POPULARITY
Founded in New York in 1898, Gracie hit its stride in the 1920s, when it began importing handpainted wallpapers. Over the decades, the company built a relationship with a studio in China to produce exquisite custom work—along the way servicing the iconic decorators of the past century, from Elsie de Wolfe to Mario Buatta to Alexa Hampton. On this episode of the podcast, Mike and Jennifer Gracie—the brother-and-sister team that makes up the fifth generation of family leadership behind the company—speak with host Dennis Scully about riding the ups and downs of the trade war with China, the unique charms and challenges of hand-painted silk, and why, even as wallpaper goes in and out style, Gracie endures. This episode is sponsored by Ernesta and ThibautLINKSGracieDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the industry, including a controversial leaked memo from Wayfair's CEO, the breakup of a successful design duo, and a look at what trend forecasters are saying about 2024. Later, Alexa Hampton shares her new book and her resolutions for 2024.This episode was sponsored by Loloi RugsLINKSAlexa HamptonDesign, Style & InfluenceDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
Alexa Hampton is, by any definition, a lifer in the trade. The daughter of celebrated designer Mark Hampton, she grew up in the business, and took over her father's firm at the age of 27 after his untimely passing in 1998. Since then, Alexa has never slowed down, earning endless plaudits for her work, appearing regularly on industry best-of lists, authoring books and columns, and designing product for everyone from Kravet to Theodore Alexander to The Shade Store. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about how interior design is like a language, why her ideal firm size is 11 employees, and why it's important to embrace—not turn away from—transparency and change.This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSAlexa HamptonDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
Bringing back an early Nirvana Sisters episode to enjoy over the american Thanksgiving holiday. Many will be visiting family and friends so what better way to relax and listen to top designer Zoe Feldman sharing ideas for a home that nurtures your well-being. Amy and Katie sit down with interior designer Zoe Feldman to get her tips on creating a cozy, happy and inspiring home. Zoe's advice is accessible for all and will quickly transform your space. The three discuss ways to reduce your environmental footprint when decorating and how Zoe's design firm gives back by donating her consultation fee to charity. Amy reviews one of Katie's all time favorite products and stay till the end to hear all three share how they maintain their daily Nirvana.Zoe Feldman:Zoe Feldman's signature, seamless blend of modern and classic is rooted as much in her upbringing as it is in her early design training. Raised in a mid-century modern home by art and furniture collectors and gallerists, Zoe honed her clean-lined instincts at Parsons School of Design in New York. But she credits the subsequent years working under the tutelage of AD100 designer Alexa Hampton at the iconic Manhattan-based firm Mark Hampton, Inc, for opening her eyes to the benefits of a just-so, traditional approach. Since setting up her own practice in 2004, Zoe's been bringing her unique take on modernized classicism to homes across the country, and her work has been featured in publications including Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and Domino. In 2020, she was named one of the Top 10 ‘New Trads' by Traditional Home magazine, and ‘Best Boutique Interior Design Firm' by Home & Design magazine. Zoe draws on her love of the practical, the playful, and the deeply personal to create spaces that are as inviting and soulful as they are sophisticated.Follow @zoefeldmandesign on IG Find Zoe at Zoe Feldman Design Find us at www.nirvanasisters.comFollow us @nirvanasisters on InstagramSay hi at hello@nirvanasisters.comPlease subscribe, rate, review and share
Alexa Hampton is, by any definition, a lifer in the trade. The daughter of celebrated designer Mark Hampton, she grew up in the business, and took over her father's firm at the age of 27 after his untimely passing in 1998. Since then, Alexa has never slowed down, earning endless plaudits for her work, appearing regularly on industry best-of lists, authoring books and columns, and designing product for everyone from Kravet to Theodore Alexander to The Shade Store. On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about how interior design is like a language, why her ideal firm size is 11 employees, and why it's important to embrace—not turn away from—transparency and change.This episode is sponsored by Room & Board and Modern Matter.LINKSAlexa HamptonDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
