Scott Mcbee - photo James Andrew

A quick post to thank my beloved Scott McBee for the monumental amount of patience and effort he’s put into so many of the magnificent images and illustrations on WIJW. I’m deeply grateful and happy to be sharing this amazing journey with someone so outgoing and inquisitive – and I’m deeply blessed to have him here collaborating in life and love. Thank you Scott McBee!

Scott McBee's large scale painting of the Conte di Savoia.

I’m pleased to celebrate the work of the brilliant nautical artist Scott McBee. Featured now at the ultra chic Chinese Porcelain Company on Park Avenue in NYC, McBee’s stunning large scale ocean liners transport one to a time when traveling in ultra style was just as important as arriving at one’s destination. It goes without saying that McBee’s work, which is also now on exhibit at the South Street Seaport Museum in lower Manhattan and can be seen as well in the permanent collection of The Master Works Foundation in Bermuda, has developed a substantial following, and of course many of his fine commissioned yacht portraits now reside in private family collections. I can’t think of a better gift than a McBee for the man (or woman) with a passion for fine yacht design!

Inspired by McBee’s painting ” Conte di Savoia,” I’m wearing a red Gucci leather biker jacket and custom made kelly green shirt with french cuffs, Seaman Schepps black pearl cuff links, white skinny jeans by Diesel, black patent leather belt with silver leather trim and grommets, Dior silver leather sneakers and sunglasses , Cartier vintage “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram, my fragrance is Creed Bois de Cedrat.

James Andrew at DecoDence - with Scott McBee's painting, SS Normandie

Just back from the opening of DecoDence – an ultra fab exhibition showcasing Mario Pulice’s unparalleled ocean liner related collection at the South Street Seaport Museum. A perfect antidote to the economy-over-comfort trend in current day travel, the show gives a rare glimpse of some of the actual objects and fine French furnishings that one could expect to see on one’s transatlantic voyage aboard the exceedingly lavish oceanic angel, SS Normandie.

Furnishings at the DecoDence exhibit.

How I do long for the return of this kind of elegance and sophistication, where travel was as much about the journey as it was the destination! -Am I over romanticizing this? I think not! As you know, we really crave that all enveloping design experience here at WIJW, so it is quite natural for us to go on a bit about iconic ocean liners like the Normandie – and I’m sure you’ll forgive me for imagining just what we’d wear in those heavenly grand salons, while chatting with the glitterati of yore. And did I mention that the artist, Scott McBee ‘s large scale painting of the Normandie is the centerpiece of this brilliant exhibition?! This fact alone, despite the hideous weather, made it an easy thing to make my way down to this fantastic event.

Special mention has to be made of a recently discovered 1939 short color film showing at the exhibit that captures life aboard the SS Normandie on one of its voyages between New York and France – another very good reason to put DecoDence at the very top of your must-see list!

I’m pictured here in front of McBee’s iconic SS Normandie wearing a navy velvet jacket by Gucci, Tom Ford blue end on end cotton shirt with contrast white collar, Seaman Schepps silver pearl and pale blue sapphire cuff links, Charvet Paris retro print pocket square in white and green silk, black watch plaid wool pant by Paul Smith, purple alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren, navy leather cap toe slip on shoes by Gucci. My fragrance is Royal Water by Creed

From our WIJW Lobel Modern post. Illustration Scott McBee

We’re wishing a Happy Anniversary to all of our WIJW friends!

In celebration, and to thank our readers, supporters, fellow bloggers, and sponsors for their ongoing support we’ve asked the very talented Scott McBee to create this spectacular 1st Anniversary Paper Doll. With a nod to the classic paper dolls of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, our dolls recall some of the past year’s outrageous outfits. Download the PDF, print it out on sturdy stock, and have a blast playing dress up with James.

DOWNLOAD the complete WIJW 1st Anniversary Paper Doll collection.

