When we asked Albert Hadley if he had left anything out from the crash course on his career he shared with us, he confirmed that he had given us the very bones of his story.
"That's the fast, sweep through of what I've done and the way I've done it without any explicit details!" said Albert. "I had more ups than downs and I couldn't be happier with what I've done and how I've done it! Coming from Tennessee and landing in New York, I was exposed to the best of the best, through and through. While my design has nothing to do with location, where I came from and where I ended up certainly afforded me a taste, style and perspective that I look back on and feel was the very best for me and my path. What I did was become totally enmeshed in a project and that's why I enjoyed it so much. That's why I think I've had the success that I've had because I really did put my all into it.
"Each project is a very personal thing and has very little to do with trends as far as I'm concerned," Albert said. "I've never been involved in trends or fashions—maybe what's fashionable but that's never been a priority. I think it's a very serious business and one that takes concentration and dedication to both the physical situation, meaning the architecture, and the people who are personally involved—the owners, the habitants."
Asking what his own personal homes were like, Albert laughed and wasted no time explaining that his place was nothing but a mess. "I kid of course,” he said. “My things are very simple and orderly. I think that the design in my personal spaces is not overly decorated, comfortable, not totally a wreck but realistic," said Albert. "I've looked up to so many designers and continue to do so today. I look up to all of them, really, because all of the people that I talk to and all of the people that I met when I came to New York City from the beginning were people who I admired enormously. They then became friends over the years, which is really special. Of course, there were many designers who have come out of Parish-Hadley as well, a number of them, who are still friends and people I still care about as designers. There's quite a list of people I admire and there are lots of people who have nothing to do with our business but are talented in their own regard who I also admire. It's a long list!"
"Another inspiration for me was New York City. That's why I felt so strongly about moving from Tennessee to the city early on," Albert continued . "I've always enjoyed being in London, the first place I traveled to because of my time in the service. Whenever I've been there, I have friends there and I've certainly known and followed the suppliers and dealers there. But the same is true with any other city. It's a favorite and I don't get there often enough. I've spent time in Paris, I've spent time in Italy and around Europe but New York City has been my main interest and really, my home. When I moved here, I came here to make it my stomping grounds—and I think I did just that!"
Check back with GoDesignGo tomorrow when Albert Hadley shares his thoughts on how the world of interior design has changed since he began and what advice he would give to beginning designers now.
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