Parish-Hadley Book Launch

60 East 93rd Street, New York City.
John Russell Pope, architect, completed 1931.
Photo: Collection of the Museum of the City of New York.

October 13, 2015, marked the launch reception for the new book PARISH-HADLEY TREE OF LIFE: AN INTIMATE HISTORY OF THE LEGENDARY DESIGN FIRM by Brian J. McCarthy and Bunny Williams.  The Devoted Classicist, John Tackett, a contributor, was an honored guest along with the thirty others who have a chapter in the book.  The reception was held in the glorious Manhattan townhouse that is home to the noted antiquarian Carlton Hobbs at 60 East 93rd Street.


No sign of commerce marks the entrance to Carlton Hobbs, LLC.
Photo by John J. Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog.

That block between Madison and Park Avenue is one of my absolute favorites, the site of several of the city's most distinctive townhouses.  Number 60 was designed by architect John Russell Pope and completed in 1931 for Virginia Fair Vanderbilt.  Heir to the fortune her father made from the Comstock Lode and Big Bonanza mine, she was married to William Kissam Vanderbilt, president of the New York Central Railroad, until 1927.  Despite the financial reverses of many during the Great Depression, there were no economic hardships for "Birdie," as her friends called her, who divided her time between this house, another on Long Island, and a third in California. 


The main block of 60 East 93rd Street has three principal floors
with the set-back entrance not seen here.
Photo by John J. Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog.

The house replaced three rowhouses and was built of limestone.  There are three principal floors but the service areas are on seven stories of shorter ceiling heights within that space.  Originally, there were four 18th century paneled rooms (one was removed by a subsequent owner) with antique parquet floors (replaced after occupation by a school).  Decorative hardware in the antique style was made by Bricard in Paris.


The Dining Room as set up as display space for
antiques offered for sale.
Photo by John J. Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog.

After Virginia Fair Vanderbilt's death at age 60, the house was bought Bryan and Thelma Foy, she being the very stylish and rich daughter of auto manufacturer Walter Chrysler.  Then the house was occupied by the Romanian Mission to the United Nations before being bought by the Lycee Francais.  Carlton Hobbs bought the 50 room mansion for about $10.5 million in 2002 and spent two years in restoration.  Read more about the house in a past post of Daytonian in Manhattan.


Designers Brian J. McCarthy and Bunny Williams, authors of
PARISH-HADLEY TREE OF LIFE: AN INTIMATE HISTORY OF THE LEGENDARY DESIGN FIRM
address the guests from the staircase at the book launch reception.
Photo by John J. Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog.

In addition to seeing the interior of the house, it was a great treat to see some of my old friends and colleagues and meet new ones.  In addition to Brian and Bunny, who were there with their respective spouses Danny Sager and John Rosselli, there was Thomas Jayne, Michael Whaley (and wife K.T.), David Kleinberg, Nicholas Miles Pentecost, Libby Cameron, Kim Cruise, Nancy Porter, Carol Cavaluzzo, John Murray, David McMahon, and Paul Engel.  And it was so good to see Mark Ferguson with business partner Oscar Shamamian with their wives Natalie Jacobs and Llewellyn Sinkler.  Parish-Hadley "alumni" after my tenure included Douglas C. Wright, Todd Klein, James Andrew, and Thom Filicia.


A view from the staircase of some of those gathered for the book launch reception.
Photo by John J. Tackett for The Devoted Classicist blog.

It was a great pleasure to see Peter van Hattum the spouse of the late Harold Simmons, my former "boss" who was such a great teacher.  And also attending was former employee from the early days of Parish-Hadley, Suzanne Earls Carr.  Sue introduced me to her guest, Bruce Budd, the esteemed designer who had worked for the late tastemaker Bunny Mellon; what a treat to meet such a talented gentleman!  Also in attendance was former Parish-Hadley client and great friend of Albert Hadley Rene Meyers who is practically part of the alumni group. One of my favorite decorative painters, Chuck Fischer, was there; he also has authored some fantastic pop-up books with his illustrations literally springing to life throughout the book.  And I spoke briefly to author of several books on famous decorators Stephen Salny.  Of course, there were many, many others and I am sure I am leaving someone out.  But it was fun and a good time was had by all.  Thanks to our host Carlton Hobbs and literary marketing & branding agent Jill Cohen with associate Lizzy Hyland.

