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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

MK Workshop

MK Workshop

Lindsay Calhoun

photo by tim lenz

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

Jonah - Provincetown, MA - I grew up as a child visiting this quaint coastal community, and it holds a special place in my heart. 

Petra - Probably in a remote area in Colorado - I grew up in the mountains and would love to spend more time with immediate access to hiking and skiing right at my front door - and room for horses maybe. 

What are three words to describe your style?
Jonah - 

            •           Timeless

            •           Tailored

            •           Sophisticated 

Petra - 

            •           Timeless

            •           Elegant

            •           Warm

Tell us about your childhood bedroom?
Jonah - Cluttered and shared with siblings, my childhood bedroom taught me the value of organization. Today, I deeply appreciate having a designated place for everything.

 Petra - I’d describe it as “ever changing.” My parents encouraged me to get creative with my space - they let me paint murals on the walls and I had a stack of upholstered mattress building blocks of sorts that could transform a huge sleepover space for friends to a space to jump around on to a sofa or whatever else you could think of. 

What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house?
Jonah - Furniture from our collections! I have two of our counter stools, rugs from our collection and some outside furniture.

 Petra - The absolute first classic piece I’ve ever bought (and moved around with multiple times) was a vintage Eames Chair in Walnut Plywood and an ochre colored leather. 

In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be?
Jonah - If I could hire any designer, it would be Workstead. Their ability to combine refined craftsmanship with a warm, modern sensibility resonates deeply with MK Workshop's approach to creating timeless and tailored interiors.

Petra - Charlotte Perriand 

No room is complete without_____
Jonah - No room is complete without a thoughtful balance of texture, light, and personal touches—elements that bring warmth and individuality to a space. 

Petra -No room is complete without good lighting and a glimpse of the owners personality.       

People think of me as ____ but I am really ____
Jonah - People think of me as very structured, but I am really spontaneous when it comes to designing. 
Petra - People think of me as extroverted, but I am really not the complete opposite, but rather introverted.

Things you omit from:

  • A flower arrangement :
    Jonah -     multicolors
    Petra - Not always, but often flowers. I gravitate to minimal branches and greenery. 

  • An hors d’oeuvre platter:
    Jonah -     nothing! I love options
    Petra - anything with goat cheese (I know, crazy, but I just can’t stand it)

  • A bar cabinet:
    Jonah -     anything sticky
    Petra - what size is the bar cabinet?

A song for:

  • Dinner at home:
    Jonah -     “Magic Love” by Bent. This soulful groove sets the mood for relaxation or romance. You can’t go wrong either way. 
    Petra - Depends on the dinner - likely something mellow and classical. 

  • Working at your desk:
    Jonah -     Anything by Kaytranada…“You’re the One” has the perfect beat to keep my creative mind flowing. 
    Petra - Anything by The Doors. 

  • Going for a run:
    Jonah -     I cannot listen to music, it would have to be a comedy podcast to distract me from the actual running
    Petra - Anything by Metallica. 

If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy?
Jonah - I would probably be buying something from R.SWIADER.

 Petra - I would be browsing Discogs or Bay for records missing in my collection (or accidentally buying doubles).       

Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how?
Jonah - Yes, I like a tailored look with surprise detailing.

Petra - Come to think of it, they do: clean modern lines mixed with vintage pieces, black and white with bold but muddy colors combined with the occasional wild pattern. 

Who is your star crush?
Jonah - Pedro Pascal at the moment.

Petra - I don’t really have one - I used to have a huge crush on Chris Cornell when I was much younger. 

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

Petra - Maximalism.

What’s the design book you go back to again and again?
Jonah - That’s a tough call… Let’s just pick my latest love, Country Life Homes of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley by William Abranowicz. Which I’m loving.

Petra - That is tough. One of my all time favorites is Axel Vervoordt / Living With Light. 

For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for?  
Jonah - It’s timeless sophistication.

Petra - Spaces that age well in every aspect - not just as a visual, but also in quality of custom pieces. 

photo by Nick Glimenakis

A Few Favorites:

  • Movie:
    Jonah -     For 2024 it would be The Substance.

    Petra - Pina by Wim Wenders. 

  • Book: 

    Jonah - I don’t really have a favorite book, but I am reading The Book of Elsewhere by China Mieville and Keaun Reeves that I am really enjoying.

    Petra - Too many to count…  

  • Scent: 

    Jonah - Oakmoss

    Petra - Freshly cut wood/a forest after the rain 

  • The fabric you always come back to: 

    Jonah - Linen

    Petra - Velvet 

  • Dream project: 

    Jonah - Restaurant and bar in NYC

    Petra - A remote glass house in the middle of a dense forest that blends nature with a serene living space.  

  • Meal:  

    Jonah - Pizza

    Petra - Sushi 

  • Drink: 

    Jonah - Cold Brew

    Petra - A crisp white wine 

  • Hotel: 

    Jonah - Palihouse in Santa Monica. I’ve been staying there often for a project over the years and really have come to love it.

    Petra - I take a quirky boutique hotel with personality over sleek luxury any day...

  • Travel Destination: 

    Jonah - Mexico

    Petra - One that I’ve been to or one that I want to go to? Japan is very high on my bucket list. When it comes to all time favorites definitely Northern Italy. 

  • Artist: 

    Jonah - Sheila Hicks is really inspiring me lately, I love her playfulness with texture. She immediately puts a smile on my face when I think of her.

    Petra - Again too many to list... one currently working artist I recently came across whose work really captured me was Peter Astrom.

  • A cause near and dear to me: 

    Jonah - Anything LGBTQ+

    Petra - Animals 

  • Thing to collect obsessively: 

    Jonah - Comic books and textile art

    Petra - Vinyl 

  • Era in the history of design: 

    Jonah - 50’s & 60’s and the rise of brutalist architecture at the moment

    Petra - 1930’s and 40’s 

  • Museum:  

    Jonah - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

    Petra - Hammer Museum  

  • Paint Color that always looks great: 

    Jonah - Mossy greens

    Petra - Benjamin Moore “Silver Satin” is a “white” that magically adapts to pretty much any color or light situation. 

  • Favorite person to follow on Instagram: 

    Jonah - Not on Instagram

    Petra - Not a person, but always good for some comic relief @openlygayanimals 

  • Dogs, Cats, or No Pets?  

    Jonah - Dogs! I’m allergic to cats.

    Petra - Dogs (and Horses) 

     

     

     

Linda Boronkay

Linda Boronkay

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