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January, 2014:

In With The Old by Jennifer Boles

Jan 31st, 2014
by WIJW.
13 comments

With the eye of a decorative historian, Jennifer Boles researches vintage magazines and books, posting her spectacular finds on her site, The Peak of Chic. It’s a delightful read and a wonderful design resource - in fact it’s one of the first blogs that caught my eye years ago.

With so much valuable information, it was only natural for Boles to capture the best of it in book form. In with the Old: Classic Decor from A to Zcelebrates the chicest of chic, with 100 of the most stylish decorating details favored by the greatest taste-makers of the 20th century, and it includes pithy tips on how to adapt these ideas to the world of today. Needless to say, it’s a must have for any design enthusiast.

Jennifer Boles with James Andrew at Lyford

I had the pleasure to spend some time with my friend Boles in Lyford Cay recently (pictured above). It isn’t surprising that many of the design elements she presents in her gorgeous new book can be seen at that great bastion of taste, Lyford; a testament to Boles’ keen eye. From bamboo, banquettes, and canopies, to exotic prints and murals…it’s all there!

Order your copy on Amazon: In with the Old: Classic Decor from A to Z

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Fighting the Freeze

Jan 29th, 2014
by WIJW.
12 comments

James Andrew winter NYC - photo Nick Turner

The so called “polar vortex” certainly has made agoraphobes out of many of our most adventurous here in the northeast! In fact it’s days like these that make me pretty grateful to have a rather extensive library of fine art books to return to after I’ve been tromping around out there! Many, if not most, of my finest were acquired after a luxurious browse at my favorite bookstore, the 57th St. Rizzoli in NYC. It’s really the most perfect spot to find refuge when the days are not so hospitable, and to spark inspiration (via a gorgeous book) when one’s mind is as numb (or as overheated, depending on the season) as the streets of the city might be. And this leads me to an issue that has raised my temperature enough to take some action, despite the call to general inactivity that the season tempts us with — I refer to the impending demise of said Rizzoli bookstore - the thirty year home of one of the most beautiful bookstores on the planet. As you know by now, we’ve long lamented the slow death of the physical bookseller, but this affront to all that is decent really is the last straw - there’s a wrecking ball aimed at the heart of this most beloved bastion of fine book-dom folks. Thankfully, my dear fellow bibliophiles, there ARE a few actionable things you can do to help preserve this finest of locations (and you don’t necessarily have to freeze at its doors just now to help!) Do visit the Rizzoli USA sight. Signing the petition to grant Landmark status to the space would be a good start. Apparently more than 8000 people from over 60 countries have done just this. No need to be figuratively frozen. Fight the freeze and warm some hearts with your quick action now!

photo - courtesy Rizzoli

Dressed to mobilize in style (photo by Nick Turner), my polar gear includes a Tom Ford era Gucci shearling jacket, cognac corduroy suit, Tom Ford plaid cotton shirt, purple wool knit tie, purple silk glenn plaid pocket square, Ralph Lauren purple alligator belt, Le Chameau wellies, Gucci peccary gloves, Hildestahl tote bag, Tom Ford “Nicolo” sunglasses and my fragrance is Creed Epicea.

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THE YOUNG COLLECTORS NIGHT AT THE WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW

Jan 27th, 2014
by WIJW.
6 comments
James Andrew at the Arader Galleries' booth at The Winter Antiques Show

James Andrew at the Arader Galleries’ booth - The Winter Antiques Show

I can’t believe it but the event of the season is already upon us - of course I’m referring to The Young Collectors Night at The Winter Antiques Show this Thursday evening January 30, 2014 7-9 PM at The Park Avenue Amory. If you have not secured your tickets - now is the time! Get your tickets online here.

We were invited to a special preview recently and, as expected, the show is spectacular, with a marvelous range of objects to suit everyone’s fancy. Of particular note was the Arader Galleries showing — certainly one of the highlights of this year’s show. I’m wild about Frederick Judd Waugh’s 1932 “70 Degrees North” - a dramatic Arctic scene by one of America’s finest Marine painters. Waugh’s powerful depiction of the noble polar bear surveying his Arctic kingdom is truly sublime! And it’s just one of the many superb offerings you’ll find there.

It goes without saying that we’ll be back on Thursday to have a more in depth look at many of the things that caught our eye — the event inevitably brings out the most gorgeous of the city’s glitteratti, and so we’ll be taking the opportunity to do some people watching as well!

I’m sporting a Tom Ford charcoal wool/silk tweed country jacket, Michael Bastian chartreuse wool fair isle cardigan, cerulean blue cashmere turtleneck by Dolce & Gabanna, Gucci wool check pant, Lanvin green hightop sneakers, vintage Rolex, Charvet chartreuse silk pocket square and my fragrance Creed Royal Oud, Tom Ford - bronzing gel providing me with a glorious glow.

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