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Jonathan Adler & Simon Doonan

Jonathan Adler & Simon Doonan

Potter and Designer & Creative Ambassador-at-Large, Barneys New York. New York

We’re never ones to shy away from colorful wardrobes. And although our homes and wardrobes definitely err on the site of prints, patterns, and plaids, nobody comes close to today’s post. Jonathan Adler, the notable international designer of his massively joyous namesake company and Simon Doonan, the Creative Ambassador at Large for Barney’s New York, share an NYC abode that, upon entering, felt like a bolt of Vitamin C, D, and E had been injected into our systems. Along with their massively kissable Norwich Terrier Liberace, their infectious romance left us not only high on color and energy, but really made us understand the importance of bright tones in one’s habitat. Writer, bon-vivant, window dresser, and fashion commentator Simon Doonan has worked in fashion for over thirty five years, and to date, has written four books, has appeared as a regular guest on America’s Next Top Model (and The Joy Behar Show) and pens a hilarious column for Barney’s The Window, that leaves us in stitches with every read. His life partner Jonathan Adler, who has fourteen stores nationwide, is our go-to source for those decorative accessories, table top collections, bedding, furniture, rugs and pillows with that Modernist form and bold, groovy graphics. From their Pirelli calendar home-made wallpaper to Doonan’s larger than life initialized Goyard carryall (and no, he’s not from South Dakota), with every turn and corner discovered, we uncovered a home that was designed with precise dedication and most of all, a collection of heirlooms and recent finds that compliments the owner’s personalities (and vice versa). We played, we laughed uncontrollably, and with every kiss they gave Liberace, we were lucky to be in the presence of today’s modern (and globally influential) tastemakers. Doonan, make us your crankly elf minions, we beg...

I've never met a monkstrap shoe I didn't love—they make me feel very Michael Caine in Alfie. And I have a squillion Rod Lavers from Adidas in every color. They add a little sporty spice to any outfit.

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Shoes, Various Designers

Housekeeper.

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All, Various Designers

Props again to the housekeeper. She's really great. She paints in her spare time and has great taste and knows how to organize.

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Shirts, Various Designers

I love GUCCI shoes. I guess you could say it’s my inner guido asserting itself. It doesn't hurt that they're beautifully made and very comfortable.

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Shoes, Various Designers

I am anal retentive…and we have a housekeeper. Paging Joan Crawford!

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All, Various Designers

The suitcase is from an old store in Miami.

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Shoes, Yves Saint Laurent Couture

I found this shirt in Palm Springs. It's 100 per cent polyester. Mazel Tov!

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Shirt, Vintage Givenchy

Adidas shoes are the best! I love. That '60s Italian Majolica planter is bananas.

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Shoes, Custom Adidas

I love me some Liberty prints. I am sure my love of flowery fabrics has a deep Freudian meaning. I guess you could call it "peony envy."

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Shirts, Various Designers

This Michael Jackson piece cost $20 at the 26th Street flea market and it's the best $20 we've ever spent. I LOVE him. The pots are from my Bjørn Wiinblad collection and a couple of figurative pots of my own.

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Tie, Vintage Turnbull & Asser

I love this bag. A lady on the subway asked me if I was from South Dakota. I said yes.

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Bag, Custom Goyard

The Prince head is from my husband, the window dresser. It was made for a Barneys window celebrating his Purple Highness. My husband is a genius.

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Shoes, Crockett and Jones

I can't have enough Merino wool V-necks. Banana Republic and Gap have done some good ones over the years that don't pill, which is very important! The great thing about being a guy is that dressing can be really cheap.

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Sweaters, Various Designers

I bought the clock, a giant brass pocketwatch for the wall, complete with hanging chain, because it reminded me of something that Uncle Arthur from Bewitched might own—kind of a camp take on man accessories. Our whole bathroom is full of butch(ish) Mantiques.

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Tie, Unknown Designer

Dear American Apparel; If you're reading this, and I hope you are, I BEG YOU not to go out of business. I don't think I can live without your Ringer Tees. Please. Thank you.

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Shirts, American Apparel

Sir Paul Smith is a genius! He made me this jacket from '50s curtain fabric. I wore it on my UK book tour. The Duckie Browns are from Barneys—of course. They are orgasmically comfortable.

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Jacket, Paul Smith; Shoes, Florsheim x Duckie Brown

I've rocked the same uniform since my bar mitzvah—white cords, a button-down shirt (Lacoste polo in the summer), and Rod Lavers. The striped shirts are custom. You can't go wrong with a bold candy stripe.

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Shirts, Custom Eredi Pisanò

Contrary to popular opinion, there are some benefits to being married to a window dresser! Kidding. My Simon is always surprising me with some prop that he buys from the display department. I love this screen—it's a copy of a Warhol screen and I love the idea of seeing a piece of art that you love and just making your own version.

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Pants, Various Designers

I cannot leave the house without this watch. Steve McQueen wore this model in the movie Le Mans. It’s a nice counterpoint to my nelly shirts. - Simon Doonan

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Watch, TAG Heuer

Gingham is de rigueur. There have been some haunting moments in my office when all of the gays are wearing the same thing: gingham shirts, white jeans, V-neck sweater, knit tie. We do a bit of "Who wore it better?" modeling around the water cooler. As for the dining room, it's a happy happy room. Every morning I can't wait to go downstairs and eat my breakfast in there.

