Jim Druckman
image courtesy of New York Design Center
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? I would have a penthouse in NYC with a terrace that I could retreat to in summer or an apartment in Paris.
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? I had a pegboard to hang things things on. I collected military miniatures and prints. I had a plaid bedspread with contrasting bolsters that hung from the pegboard.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? I don’t believe in “investment pieces.” I believe you should buy what you like and can afford—the home should not be an investment.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer, who would it be?
Besides Alexa Hampton… Francois Catroux.
No room is complete without Books!
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Most greenery
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Too much decoration
A bar cabinet: Moonshine
Biggest Vice? Eating too much!
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? Caviar.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Not at all! My clothes are all various shades of grey and dark blue—maybe my ties do…
Who is your star crush? Ava Gardner.
What is the one thing you would never decorate your home with, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Most of the art from Santa Fe.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? Luckily, I have two hands.. One for Alexa’s book and the other for a 1925 hand-colored Ruhlmann Room Design Folio.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Supporting the Design Industry.
A Few Favorites
Movie: Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney
Book: Women On Food by Charlotte Druckman
Scent: No Scent!
The fabric you always come back to: Brunschwig & Fils La Portugaise as shown in Brooke Astor’s library
Meal: Dinner at Le Grand Vefour on my honeymoon when Raymond Oliver was still cooking- Lobster Salad, Duck and Raspberry Soufflé.
Drink: Straight Single Malt Scotch
Hotel: The Ritz in Madrid, in its prime.
Travel Destination: Anywhere in Italy
Artist: Toss up between Manet and Tissot
A cause near and dear to me: KIPS BAY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB!
Thing to collect obsessively: Books! Specifically old French design books
Era in the history of design: Napolean III to look at. 1920s French to live in.
Museum: The Louisiana outside of Copenhagen
Paint Color that always looks great: White
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @alexahamptoninc (and @nydc ;)
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? No pets—but my daughter Charlotte just got a new puppy that is adorable!
Restaurant in New York City: Old/Christ Cella New- Café Altro Paradiso
Restaurant anywhere else: Lurra in London
