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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

Susanna Salk

Susanna Salk

Lindsay Calhoun

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

What are three words to describe your style? Cozy chic with a dash of whimsy

Tell us about your childhood bedroom? It had a large shelf cut into the wall that went all the way down to the beige shag carpet, where I enjoyed displaying my china animal collection. Its three windows along the wall overlooked the many tall pine trees surrounding our house. At age twelve, I felt compelled to push my bed flush beneath these windows so I could look out at the moon bathing the branches with light. My first instance of “take charge” decorating!

What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? An Oriental rug from ABC Carpet and Home, in an unusual faded pink, an unexpected color for our 200 year Colonial and way beyond our budget. After spotting it amongst the high stacks of patterns, it was like meeting someone for the first time whom you know you’ll know forever. Both I still have.

In the history of design, if you could hire any designer, who would it be? Painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel.

No room is complete without: Dahlias in vintage silver Lassi cups

People think of me as an extrovert, but I am really a social introvert.

Things you omit from:

• A flower arrangement: Baby’s Breath or Eucalyptus filler

• An hors d’oeuvre platter: Shrimp (it gives guests bad breath)

•  A bar cabinet: Anything without a visually pleasing label                    

A song for:

•. Dinner at home: Anything by Sade

•  Working at your desk: “The Piano” soundtrack over and over

•   Going for a run: “Don’t Call It A Comeback” by LL Cool J

If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I’ve actually never tried Ambien but let’s just say if I had…. it wouldn’t be a stretch to envision that I would make many couple of laps around Chairish sourcing vintage tulipieres (notice how I made that plural.)

Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Curiously, I’ve actually noticed that a well-edited closet does not always mean a well-edited bedroom. You’d think these two strengths would be interchangeable but sadly they are not.

Who is your star crush? Stephen Colbert

What is the one thing you would never decorate your home with, but don’t detest when you see others do it? A white sofa?

What design book do you find yourself going back to again and again? I always bring my “Making Your House A Home,” Rizzoli book to meetings with clients as a source of inspiration. It’s filled with original photos by Stacey Bewkes, plucked from all our Quintessence shoots over the years from designers’ home and organized by chapter: “Dining Room” “Floors,” “Kitchen” and so forth. So if you need ideas for window treatments, you flip to that chapter and get dozens of different visual examples.

For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? I’m so proud of our Quintessence At Home With series on YouTube. For over ten years we have been capturing the very best and brightest at home (Alexa was one of our first hosts!) As a result, we have created a definitive design canon people will discover and return to again and again for many years to come.

Your Favorite:

  • Movie: The Piano but Conclave is right up there!

  • Book: “Bringing Up The Bodies” by Hilary Mantel. A new favorite read: Alice Carriere’s “Everything/Nothing/Someone” blew my mind.

  • Scent: The Ylang custom scent Diptyque makes for the Eden Roc hotel in St Barth’s. I spray it on my sheets for a continual “take me back” moment.

  • The fabric you always come back to: You always had me at ikat.

  • Dream project: Set design for any movie starring Tilda Swinton.

  • Meal: Caponata made expressively for me by my beloved

  • Drink: Anything cold with loads of fresh mint and lemon

  • Hotel: The Mitsui Kyoto in Kyoto or Hotel de l’Abbaye Saint Germain in Paris

  • Travel Destination: Japan

  • Artist: Wes Anderson

  • A cause near and dear to me: Save The Children

  • Thing to collect obsessively: rescue dogs

  • Museum: Prado in Madrid

  • Paint Color that always looks great: Benjamin Moore’s Designer White

  • Favorite person to follow on Instagram: The Female Quotient

  • Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs

Caroline Gidiere

Caroline Gidiere

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