Albert Hadley Remembered

Several blogs have paid tribute to the passing of the Dean of American Interior Design, Albert Hadley.  One, written by my friend and former Parish-Hadley employee Thomas Jayne for a NY TIMES blog includes some photos that Devoted Readers may not have seen before.  Anthony Barzilay Freund wrote a fitting tribute for 1st Dibs in which some former employees (including The Devoted Classicist), friends, and clients were quoted in praise of the legendary designer, accompanied by photos of his work.  And now VERANDA magazine has a similar tribute produced by long-time A.H. devotee Carolyn Englefied with interviews by Mimi Read in the May-June, 2012, issue.

Rendering by Albert Hadley
now in the collection of the New York School of Interior Design.

This Albert Hadley sketch of a proposed New York City Living Room is from the VERANDA article, as is the photo at the start of the post.  The sketch is a remarkably characteristic expression by Mr. Hadley, showing a ceiling perhaps a bit higher than actual, a mixture of antiques and contemporary furniture, comfortable upholstery and auxiliary pieces and an acknowledgement of architecture, in this case the large scale paving and the big but well-proportioned window.  Although the art appears to be contemporary, it could be a large traditional painting in the final realized scheme.  Of course there is decorative lighting instead of recessed downlights, in this case a two-tiered chandelier.  The indication of pattern might be the most telling, however.  It is not the intent that it be a spotted room, but rather that is just a proposal for the walls, curtains, folding screen, armless chairs, and large pair of square cushions to be all the same fabric.  The sofa is shown in a subtle stripe, but that meant a fabric different from the previous.  And the center decorative cushion in an accent fabric meant just that;  maybe it was a Alan Campbell batik just as it appears.  A study of any of Albert Hadley's later sketches reveals similar thought put into his initial designs.

The Sanctuary of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Nashville.
Photo:  American Guild of Organists

Albert Hadley lived a long life and shared his talent for design and gracious living with scores of clients and employees whose careers he so greatly influenced.  Uncharacteristic of an individual of such stature in the the design field, he was modest and very private.  Along with relatives, friends, and other former employees, I attended his funeral a few weeks ago in Nashville.  It was as sparse and modest as he undoubtedly requested.  The Sanctuary appeared as it would on any other day;  there was no additional decoration for the funeral.  The pastor gave a brief history of Mr. Hadley's life, but there was no eulogizing.  For me, the memorial service will be the opening of the exhibit of selections from the personal archives that had been donated to the Nashville Public Library as related in my February 9, 2012, post Albert Hadley: The Zen of Seeing.  Surrounded by a sampling of personal scrapbooks and sketches, Bunny Williams addressed a gathering of appreciative Albert Hadley fans with stories of his achievements and influence, interspersed with anecdotes.  I have many personal recollections, of course, but that address by Bunny will be the tribute to the great man to remember.

Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville, 2012

One of the most anticipated February events in the Mid-South is the annual Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville, starting this year with the Preview Party on Thursday evening, February 9, and continuing on through Sunday, February 12, 2012.  Advance notice is being given because the tickets to the special events of the show often sell-out.

Barry Dixon

The Collectors Party on Friday evening features a tour of the vendors' booths by Carolyn Englefield, Editor at Large for VERANDA magazine, and interior designer Barry Dixon of Warrenton, Virginia.  Barry is the author of BARRY DIXON INTERIORS and BARRY DIXON INSPIRATIONS.  (All books and magazine subscriptions are available at a considerable discount with the option of free shipping by clicking on the title).

Miles Redd

Nancy Goslee Power

The Devoted Classicist is acquainted with both of the February 10 lecturers and predicts that each of their presentations will be well-received.  Miles Redd is an Atlanta-born and raised interior designer now based in New York City.  Formerly employed in the to-the-trade decorative furnishings shop of John Rosselli and then as an asssistant to Bunny Williams, Miles Redd is known for bold color combinations and reinterpretations of classic traditional design.  Nancy Goslee Power is a Santa Monica landscape architect known for her contemporary gardens utilizing spatial experiences and visually striking palattes.  Nancy is author of the book POWER OF GARDENS.

Eddie Ross

A Lecture and Demonstration will by given by Eddie Ross, former food editor for Martha Stewart Living and an Associate Decorating Editor at House Beautiful.  His topic will involve giving new life to antique china by using it in fresh and inventive settings.  With partner Jaithan Kochar, he operates a design studio and creative marketing consultancy based in northwest Connecticut.  The Devoted Classicist is a fan of Eddie's always interesting and inspiring eponymous blog.

Suzanne Rheinstein

David Kleinberg

Another feature of the show is Ask-An-Expert, two separate on-the-floor complimentary talks with book signings on that Saturday.  Suzanne Rheinstein, an interior designer and owner of the Los Angeles home furnishings shop Hollyhock, will present her book featuring her own residences and as well as some projects AT HOME: A STYLE FOR TODAY WITH THINGS FROM THE PAST at 11:30 on February 11.  David Kleinberg, my former co-worker at Parish-Hadley who now has his own successful interior design firm DKDA, will present his book featuring his firm's projects TRADITIONAL NOW: INTERIORS BY DAVID KLEINBERG at 1:30 on February 11.  David's own apartment was featured in a previous post here.

There are always a good selection of antiques dealers, including Memphis-based Thomas M. Fortner Antiques and Simmons-Leonce;  be sure to stop by their booths and introduce yourself to Tom Fortner and A.W. Simmons if you go.  Half of the exhibitors are horticultural or garden-related vendors, and those are often interesting as well.

But the most exciting aspect of the show is the competitive exhibition by Nashville garden designers, landscape architects, hard-scapers, and nurserymen.  Planned months in advance but installed in only a day or two, this a judged display and the results are usually imaginative and inspiring, especially given the time of year.

The beneficiaries of the show's proceeds are Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art (featured in a previous post here) and The Exchange Club Charities.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website www.antiquesandgardenshow.com.