Today’s guest is the multi-talented Clinton Smith. Clinton is a New York-based designer, creative director, award-winning magazine editor, and author of several books. From 2013-2018 he was the Editor in Chief for Veranda and is now the Editor at Large for New England Home Magazine and Style Editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. With two decades of experience, Clinton is considered an expert in the fields of interior design, architecture, outdoor living, entertaining, and other luxury lifestyle topics. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: How did Clinton get his start? When and how did Clinton come to write his first book? What is the job of a magazine editor? What are Clinton’s favorite magazines to read? Where does Clinton keep his large magazine collection? More about the Christopher Spitzmiller and book that Clinton collaborated on. The differences in design and architecture between New York and New England. How to put a twist on trends or look for microtrends. How do designers get published? How does Clinton stay up to date on the latest design books? Decorating Dilemma Hi Christine, You’re lucky to have some great architecture in your home—the craftsman detail is amazing! So here is a piece of advice that you didn’t ask for, but I think you can draw more attention to the detail by changing out the hardware on those drawers (unless it’s original then keep it). I like the bar setup you have but I would maybe just get a larger tray. You could add some votives or low pillar candles to reflect the light against the mirrored backsplash. I like where you’re headed with the plants against the taller glass-front cabinets. I would just put two overscale planters there and fill them with English ivy or some other fern to really anchor the space. I think the three in there are too small and you can really make a statement with two large ones. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you could use some of those stick-on battery-operated lights to illuminate the glassware in those cabinets. FYI, Ballard also has these beautiful LED rechargeable lamps that have a dimmer and these wonderful metal shades. One last suggestion is our acrylic easel where you could add a little painting for a pop of color. We know you have great taste because of your coffee table books we see by Tom Sheer and Alexa Hampton! You gave us an easy one, Christine…thank you! Mentioned in This Episode: Clinton Smith on Instagram Clinton Smith Studio Clinton’s books on Amazon New England Home Magazine Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine A Year at Clove Brook Farm by Christopher Spitzmiller
Tapping into an overseas manufacturing boom, Andy Singer started Visual Comfort in the mid 80s, but it wasn’t until he partnered with master lighting designer Sandy Chapman ten years later that the company took off—now it’s one of the industry’s most recognizable brands, producing well known collaborations with designers like Thomas O’Brien, Alexa Hampton, Kelly Wearstler and many more. His sister Gale worked with Andy in the early days, but in the 90s split off to form Circa as a separate showroom business, which has also grown explosively—she’s opened eight new locations in 2020 alone. In this episode of the podcast, the Singers discuss using data to make design decisions, the opportunities and challenges of selling trade products online, and why Visual Comfort wants to be the Frank Sinatra of lighting companies. This episode was sponsored by Rebecca Atwood Designs.
Since Alexa Hampton took the reins of Mark Hampton, her father’s iconic firm, as owner and president in 1998, she has advanced its legacy of elegant, practical, classically based interiors for modern living – and extended its global reach. From New York City to Hangzhou, China, her project portfolio encompasses luxe, beautifully layered urban apartments, expansive town and country residences, private airplanes, and yachts. Regularly named to Architectural Digest’s AD100 and House Beautiful’s Top Designer list as well as Elle Décor’s A-List, Hampton translates the classical principles of good design and decoration into some of today’s most elegant, enduring, and functional domestic landscapes. An alumna of Brown University who took her degree with honors, Hampton pursued graduate studies at New York University's The Institute of Fine Arts and holds honorary doctorates from Moore College of Art & Design and the New York School of Interior Design. Honored with a Circle of Excellence Award by the International Furnishing and Design Association, she is an associate member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Her accolades also include Cosmopolitan’s Fun Fearless Female Award and Connecticut Cottage & Gardens’ Design Innovator Award. Like her father, Hampton is a highly regarded author. In addition to her two critically praised books on design to date – The Language of Interior Design and Decorating in Detail – she has contributed an essay to A Visual Life, Charlotte Moss’s 2012 volume. She has also contributed an essay to the compendium of essays, Interior Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from America's Finest Designers on the Art of Decoration. She is a contributing columnist for The Wall Street Journal’s weekend Off Duty section. She is included in Jennifer Boles’ recent book: Inspired Design: The Most Important Designers of the Past 100 Years, Thomas Jayne’s book: The Finest Rooms in America, William Norwich’s book, Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century. In an ever-expanding portfolio of acclaimed products, Hampton provides smart, stylish, design-rich solutions for every aspect of the home. On-going Hampton-designed collections include furniture for Theodore Alexander, lighting for Visual Comfort & Co. and Generation Lighting, fabrics and trims for Kravet, broadloom carpet for Stark, pillows and bedding with Eastern Accents, table linens for La Gallina Matta, hardware for SA Baxter, mantels for Chesney’s, architectural mouldings for White River, and flooring for Globus Cork. An industry force who honors tradition and commits to the future, Hampton sits on the board of trustees for the New York School of Interior Design and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.
