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Welcome

“As a resident of the world of design since birth, I’d like to take some time to celebrate some of the people and things in that world that I admire. I hope you come along for the ride. And, as my name has really taken a beating these last couple of years, -thank you Mr. Bezos, - feel free to think of me here by my nickname: Lex. And, please also enjoy this completely un-recognizable and years old headshot.” - Alexa Hampton

Pappas Miron

Pappas Miron

Lindsay Calhoun
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If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? 

  • Paris or St. Barths - Alexandra

  • I have always dreamed of a concrete, glass and wood box deep in the woods. Maybe something close to Cameron’s house in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! - Tatyana

What are three words to describe your style?

  • 1. Textured 2. Unique 3. Welcoming - Alexandra

  • 1. Inviting 2. Curious 3. Unexpected - Tatyana

Tell us about your childhood bedroom?

  • I grew up in a Victorian house with beautiful architectural details, chintz, wicker and an amazing stained glass bay window that was very reminiscent of Tiffany Studios. My parents also loved modern art and furniture so there was a John Dickinson side table and a Pace hanging bar in the mix with oriental rugs and glazed cotton.  - Alexandra

  • Well, I was brought up not allowed to hang posters or anything like that on my walls. I had yellow stripe wallpaper with a bow border at the ceiling and a dark green furniture set that was in my mother’s room in Detroit when she was growing up. There were chintz chairs and curtains and it was all very fem. - Tatyana

What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? 

  • A Paul McCobb credenza. I was 22 so it seemed like a really big deal at the time – it was $1,200 plus the cost to refinish it.  - Alexandra

  • I was newly married and saw a four-poster bed at Hamptons Antiques in Stamford. It seemed like a fortune but I realize now it was a steal. I decided I had to have it. I was tired of buying beautiful things only for my clients! We went for it and it remains the center piece of our bedroom. - Tatyana

In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? 

  • Jacques Grange, Frances Elkins, Renzo Mongiardino…too many! - Alexandra

  • Alberto Pinto - Tatyana

No room is complete without…

  • Art on the walls, beautiful unique lamps and light fixtures - Alexandra

  • Gorgeous lamps with custom shades! - Tatyana

People think of me as Intimidating, but I am really shy and quiet. - Alexandra

People think of me as wild, but I am really very measured! - Tatyana

Things you omit from:

  • A flower arrangement: 
    -     Filler greens, weirdly dyed orchids or the like - Alexandra
    -     Gerber Daisies - Tatyana

  • An hors d’oeuvre platter:
    -     Anything that cannot be eaten in one bite. A lamb chop is NOT cocktail food. - Alexandra
    -     Cut cheese in little cubes - Tatyana

  • A bar cabinet:
    -     Glasses you don’t want to get broken i.e. used regularly and with enthusiasm! Also, Midori Mellon is pretty vile. - Alexandra
    -     Cheap Beer! - Tatyana

A song for: 

  • Dinner at home:
    -     Any Getz Gilberto track - Alexandra
    -     Miles Davis - Tatyana

  • Working at your desk:
    -     80s mix is the best - Alexandra

  • Going for a run:
    -     Gorillaz, Dirty Harry or a good Top 40 tune, lately Lizzo- Truth Hurts - Alexandra
    -     Kanye West, Gold Digger! - Tatyana

Biggest Vice?

  • Vodka sodas - Alexandra

  • Alcohol - Tatyana

If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy?

Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? 

  • I think so – I tend to invest in classics, dress to flatter vs being stuck on trends and I always add some fun with big jewelry, patterned shoes and a great Etro scarf. - Alexandra

  • Many people call my style Granny Chic. I think that can also be said of some of our designs! Great old world lamps and accessories in a modern room is my favorite look. - Tatyana

Who is your star crush?

  • Recently obsessed with Theo James from Sanditon! I’m like a teenager when I see him. Wow. Also, a fellow Greek! - Alexandra

  • Mark Ruffalo - Tatyana

What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? 

  • Cover a table in accessories/tchotchkes - Alexandra

  • Balloon Shades? - Tatyana

If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be?

  • My mother gave me some great 70s ones that I think are amazing. Mario Buatta’s is wonderful and reminds me to push my designs further and that there is always room for another chair, or 4!  - Alexandra

  • A book I have on Haciendas. I don’t even know the name! - Tatyana

For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for?

  • I guess I would hope that our work is known for being timeless yet somehow modern; that you are surprised and intrigued, but ultimately feel like you could move right in and pour yourself a cocktail or curl up & read a good book.  - Alexandra

  • Glamorous but livable rooms. Also my ability to make things beautiful without a huge budget! I can go into a junk store and come out with something that enhances a room. - Tatyana

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A Few Favorites: 

  • Movie: 
    -     Reversal of Fortune - Alexandra
    -     Revenge of the Nerds- Tatyana

  • Book:
    -     Too hard to choose just one! In the vein of my movie pick – here’s a fascinating read: Gilded Lily: Lily Safra: The Making of the World’s Weathiest Widows  - Alexandra
    -     Anna Karenina - Tatyana

  • Scent:
    - For me, Annick Goutal’s Petite Cherie, For my House – By Redo Ambre Japonais - Alexandra
    - Bulgari, Green Tea - Tatyana

  • The fabric you always come back to:
    - GSD Spencer Velvet, any chunky boucle - Alexandra
    -     It used to be Jacob Chenille from Christoper Hyland but they stopped making it! Now we use Rogers and Goffigon wool sheers on almost every project. And FORTUNY! - Tatyana

  • Dream project:
    - A Hotel! - Alexandra

    - A modern glass box deep in the woods where the clients let us use antiques to offset the austerity. - Tatyana

  • Meal: 
    - My mother’s bbq’d lamb, lemon potatoes & spanikopita - Alexandra
    - Cheese, baguette and red wine - Tatyana

  • Drink:
    - Vodka soda, lime, lots of ice - Alexandra
    - Vodka Martini - Tatyana

  • Hotel: 
    - Santa Mauro, Madrid Spain - Alexandra
    - Never been but always have dreamt of it – Villa Feltrinelli in Lake Garda. I also recently went to Maison De La Luz in New Orleans and thought it was super chic. - Tatyana

  • Travel Destination: 
    -     Anywhere on a sailboat - Alexandra
    - Italy - Tatyana

  • Artist: 
    - Jean Dubuffet - Alexandra
    - Miro - Tatyana

  • Thing to collect obsessively: 
    - Turquoise glasses/ barware and antique china.  - Alexandra
    -     Barware! - Tatyana

  • Era in the history of design:
    - At the moment: Bauhaus  - Alexandra
    -     1930’s Italian - Tatyana

  • Museum:
    - Musee Nissim de Camondo in Paris - Alexandra
    - Villa Necchi - Tatyana

  • Paint Color that always look great:
    - Benjamin Moore 865, stonewashed. Perfect super pale blue - Alexandra
    - Farrow and Ball, Hague Blue. Or for a neutral, we always use Benjamin Moore 865. Stonewashed - Tatyana

  • Favorite person to follow on Instagram: 
    - Tori Mellott  - Alexandra

  • Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? 
    - Dogs! One day… - Alexandra
    - CATS! - Tatyana






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