James Andrew at David Duncan Antiques
Just coming off the President’s day Holiday weekend, I’m reminded of my intent to decorate the Obama White House. Not sure why this has not come about, but I’m having a grand time fantasizing! One cannot help but wax a bit nostalgic about the Kennedy era, when, with the help of Stephane Boudin of Maison Jansen, the White House was restored to its original splendor – I’d definitely continue in this spirit – but I’d like to bring the White House into the twenty-first century by showcasing the works of some of our most brilliant twenty-first century artists, photographers, and designers. This would make the most perfect statement – we respect and value where we came from and yet we are open to embracing where we are now and where we our going!
English Regency Bulls-Eye Mirror Great Britain. Circa 1830 An English Regency bulls eye mirror surmounted by an eagle having a ball suspended from chain and dropped by carved and ebonized wood dolphins and shaped ogee molded edge with ball finials. Brass girandole candle arms with cut glass bobeches are draped with crystal drops.
For the more classical aspects of my White House I’d start looking for material at the super chic David Duncan Antiques – these fabulous busts of Lincoln and Washington I’m pictured with set the mood for our post President’s Day Post, resting on a pair of Swedish Neo-classical square pedestals, flanking a French Charles X period mahogany console and topped with an English Regency bulls eye mirror, the whole grouping really would make our presidential fantasy sing!
President Busts Late 19th century. American plaster busts of President Lincoln and President Washington.
(top) All of this has me feeling rather presidential in my Tom Ford amethyst window pane tweed jacket, Turnbull and Asser gray and charcoal silk pocket square, Richard James white and black cotton striped shirt with contrast white collar, Seaman Schepps charcoal pearl cuff links, gray flannel pants by Gucci, purple alligator belt with sterling buckle by Ralph Lauren and black leather “Windsor” loafer by Yves Saint Laurent, my fragrance is Windsor by Creed.
Hi James,
I admire your ambition ! What a great idea… I’m sure that the old manse could use some freshening up.
Good luck and god bless !
Dean (Florida)
ps what about Gracie mansion ?
James, you just never stop surprising your readers! What a beautiful place, and your jacket is to die for!
This is an amazing idea! The White House would look much greater!
Hey where’s the George Bush ?!
~nahhh….
That vibrant yellow wall is certainly a great backdrop for your style!
xo
love the mirror, it´s so elegant!
Qué cosas más bellas hay en David Duncan Antiques, creo que de todos los lugares que has mostrado es el que más me gusta.
Un beso grande,
Lola
Was für schöne Antiquitäten James, David Duncan ist mein lieblings Laden!
Liebe Grüsse
Christiane
tienes un gusto exquisito James!
cariños
Maria
Mein lieber James,
Es ist alles so schön, es wäre eine tolle Idee das Du das Weisse Haus dekorieren würdest!
Drück Dich
M FvS
Amazing place, I will get some things at David Duncan Antiques too!
you look stunning!
Esa chaqueta te queda increíble! Me encanta la composición!
Thinking big is always good!
Hugs
Secret Admirer
Fabuloso como siempre, qué más te puedo decir?
besos
Der Spiegel ist ein Meisterstück! Gefällt mir sehr gut! Du siehst super schick aus!
Liebste Grüsse
Deine Mara
wunderschöne Jacke! Die Hosen passen sehr gut dazu!
Well you should decorate other government houses!
kisses from Brazil
Eugenia
these objects would look great in my house, specially the mirror…
You have lovely ideas darling…
Qué ojo tienes James! Nunca dejas de sorprenderme!
the beard looks very sexy on you james!
kisses from argentina!
Hey, James. Pablo just told me about you and the blog. By the way, I’m a brazilian journalist. Yay for going more and more international.
Brilliant Fantasy. The State Rooms at the White House have been just ham handed, tasseled, gilded and fringed to death in the last 20 years, all semblance of real taste gone…go get ’em.
What a beautiful backdrop of yellow to the Classical busts. Love the fantasy.
My favorite suits are made by Richard James.
We’ve never met, but I saw you last night at the Met. I meant to come over and say hi, and tell you that I like your blog. But I missed you and then had to leave the reception.