Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2012: The Spirit of Albert Hadley Lives On

The design industry lost a legend earlier this year when Albert Hadley passed away in March at the ripe age of 91. So at this year’s Kips Bay Show House, his spirit was definitely alive as so many of the designers paid tribute to Mr. Hadley in their spaces. Above is a living room designed in honor of Hadley by Bunny Williams (who is also the event’s chair) along with Brian McCarthy and David Kleinberg. It features pops of red throughout which was Albert’s signature color. All three of the designers who collaborated on this room worked for Albert Hadley in their early careers and many of the other participating designers at this year’s show house also worked for or were mentored by Hadley over the years. Below is a look at some of the touching little tributes to Hadley that I spotted around the show house…

In the Albert Hadley tribute room, a photo of Hadley beaming sits on a side table by the sofa…

And a bar console in the room is styled with another framed photo of Hadley looking on…

 In decorative painter Chuck Fischer’s room, an inspiration board full of photos, post cards and art work includes a photo Chuck had taken with Albert years ago.

A few rooms in the show house included Albert’s signature “Don’t Forget” notepads scattered about in a subtle wink to the late designer. This photo is also from Chuck Fischer’s room.

Thom Filicia, who started out working for Parish-Hadley, featured four room sketches done by Albert in his gallery space that were lent to him by Bunny Williams. Below is a closer look…