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Nicholas Turner

James Andrew - portrait by Nicholas Turner

James Andrew - portrait by Nicholas Turner

When WIJW was in its infancy, making posts was a fairly spontaneous affair—with photography being pretty nearly an afterthought. I’d simply be shopping for a client at, say, the Chinese Porcelain Factory or H M Luther, I’d see a piece that aligned with my aesthetic, and out would come a little compact camera to capture the scene. Some of these images were definitely better than others, (thankfully, in a pinch, our own Scott McBee would step in to take the shot, and he did manage to actually capture some rather fine images despite the impromptu circumstances!).

Of course, as things progressed—and WIJW started to garner serious international attention—we began to rely on pro-photographers for many of our shots to create a high quality WIJW experience. Subsequently, now that we’ve been at it for some years, I’ve had the great pleasure to work with quite a few fine artist/photographers. Among our quiver of creatives, I hold Nicholas Turner in high regard. As you can see, we’ve reconnected with him just now to produce this intimate and probing portrait (a touch of Snowdon perhaps?), and I must say I’m rather pleased with the results. Incidentally, Turner is working on his first book project—a photo diary of sorts—with a collection of self portraits. We can’t wait to see the results!

I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Country Jacket” in amethyst wool silk tri-color windowpane, white, gray and black check shirt with French cuffs, vintage moon stone cuff links, gray silk Hermes pocket square, Gucci purple foulard and paisley silk scarf as ascot and my fragrance is Creed Royal-Oud.

NYC20

James Andrew at NYC20

The New York 20th Century Art and Design Fair (NYC20) is a superb new exhibition showcasing—you guessed it—outstanding 20th Century art and design selected by none but the very finest dealers. As per my usual M.O., I’ve included a few highlights as a tease, and I trust this will find you and yours suitably primed to visit this splendid show over the weekend. It’s open to the public Friday – Sunday, at Lincoln Center in Damrosch Park.

A pair of Jansen lucite obelisks from Dragonette

A pair of Jansen lucite obelisks from Dragonette

Vintage Halston from Katy Kane

Vintage Halston from Katy Kane

A very rare Cartier Paris silver tea & coffee set.

A very rare Cartier Paris silver tea & coffee set.

At top, I’m pictured at the Trinity House booth in front of a monumental Patrick Joseph Caulfield entitled “Interior with Fondue Pan,” (do I look a bit blury? Sometimes art has a disorientating affect on the senses!). I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Country Jacket” in a dark brown wide wool check, white cotton shirt with French cuffs, black silk tie, black and white silk pocket square and brown suede with brown crocodile cap toe lace up shoes, vintage black pearl cuff links, Gucci python belt and black and grey micro hounds tooth wool pants, my fragrance is Creed Royal Oud.

The Splendor of Cuba

The Splendor of Cuba

For many, the idea of Cuba is very much about ruins—a dilapidated colonial world of disintegrating plaster and cigar smoke—and yes, no doubt there is plenty of that, but thankfully there are actually a great multitude of remarkable sites in Cuba that have remained intact and well preserved.

Enter Michael Connors’ sumptuous Rizzoli tome, “The Splendor of Cuba.” A celebration of what has been miraculously preserved, Connors’ book offers a rather fantastic look at the diverse centuries-old architectural make up of this largest island in the Caribbean (captured in truly stunning photographs by Brent Winebrenner), and offers hope that perhaps all is not entirely lost.

From The Splendor of Cuba

From The Splendor of Cuba

From The Splendor of Cuba

From The Splendor of Cuba

From The Splendor of Cuba

From The Splendor of Cuba

I have a particularly close connection to Cuba (being half Cuban), and often find myself wondering if one day I might reclaim my family’s properties—one can only imagine what sort of condition they would be in.

James Andrew - 1980's at the legendary La Floridita

James Andrew - 1980's at the legendary La Floridita

An early 80′s image of yours truly in Cuba, (already striking a familiar pose?) at the legendary La Floridita – home of the Daiquiri.

The New Newel

James Andrew at the Newel — photo Gabriel Everett

James Andrew at the Newel — photo Gabriel Everett

The new Newel?…well perhaps not exactly “new” (amazingly, the Newel has been around since the late 1930′s!), but a recent renovation of its first floor gallery certainly has given their space a fabulous new Manhattan loft feel, lending everything a bright new context.

In my own design work, I have to be well versed in a multitude of design idioms—whether I’m creating a Moroccan fantasy garden room or a modernist French salon, I often look to the hugely diverse selection at Newel, to take my interiors to that next level.