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Shirts, Various Designers

Shoes, Gucci

Belt, Louis Vuitton

Not many Brits come here and make it big in fashion. The Rag & Bone boys are the exception. I just wish they were not so much taller than me. I get horrible neck pains whenever I'm talking to them.

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Ties, Rag & Bone

Shoes, Various Designers

Shoes, Clarks

I bought these casuals in London, and I have not worn them yet. HANDS OFF!

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Shoes, Fred Perry

These must be Johnny’s!

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Pajamas, Various Designers

The Zebra has stolen my shades. Now that my face is showing my age—I am 59 this year!—I'm more into groovy shades. It’s a Yoko Ono thing. I think your shades should get bigger as you get older. By the time I am 90 they will be the size of dinner plates.

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Sunglasses, Etro

What about the burlap bust? We saw this and thought it was the Mantique-iest thing we'd ever seen and snatched it up. As for the Pirelli calendar, love the idea of taking an old calendar or photo book and cutting it up and framing the pics. This one is the legendary 1973 calendar done by Alan Jones.

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I've never met a monkstrap shoe I didn't love—they make me feel very Michael Caine in Alfie. And I have a squillion Rod Lavers from Adidas in every color. They add a little sporty spice to any outfit. Shoes, Various Designers

Housekeeper. All, Various Designers

Props again to the housekeeper. She's really great. She paints in her spare time and has great taste and knows how to organize. Shirts, Various Designers

I love GUCCI shoes. I guess you could say it’s my inner guido asserting itself. It doesn't hurt that they're beautifully made and very comfortable. Shoes, Various Designers

I am anal retentive…and we have a housekeeper. Paging Joan Crawford! All, Various Designers

The suitcase is from an old store in Miami. Shoes, Yves Saint Laurent Couture

I found this shirt in Palm Springs. It's 100 per cent polyester. Mazel Tov! Shirt, Vintage Givenchy

Adidas shoes are the best! I love. That '60s Italian Majolica planter is bananas. Shoes, Custom Adidas

I love me some Liberty prints. I am sure my love of flowery fabrics has a deep Freudian meaning. I guess you could call it "peony envy." Shirts, Various Designers

This Michael Jackson piece cost $20 at the 26th Street flea market and it's the best $20 we've ever spent. I LOVE him. The pots are from my Bjørn Wiinblad collection and a couple of figurative pots of my own. Tie, Vintage Turnbull & Asser

I love this bag. A lady on the subway asked me if I was from South Dakota. I said yes. Bag, Custom Goyard

The Prince head is from my husband, the window dresser. It was made for a Barneys window celebrating his Purple Highness. My husband is a genius. Shoes, Crockett and Jones

I can't have enough Merino wool V-necks. Banana Republic and Gap have done some good ones over the years that don't pill, which is very important! The great thing about being a guy is that dressing can be really cheap. Sweaters, Various Designers

I bought the clock, a giant brass pocketwatch for the wall, complete with hanging chain, because it reminded me of something that Uncle Arthur from Bewitched might own—kind of a camp take on man accessories. Our whole bathroom is full of butch(ish) Mantiques. Tie, Unknown Designer

Dear American Apparel; If you're reading this, and I hope you are, I BEG YOU not to go out of business. I don't think I can live without your Ringer Tees. Please. Thank you. Shirts, American Apparel

Sir Paul Smith is a genius! He made me this jacket from '50s curtain fabric. I wore it on my UK book tour. The Duckie Browns are from Barneys—of course. They are orgasmically comfortable. Jacket, Paul Smith; Shoes, Florsheim x Duckie Brown

I've rocked the same uniform since my bar mitzvah—white cords, a button-down shirt (Lacoste polo in the summer), and Rod Lavers. The striped shirts are custom. You can't go wrong with a bold candy stripe. Shirts, Custom Eredi Pisanò

Contrary to popular opinion, there are some benefits to being married to a window dresser! Kidding. My Simon is always surprising me with some prop that he buys from the display department. I love this screen—it's a copy of a Warhol screen and I love the idea of seeing a piece of art that you love and just making your own version. Pants, Various Designers

I cannot leave the house without this watch. Steve McQueen wore this model in the movie Le Mans. It’s a nice counterpoint to my nelly shirts. - Simon Doonan Watch, TAG Heuer

Gingham is de rigueur. There have been some haunting moments in my office when all of the gays are wearing the same thing: gingham shirts, white jeans, V-neck sweater, knit tie. We do a bit of "Who wore it better?" modeling around the water cooler. As for the dining room, it's a happy happy room. Every morning I can't wait to go downstairs and eat my breakfast in there. Shirts, Various Designers

Belt, Louis Vuitton

Not many Brits come here and make it big in fashion. The Rag & Bone boys are the exception. I just wish they were not so much taller than me. I get horrible neck pains whenever I'm talking to them. Ties, Rag & Bone

Shoes, Various Designers

Shoes, Clarks

I bought these casuals in London, and I have not worn them yet. HANDS OFF! Shoes, Fred Perry

These must be Johnny’s! Pajamas, Various Designers

The Zebra has stolen my shades. Now that my face is showing my age—I am 59 this year!—I'm more into groovy shades. It’s a Yoko Ono thing. I think your shades should get bigger as you get older. By the time I am 90 they will be the size of dinner plates. Sunglasses, Etro

What about the burlap bust? We saw this and thought it was the Mantique-iest thing we'd ever seen and snatched it up. As for the Pirelli calendar, love the idea of taking an old calendar or photo book and cutting it up and framing the pics. This one is the legendary 1973 calendar done by Alan Jones.