Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/579640
F ounded by Sister Parish and Albert Hadley, the legendary Parish-Hadley Associates design firm (1962-1999) remains one of the most fabled names in interior design. Parish and Hadley and their phalanx of acolytes produced stunning environments for families with soaring taste and budgets to match. Rockefeller, Kennedy, Getty, Astor, Whitney, Mellon — you get the idea. A new book out this month, Parish-Hadley Tree of Life: An Intimate History of the Legendary Design Firm by Brian McCarthy and Bunny Williams (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $60), chronicles the firm's founders and 30 of its most talented alumnae, featuring room after room of Parish-Hadley hallmarks such as buttery leather sofas, ornate mirrors, fringe, Oriental urns, leather-jacketed books and ottomans the size of small foyers — confections that require a deft touch and nerves of steel to pull off. The most renowned designers who graduated through Parish-Hadley's rank and file include the authors themselves, Brian McCarthy and Bunny Williams, as well as David Kleinberg, Mariette Himes Gomez, Harold Simmons, Thomas Jayne, William Hodgins, David Easton and Thom Felicia. The designers detail personal experiences working at the firm, along with images illustrating how their rooms were shaped by the august firm. PARISH-HADLEY TREE OF LIFE: AN INTIMATE HISTORY OF THE LEGENDARY DESIGN FIRM BY PATRICIA MORA The designers' stories in the book are great fun, and the photographed views of Park Avenue apartments are achingly tasteful. Mrs. Parish's ethereal habits are noted, including one misty description of … packing: "Her housekeeper had folded up all her clothes in layer after layer of tissue paper. Every garment came out just so, not a wrinkle in sight." Parish-Hadley Tree of Life is mind candy for those whose hearts race while strolling through decorative centers. Brian McCarthy began his career as assistant to Albert Hadley in 1983; four years later, he was promoted to full decorator, and in 1989 he became a partner at the firm. In 1992, he opened his company, Brian J. McCarthy Inc. Brian McCarthy will be in Houston Thursday, October 8, 6:30 pm, for cocktails, talk and book signing at Greenwood King The Lobby, 3201 Kirby Drive. Event is gratis, but RSVP a must — thelobby@greenwoodking.com. Bunny Williams, Albert Hadley in a room Williams decorated for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House MARIA QUIROGA Author Brian McCarthy NYC drawing room of Diana Quasha, Parish-Hadley WILLIAM WALDRON Parish Hadley offices 1989. Standing, from left: Brian McCarthy, Albert Hadley, Libby Cameron, David McMahon. Seated, from left: Gary Hager, Sister Parish, David Kleinberg. 1 1 0 1 - 0 2 U p t o w n P a r k B l v d , H o u s t o n , T X 7 7 0 5 6