The Newel — photo Gabriel Everett

The Newel — photo Gabriel Everett

At Newel, you’ll find six floors of treasures to discover, with a combined presentation of antiques, modern art, and contemporary furniture, which is really quite perfect, as this sort of mix can be found in many homes today.

If you find yourself in town, make a point to visit Newel—they always have something there to pique one’s interest. And if you are not up to the trek, you are in luck—the Newel has recently revamped their website, providing a wonderfully seamless online shopping experience.

As mentioned, I’ve dressed the Newel windows this month—do check them out! They’ve been getting some stellar reviews.

The Newel — photo Gabriel Everett

The Newel — photo Gabriel Everett

On a quest for some fabulous “focal point” pieces (top) I’m taking time to peruse Newel’s splendid collection. I’m sporting a Tom Ford three piece suit in charcoal wool cashmere Prince of Wales plaid, purple wool knit tie and black and saddle leather loafers, Tom Ford era Gucci lavender and white striped shirt with contrast white collar and French cuffs, vintage black pearl cuff links, Turnbull and Asser grey silk pocket square, vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch and my fragrance is the very elegant Creed Spice and Wood.

James Andrew for Newel

James Andrew at the Newel Gallery

James Andrew at the Newel Gallery - photo Gabriel Everett

I’ve always appreciated the great range of exceptional antiques and art at the Newel Gallery, and consequently it was an easy decision to make when I accepted a request to dress their gallery windows this month. With so many fabulous pieces to chose from, the real challenge lay (as is oft the case, unlimited resources or not) in the edit. That being said, I’m quite pleased with the final arrangement, which you will see, is comprised of a hugely disparate grouping of pieces—but all work quite well together, I think, creating a super chic conflation of modernist objects, art, and antique chinoiserie.

Arrangement by James Andrew at the Newel Gallery

Arrangement by James Andrew at the Newel Gallery

Do come visit the Newel to have a look at my windows (they’ll be on view through April) and to peruse the gallery’s superb collection.

On a chilly Spring day, I’m sporting a Gucci tweed topcoat, Tom Ford amber cashgora sweater, brown cotton corduroy pants, brown and white mini hounds tooth cotton shirt and brown tasseled leather loafers, Gucci sunglasses, vintage Rolex Oyster perpetual watch and my fragrance is Creed Bois du Portugal.

Jeremiah Goodman

Speaking with Jeremiah Goodman - photo Gabriel Everett

Speaking with Jeremiah Goodman - photo Gabriel Everett

As you have probably gathered by now, I have a particularly voyeuristic fetish when it comes to the lives of iconic figures, especially if their interiors were created by equally major designers!

Enter the legendary artist, Jeremiah Goodman, with whom I recently had the most marvelous meeting. You will recall his work from the covers of a multitude of magazines (Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Interior Design, etc., etc.) showcasing the rooms of nearly everybody who was/is anybody; from socialites to creative figures, including, but in no way limited to, Edward Albee, Yves Saint Laurent, Mario Buatta, Billy Baldwin, Elsie de Wolfe, Diana Vreeland, the Duchess of Windsor, Rose Cumming, Sir John Gielgud, Greta Garbo, Cecil Beaton, and Bruce Weber—the list goes on and on—and it is no wonder why. Goodman’s work not only creates a palpable descriptive reality, but through an energetic stroke and rich palette he conveys actual presence: an added dimension of emotion and a dramatically heightened sense of place that one would be quite hard pressed (ok, let’s just say it would be nearly impossible) to capture photographically.

Jeremiah Goodman - The Duchess Of Windsor, Country Bedroom, France 2005

Jeremiah Goodman - The Duchess Of Windsor, Country Bedroom, France

Jeremiah Goodman, Chateau Moton.

Jeremiah Goodman, Chateau Moton.

Jeremiah Goodman, Elsa Schiaparelli.

Jeremiah Goodman, Elsa Schiaparelli.

It may come as no surprise to you that I often look to the celebration of life and beauty in Goodman’s work for inspiration when embarking on my own interior projects (a sort of art imitates life imitates art scenario). Needless to say, my meeting with Goodman was filled with deep rapport—and as if oft the case when meeting such genius, I’m left feeling wildly inspired.

A selection of his fine paintings in limited edition prints as well as note cards are available through Dean Rhys Morgan’s, Works on Paper.

Also, do watch the video with Goodman talking about his work and career in our previous post!

Enjoying a few of Goodman’s splendidly edifying stories (top), I’m sporting a Tom Ford “Buckingham” jacket in black and ink wool wide twill damier, indigo plaid cotton shirt and brown leather tasseled loafers, Gucci python belt, J Brand “Kane” jeans, Charvet silk pocket square, vintage Rolex Perpetual watch and my fragrance is Creed Spice and Wood.Works on Paper