New Orleans Lady

Julia Reed
on the porch of her First Street house
in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Photo:  online.wsj.com

Julia Reed, one of the South's most celebrated contemporary writers, bought a circa 1847 Greek Revival house in New Orleans' Garden District with her husband John Pearce in 2004, a year before Hurricane Katrina.  The experience is chronicled in her popular book THE HOUSE ON FIRST STREET: MY NEW ORLEANS STORY.

Julia Reed's house is considered one of New Orleans' most beautiful and hospitable homes.  Decorated with assistance from Thomas Jayne, decorator friends Suzanne Rheinstein and Patrick Dunne also gave advice.  In an article written by Julia Reed for Elle Décor magazine, she says Thomas referred to the team as the "Committee on Taste."  The house is also featured in Thomas' acclaimed book AMERICAN DECORATION: A SENSE OF PLACE.


1236 First Street, New Orleans.
Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Entrance Hall of Julia Reed's house
looking back towards the front door.
Thomas Jayne advocated a neutral decorating
scheme to compliment the adjacent parlors.
Photo:  Jayne Design Studio



The Front Parlor contains the pair of
faux bamboo settees purchased before the
house was bought in 2004.
Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

Looking from the Front Parlor to the Back Parlor.
The bold door and window trim is typical of the
Greek Revival period.
Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Back Parlor is also used as a Music Room.
The gilt catfish on the piano was salvaged
from a Mardi Gras float.
Thomas Jayne suggested the Claremont yellow
silk for the curtains and the chintz from Le Manach.
Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Dining Room contains a sofa from the home
of Julia Reed's grandmother in Nashville.
Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Pantry is painted in Ball Green
paint from Farrow & Ball.
Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor

The Kitchen contains a range for serious cooking.
Julia Reed wrote the food column for the
"New York Times" magazine for several years.
Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor

A Guest Bathroom is decorated with 19th century
prints of Napoleon and Pope Pius VII.
Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor.

The Master Bedroom features an
Aubusson rug on top of sisal.
Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor

The Library was added in the 20th century.
The stained paneling was painted to resemble pine
 by Julia Reed's childhood friend, Anne McGee.
Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

 

The Sunroom features Bennison Crewelwork fabric.
Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor.

Homeowner Julia Reed in the Sunroom
of her house on First Street.
Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor

Now the house is being offered for sale.  Additional photos may be seen on the real estate website.  Reports are that Julia and her husband are looking at the French Quarter as possibly their next home.

Julia Reed's collection of essays about other experiences can be read in her best-selling book QUEEN OF THE TURTLE DERBY AND OTHER SOUTHERN PHENOMENA.  Additional stories as well as practical advice such as how to cook for compliments are found in HAM BISCUITS, HOSTESS GOWNS, AND OTHER SOUTHERN SPECIALTIES: AN ENTERTAINING LIFE (WITH RECIPES).  Julia Reed is famous as a hostess and some of her best advice will be given in her new book to be released at the end of the month, BUT MAMA ALWAYS PUT VODKA IN HER SANGRIA!: ADVENTURES IN EATING, DRINKING, AND MAKING MERRY.

Devoted Readers in the Chicago area will want to attend a style blogger panel discussion on April 20, 2013, as part of the Antiques & Garden Fair benefiting Chicago Botanic Garden.  Jennifer Boles of The Peak of Chic, Emily Evans Eerdmans of Emily Evans Eerdmans, and Marisa Marcantonio of STYLEBEAT will comprise the panel with the moderator being no other than the always delightful Julia Reed.

Never Plain Jayne

The cottage is seen from the added porch
of the main house as furnished by Thomas Jayne.
Photo by Pieter Estershohn.

Decorator Thomas Jayne approached a project for a young couple with an 18th century house and adjacent 1920s cottage in Garrison, New York, like conserving a painting rather than restoring it.  Thomas saw the solution more in terms of "pulling together" rather than decorating as most would think of the term.


The interior of the one room cottage
with Morris chairs from Sarah Latham Kearns.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn.
 

