Alex Kaehler
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Nantucket, truly my happy place.
What are three words to describe your style?
1. Fresh
2. Comfortable
3. Feminine
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? I fell in love with the Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic aesthetic. They had a boutique in Chicago and I went with my mom as a young girl and just decked my room out. Floral sheets, duvet covers, and shams. All of it. I couldn’t get enough of that white washed antique furniture and floral fabrics.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? A piece of art when I first moved in with my (now) husband. We had one big empty wall in our apartment and I loved the idea of having something special to fill it. We bought a piece from Amanda Talley. I worked with her to commission it and although it was surrounded by Ikea furniture, it still made the space feel so special.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Parish Hadley. Their spaces still feel so fresh and inspired. The use of color, pattern and grandeur is just perfection in my eyes. I take so much inspiration from their work.
No room is complete without things that you love from your life. Momentos from a vacation, a framed photo of your family, anything that makes you smile.
People think of me as an extrovert but I am really introverted, really, really introverted.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Orange. Really don’t like orange flowers.
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Stinky cheese, nothing less appetizing to me.
A bar cabinet: Oh nothing! You have to have every possible thing available.
A song for:
Dinner at home: Parlor by Nathaniel Rateliff
Working at your desk: Anything by Van Morrsion
Going for a run: Flowers by Miley Cyrus
Biggest Vice? Sleep. 9+ hours a night.
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? I love this question. Jewelry for sure. I am an addict. And I rationalize that I can share with my daughter someday, so it wouldn’t take much ambien to convince me I need a new pair of earrings.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? Yes, absolutely. I am big on comfort, but I’m not walking around in sweats. I love a floral blouse with soft, comfy jeans. Just like I design homes that aren’t too delicate to live in and enjoy.
Who is your star crush? Ed Burns.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it?
A completely neutral home. It is just not my personal style, but I love seeing homes that are done in neutrals when they are well done! Lots of texture, interesting furniture shapes, fabulous art. When its done well, its stunning.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be? A no longer in print book about David Adler’s work.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? For making the people who live in the homes I design happy. Its why I do what I do.
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Love Actually
Book: Hare with the Amber Eyes & Cutting for Stone
Scent: I don’t wear perfume, but I love a Diptyque Baies candle burning at home.
The fabric you always come back to: Lee Jofa Althea
Dream project: A client who trusts me implicitly and has a realistic budget, I don’t ask for much!
Meal: My favorite restaurant closed and I miss their angel hair pasta and tuna tartare so much. I dream of it!
Drink: A glass of rose, or a margarita
Hotel: Little Dix Bay
Travel Destination: Nantucket
Artist: My sister, Carly Berlin. Her work inspires me everyday.
A cause near and dear to me: The Dragonfly Foundation – they provide assistance to seriously ill children and their families.
Thing to collect obsessively: Black & white boxes.
Era in the history of design: Beaux Arts architecture has my heart.
Museum: The Art Institute of Chicago, the Thorn Rooms are absolute magic.
Paint Color that always looks great: Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: @thenatnote
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Dogs!
