WHAT IS JAMES WEARING? Rotating Header Image

Carlton Hobbs

Carlton Hobbs Looking Back

Oct 1st, 2012
by WIJW.
7 comments
James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs - photo Nick Turner

James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs - photo Nick Turner

The superlative Carlton Hobbs Gallery, located in the former home of the illustrious socialite, philanthropist and entrepreneur Virginia Graham Fair Vanderbilt, recently stepped back in time to host a banquet, decorating their glorious space in a manner befitting the latter’s taste and style.

James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs

James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs - photo Nick Turner

Carlton Hobbs and Stefanie Rinza have always presented their extraordinary pieces with a sensitive and historically informed eye, and this latest incarnation of the gallery is no exception. It’s a truly magnificent thing to see their John Russell Pope Neoclassical French style mansion filled with such spectacularly important pieces (as it would have been in Vanderbilt’s day). It’s very much a museum collection (we’re thinking of the Frick) and yet, of course, everything is available to acquire!

It’s a must-see for all decorators, architects and collectors. Do ring up Carlton Hobbs to make an appointment and tour their many ravishing rooms.

I’ve included here just two of my very favorite pieces to wet your appetite.

A rare set of four consulate giltwood x-famed armchairs attributed to Georges Jacob

A rare set of four consulate giltwood x-famed armchairs attributed to Georges Jacob

The Westminster fire office chairs. A highly important set of twenty-two mahogany dining chairs by Mayhew & Ince

The Westminster fire office chairs. A highly important set of twenty-two mahogany dining chairs by Mayhew & Ince

James Andrew - photo Nick Turner

James Andrew - photo Nick Turner

I’m photographed by the fabulous Nick Turner in the Hobbs dining room as well as in their gracious drawing room.

I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Buckingham” jacket in black and ink wool wide twill damier, indigo and white cotton plaid shirt and ivory silk tie, Charvet Paris, navy and royal silk pocket square, vintage Rolex watch, Ralph Lauren black alligator belt with sterling buckle, J Brand “Kane” dark denim jeans, Pierre Hardy Cobalt suede boots and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

Carlton Hobbs Presents:

Inspired by Antiquity

Jan 26th, 2011
by WIJW.
6 comments

James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs - photo by Matthew Dean.

Last week I attended the opening of the monumental Carlton Hobbs exhibition Inspired by Antiquity: Classical influences on 18th and 19th Century furniture and works of art. The exhibition highlights the largest collection of Thomas Hope furniture to be offered for sale in nearly a century. As some of you may know, the fabulously successful British banker, Thomas Hope, was a connoisseur, collector, and designer, whose classically inspired design ideas helped to form the Regency taste.

A visit to the Hobbs gallery is always an enlightening experience thanks to the exhaustive research they perform on all of the pieces they show; for this latest exhibition, Carlton Hobbs and Stefanie Rinza consulted with museum curators and highly regarded experts in the fields of antiquities and decorative arts to help identify the ancient design sources of the pieces and to interpret the symbolism of the decorative devices used.

Inspired by Antiquity: Classical influences on 18th and 19th Century furniture and works of art. is on view January 20th through February 18th, 2011. Do visit Carlton Hobbs to view this truly remarkable and historically significant collection.

I’ve included below just a glimpse of some of the most sensational pieces from the exhibition. Enjoy!

The Duchess Street Settee after a Design by Thomas Hope. English, Circa 1802.

Monumental White Alabaster Vase with Etruscan style painted decoration. Probably Rome, early 19th century.

The Harewood House Torchères. Pair of Carved Faux Bronze and Porphyry Torchères possibly by Thomas Chippendale the Younger. English, Circa 1815.

Dressed for the beyond fabulous opening at Carlton Hobbs, I’m sporting an aubergine silk velvet jacket, wool checked pants in browns and purples, python belt with silver double horsehead buckle and a purple silk paisley skinny scarf all by Gucci, Turnbull and Asser purple cotton shirt with contrast white collar and cuffs, vintage moon stone cuff links, Tom Ford saddle leather loafers and brown and lavender silk polka dot pocket square, my fragrance is Creed Imperial Millesime. Photo by Matthew Dean.

Want to be a Modern Day J.P. Morgan?

Nov 19th, 2010
by WIJW.
16 comments

James Andrew at the Carlton Hobbs Gallery - photo Justin Williams.

There are a few ways to begin creating a room. For instance, one could build slowly, deliberating each step of the way – or, at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, one could simply incorporate an already existing room into one’s construction, or renovation. In fact this approach is not without precedent. But we of course are not suggesting a mass produced prefab — wouldn’t you be appalled if we did? What we are suggesting is something equally doable but infinitely more spectacular.

Fireplace.

Enter our friends the super chic Carlton Hobbs Gallery and one of their most unique offerings: a perfectly and entirely intact French 18th century parcel gilt and white painted Library from the Hotel Gaulin, in Dijon!


A historically significant architectural masterpiece attributed to Jerome Marlet (1713-1810), this unaltered and perfectly proportioned volume boasts an outstanding provenance, having once belonged to JP Morgan, Jr., and subsequently the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

If you are looking to have the most supremely sublime office, private library — the bookcases have been likened to those of the Bibliotheque du Roi at Versailles — or you want to create a glorious retreat, one could positively not do better than to inquire at the Carlton Hobbs Gallery regarding this rarest of opportunities.

Library detail.

Reveling in the beauty and perfection of this room (top), I’m wearing an ivory wide wale cashmere corduroy jacket and cream cashmere turtleneck sweater both by Gucci, Alexander McQueen charcoal tweed herringbone cargo style pants, pocket square in gray silk with black polka dots by Turnbull and Asser, Lanvin gray patent and taupe suede sneakers and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

← Earlier Posts