FEATURES ARCHIVE

"Auctions are a brilliant source of inspiration. I go to most exhibitions just to see what’s out there."

Describe your signature style.
Elegant. Eclectic. Contemporary.
My interior design style is deeply rooted in Classicism, but I strongly believe in using pieces in a way that feels right for how people live now. I avoid passing trends as they can make an interior feel dated almost instantly.

Tell us about your amazing blog, What is James Wearing?
Although I am in the blogosphere I am not that tech-savvy. I was originally reluctant to do a blog but someone at my gym kept encouraging me until I gave in – he wanted me to document all my outfits! I’ve had a really good response. The Brits embraced me first, and I got a very flattering mention in Elle Décor UK. I see it as a chance to get to know your decorator. It has evolved into more of a lifestyle blog, but I always try to reign it back in to focus on great design and fashion.

Do you have a style icon?
I am very partial to the work of Parish-Hadley. On the one hand the design aesthetic is very modernist, but on the other hand there is a very high style of traditionalism. I enjoy working in all design idioms, and my clients vary from the super contemporary to very traditional, so it really allows me to explore the whole spectrum.

What do you like about buying at auction?
There are several things I like. Firstly there are different types of sales that hit different budgets. But even at the lower end you can purchase something with far more intrinsic value than something that was made yesterday. At auction you also find much more unusual pieces than you would find elsewhere. I sometimes refer to auctions as pop-up museums. The pop-up phenomenon has taken the world by storm. They make you look at things in a different way – knowing that they are one-of-a-kind, limited editions, rare opportunities…

Can you tell us about your best Christie’s bargain?
I once bought some Czech hand-painted dinner plates from a Christie’s Interiors sale. They were apple-green with flowers – and I bought ten of them for a couple of hundred dollars! My other great steal was a Louis XV style tabouret which I hadn’t planned to buy at all. But when it popped up for $150 with no other bidders, I couldn’t resist.

Biggest design faux pas?
Being too boring or safe. So many show room designs look homogenous and lack originality. I like to challenge that homogeneity and add a little soul and character. Mixing the old with the new is a great way to do this. One beautiful antique can look almost sculptural in the right setting.

Any advice for those just starting to decorate or collect?
I would really encourage young people to register and buy at these Interiors sales. I was walking around with a 25-year-old photographer the other day who was really surprised by how affordable some things are. You couldn’t buy a bed at IKEA for some of the prices that come up at auction. There are so many wonderful surprises to be had, and that’s all part of the fun.

What about your own home? Are you constantly redesigning it?
My apartment has been through several incarnations. It started out very white, with a lot of parchment and straw. Then I got two dogs and realized that was a bad idea, so I moved on to a more haberdashery palette with a lot of camel hair, brown velvet and zebra. The next incarnation had more of a ‘70s vibe. Albert Hadley had given me some fantastic pieces which I really wanted to incorporate. It became like a more colorful version of Jean-Michel Frank’s design aesthetic. Since then I have just added more and more layers. I also keep a lot of things in storage, for eventual dream homes.