Talk Shop: Jacqueline Clair // York Avenue
Photo by Hope Taudevin Photography
ABOUT JACKIE
We first found out about Jackie through her design blog York Avenue, but it was particularly her Instagram, now @jacquelineclairphoto, that drew us in. Jackie, who lives in the Upper East Side of NYC, takes the most gorgeous exterior shots of various townhouses and buildings in the neighborhood that are so aesthetically pleasing (and why we love NYC so much!) Her Instagram chronicles doesn’t stop at the UES, as she takes photos of all the boroughs of Manhattan and we cannot get enough. Jackie is a nurse by day, but a design-lover, blogger, and photographer all of the time. She also has a photography business, and blogs about all things interiors and lifestyles on York Avenue. We loved talking with Jackie about her expertise, inspirations, and must-haves and hope you do as well!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Maximalist, colorful, feminine.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mom loves interior design and has always visited showhouses like Kips Bay and Holiday House in NYC. When I got older she started taking me along, and that really stoked my love of interiors! It’s introduced me to the work of some of the greats, like Charlotte Moss, Carrier & Co., and Bunny Williams (to name a few), as well as up-and-coming talent in the field. Getting to see these designs in person has been a great privilege and one I don’t take for granted, especially with the NYC Kips Bay being canceled this year. I’ll be extra grateful to see it in 2021!
I started reading design blogs like Elements of Style and Live Creating Yourself (now Elizabeth Street Post) when I was in college and that really fanned the flames of my love for design! It was probably the first time I saw accessible design that I felt like I could achieve, and that heavily influenced me in designing my first apartment.
Lastly I would have to say Instagram, which has introduced me to designers all over the world that I never would have known about - many of whom happen to be designing in the South (Amy Berry and Sarah Bartholomew, for example). It’s also helped me to realize what I’m really drawn to design-wise: English-inspired, traditional interiors with a bit of a modern edge to them.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started my design blog York Avenue in 2010 when I moved to NYC, and that led me to my career in photography. As an interiors photographer, my favorite thing is getting to work with a designer to help them realize their vision. Designers put so much energy and time into creating these incredible spaces that are meant to be lived in and loved by their clients, and I love being able to capture the space for a moment in time, when it looks exactly the way the designer envisioned it. There are so many elements that go into making an amazing interior, and it just gives me great joy to be able to capture those incredible details in an image.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
My mentor in my photography career has been my friend Kate Ignatowski, the founder of Locust Collection. Even though she does a different type of photography than I do (she’s a wedding photographer while I do interiors), she has the most amazing eye and has helped me tremendously. She always encouraged me to pursue interior photography, as she knew how passionate I’ve always been about design, and I really appreciate that she kind of knew what I wanted to do before I even knew it!
What does your home say about you:
I think my home says that I’m a person who loves art, books, pattern, and color. These are the things that make me happy and I think it’s so important that your home be a place that makes you happy every time you walk into it!
Where do you find inspiration:
I find lots of inspiration in all of the wonderful coffee table books that I have in my collection. They provide endless design wisdom, ideas, and of course gorgeous visual inspiration. I also get a lot of inspiration from walking around New York City and just taking it all in.
Who are your style icons:
I love Olivia Palermo and Meghan Markle’s style - to me it’s elevated simplicity and they always look polished and put together.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
I think key ingredients for entertaining are: a well-stocked bar cart, a great playlist in the background, comfortable seating arrangements that allow for conversation, and an easygoing, laid back attitude so your guests feel at ease!
Do you collect anything:
Coffee table books, matchbooks, and Laduree macaron boxes are my favorite things to collect.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
Of course, @arielokin! I also love @amylberry, @markdsikes, @erinkestenbaum, @aspoonfulofbenjamin, @jyoungdesignhouse, @alisonkenworthy and @michelle_adams_.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
One design rule I live by is that nothing should match! Everything should go together in a way, but matching furniture sets are something to be avoided. A design rule I’ve read is that you should give the eye a place to “rest” - I find that I love interiors that are maximalist and full of what I like to call “controlled clutter,” so I think that rule can be broken successfully!
What are you working on right now:
Right now I’m working on a few interior photography projects with some great NYC designers, as well as a couple of blog posts about new coffee table books that are coming out this fall and winter. I love sharing new books with my blog readers and Instagram followers!
Wardrobe staples:
I’m very maximalist in my interiors, but somewhat minimal in my wardrobe! As we head into fall and winter, my staples are a great fitting pair of jeans, my Stuart Weitzman over the knee boots (classics, in my opinion!), and an oversized La Ligne rainbow sweater that I’m obsessed with.
Best interior advice you ever received:
That a space should feel layered and collected over time, so it has warmth and character and reflects who you are. Buying vintage is a great way to achieve this!
Best career advice you ever received:
To seek out people (or a person) in the field who you can learn from. I’ve learned from some wonderful people and it always amazes me when people are so supportive and generous with their knowledge. It’s truly lovely and my continuing goal is to always be the same way!
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
I think it’s important to invest in upholstery, like a sofa - it gets a lot of wear and it needs to be comfortable and able to hold up! I also think Farrow and Ball paint is absolutely worth the splurge - the quality is really special and they have a great curated range of colors. I save on things that might fade into the background a bit, such as my bookshelf. It’s from Ikea and I think it works because it creates just a simple backdrop for the books to be the star of the show!
Your greatest extravagance:
The aforementioned Farrow and Ball paint, luxury candles like Diptyque and Cire Trudon (they just make me so happy), and Aesop hand soap, always!
Favorite places to shop for home:
My favorite thing for home is vintage furniture, so my parent’s basement is my favorite place to shop! I constantly have to restrain myself from buying more art from Caitlin McGauley - her pieces are some of my favorite items that I own.
Most prized possession and why:
Hard to pick just one! I’d have to say first is the large-scale painting by the amazing artist Christina Baker that I found in the Hampton Designer Show House in 2018. One of the designers used it in their space and happily it was for sale! I absolutely love it. I also am obsessed with my Kelly Wearstler Pop Bowl, which I loved for years before finally splurging on it. It’s quirky and just makes me happy.
Your interiors motto:
More is more!
Your life motto:
Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Look for rooms you love on Instagram, Pinterest, blogs, and design books, and take note of what you love about them. Try to dissect the details and that will give you insight into what kind of space you want to create for yourself.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: My mom’s homemade birthday cake
Drink: Aperol spritz
Film: Clueless
Hotel: Hotel Providence in Paris
City: New York City
Bedding: Biscuit Home
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): coffee very light with no sugar
Playlist: Lately I’ve just been obsessed with Taylor Swift’s Folklore!
Weekend Activity: reading in bed with coffee and nowhere particular to be!
Design Book: The Perfectly Imperfect Home, by Deborah Needleman