Creating an interesting, beautiful and livable room can be a daunting task. There are endless factors to be considered…
where should I put the lamps? Table or floor lamps? Should the curtains reach the floor or be hemmed to dangle an inch above the baseboards? Round or square rugs? Shag or flat weave? How many throw pillows on the couch? Where do I put my latest Pure Sculpture Edition? The questions and considerations can be endless. Thankfully, there are some iconic interior designers that have traveled these roads before.
One of America’s most influential interior designers of the 20th century, Albert Hadley (1921 – 2012) created some of the most iconic rooms in design history. A Tennessee native that graduated from the Parsons School of Design, Hadley’s client list includes the 20th century’s most famous last names: Rockefeller, Getty, Astor, Paley and Kenney Onassis, to name a few. Known for his unique ability to create sophisticated and enticing rooms with a daring and intelligent design sensibility, Hadley’s creations have inspired designers across the world.
While there are many reasons to adore his rooms, we’re particularly fond of his use of sculpture to add dimension and interest to any room. We love this excerpt from Thomas Jayne in his New York Times Magazine article about the lessons he gained from Hadley:
I recall two of his “lessons” almost every day. One is that a great decorator always seeks out the new and the overlooked, rather than returning to the tried and true. This is why Albert’s work always had so many original elements. The other is the value of taking calculated design risks. The returns, he suggested, far outweigh the costs of remedying any mistakes. I can hear him saying, “Decoration without risk leads to uninteresting rooms".
Take a cue from Albert Hadley and his impeccable designs, consider scale, volume and height when creating your space. Most importantly, don’t forget about the art (especially sculpture) which adds dimension, texture and interest to every room.
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| Iconic Interior Designer Albert Hadley |
