Parish-Hadley Tree of Life: An Intimate History of The Legendary Design Firm

The firm of Parish-Hadley Associates was the premier interior design company in America for more than three decades. In Parish-Hadley Tree of Life by Brian J. McCarthy and Bunny Williams, thirty premier interior designers tell of their own personal and intimate experiences of working in this illustrious firm with Sister Parish and Albert Hadley. 

This eminent design firm was commissioned by some of the most prestigious families in America;  the Getty's, Rockefeller's, Astor's, Kennedy's and more. To this day the designers who began with Parish-Hadley Associates work for some of the most esteemed families and corporations in the world!

You will see the aesthetics of interior designers ranging from Brian McCarthy and Bunny Williams to James Andrew, David Easton to Thom Felicia, Mariette Himes Gomez to Thomas Jayne, David Kleinberg to Libby Cameron, John J Tackett, and more! (and I do admire and love all 30 of them!)

Bunny Williams interior, photo credit: Fritz von der Schulenberg 

Bunny Williams recounts in the introduction, "Parish Hadley was the rarity of a combination of two people who were very different in their direction but both passionate about beautiful houses. They came at it from different ways. But it was the combination that made it magic."

Brian Murphy interior, photo credit: Sergio Villatoro

Thomas Hamel interior, photo credit: Matt Lowden

Brian McCarthy interior, photo credit: Francesco Lagnese

Brian McCarthy writes in the introduction:
"Curiosity. It all goes back to curiosity. If we really think back to Parish-Hadley, and all of us who came out of there, the common thread is that we were curious. And that was absolutely fostered by the two of them.

There was also this view to the artistry of design and decorating, and the process of developing  the ideas and the samples. If I think about the level of detail that I go to today, where did it all begin? It began at Parish-Hadley."

Kevin Sharkey interior, photo credit: Paul Costello

James Andrew interior, photo credit:  Mathew Dean

Interior Designer and Author Bunny Williams, photo credit: John Bessler

Interior Designer and Author Brian J. McCarthy
Photo Credit: ©PatrickMcMullan.com

Thank you to Abrams Books for the Publicity copy of Parish-Hadley Tree of Life: An Inmate History of the Legendary Design Firm. I encourage my readers to add this very special book to your library. It can be purchased at Amazon.com or at your local bookseller.

Published by Stewart, Tabori, and Chang, October 13, 2015

Also please don't miss my post on Brian McCarthy's fabulous book, Luminous Interiors! You will love seeing more of his design works!

Thank you to my Friends, Family and Followers who Support The Arts!

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xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Renowned Interior Designer Paul Vincent Wiseman & The Wiseman Group: Inner Spaces

Chosen as one of the years top ten design books by 1stdibs.com, Inner Spaces: Paul Vincent Wiseman and The Wiseman Group is indeed  a favorite in my library as well. Inner Spaces was published this October, 2014 by  Gibbs Smith, written by Brian D. Coleman, and includes forewords by the esteemed architect Frank Gehry and industry critic Paul Goldberger. Matthew Millman's fine photography brings the featured homes to life in this book.

Paul Vincent Wiseman

I was privileged to have a conversation with Paul recently and learned a great deal about the man himself whom I have come to admire greatly; as well as the incredible success of The Wiseman Group founded by this talented man at the young age of twenty seven in 1980. He has a wonderful sense of humor and each home in this book feels completely authentic, comfortable and curated just for the homeowner. Please enjoy!

In this Victorian Russian Hill update, as well as his other projects, Paul employs the use of  wabi-sabi: the Japanese art of finding  beauty in imperfection, in antiques, and the transient nature of all things.

1) Paul, thank you so much for taking the time to comment for this feature. What first inspired you to take the career path of an Interior Designer?

I was always drawing and building houses as a kid. When I was in college, a childhood friend (whose home is in the book)  said to me, ‘Why are you studying political science? All you ever do is talk about art and history. Why don't you do something with art history and architecture?" With that, Wiseman says, “everything just started falling into place.”
 

The highly regarded and widely recognized Wiseman Group, now in business thirty five years, is not known for a "look". That is because Paul and his staff listen to their clients needs and want their homes to reflect that. Paul lost much of his hearing at a young age and he believes that not only sharpened his other senses; it causes him to listen very closely and consciously.

Astute collectors, this couple's living room contains paintings by Alex Katz, de Kooning, and David Park. There are antique Asian ceramics as well as a contemporary sculpture by Henry Moore on the mantlepiece.

One of Paul's favorite rooms to decorate  in a home is the library because he feels it truly reflects the client's personality and interests.  

Details on a vanity and a stunning view.

2) Your travels at a young age must have been so inspiring. How did that affect your design aesthetic?

