I first learned about Dean Rhys Morgan in the Dec/Jan issue of House Beautiful. Rhys Morgan is making headlines for his gallery's limited edition giclée prints of Jeremiah Goodman's work, including depictions of Carolina Herrera's glorious red sitting room and Tony Duquette's Dawnridge. When I was perusing Rhys Morgan's website over the holidays, I was excited to see that in addition to Jeremiah, the work of Kenneth Paul Block and other fashion illustrators are also being offered as limited edition prints. Included in this stellar roster of artists is Jay Hyde Crawford. That's Crawford as well as one of his illustrations above.
I only learned of Mr. Crawford a few years ago when I bought a copy of Architectural Digest New York Interiors
I posted about his Manhattan townhouse almost a year ago, but I love these images so much that I'm showing them again. And, there are a few new pics as well, thanks to a friend of Mr. Crawford who so kindly emailed me an article on Crawford. I especially appreciate the vignette shots as they have given me food for thought for my own tableaux, something which, as you may recall, does not come naturally to me. According to the Art and Antiques article, Crawford prefers to combine seemingly discordant objects and art in his compositions. He said "Putting wonderful things with a great work of art will just enhance it." Words of wisdom indeed.
Manhattan Townhouse circa 1979:
Circa early 1990s:
Helen Frankenthaler's Moondance above a Baroque mantel.
One of my favorite images: Robert Motherwell's Bread and Circuses rests comfortably with a bronze bust of Napoleon.
(Image #1 and 1990s vignette shots courtesy of Art and Antiques, November 1991, Richard Walker photographer; 1979 photos from Architectural Digest New York Interiors
Great examples here of the sculptural juxtaposed with paintings. I also love the bronze bust mixed with Robert Motherwell's Bread and Circuses!
ReplyDeleteFunny how these images look so modern, the black walls, the still lifes, the natural stones; ..... great design will stand the test of time.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
Yes indeed great art. The dates prove staying power for real furniture and antiques and colour! The quilt grabbed me immediately and the green walls-painted mantel, what gorgeous windows. Interestingly, the only thing that appears dated is the looming plant in the background, something prevalent in the era that I now can visually edit out, thanks to Blue Hills Remembered! Great post with new names-always a pleasure. gt
ReplyDeleteI agree that these images are timeless. That bedroom c. 1979 was dazzling then and is still so today.
ReplyDeleteA marvelous post!! You might enjoy, if you haven't already, exploring the work of Zajac & Callaghan. They were the protege of Billy Baldwin and saw most of their success at the same time as Jay Crawford. Lot's of pattern mixing and lush juxtapostions of objets. Sublime stuff. If my memory serves me correctly, they're also in the Manattan Style book.
ReplyDeleteWas Alan Campbell, aka David Netto's godfather, the fourth Quadrille Beatle?
ReplyDeleteOh, what good rooms. I was blown away when they were first published 30 years ago, and still keep them in my clip file. Very little has dated.
ReplyDeleteFoodie- I love the work of Z&C. Absolutely fantastic stuff. I posted about their work maybe two years ago. Perhaps time to revisit their work again. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteMamacita- You might be right. I'm sure someone here knows the answer to this! Anybody?
ReplyDeleteDown East- This is the kind of decorating I strive for. I certainly don't want my home to look dated five nor twenty years from now. It takes talent, which Crawford obviously has in spades :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how today late 70's early 80's interiors look so cool, retro and current. Suddenly realized it's not only mini skirts that are back in vogue.
ReplyDeleteA successful illustrator and founder of Quadrille? It just isn't fair! I adore the last vignette in particular. How do people manage to throw such beautiful things together so nonchalantly? I have a tendency to agonize over each item and it's placement. If only such things came naturally...sigh. I can't thank you enough for your sweet comment about my first apartment. I immediately called my fiance in giddy excitement---I'm an awfully big fan of yours and was a bit star struck! You see, The Peak of Chic was the first blog I ever read and from it I have learned so very much design history. I'm truly forever indebted. The truth is I'm only 23 now so I'm not quite sure how much my eye has improved, but I am trying! Thank you again for your kindness and encouragement. It means so very, very much.
ReplyDeleteXXX Kate
I adore the 2nd and fourth images! Classics... Thanks Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI tried to track Jay down and tell him about your post last year, but I had no success. Alas!
ReplyDeleteHe was the most charming man, not in that creepy older gay guy way, but really enthusiastic and sincere.
I'll never forget being in Quadrille, chatting with Jay and in walks Mrs. Parish...
She goes over to the wings, pulls a fabric, points to it, says "Send me this" and walks out.
It's all so old school....
Love your blog.
L
Lithgow- I'm officially jealous. Not only were you talking to Jay, but you witnessed THE Mrs. Parish pulling fabric in her oh so confident way. That was a moment in design history! Lucky you. I would never forget that either.
ReplyDeleteI was hired at Quadrille in 1995 (to 1998) just at the time that Jay Crawford was selling the company. I got to know Jay on a social level and he gave me a small piece of fabric with the beautiful Bonwit Teller violets printed on it that he had designed. I still have that little piece of fabric. I saw Jay on Fire Island a few years ago (he has, or had, a beautiful small house on Fire Island). Jay has been retired for some years now and although I have not been in touch lately I have heard that he stills lives in Manhattan. He's a very elegant gentleman with a rare sense of great style and he was a fabulous illustrator.
ReplyDeleteAnon- Thank you for your comment. It's nice to hear that on top of all of that talent, Crawford is a nice person too. That just adds to my admiration of him!
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