Christian Fuchs

Fuchs tells us that much of his inspiration can be found within the beautiful photographic albums of his grandparents, whose journey took them from Germany to Chile and then to Peru (Fuchs’ current home).

Photograph by Christian Fuchs

Through his lens, Fuchs travels inwards and seemingly into the past, bringing us photographic evidence of a nearly forgotten time—a half-light recollection of a dream within a dream that is at once alien and somehow strangely familiar. Imbued with a thick atmosphere of highly expressive nostalgia that verges on the surreal, Fuchs’ heavily manipulated work harks back to the turn of the century experiments in Pictorialism championed by such photographic groups as the Photo-Secessionists led by Stieglitz. Certainly there is more than a touch of German Romanticism to Fuchs’ aesthetic as well!

Contact christianh.fuchs@gmail.com to inquire.

For my Fuchs portrait, I’m sporting a Gucci mauve cotton safari jacket, Tom Ford khaki safari shirt and woven olive suede espadrilles, pale olive silk scarf from Paul Smith, Gucci chartreuse python belt with silver double horse head buckle and sunglasses are KVA for Oliver Peoples, my fragrance is Creed Bois de Cedrat.

James Andrew at Lords South Beach Hotel.

As you have probably gathered from our previous posts, we had a rather fantastic mini holiday at Lords South Beach Hotel. They provide the perfect staging for a South Beach weekend—with their super fun vibe, and very well priced rooms, you’ll feel compelled to assemble a group of your most fascinating friends to join you there! And incidentally, one needn’t feel guilty for indulging, since the hotel donates a good portion of the price of your room to its “give-back groups:” The Hetrick Martin Institute, The Point Foundation, and Care Resource.

Lords South Beach Hotel

We’ll be visiting Lords again in the very near future—hopefully before we lose our Miami bronze to NYC’s winter shadows!

Enjoying the “Brokedown Palace” beauty of the lush tropical garden and pool area, I’m sporting a white cotton pinstripe suit by Gucci, TurnBull and Asser turquoise herringbone weave cotton shirt with contrast white collar and cuffs, Charvet turquoise silk pocket square, Seaman Schepps precious turquoise cuff links, Hermes “blue jeans blue” leather belt with silver buckle, Lanvin teal suede sneakers add a more playful feel to my ensemble, white sunglasses by KVA for Oliver Peoples and my fragrance is Creed Erolfa.

James Andrew with Bruno Romeda sculpture, Kouros Gallery - photo Justin Williams

I was originally introduced to the elegant work of sculptor Bruno Romeda by my mentor, the legendary Albert Hadley, and I’ve used Romeda’s sculpture on several projects, both indoors and out, as well as in my own home. The austere simplicity of these works belie a highly complex and richly poetic symbolization. Ramada’s sculpture seems to be more a celebration of space itself than of material, making his work well suited to virtually any environment—a designer’s dream!

James Andrew's home with Romeda tabletop sculpture, Albert Hadley mercury ball, and abstract paintings by A. C. Scott in background - photo Jeffrey Hirsch, from the New York Social Diary.

I recently visited the Kouros Gallery on Manhattan’s Upper East side to look at a monumental Romeda sculpture (top) to place in a client’s garden—it will provide the perfect focal point from my client’s library window, while framing a rather fantastic view of the landscape beyond. The Kouros Gallery specializes in 20th century art and sculpture and also operates a sculpture center in Ridgefield, Connecticut—a selection of important works from around the globe can be seen there on permanent exhibit—it’s well worth a visit!

Tiffany & Co. Designer table settings, and a Rameda sculpture - James Andrew design for Parish Hadley

Admiring a brilliant piece by Bruno Romeda (top), I’m sporting a sensational shearling jacket, cream cashmere turtleneck sweater, oatmeal cotton corduroy pants and python loafers all by Gucci, my sunglasses are KVA for Oliver Peoples and my fragrance is Creed Imperial Millesime. My photo by Justin Williams.

James Andrew at Parco dei Principi

Since its inception in 1962 the Parco dei Principi has been providing guests with a truly unique architecture-as-art experience. Set on the grounds of an eighteenth century property that has been owned by the Bourbon Royal family as well as a cousin to the Russian Tsars, it’s no wonder the Parco commands such a spectacular position high above the azure ocean below. Furthermore, it is a testament to Ponti’s sensitivity to place and history that he has retained so many architectural and landscape elements from this royal legacy – In Ponti’s words “.. for life to be great and full we have to combine the past with the future..”

Parco dei Principi

Parco dei Principi

Parco dei Principi

Parco dei Principi

More on this masterpiece to come!

Parco dei Principi

James Andrew at Les Ambassadeurs, Hôtel de Crillon.

Edger Degas' The café-concert at Les Ambassadeurs.

Yes, I’m wearing my favorite Gucci leather jacket again, but we were only in Paris for a couple of full days – we’ll try to mix it up a bit more on our next trip! I’m also wearing a shocking pink shirt with contrast white collar and cuffs by Turnbull and Asser, black pearl cufflinks by Seaman Schepps, gray Maison Martin Margiela jeans, belt in black patent leather with silver leather trim and grommets by Gucci, Tom Ford loafers in black and saddle leather, KVA for Oliver Peoples sunglasses and my fragrance is Creed Windsor.