In connecting the dots. I turned 18 in Athens, 21 in Tasmania, and 25 in Paris. Three weeks in Bhutan, where the architecture and the monks' dwellings first used feng shui. The Grand Canyon is perfection. My travels have been a profound experience and continue to be.

The owners of this Spanish-Mediterranean Villa in San Francisco asked Paul to combine traditional architecture with their iconic contemporary art collection.

A small vintage fixture found in Paris inspired the lighting created for the entry and home. It is carried over into the kitchen, with three of these pendants hanging over the island.

Open galleries include art by Takashi Murakami, Anish Kapoor and others.  The art collection is often rotated

3) How does art and sculpture complete your vision in design. What does that mean to you?

We have been very fortunate to work with clients who have great art collections.  Art is very personal. In a lecture I gave at Carlton Hobbs upon the release of my book the first image I show is of the Lascaux, France cave dwellings. Man's first efforts at interior design, show paintings of the hunt, altars, sacred objects, and rooms for retreat and comfort.

The focal points of this dining room include a stunning view as well as this shimmering Gerhard Richter painting.

The Living Room includes many custom designed pieces by TWG with works of art by Richard Prince and Sigmar Polke

4) Did you have mentors or others in the design world you deeply admire?

Many, including Frank Gehry of course, the late Ricardo Legorreta, Renzo Mongiardino in my early years, for his detail, and John Saladino who is a great influence and friend. I am going sailing with Frank this weekend and to a production at the Disney Concert Hall he designed.

This sophisticated high-rise in Chicago is home to an accomplished pianist who wanted space for his beloved Steinway and his art collection.

Four custom rugs, all unique yet related with a cloud-like feel pull the varied art and elements together. A Noguchi twisted floor lamp mimics skyscrapers in the distance.

The dining room chandelier consists of custom lighting pendants with quotes from Michelangelo. They illuminate the area without blocking the panoramic views of Lake Michigan below.

5) You give a lot of credit to your extremely talented team and the artisans who work with you. 

I liken myself to the conductor of a symphony or the editor in chief of a magazine. What we provide does not happen quickly; however it is well worth the wait. I tell my clients that they are the patron energy of our time to these artists and artisans.

Paul at his home in Marin County

Although Paul has designed homes for many icons of industry, many of whom entertain lavishly, his and his partner, Richard Neil Snyder's own home in Marin County is designed for relaxation.

6) Paul, what advice do you have for the beginning designer?

Travel, travel, travel. Become knowledgeable about the history of the field of Interior Design. 

7) When you have the time, what do you enjoy doing for relaxation?

Gardening, the grounds are beautiful, the house was built in 1912, and I have  converted a lot of the plantings to succulents.

Cooking. Marin County is the mothership of organic food and I go every week to the Farmer's Market at the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic Center.

Reading. We are bibliophiles and have 10,000 books between us. My partner is a law professor and historian.

8) What are your favorite vacation spots?

I've traveled a great deal over the years and do not as much anymore except for our clients. For personal travel, I love Hawaii and the Aman Hotels are my favorites anywhere, especially Java, Bali, and Bhutan !

As with all of his design projects, in Paul and Richard's home, as much thought has gone into the integration of the exterior architecture and gardens as the interiors.

Your personal philosophy, aesthetic?

Gratitude, live in gratitude and it radiates out from you.

At the front entrance of a home Paul designed on Hawaii's Big Island.

The Lascaux Caves in France, an image that Paul references to describe the deep personal connection we have to our interior spaces.

The Wiseman Group with Paul and his talented team of designers, including principals James Hunter, Brenda Mickel, and Mauricio Munoz at their San Francisco office.

You have seen examples from only a few of the many stellar homes around the world featured in Inner Spaces. This is a book to enjoy for many years to come and may be purchased at Amazon or your local book seller.

Be sure to visit The Wiseman Group's website at http://www.wisemangroup.com 

My thanks go out to Paul Vincent Wiseman, to Gibbs Smith and to Andrew Joseph PR.

Thank you to my Family, Friends, and Followers who support The Arts

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xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Photographer Harv Greenberg

Recently a colleague told me about the fine art photography by Harv Greenberg.  Not only is his work breathtaking; Harv's story is incredible. Please join me on this journey with Harv and  enjoy our conversation below.  I cannot think of a better way to begin our 2014 Artists Series! Image above: Serenity, The Dead Sea in Jordan.

A "Selfie" of Harv

Tell us how you made the decision to make time from your very busy medical career to become a photographer.

There’s little doubt that I am a very fortunate individual. I've always considered the practice of medicine to be a privilege.  To have the ability to intervene in the lives of my patients when it matters most is a gift I have always treasured.  Having the time and the resources to pursue my other passions of adventure travel and photography allows me to express my creative self and provides me with an entirely different feeling of satisfaction.  I typically work a 70-hour week as a full-time, hospital-based radiologist specializing in MRI. My medical practice affords me the luxury of taking one week off each month which then allows me the time to travel to some amazing, far away destinations on all seven magnificent continents.  Finding the proper balance in life is essential.  

