I was inspired to write this post after seeing this office designed by Albert Hadley. Normally, I would not care for a room decorated in such vivid, primary colors, yet there is something so dramatic and bold about the way in which Hadley used these colors. I set out to find chic items that combined red, yellow, and blue, and let me tell you, it was no easy feat- in the wrong hands, this color combo can look rather pre-schoolish. It is most effective, though, when used sparingly and crisply (as in the Kate Spade umbrella) or in a more exotic way, like the Madeline Weinrib pillow. There's nothing Crayola about these finds!
Clarence House "Chine Copte" fabric
Arredoluce Triennale Lamp, 1950s, at Mark Frisman
Madeline Weinrib
"Cherry Jam Satin" pillow
"Imari" garden seat (at back) from Source Perrier
Red Blue Chair, c. 1923, designed by Gerrit Rietveld (image courtesy of
moma.org)
"Copenhagen Classic Umbrella" by Kate Spade
Brilliant post! So original, and I happen to agree with all your points. You found great examples. Didn't Nick O use that Clarence House fabric on stools in his apartment? Love it!
ReplyDeleteGood memory Courtney! Nick did use this fabric on the stools.
ReplyDeleteLove your finds POC! I'm a big fan of Madeline Weinrib of course, so that pillow would be my fav. But today esp. (since I posted about blue and white) I love that those garden seats too!
ReplyDelete~Kate
Hi Peak of Chic
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking post. You are right that the three primary colors are hard to use and pull off well. There are lots of examples of two of the primary colors combined, but not many of all three done tastefully. Great Albert Hadley picture. I love the lantern in his room and what a grand scale he had to work with. Maybe that was one reason for his bold choice of colors and I am sure the person that sits in this office is equally bold. Good post. Thanks
Thanks Kate! I thought that yellow/blue/red garden stool was a little unusual.
ReplyDeletePatricia- I hadn't thought of that, but you may be right about the scale of the room influencing his choice of colors.
ReplyDeleteloved this post - and the Hadley image - had not seen that before. And, look, the lamp is the one Van Day Truex is holding on the cover of his biography! Design genius all around.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I absolutely love that Clarence House fabric also.
KC- That's right. I believe Truex introduced that lamp to the States (or something like that), but I can't remember.
ReplyDeleteAnne- I know. I'd love to use that fabric on something!
ReplyDeleteThe pillow is a little creepy (those owl eyes) but I'm enormously in love with it nonetheless. Can't tell from the website how much it is though (bad sign). Beautiful, beautiful collection you've pulled together, POC.
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PT- They do look like owl eyes! I didn't see that until you said it!
ReplyDeleteIs it just me, or does this color palette feel so 80's. I don't dislike it, but there's something very in your face about it. Definitely not subtle!
ReplyDeleteLinda- I understand what you're saying. Subtle it is not!
ReplyDeletei like the 80s feel to it. i'm not sure i could live with this but i love seeing it all laid out like this.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer! Love this post. I, too, am a Madeline fan and the Clarence House fabric is so great.
ReplyDeleteUsually when I see that lamp for sale, it's referred to as "O'Luce," so I'm glad to have the proper name. I'm crazy about it (and have also seen a photograph of Mr. Hadley with one); unfortunately, they're always about a gazillion dollars (several thousand, anyway).
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PT- I think that's a great lamp. And you're right about Hadley;didn't he name that lamp as one of his favorite things in Elle Decor?
ReplyDeleteHe may well have; he did do one of those "My 10 favorite" lists they run. I know there's a picture of him with the lamp in his present apartment. It's a Modernist classic.
ReplyDeleteI'm working with primary colors right now! Here is a link to a progress shot in my studio. This painting would look great in some chic interior.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/scott_waterman/833190209/