WHAT IS JAMES WEARING? » Architecture / design

The NYC Metro Show

WIJW — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:59:49 +0000

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.

Rooms With A View 2011

WIJW — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:24:50 +0000

James Andrew Design - Illustration by Scott McBee

I’m quite thrilled and honored to be a part of this year’s Rooms With A View Design Show.

Founded by my mentor, the legendary Albert Hadley, as a venue to support the Southport Congregational Church, it has become one of the most important social events of the season in Connecticut.

There you’ll find a series of vignettes, or mini room settings, designed by some of the most celebrated interior designers from the Northeast. This year’s theme is being called “The Next Generation,” with, as you might have guessed, a focus on rising stars. Of course there’ll be a special tribute to the iconic Albert Hadley, and in this spirit I’ve been taking great pleasure in designing my room with a nod to Hadley, the man who’s been called the “Dean of American Design.” Scott McBee’s able hand has imagined my vignette (above) I think quite perfectly.

I’m being most graciously sponsored by the superlative Scalamandre fabric house and I’ll be using all of their luxurious fabrics and trims in my vignette. I’ll also be featuring a spectacular selection of old and new pieces from some of my favorite dealers and artisans, including Frederick P. Victoria, H M Luther, Topher Carnes, Tucker Robbins, Yale R Burge, French Accents, and the brilliant work of our very own Scott McBee to name a few.

Do mark your calenders! The opening gala preview party is Thursday November 3rd , 2011 6 PM, and the show will be open to the public Friday November 4th 2011 to Sunday November 6th.

I hope to see many of you there!

Madrid Me Encanta

WIJW — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:07:10 +0000

Breakfast at the Villa Magna Hotel.

Our last day in Madrid before heading to Ibiza had us wanting to see as much as we could without feeling rushed, and so we sorted out our day over a relaxing breakfast on one of the terrific terraces of the Villa Magna Hotel.

At the Museo Naval.

Our first stop was the Museo Naval, which was the perfect place for Mr. McBee to find a bit of inspiration for his upcoming portrait of the Spanish Royal yacht “Giralda.”

Next on our list was the the mansion of the Marquis of Cerralbo—it provides a perfectly preserved glimpse of the life of a 19th/20th century Madrileño aristocrat—essentially the Frick of Madrid. It was designed as both home and showcase to display the art and success of the Cerralbos. Needless to say, this is a must see!

Museo Cerralbo

James Andrew and Juan Moline

After a stroll around the super chic “Barrio Salamanca” we popped into restaurant Oter for some “arroz con mariscos,” a Valencia style seafood rice flavored with saffron. We also managed to visit both the Museo Lazaro Galdiano as well as the Museo Arqueologico before meeting up with more fantastic friends and fans for drinks hosted by my dear friend, the gorgeous Juan Moline—what an absolutely lovely experience to be greeted with such warmth and hospitality!

Scott Mcbee and James Andrew - photo Ze Cabral

On the way to meet Moline we were stopped on the street by Ze Cabral of The Lisbon Tailor. He is essentially the “Sartorialist” of Portugal and we were quite honored to be photographed for his brilliant blog!

Then we were off to meet my lovely friend Pepa Charlton for drinks at her stunning home before attending the most divine dinner party hosted by Marta Galatas. Do have a look at her lovely painted furniture. Galatas brought together the most fascinating and wonderful group of friends to celebrate WIJW in her rather splendid flat decorated with the help of legendary interior designer Duarte Pinto Coelho.

Sphinx at the entrance to Museo Arqueologico Nacional.

This was certainly the most spectacular send off we’ve had to date, and all set in this truly beautiful city. We’ll most definitely be returning for more and to reconnect with the wonderful people we’ve met along the way.

I’m wearing a Tom Ford “Spencer” sport jacket in rose silk linen basket weave, Etro silk chiffon paisley shirt, Charvet yellow silk retro print pocket square, Gucci python belt with silver buckle and sunglasses, Uniglo white cotton slim cargo style pants, Etro orange suede tasseled loafers and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

Billy Baldwin

WIJW — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:50:31 +0000

James Andrew at home. Photo by Jory Clay Sutton.

My appreciation for the design work of Billy Baldwin began many years ago quite by chance when I happened upon his impossibly fresh and utterly chic designs in the book, “Billy Baldwin Decorates.” I can remember quite clearly being riveted by the Villa Fiorentina, a magnificent French Riviera home Baldwin decorated for Mr. and Mrs, Harding Lawrence—if you haven’t seen pictures of Baldwin’s interiors there, you must! The book is truly a master class in interior decoration, and has definitively shaped and informed so much of what I do. Albert Hadley, my own mentor, was in fact a student of Baldwin’s and they subsequently became lifelong friends. I feel that much of my friendship with Albert Hadley now was formed through our deep mutual admiration and respect for Baldwin’s vision.