Spiritual Skies, Machu Picchu Peru

Were you interested in art from a young age?

When I was younger I was primarily focused on pursuing a career as a physician.  I spent my summers in high school and college performing research at Johns Hopkins, U.C. Davis and the Huntington Institute of Applied Medical Research and was fortunate to have published in the medical literature prior to entering the U.C. San Francisco School of Medicine.  I knew from a very early age that medicine was my calling. 

My father was born with a serious congenital heart defect and was treated by a world famous pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Helen Taussig.  When I was just five years old, he had written to tell her that his son wanted to become a physician.  Years later, when I was in college working at Johns Hopkins on a research grant, I looked up my father’s medical records and found the letter he had written to Dr. Taussig proclaiming my interest in becoming a physician.  You can only imagine my surprise!

After I completed the four requisite years of medical school, a year of internship, four more years of residency in radiology followed by a one-year fellowship in MRI, I entered private practice.  Soon thereafter, I began pursuing my love affair with adventure travel and photography.  Specializing in the very highly technical field of medical imaging and the very creative endeavor of landscape, nature and wildlife photography has provided me with an absolutely perfect sense of balance and direction in life.

Iceberg, Antarctica

What countries and cities have inspired your works the most and where do you plan to travel next?

Without a doubt, the three adventures I treasure most amongst all of my travels around the world are the three weeks I spent circumnavigating the waters off Antarctica, the time I spent tracking silverback gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda and one fabulous morning photographing Paris.  You can only imagine the pristine natural wonders to be seen on the Antarctic continent.  Seeing tens of thousands of King Penguins en masse was simply indescribable. Watching the blue hued icebergs floating like candelabras in Antarctica’s Paradise Bay as the sun rose was truly one of the most breathtaking moments I have ever enjoyed.

Tibet

Harv,  I do believe you may have a best selling memoir of your travel experiences in your future!!

China, The Great Wall

Several years ago on vacation in Paris, I woke up around 3 a.m. suffering from my usual jet lag.  Rather than toss about for the next few hours in bed, I threw on some clothes, grabbed my Nikon and jumped in a taxi heading for the Champs Elysees.  Paris was silent at that hour.  The streets were empty and it seemed as though I had the city all to myself.  I walked for miles photographing some of the most amazing architectural landmarks in the world including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower.  As the sun began to rise over the horizon, the artistry of the city came to life and all I could see through my lens was magic. It was everywhere! 

Capturing experiences in photographs like the sun setting over the Moai in Easter Island or the Tibetan monks chanting in prayer in Lhasa or the Silverback gorillas playing in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda is what drives me.

This evening I’m off to the United Arab Emirates to visit Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Sahara Desert.  The architecture photography should be amazing.  In February I’ll spend a week hiking in fabulous Patagonia.  Come March I’ll be on a very special adventure visiting London first and then flying off to the Maldives and the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.  Finally, in April I’ll be wading through chest deep waters in the Columbia River Gorge in the hopes of capturing some inspiring photographs of waterfalls.

Edinburgh Scotland

Are there artists and photographers whose works have influenced you? 

The photographers whose work I admire most include Yousuf Karsh (one of the world’s greatest portrait photographers), Julius Shulman (a founding father of American architectural photography) and Peter Lik (a photographer who’s ability to capture nature at its finest is nearly unsurpassed).

Harv you pay it forward in so many ways…what are the charities that you support through your work?

As I mentioned before, I feel so very fortunate in so many ways.  Having traveled to all seven continents, I've seen first hand the immense poverty in a host of foreign countries, the struggles of oppressed peoples and the need for conservation efforts to preserve the wilderness and protect our precious wildlife.  Donating 10% of the profits from Harv Greenberg Photography to four extraordinary charities (Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Action Against Hunger, The Tibet Fund and Rainforest Alliance) is my way of helping to effect a change in the world at large.

These organizations are very fortunate to have your support!

Harv Greenberg

Do you have upcoming exhibits planned for 2014? Where can people view and purchase your photographic works of art?

I have an on-going exhibit at the Spencer Art Gallery in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina.  Currently I’m displaying a collection of international wildlife photographs for the upcoming Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition to be held in Charleston on  February 14^th-16^th.  My photography can also be viewed and purchased on my website at www.HarvGreenberg.com.

Finally, what words of advice would you give to the aspiring artist of any age?

Quite simply, the most important thing for all of us to remember is that life is short so follow your passions! 

Harv, thank you so much for sharing your art,insights, and travels with us. Your life is one many people can only dream of; however your story is a reminder to live life  to the fullest and strive to make whatever dreams one has come true!

Thank you to my friends and followers who continue to support the arts!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

 Please leave a comment, they truly make my day!