Italy Awaits!

I'm headed to Italy this week...One of my favorite places on the planet! It's been many years since I was last there, so I'm looking forward to some new adventures.

I'll be starting out in Milan by attending the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, which is one of the largest contemporary furniture exhibitions in the world. I will be sending updates from the road, so stay tuned.

After Milan I'll be doing some sightseeing, visiting with family and lots of eating!

Please check our Facebook page for the latest updates from the road!

Buon Viaggo!

David J. Hansen

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.

Tulip Tulip How I Love Thee On A Tree

This time of year makes me happy.  Just about everywhere I am seeing my favorite Saucer Magnolias with their grand sweeping bows laden with those gorgeous purple and white blooms.  

The buds make me think of Nina Campbell’s tertiary color palette particularly her combination of celery greens and pale purples.  Lovely.

Barbara Ashfield

The Look Of Love

In our vocation we use furniture, fabrics, accessories and lighting to express a mood or feeling. In honor of St. Valentine’s Day, we wondered what it might look like to express the feeling of love using these tools. Here are a few examples of what the “Interior of Love” might contain…

  

A Fornasetti tray...

A contemporary "Tete-a-tete"...

A Chinoissiere bed frame from Anthropologie...

A fabric from Donghia...

A red Parsons table...

A silver Champagne bucket...

A red coral chandelier...

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

David Hansen 

Exotic Autumn

Now that students have returned to school and Labor Day weekend is upon us, there is no doubt that summer has slipped away and autumn is now a reality. In our corner of the world, autumn usually means warmer weather (Indian summer), but we still have evidence of a new season through the changing color of the flora.

There is nothing more sumptuous as a traditional autumn palette of colors. These colors of rust, bronze, ochre, apricot and the like conjure up the exotic and make for a wealth of inspiration.

Here are some inspirational possibilities for an “Exotic Autumn”:

Dahlias!

A Rose Cumming fabric:

A painting by Gustav Klimt:

Missoni rugs:

How about a unique Hermes scarf?

Or an elegant Pierre Frey fabric:

Nothing beats the beauty of a genuine Kilim rug:

There are a plethora of inspirational choices, so go out and find your own ”Exotic Autumn”.

David J. Hansen

Photos from top:

1) Pierre Frey Anatolie fabric from the Pierre Frey web site

2) Dahlia photo by Lindsay Williams-Ross

3) Rose Cumming “Bird in Circle” fabric from Dessin Fournir web site

4) Klimt painting “Fullfilment” 1902

5) Missoni rugs from jrenee.com

6) Hermes scarf image from reimeika.ca web site

7) Kilim rug from vanishingtextiles.com

A New Resource From an Old Friend!

Creativity Explored, our wonderful local art program has become like an old friend. My involvement with them has escalated to a position on their Board of Directors, of which I am honored to serve.For those of you who don't know about Creativity Explored, they are a local organization where people with developmental disabilities make, display and sell their art. I was even moved to write a blog post about them back in 2009 here.

In the past few years they have joined forces with the likes of Recchiuti Confections and the retailer CB2 (the off-shoot of Crate & Barrel) to use some of the artists works as powerful images on rugs, pillows and chocolates. This is all done through a licensing program, which has become an essential component of CE's art sales.

Another program which has gained momentum over time is CE's Art Services Program. This program allows clients to commission, rent, exhibit or consult about art from CE artists. This program, although available to anyone has been geared toward design professionals. There has been a significant interest in CE art by designers of commercial interiors, in fact our Board President Amy Eliot of Tom Eliot Fisch discovered CE through working on a project for her firm. My mission has been to bring the message of Creativity Explored's Art Services program to professionals working primarily on residential interiors. To that end, we have organized a reception for designers and architects on February 9th (this coming Wednesday) from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. If your in San Francisco, please come and experience this program first hand. More information can be found here.

David Hansen

Photos from top:

1) Artwork by Diane Scaccalosi in Avalon Mission Bay III lobby. 
Interior Design: Tom Eliot Fisch, Building Architect: Arquitectonica, Photography: Tom Seawell.

2) Lobby at Avalon Bay. Artwork by various artists. Interior Design: Tom Eliot Fisch. Photography: David Wakley.