Carlton Hobbs and Stefanie Rinza invited guests to their gallery last week, housed in the historic brownstone of socialite Virginia Graham Fair Vanderbilt on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, to honor Paul Vincent Wiseman and Brian D. Coleman and introduce the publication of their new book, Inner Spaces: Paul Vincent Wiseman & The Wiseman Group.

Paul Vincent Wiseman and Brian D. Coleman

The evening kicked off with a lecture by Wiseman and Coleman, followed by a book signing and cocktail reception. Surrounded by museum-quality antiques, guests were welcomed to wander the first and second floors of the gallery to view the precious offerings on display, including a substantial architectural model of the Temple of King Solomon by Thomas Newberry.

“What better place than Carlton Hobbs gallery to have my book debut,” said Wiseman. “The setting perfectly speaks to what interior design means to both me and my group. Interior design is far more than just a pretty room, it’s the long body of our deep psyche’s reflection, manifested through objects that we place in our ever-evolving caves.”

Kevin Peters, Bunny Williams and Chase Roberson

Notable guests included designers Bunny Williams, Glenn Gisler and Thomas Britt, as well as Joel Barkley of Ike Kligerman Barkley Architects and Joy Venturi Bianchi.

Joy Venturi Bianchi, Paul Vincent Wiseman, Jeanne Lawrence, Drew Stevens and Joel Barclay

Written by Coleman and with forewords Frank O. Gehry and Paul Goldberger, the book celebrates the distinctive interiors of the San Francisco-based designer and his firm, The Wiseman Group.

Edouard Alain Daunas, Jorge Arango and Carlton Hobbs

“This book took over two years to produce, from start to finish,” said Coleman. “Paul and I worked together closely on this project, traveling across the country, from Hawaii to New York City, documenting his diverse breath of work. It was a tremendous journey, and I am honored and proud to share the finished product, these inspirational interiors, with the world.”   

Paul Vincent Wiseman and Brian D. Coleman

Article and photos by Kate Jerde