Naturally I’m hugely excited about the new Rizzoli publication, “Billy Baldwin The Great American Decorator;” and doubly gratified by Hadley’s forward. “This is the first fully illustrated account of the career of Billy Baldwin..,” Hadley writes, whose “…style was a revelation-simultaneously classical and modernist, tailored and clean, yet dramatically colored and above all else, American.” It does seem that there is a need for exactly this today, and it should not surprise you that I aspire to the self same goals in the work I do for my own clients!

It might interest you to know that the book contains never before published transcripts of four 1974 lectures Baldwin gave at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum—a must read for every decorator and/or design enthusiast!

For today’s post, I’m channeling a Horst portrait of Baldwin, with a painting that actually once hung over Baldwin’s own sofa!

The fantastic photograph was taken by the bright young photographer, Jory Clay Sutton.

I’m sporting a smashing Tom Ford “Country Jacket” in a dark brown wide wool check and pale blue cotton shirt with contrast white collar, brown silk satin tie Ralph Lauren, brown and pale blue retro print silk pocket square by Charvet, silver pearl and pale blue sapphire Seaman Schepps cuff links, black wool flannel pants by Gucci, sunglasses by Lanvin, Tom Ford brown suede tasseled loafers (not shown), and brown leather belt with faux tortoise buckle, and my fragrance is Creed Vintage Tabarome.

Love’s Garden

WIJW — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:09:19 +0000

James Andrew on the grounds of the Parco dei Principi Hotel.

We spent our last evening in Sorrento exploring the lush grounds of the Parco dei Principi. The gardens are filled with exotic and rare plantings, some of which were placed here as early as the 19th century. Ponti deliberately left many of the historical architectural elements intact as well, exhibiting his deep appreciation for what has come before. Here you’ll find cobble stone walkways, a temple to Venus – and what would a garden be without a bridge dedicated to love as well! – In fact coming to this enchanted place gives one the feeling of falling madly in love – that very moment deliciously distilled – living, yet somehow perfectly suspended in time.

Parco dei Principi Bridge of Love.

On our pre-dinner stroll (top), I’ve stopped to pose. I’m wearing a royal blue cotton sateen jacket by Gucci, Tom Ford shirt with french cuffs in pink and white plaid cotton, Seaman Schepps cuff links are silver pearls with pale blue sapphires, “blue jeans” blue leather belt with silver buckle by Hermes, pink silk pocket square by Charvet, white jeans by Uniglo, navy suede Gucci loafers, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Zest Mandarine Pamplemousse.

Amalfi’s Acqua Santa

WIJW — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:47:09 +0000

James Andrew - Gio Ponti salt water pool

Truly a cathedral to the elements, one cannot help but feel Ponti’s reverence for nature at Parco dei Principi – and perhaps above all the elements there, it is water that reigns quite supreme.

The private beach.

One might choose to self-baptise in the bracing ocean pool via a descent by stair or elevator – (and we do recommend a bite at the sea level restaurant whilst there).

Gio Ponti pool

detail

Or if, on the other hand, one seeks another sort of water experience altogether – then one might choose to plunge off of the sculptural diving platform into the garden salt water pool which Ponti describes in his characteristically poetic fashion as a “…mirror of water for woodland nymphs.” And of course as with any world class hotel, an army of impeccable staff seamlessly facilitates the experience.

Posing on the practically made-for-modeling diving platform I’m sporting a Ponti-like Mediterranean blue speedo by Frankie Morello at Behavior NYC, KVA sunglassses and Anthelios Sunscreen.

Sorrentine Dining

WIJW — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:17:50 +0000

James Andrew at Parco dei Principi.

Details.

As the old Italian proverb goes, “rice is born in water and must die in wine.” And you must surely know by now, we at WIJW? are sensitive to cultural commandments, especially when they involve a good bottle of wine! Needless to say dining options abound on the Amalfi Coast, and we spent much of our stay devouring one spectacular Sorrentine dish after another at the super chic Gio Ponti restaurant at the Parco dei Principi as well as in the historic district at the wonderful La Antica Trattoria. A refreshing bottle of my favorite Italian Rosé facilitated our gustatory explorations quite nicely, and we happily manged to conclude more than one of our meals with generous portions of the most divine “fragoline di bosco” wild strawberries.