"Every room has its own character, but we avoided the red room/blue room syndrome," Thomas was quoted in an article written by Suzanne Slesin that appeared in the June, 1997, issue of House & Garden magazine (when it was edited by Dominique Browning).



The living room.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn.

In the living room, the Clarence House 'Tree Peonies' linen fabric used for the Roman shades and accent cushions provided the color palette for the whole house.  "If something didn't look good with the fabric, it just didn't get into the house."


The dining room.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn.

Delft tiles were added to the facing of the fireplace in the dining room which is always candle-lit.  A set of 19th century Windsor chairs surround the table on a seagrass rug.



The flower room.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn.

All the flowers in the shots, it must be noted, are 'lady of the house' arrangements, as they are when the house is not being professionally photographed.  (The issue of flower arrangements created for photo shoots is a subject for a whole essay in the future for The Devoted Classicist).


The master bedroom.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn.



A bathroom.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn.



A view into the sleeping porch.
Photo by Pieter Estershohn.

The whole range of Thomas Jayne's decorating talent is presented in the monograph of his work, AMERICAN DECORATION: A SENSE OF PLACE.  (See a previous post of The Devoted Classicist about the book here).  In celebration of the book's critical and popular success, one of Thomas' biggest fans, Stephanie Jones of the blog me & mrs jones, is hosting a book-signing reception at her delightful shop/studio in Memphis this Saturday afternoon, March 30, 2013, between the hours of 4 to 6.  All are invited to stop by and meet Thomas.

A General Note About Comments

The Devoted Classicist usually reads the posts of fellow Bloggers on his mobile phone and finds the verification process particularly troublesome, sometimes requiring two (or more) tries to duplicate the security code.  Since the comments are moderated, this process has been eliminated for those wanting to comment on this site in an effort to streamline the process of creating an informative and friendly conversation.  While those who leave a comment are a tiny fraction of the total who read The Devoted Classicist, the comments are a very welcome part of the whole process of Blogging.  The security software of Blogger prevents adding a link in the comments so that another reader cannot inadvertingly click on a site that will contain spyware or other dangerous viruses, but that does not stop Spammers from trying.  Efforts to promote these links have grown to more than twenty a day, and contain comments, for the most part, that make no sense at all, much less be pertinent to the subject of the essay.  Although there is a standard option given to submit Anonymous comments, it is the policy of The Devoted Classicist to prohibit these comments from being published;  it just adds to confusion for those who enjoy reading the comments (which can sometime be very, very interesting indeed).  So the security verification process will remain unactivated for the time being, but remember to choose an identity other than Anonymous.  And understand that comments with pleas such as "be sure to check out my site for my shop of underwater basketweaving" cannot be published.



Thomas Jayne's American Decoration

The Sitting/Guest Room in the New Orleans apartment
of Rick Ellis and Thomas Jayne.
Photo by William Waldron from
AMERICAN DECORATION: A SENSE OF PLACE.

One of the season's most anticipated book is surely the monograph of interior designer Thomas Jayne, AMERICAN DECORATION: A SENSE OF PLACE.  Published by The Monacelli Press, the book will be released October 30, 2012.

Twenty-four projects by Jayne Design Studio are discussed in the book and illustrated with remarkable color photographs of the highest quality.  Thomas' rich academic background in decorative arts and historic interiors reinforces his respect of the traditions of the past while creating interiors to suit modern sensibilities. 

 

The stairhall of a house in Philadelphia
features a green painted floor.
Photo by John Hall from
AMERICAN DECORATION: A SENSE OF PLACE.

Although I have not yet seen the book, I've had a few sneak peaks at parts.  One project in particular stands out as being representative of Thomas Jayne's talent for finding inspiration in history, but very much of today.  It is a house in Scarsdale.



The dining room of a house in Scarsdale.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn from
AMERICAN DECORATION:  A SENSE OF PLACE.

The living room of a house in Scarsdale.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn from
AMERICAN DECORATION:  A SENSE OF PLACE.

 

The sitting room of a house in Scarsdale.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn from
AMERICAN DECORATION:  A SENSE OF PLACE

Thomas Jayne's own announcement of the launch of his new book can be read on his blog Decoration: Ancient and Modern.

101 Beautiful Rooms

A Family Room renovation by John Tackett Design.
Photo:  Pieter Estersohn for Southern Accents magazine.