James Andrew at the Conservatory Garden.

A walk through an alley of beautiful trees is one of those ageless and enduring pleasures that we here at WIJW simply can’t refuse. I’m pictured above taking just such a stroll through one of two glorious alleys flanking the central Italian section of my aforementioned “secret garden” – ie. the Conservatory Garden.

These fragrant cathedrals to nature are a sure cure to any city slump, and during this time of year in particular it’s quite impossible not to be inspired and awed by the Spring crab tree bloom.

Sadly a peak display like this is all too easily missed, as it lasts for just a few days – so please turn off your cell phone, excuse yourself from those pressures and obligations, and simply take yourself to the Conservatory Garden THIS WEEK – don’t worry, the world will continue to spin without you! Side-effects may include: uplifted spirit, increased sense of well being, and a sudden urge to smile.

Blissing out in a perfect moment, I’m wearing an olive suede safari jacket, royal blue cotton pants, python belt with silver buckle, khaki safari shirt, brown leather “Chelsea” boots and a brown leather and suede satchel all by Gucci. KVA sunglasses by Oliver Peoples and my fragrance is Creed Bois de Cedrat. (The color combination of my look today was inspired by Reed Krakoff’s Fall 2010 Collection – I was crazy about his pairing of cobalt and loden).

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 NYC. Photo by Scott McBee.

Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.

Robert Fripp

We here at WIJW have been filling our cup with:

1) Words like “I woke up this morning with a smile on my face, and no ones gonna bring me down today…” from “Keep Signing My Song” by Christina Aguilera – Adversity? – this will help you face it.

2) The soundtrack to a A Single Man. Uninspired? – this will re-awaken a sense of the beauty and magic that surrounds.

3) Robbie Williams’ – “I Will Talk And Hollywood Will Listen.” a sweeping and powerful ballad – will have your aspirations all but realized!

4) Lady Gaga’s “Telephone.”
Simply the best soundtrack for your power strut down the street.

I’m wearing cognac micro cotton corduroy jacket, and wool/cotton check pants both by Gucci, Tom Ford lavender end on end cotton french cuff shirt with contrast white collar and brown and lavender silk polka dot pocket square, vintage moonstone cuff links and purple alligator belt with sterling buckle from Ralph Lauren, aubergine suede boots by Yves Saint Laurent, KVA sunglasses by Oliver Peoples, my fragrance is Vintage Tabarome by Creed. Music played on my iPod Nano.

James Andrew at David Hicks' Savannah.

At last we’ve made our pilgrimage to Savannah, David Hicks’ tropical masterpiece on Windermere Island’s Savannah Sound.

Let me tell you, it was one of those most sublime thrills to experience this tropical masterwork in person. You may have heard me go on quite a bit about the British born Hicks – and I’ve had good reason! He was quite simply one of the most prolific, innovative, and sought after decorators of the twentieth century – his touch extended into every conceivable design forum, from aristocratic homes, to set design, to fashion, to industrial design, to landscape design etc. etc. etc. – and his genius was only matched by his bigger than life persona. Needless to say much of what I do has been inspired by David Hicks – so you can only imagine how honored I was when the London Telegraph described me as an “…updated David Hicks.” – High praise that I aspire to live up to one day!

Savannah became of keen interest to me especially when I learned that it has remained virtually unchanged since it was completed in 1969. I’ve had the great fortune to speak with Ashley and India Hicks who graciously provided me with fascinating background information on the property.

Tomb of King Djoser at Saqqara.

Paying Homage to the great David Hicks I’m pictured standing in front of Savannah’s monumental entrance way, absorbing some of Hick’s enduring brilliance – I’m sporting lemon yellow jeans by Cassette, palest pink safari shirt and silver chain link belt both by Gucci, black leather sandal/espadrille by Christian Louboutin, KVA sunglasses by Oliver peoples my fragrance is Citrus Bigarrade by Creed.

James Andrew in the West Village

While doing some research to help with fine tuning one of my client’s town house facades, I found my self in Manhattan’s historic “West Village” – a part of town overflowing with historically rich and diverse townhouses just waiting to inspire me. I count myself truly blessed to be able to make a rather nice living doing the kinds of things that I would enjoy doing even if I weren’t being paid to do so.

Life does pass us by so quickly and it seems that events often conspire to make us forget our hopes and dreams – and so, mindful of this, I take a few minutes each day to remember where my fulfillment lies and then set (or reset as the case may be) my course for that star!

As Mark Twain once said,

the secret of success is making your vocation your vacation!

Contentedly sauntering down the street and admiring some beautiful facades, I’m wearing a camel hair coat, shocking pink silk knit turtleneck, and gray flannel pants all by Gucci, Etro huge silk paisley scarf, aubergine suede boots by Yves Saint Laurent, black leather tote by Gucci, purple leather gloves by Sermoneta glasses are KVA for Oliver Peoples – my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.