Anniversaries are a great time to reflect on what has come before and to imagine future possibilities. We began WIJW as a means to share a certain design sensibility and to bring our vision for elevated living to a global audience. Happily I can say WIJW has come quite a way in the past year and new previously unimagined opportunities continue to arise. I’ve been asked to do stories on hotels, restaurants, clothing boutiques, and to write columns in mainstream magazines, design clothing, consult, market and advise! I’ve also met many new clients who were looking for a fresh design perspective, and needed help on the array of aspects that make up a great living space. In the end, though, it is the enjoyment that so many are getting from what we do at WIJW that makes this such a pleasure. I was particularly touched by a recent comment from one of our WIJW friends and I hope you all will forgive me another moment of unabashed self indulgence for quoting it here:

Shannon Buchester
on Jul 23rd, 2009.

James, you provide a truly visual feast. I linger over your exquisite images and descriptions and am transported into a place where everything is beautiful! Your elan, immaculate style and joie de vivre are inspirational and exciting. I feel your passion, you truly live out loud.
Congratulations on an amazing life, I adore you x

WOW! I really live for this kind of connection.

It has been a spectacular year and I look forward to bringing you much much more from WIJW in the coming year. Thanks to all!

Light, hugs and blessings,

James

From our WIJW Seaman Schepps post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Idylic Italy post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Princely Puertorico post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Dressing Up post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Riverside Stroll post. Illustration by Scott McBee

From our WIJW Scintillating Santorini post. Illustration by Scott McBee

DOWNLOAD the complete WIJW 1st Anniversary Paper Doll collection.

There is an old school more formal vibe in Bermuda, a jacket is almost mandatory for dinner or any smart party. I chose a palette of purple, lavender, turquoise and minty aqua mixed with white and beige. Dressed to celebrate McBee’s success, I’m wearing a Gucci minty -aqua cotton suit, with a Tom Ford french cuff shirt in lavender end on end cotton with contrast white collar and a lavender cotton Glenn plaid cotton pocket square, Seaman Schepps cufflinks in silver pearls with pale blue sapphire, purple alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren and python loafers by Gucci.

James Andrew at Raj Tolaram's

Of course I felt the need to be extra festive, so here I’m sporting a mint green velvet jacket by Gucci over an extravagantly embroidered cotton voile kurta (thank you Kuki), white skinny jeans by Diesel, Gucci sunglasses and python loafers. As you can imagine, I received a few looks as I breezed along Park Avenue!

I was intoxicated by those extraordinary images in the pages of Vogue, and fantasized constantly about creating rooms like them for discerning clients. Often imagination becomes reality, and in my case this has been proven many times over – I did indeed get to create similar rooms and work for the legendary firm of Parish Hadley!

Here I am whimsically depicted by the accomplished illustrator and artist Scott McBee in a dining room with 18th century style hand painted wallpaper and mirrored treillage borders based on an interior by Albert Hadley. I look forward to designing an updated version of this room for my own future town house!

I am illustrated wearing a cognac corduroy suit, an over sized silk paisley scarf, a silk cotton Russian floral print shirt, and brown leather “Chelsea” boots all by Gucci, glasses are Tom Ford.

I am posing here the day after the opening next to McBee’s grand “Normandie,” – in my arms, the very handsome Jack Russel, Oliver. I am wearing a Gucci black wool flannel jacket, Tom Ford black and white silk pocket square, a teal silk Russian print shirt by Gucci, wool windowpane plaid pants by Gucci, silver chain link belt and navy blue leather cap toe shoes also by Gucci.

I love the work of up-and-coming artists like Alexander Scott – I place his work in my interiors whenever possible. Here I am in the studio of another “Scott,” soon to be legendary artist Scott Mcbee. His large scale ocean liner paintings are breathtakingly beautiful. I recently acquired one, and I can’t wait for his upcoming show in November at the Chinese Porcelain Company.

I am wearing a navy cotton pique jacket by Gucci, a Michael Bastian blue and white western shirt, with a green python belt, silver double horse head buckle, jeans by Paper Denim, and blue suede loafers by Gucci.