Gio Ponti restaurant.

The well dressed table.

The Italians have such a flair for understated elegance, and this was nicely apparent in the lovely table settings – fine linen napkins, and proper silverware! Dining here is a true celebration.

Luckily for me, dressing well in Italy is more oft than not rewarded by preferential treatment when it comes to getting seated at a fine restaurant! I’m pictured above dressed for dinner wearing a Tom Ford “Spencer” sport jacket in rose silk linen basket weave and pale blue cotton french cuff shirt with contrast white collar, Seaman Schepps silver pearl with pale blue sapphire cuff links, Turnbull and Asser retro print silk pocket square in blues and white, Diesel white skinny jeans, Gucci silver chain link belt and navy suede loafers, Cartier “Tank” Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is the impossibly fresh Creed Bois de Cedrat.

Parco dei Principi

WIJW — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:21:24 +0000

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

The Parco is a symphony of blue and white – everywhere one looks Ponti references the sky and sea. Working with the tile company D’Agostino of Salerno, Ponti produced thirty different designs that could be utilized in a multitude of combinations to create both a cohesive overall palette while lending each of the hundred rooms their own uniquely patterned floor.

Parco dei Principi

In the dining room and lounge Ponti worked with celebrated ceramicist Fausto Melotti to create modernist majolica style tiles to adorn the walls – another expression of Ponti’s willingness to blur the lines between art and architecture – and it is not surprising – after all, Ponti himself was not only one of the twentieth centurie’s most influential architects but he was also a noted poet, painter, industrial designer, and writer!

Parco dei Principi

Sultry Sorrento

WIJW — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:29:08 +0000

James Andrew at the Parco dei Principi Hotel

Just back from our Italian jaunt – hope you didn’t miss us too much – we missed you terribly of course! And as promised we’ve come back with some splendid pictures and thoughts that we’ll be sharing over the next couple of weeks – so lets start at the beginning…

Our holiday on the Amalfi Coast begins in Sorrento, a town perched somewhat precariously yet ever so scenically on the majestic cliffs overlooking the bay of Naples. I’d been keen to explore this Gio Ponti modernist masterpiece Parco dei Principi Hotel having read a Wallpaper magazine story several years ago, and as Emerson once put it, “life consists in what a person is thinking of all day” – as you might have surmised, I’ve been thinking about this heavenly realm quite a lot!

Parco dei Principi Hotel

What we see and read in travel articles so often does not live up to expectations – Happily I can tell you Parco dei Principi far exceeded the highest of our expectations! Surprisingly the Parco is the only existing hotel in Italy by Ponti. Totally preserved and wonderfully intact it’s set on the grounds of an old estate, and if you’re a WIJW? regular you’ll have guessed I was wild about the contrast between high modernism and the richly classical surrounds.

Amalfi Coast, Sorrento

In any case, we’re still unpacking, but I couldn’t wait to give you a small taste of posts to follow on our stay at the Parco dei Principi over the next few days – stay tuned!

I’m sporting a navy cotton pique jacket by Gucci, midnight blue and white cotton plaid shirt by Tom Ford, Charvet pink and white retro print silk pocket square, Uniglo pale pink skinny jeans, sunglasses, python belt with silver buckle and brown leather sandals all by Gucci, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram my fragrance is Creed Zeste Mandarine Pamplemousse.

Dupré-Lafon

James — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:19:52 +0000

James Andrew - photo by Hollister Lowe

One can’t be a serious interior designer and not have a deep appreciation for the work of the legendary Paul Dupré-Lafon. Fortunately for all of us, the very talented and sophisticated Keith Adams took his appreciation a step further than most, and has produced a stunning series of exact Lafon recreations. Adams tells us that he has been enthralled with beautiful execution for as long as he can remember – certainly this is no more apparent than in his series of meticulously crafted Dupré-Lafon lamps – I’ve already placed an order for this spectacular standing lamp (above) to use in one of the luxe-modernist projects I’m working on, and I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to have Adams’ pieces for your interior as well!

From K.A. Adams.

(top) I’m pictured here at Adams’ super chic atelier, sitting on a Jean Michel Frank inspired stool and Adams’ lamp, wearing a black cotton wide wale corduroy “Norfolk” style jacket, a teal silk Russian inspired print shirt, a purple silk foulard and paisley skinny scarf, black wool flannel pants all by Gucci, purple alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren, Lanvin teal suede sneakers and KVA sunglasses by Oliver Peoples.