A room from one of my John Tackett Design projects, done in collaboration with Josie McCarthy, is featured in a magazine currently on the newstands, Southern Accents, 101 Beautiful Rooms.  Devoted Readers might remember that this same room was also featured in Southern Accents, The Best Southern Rooms.  That earlier special issue featured three additional rooms from this same house in the Belle Meade area of Nashville and was the subject of a previous post of The Devoted Classicist here.

The magazine is a special edition that features rooms from past issues of the now-defunct periodical Southern Accents.  There is essentially no advertising, so it is basically a limited edition softcover book with captions instead of text for $13.99.  The cover features a Dining Room by Jose Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill.


A Living Room designed by Frank Randolph.
Photo:  Michel Armaud for Southern Accents magazine.

The Devoted Classicist shares an admiration for using maps as decoration with Frank Randolph, the interior designer for the Living Room also featured in this issue.  To duplicate the look, several versions of the 1734 Tourgot Plan de Paris can be downloaded from Meg Fairfax Fielding's blog Pigtown*Design.

An Entrance Hall designed by Thomas Jayne.
Photo:  Pieter Estersohn for Southern Accents.

My friend and sometime collaborator Thomas Jayne was the interior designer for a house in South Carolina whose Entrance Hall is also featured.  Thomas says, "The entry is a hyphen between an allee of trees and the plantation.  The hand-painted wallpaper is Chinoiserie, but we incorporated magnolias and palmettos, icons of the Lowcountry that resonate."  More of Thomas' work will be seen in his new book AMERICAN DECORATOR: A SENSE OF PLACE, published by The Monacelli Press, which will released on October 30, 2012.

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.

Thomas Jayne & The Finest Rooms in America

The Master Bedroom of Annette and Oscar de la Renta at their home in Connecticut.
Photo from THE FINEST ROOMS IN AMERICA by Thomas Jayne.

Readers of The Devoted Classicist that are within convenient travel distance to Memphis should take advantage of an up-coming presentation by Thomas Jayne on the subject of his book THE FINEST ROOMS IN AMERICA.  On Saturday, January 28, 2012, 10:30 am, Thomas will speak at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (featured in a previous post here) as a guest of Decorative Arts Trust (featured here).  This invitation also includes the reception immediately following the talk including a book sale and signing.  As part of the Trust's goal to advance education in the decorative arts, the program is open to the public, free with regular museum admission.

Author and interior designer Thomas Jayne.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Jayne Studio.

As regular readers might remember from a post on the book about a year ago, here, Thomas is also an interior designer with a line of products developed for Chelsea House, E.J. Victor, and Stark Carpet.  Just last month, Thomas was named to Architectural Digest's prestigous list of the magazine's favorite designers, The AD100.  The JAYNE DESIGN STUDIO BLOG, accessible through My Blog List in the right-hand margin of this post, is always an interesting read.  We have been friends for almost 25 years, sometimes collaborating on projects.  We both worked at Parish-Hadley in New York City and attended the Attingham Summer School in England, but our tenures did not overlap.  The book is particularly interesting because it features 50 rooms from a range of periods and styles, all extant.

The Tea Room at Monticello.
Photo from THE FINEST ROOMS IN AMERICA by Thomas Jayne.

Beginning with Thomas Jefferson's home Monticello, which he began designing at age twenty-five in 1768 and re-designed for over 40 years, the book includes a number of historic examples and continues to current times, ending with Albert Hadley's apartment in Manhattan.

The Guest Room in the Manhattan apartment of Albert Hadley.
Photo from THE FINEST ROOMS IN AMERICA by Thomas Jayne.

There are enough wonderful rooms in between to inspire those with a wide range of taste in residential design.  My favorites include the Master Bedroom in the Connecticut home of Annette and Oscar de la Renta, and the big room of the Barn at the Connecticut home of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli.

The main room of the Barn at the Connecticut home of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli.
Photo from THE FINEST ROOMS IN AMERICA by Thomas Jayne.

All the images of rooms come from THE FINEST ROOMS IN AMERICA by Thomas Jayne with Anne Walker, The Monacelli Press, New York City, 2010.  Copies at a discounted price with the option of free shipping may be ordered here.