Farewell Mr. Hadley

On Friday the world learned that iconic Interior Designer Albert Hadley passed away at the age of 91. His name is as synonymous with the industry as “chair” or “window covering”, and his iconic status as America’s preeminent decorator is no accident. He was one of my Interior Design idols, and his presence and example will be sorely missed. When I decided to become an Interior Designer, I could not think of a better person to try to emulate than Mr. Hadley.

By all accounts, Mr. Hadley’s career, was not so much envied and coveted, but admired and aspired to. He did more for the Design industry as an ambassador than could ever be imagined. 

I learned much about him when I bought the Rizzoli book about his life that is in his own words, with commentary by Adam Lewis. His career is nearly mythic in who it cross-references along his journey. When moving to New York he sought out mentors in design legends like Rose Cumming, Billy Baldwin, Van Day Truex and of course he is best known for his collaboration with Sister Parish at their eponymous firm Parish Hadley.

Although I never met Mr. Hadley, I have admired him and his work since before I became a designer. In the Rizzoli book he is quoted as saying:

“ Decorating is not about making stage sets, it’s not about making pretty pictures for magazines; it’s really about creating a quality of life, a beauty that nourishes the soul. Design is coming to grips with one’s real lifestyle, one’s real place in the world. Rooms should not be put together for show, but to nourish one’s well being.”

Thank you Mr. Hadley for showing us how it’s done.

David J. Hansen

*All photos are from House Beautiful and were photographed by Fernando Bengoechea.

Chinoiserie Redux

Now that our SF Giants have won the World Series title and the mid-term election is over, let’s re-cap some recent design news…

On Wednesday, October 27th we attended the opening night gala of the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show with this year's theme being Chinoiserie. The venue at Fort Mason has never looked so festive, especially with the entry bedecked in red pagodas and requisite sit and chat tables. Gourmet tidbits abounded with the wait staff offering the ubiquitous glass of bubbly around every corner.

This year’s theme of Chinoiserie was well chosen, and is defined by the Antiques Show web site as “Western art that incorporates or imitates Eastern design elements and techniques”. Using chinoiserie elements has long been a standard for classic interiors and has been gaining in popularity as a more contemporary interest is heightened. There is even a wonderful blog entitled “Chinoiserie Chic”.

This year’s event welcomed the return of many of last year’s exhibitors as well as many new faces. There seemed to be a particularly large presence of art this year with a stronger focus on modern pieces, which made for an interesting mix. Particular favorites among exhibitors were Montgomery Gallery with it’s amazing mix of California paintings, Finnegan Gallery from Chicago showing late 19^th century/early 20^th century garden antiques, arresting in their stark beauty and dark charm. We also enjoyed an informative time conversing with the likes of Peter Pap of Peter Pap Oriental Rugs and Kathleen Taylor of The Lotus Collection, who is considered “the” procurer of antique textiles anywhere. We also spotted an amazing commode by one of our local favorites Therien and Co.

On Saturday we attended the lecture by noted interior design author Adam Lewis who spoke on his latest book, Billy Baldwin The Great American Decorator. Mr. Lewis gave an interesting talk that had us hanging on every word. After the talk we mingled about a bit more, ran into friends, then headed over to Greens restaurant where we enjoyed a rainy afternoon lunch with friends which rounded the week of antiques and Chinoiserie beautifully.

Barbara Ashfield & David Hansen

Photos from Top:

1) SFFAS Entry by David Hansen for Ashfield Hansen Design Inc.

2) 19th Century English bust from Finnegan Gallery in Chicago.

3) 18th Century French Chinoiserie needlepoint valence from Kathleen Taylor- The Lotus Collection.

4) 18th Century German Rococo Commode from Therien & Co.

* All photos used by permission.

It's All in the Hand

Recently I have been inspired by the illustrations of the late, great Mark Hampton. Much has been written in the blogosphere about him and as you probably know, Mr. Hampton was an incredibly talented and very prolific designer who sadly passed in 1998. During his career as a “Decorator” (something people used to be proud to be called) he worked for some of the most talented and well-known firms of the day including David Hicks (with whom he was in partnership), Sister Parish and the prestigious McMillen & Co.

Portrait of Mark Hampton by Henry Koehler which graces the back cover of the Legendary Decorators book.

Mr. Hampton wrote two books; Mark Hampton on Decorating, published in 1989, a collection of essays and illustrations largely drawn from his columns in House & Garden magazine and Legendary Decorators of the Twentieth Century (there is that word Decorator again) published in 1992 which profiled everyone who was anyone in the decorating world from Elsie DeWolf and Billy Baldwin to Madeleine Castaing. Sadly, both books are now out of print but widely available from used sources online. I was introduced to the Legendary Decorators book by my business partner Barbara, who had used it as a text when she was studying at the New York School of Interior Design.

An illustration by Mr. Hampton from the On Decorating book which talks about "The Incomparable Reds" *Notice the Modigliani painting reflected in the mirror that belonged to the owner's grandmother.

Both books are filled with grisaille (monochrome) and full color watercolor illustrations done by Mr. Hampton in the most delightful manner. These illustrations give credence to the fact that there is nothing more beautiful than something done by hand. In this age of mobile phones, email and Twitter, it is rewarding to look at something that is clearly not rushed or immediate. It is apparent by looking that these illustrations that it took a great amount of time to convey the feeling of the space in a far superior way than any photograph or computer illustration would allow.

An illustration of the dressing table belonging to Mr. Hamptons wife in their New York residence from the On Decorating book.

An illustration of a room done by the master Billy Baldwin from the Legendary Decorators book showing Baldwin's trademark etageres.

I have only included some of my favorites from the two books here and encourage you to seek out these books and experience the magic or Mr. Hampton’s hand for yourself. I will post more of these fantastic images as part of another post.

David Hansen