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Posts under ‘Albert Hadley’

TAKING TIME TO REGROUP AND REEVALUATE

Feb 24th, 2014
by WIJW.
11 comments

James Andrew, Interior Designer

James Andrew, Interior Designer


As many of you know, I’m certainly not one to settle for little dreams or fantasies. But that is not to say I don’t think it’s a good idea to occasionally regroup and reevaluate. While knowing that delays don’t necessarily mean denials, it still makes good sense to have a close look at what might not be working, and to also see what strengths one might be underutilizing — networks one might not be using to their best advantage, etc., etc..

At its inception some years ago, WIJW was founded as a platform for me to promote my interior design business in a fun, interesting, and novel way…the idea of a New York City based interior designer traveling the world and sharing his musings on style and taste. To be sure, my travels provide inspiration for the interiors I am creating for clients, as do the many diverse artists that I meet and the many wonderful people and things I see along the way. Since its inception, we have evolved quite a bit, and in some instances, have strayed a bit from our original intent. My brilliant friend, interior designer/entrepreneur Howard Slatkin observed recently that perhaps I wasn’t sharing enough of my life as interior designer and might use this forum as well as Instagram and Facebook to better advantage by focusing more on my interior design work. The truth is, he may have a point; I’ve been approached by quite a few people who know WIJW but who weren’t aware of what I actually do for a living! It seems many consider me something more along the lines of a modern day dandy, a bon vivant, a self styled 70s flâneur, not so much the hard working interior designer that I actually am!

I do intend to take my friend’s advice to heart, and look forward to sharing a bit more interior design and decoration which is, after all, where I first cut my teeth as a young man in NYC, applying the talent I developed working with such greats as Ralph Lauren and Albert Hadley to my own commissioned projects both here and abroad. Of course as one striving to be a well-rounded aesthete, I’ll continue to share many forms of the arts as well as other fascinating topics in service to the ideals of elevated living we champion here on WIJW—but with a little shift of emphasis back to our primary vocation: that of fine decoration and design.

Stay tuned!

I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Country Jacket” in amethyst wool silk tri-color windowpane plaid (click to see another shot of this jacket) and white cotton French cuff shirt, black pearl cuff links, Hermes grey silk pocket square, Tom Ford era Gucci lavender silk tie, Ralph Lauren purple alligator belt with sterling buckle, Paul Smith grey wool pants, vintage Rolex, Tom Ford era Gucci black leather tasseled loafers, Tom Ford Bronzing gel for a bit of mid winter glow, and my fragrance is Creed Himalaya.

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Crisp, Clean, Clear Color

Jun 4th, 2012
by WIJW.
8 comments
James Andrew - photo Gabriel Everett

James Andrew - photo Gabriel Everett

While designing at Parish-Hadley Inc., I learned a great deal from my friend and mentor Albert Hadley. First and foremost was the importance of establishing a point of view, an aesthetic, (and then to hold to that initial point of view throughout the process!). One would then proceed by getting the “bones right,” that is, by creating a great architectural foundaton before beginning to decorate. After this, one would develop a color palette, using “crisp, clean, clear colors,” as Hadley put it, to dispel “gloom,” and to guarantee a fresh look and a pleasing environment. Of course this is not to say that there was a limited set of prescribed colors one was to choose from. On the contrary, Hadley used a full range—from soft neutrals (he loved beige) to dark creosote brown, and from vibrant reds to aubergine and dark leaf greens, all wonderfully juxtaposed and perfectly balanced to create some of the most iconic interiors of our time.

Building an interior methodically like this, one can be confident of success. These days, I’m proud to reference these vital lessons and many more Hadley shared with me in creating soothing, joyful, and beautiful interiors for my own clients!

A Don Robertson painting from the 70′s provides a rather vibrant backdrop for today’s photo by Gabriel Everett. I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Spencer” jacket in tangerine silk basket weave, lavender micro herringbone weave silk pants, sand colored suede loafers and a abstract silk floral pattern pocket square, Turnbull and Asser purple gingham cotton shirt, Gucci python belt with silver buckle, vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch and my fragrance is Creed Orange Spice.

The NYC Metro Show

Jan 20th, 2012
by WIJW.
4 comments
James Andrew at Stephen Score's Metro Show booth

James Andrew at Stephen Score's Metro Show booth

During my time as a designer for Parish Hadley, the emphasis was on marrying pieces that shared a “sympathetic spirit,” rather than matching periods and styles. Needless to say, this approach allowed for some wonderfully playful and unexpected juxtapositions, and was very much at the heart of Parish Hadley’s most innovative and dynamic interiors.

Happily you’ll find a similar approach at the inaugural Metro Show where dealers and designers have brought together an exciting and eclectic mix of fine collectibles from a wide degree of time periods and styles, both new and old. In fact, it may surprise many to know that this is not a particularly new design trend! As Leigh Keno notes, “… the term ‘modern’ apparently originated in the late 16th century. Even in the early 17th century, a room filled with ‘modern’ furniture and accoutrements very often had ‘antiquities’ mixed in, whether collected or inherited.”

Wherever your specific interests may lie, I’m certain you’ll find some tantalizing object to admire at the marvelous NYC Metro Show. But hurry, it’s only open until Sunday January 22 (the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, NYC). I had the great pleasure of exploring the show’s special preview, and I was so thrilled with the selection that I’ll be returning this weekend with some of my clients in tow.

I’m pictured (top) at the booth of Boston dealer Stephen Score, sporting a Tom Ford “Buckingham” jacket in black and ink wool wide twill damier, pale blue mini herringbone cotton shirt with French cuffs and a black silk pocket square, Gucci black flannel pant, black and gray micro stripe tie and black leather tasseled loafers, black alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren, pearl and pale blue sapphire cuff links, vintage Rolex oyster perpetual watch , amethyst sun glasses Tom Ford era Gucci, Hildestahl Medium III bag in purple leather and my fragrance is Lorenzo Villoresi’s Garofano.

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