A Tribute to Albert

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House this year isn't all green.  Bunny Williams, Brian J. McCarthy, and David Kleinberg, all former employees of Albert Hadley, collaborated on a fabulous Venetian plastered white living room punctuated with pops of red.  There are also a few mementos from Mr. Hadley including his "Don't Forget" memo pads and ever present Camel Lights and famous hooked zebra rug. I'm sure he is loving it. 

The Le Corbusier tapestry is from the Jane Kahan Gallery. 

Other artwork was borrowed from Gerald Bland. 

The zebra rug is from Bunny Williams Inc. 

Albert Hadley's famous notepads and cigarettes.  And no, I don't advocate smoking but he did it up until he was 91.

Albert watches over the bar. 

The hanging Lantern is from Noguchi Museum Shop. 

The view to New Jersey. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

In Memoriam: Albert Hadley

The sad news came yesterday that interior designer Albert Hadley died at his sister's home in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 91. The world has lost not only one of the most important decorators in history but a lovely gentleman. Mr. Hadley worked across the street from one of the design firms that I worked for and the highlight of my morning would be seeing him outside smoking a cigarette. Later, I was lucky enough to meet him a few times and even interview him at his office. Memories I will always cherish.

I learned that Mr. Hadley was not well from antiques dealer Gerald Bland when I shot him for my book.  He mentioned that Mr. Hadley's apartment was for sale and actually took me to see it.  Many of the special pieces had already been given away to friends or sold at auction but it was still beautiful to behold.  If I had the money, I would buy it in a heartbeat just in case some of his magic might rub off on me.  But just walking through the rooms was magic enough. You can see the floorplan here.

I hope Mr. Hadley is up there is the Decorating Hall of Fame in the sky laughing with Mrs. Parish, Billy Baldwin, Mark Hampton, and David Hicks, smoking a Camel Light and thinking about how he can add some red to all those white spaces.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Mr. Hadley's Finest Room

By now, we've all seen this iconic shot of Albert Hadley's sitting room in his New York apartment. The blue color framed by the gilt frame is just gorgeous and easy to replicate.  I was thinking about this image yesterday after looking at the blue walls in Steven Gambrel's room at Designer Visions.  I was also wondering about the rest of the room.  I like to see the whole picture and luckily, designer Thomas Jayne had posted a few more photos on a post for Interior Design magazine online.  Mr. Jayne has just published a book The Finest Rooms in which he saves Mr. Hadley's sitting room for last. 

You can just see a peek but the ceiling appears to be black.  I also love the trim along the crown and base moldings. 

It's really the artwork that makes this room so spectacular.

Albert Hadley is know for his touches of red.  Here the scone and daybed frame are painted to match the telephone table and the hallway.

In this old photo I found on The Peak of Chic, the room is set up with a table for reading or eating. The chairs are also black instead of white.

In another old photo of the room, this interesting chair sits by the window.  I love the upholstery and how the print picks up all the colors in the room.

Mr. Hadley in his signature turtleneck stands in his red hallways with a leopard runner. 

I implore Thomas Jayne to photograph the rest of Mr. Hadley's apartment becaue I'm sure the entire space is just as fine as his sitting room!

Photos from Elle Decor and Thomas Jayne