Alan Tanksley
photo by kelly marshall
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live?
Barcelona comes to mind. I love the city, architecture and it's proximity to all points throughout Europe and the Mediterranean.
Tell us about your childhood bedroom?
My childhood bedroom was a 10' x 10' room paneled in bleached mahogany veneered plywood within a mid century split level suburban house. Interior design inspiration came to me from other sources later in life. I still love my childhood room...
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house?
I came across a table that ingeniously spirals from coffee to dining table height by legendary French designer, Jean Royere. It was in a Sotheby's Arcade auction and overlooked by everyone who previewed the sale. Had this piece come up just a year or two later it would have sold for many times what I paid for it before the design community caught on to Royere's genius.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Hands down.. Jacques Adnet.
No room is complete without good lighting to accommodate.
People think of me as unapproachable (due to my 6'-5" height), but I couldn't be more welcoming to conversation, especially with a sense of humor when possible.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement Formality. I appreciate looser arrangements that give the impression of casual elegance over those that project a stately, static message.
An hors d’oeuvre platter Yikes, I'll eat practically anything offered on a platter, except perhaps the head of a martyred saint...
A bar cabinet Maraschino cherries - NO. Luxardo Marasca cherries - YES! These cherries are imported from Italy in a thick cherry syrup and are sensational taste treat.
A song for:
Dinner at home the entire jazz album -"In the Key of Oscar" by jazz pianist great, Oscar Peterson.
Working at your desk Mendelsohn, Mozart, Handel, etc. Nothing with a modern melody and lyrics or else I'll start singing along and lose all sense of work related focus.
Going for a run Gotta pass on this one. Why should I run when I have a perfectly good car? I don't run.
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I would buy travel and travel specific clothing.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? I believe they do. They are urban casual and sophisticated, yet age appropriate.
Who is your star crush? Alexa Hampton
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Overabundance of conflicting patterns and hues, while it is not my current style I admire those who do it well.
photo by @dxvluxury
A Few Favorites:
Book: The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino
Scent: Old Money
The fabric you always come back to: Bryce by Colefax and Fowler. I use it over and over and over and over…
Dream project: The White House Private Quarters… next administration
Meal: A great paella, preferably sea side in Spain
Drink: A perfect Manhattan
Travel Destination: Italy, from the toe to the top of the boot.
Artist: Georges Braque
Thing to collect obsessively: Friends
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: Alexa Hampton (of course). Not only because this is her project but due to having worked for her Father I became friends of the family decades ago so I feel intimately linked to her musings.
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? If I had a pet it would definitely be a dog or two. Maybe I'll do so when I grow up.
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I am delighted to inform you that on Thursday, March 7, 2019, Alan will be honored at the Bailey House Gala and Auction through presentation of their 2019 Gina Quattrochi Arts & Legacy Award. I hope that you will mark your calendar and plan to join me and many mutual friends for a festive evening of celebration unlike any other. For tickets: sharris@baileyhouse.org.
