alexaportrait_circle.jpg

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

Michael Aiduss

Michael Aiduss

Lindsay Calhoun

Photo by Gieves Anderson

If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? A villa in France or Italy

What are three words to describe your style?

1. Chic

2. Timeless

3. Sophisticated

Tell us about your childhood bedroom? Flooring was wide plank 1780’s heat-pine. In the 1980’s I wallpapered the walls in a white raised Greek key patterned paper and added pilasters to the corners.

What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? A Georgian period dining table, with an octagonal center pedestal with brass inlay and original castors.

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

No room is complete without, flowers and books, and of course a fireplace.

People think of me as serious, but I am really but I am really super down to earth.

Things you omit from:

  • A flower arrangement: Anything artificial

  • An hors d’oeuvre platter: Anything messy

  • A bar cabinet: Cheap booze

A song for:

  • Dinner at home: 1960’s French pop such as Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, OR Billie Holiday

  • Working at your desk: Quiet desk time would be classical music

  • Going for a run: Florence and the Machine

Biggest Vice? Potato chips with Champagne

If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? Sneakers or antiques. Depending on the day.

Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Quality whenever and as much as possible.

Who is your star crush? Cate Blanchett.

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

If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be?
The Domestic Architecture of Sir Edwin Lutyens

For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Unexpected timeless beauty.

Photo by George Ross

A Few Favorites:

  • Movie: Rebecca Hitchbock 1940

  • Scent: James Heeley- Phoenicia

  • The fabric you always come back to: Fortuny, velvets and linen

  • Dream project: Rehabbing an Italian Villa into a Luxury Hotel

  • Meal: Cacio e Pepe and Wine

  • Drink: Bandol Rose in the summer

  • Hotel: Villa D'Este, Como, Aman Venice, or La Mirande, Avignon

  • Travel Destination: English Countryside, South of France, Italy and the Greek Islands

  • Artist: Cy Twombly

  • A cause near and dear to me: Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club

  • Thing to collect obsessively: Pottery

  • Era in the history of design: The Luxury, drama and romance of the 1920's

  • Museum: The Island of Delos, Greece (the entire island is an archaeological site)

  • Paint Color that always looks great: Benjamin Moore Williamsburg Collection: Bone Black, or Farrow and Ball All White

  • Favorite person to follow on Instagram: m.a.r.c.c.o.s.t.a

  • Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Hawk, 9 year old Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Lulu, 17 year old Yorkshire Terrier. Maxim, 1 year old Russian Bolonka. Marigold, 7 Month old Russian Bolonka.

Sophie Donelson

Sophie Donelson
Ben Reynaert

Ben Reynaert

Related Posts