"No matter where you go, there's always something to see," the acclaimed American decorator Mark Hampton once told me—a guiding principle for so many in the design industry. AD100 honorees Alexa Hampton and Steven Gambrel tend to travel the world with an eye for the unexpected, always returning home with snapshots that serve as a springboard for creativity. Join us as they sift through the details of their latest journeys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
At the Designer Experience Atlanta, Designers Today Editor Jane Dagmi sat down with interior designer and product designer Alexa Hampton for what felt like an intimate discussion between 50 friends. Covering legacy, life lessons and licensing, attending designers asked their burning questions, too. This podcast was made possible by Theodore Alexander.
Today we have a special encore presentation of our conversation with Alexa Hampton as part of the newly developed “non-market” concept ARRIVE hosted by Laguna Design Center in Laguna Niguel, CA. They day's events revolved around business and personal development for design professionals and what better way to kick off the day than with a […]
Today we have a special encore presentation of our conversation with Alexa Hampton as part of the newly developed “non-market” concept ARRIVE hosted by Laguna Design Center in Laguna Niguel, CA. They day’s events revolved around business and personal development for design professionals and what better way to kick off the day than with a […]
1. INTRO Today is a great day because we get to chat with a guy whom we adore and revere as a close friend – Adam Japko. Adam is the CEO of Esteem Media. If you are a designer or design enthusiast, you might know of his publications Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and New England Home Magazine. He is also the Founder of the Design Influencers Conference (formally the Design Bloggers Conference). We are talking to him today because he’s got a new trick up his sleeve – The launch of the Luxury Home Design Summit to be held on Cape Cod, Mass this May. Welcome Adam. 2. A LITTLE BACKGROUND Sidebar: One of our favorite new podcasts is Skimm’d from the Couch with Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg. We recommend that every entrepreneur listen to this podcast for inspiration and wisdom. Many times, they ask their guests to “skim” their resumes so before we dive into the Luxury Home Design Summit, Adam can you skim your resume for us? 3. LUXURY HOME DESIGN SUMMIT – MAY 19-21, CHATHAM BARS INN RESORT and SPA, CHATHAM, MA A. This unique event is focused on helping passionate and creative architects, interior design principals, landscape architects and designers, builders, contractors, showroom operators and suppliers that serve the luxury design market. You can check out more details on luxuryhomedesignsummit.com. B. All I need to see is Chatham Bars Inn as the venue and there are 18 speakers on tap like Alexa Hampton, Andrew Davis and Steve Miller and my interest is piqued. But if I wasn’t familiar with your crazy spirit Adam and all that you do with Esteem Media and other conferences, give me your pitch for this new Summit. 4. SUSTAINABILITY IN BUSINESS A. As consumer behavior changes with the digital interference of our lives, the conversation around thinking forward and breaking models is an important exercise for all businesses – not just those of us in interior design. You are so good with stories and analogies – can you drive this point home with one of your stories? 5. VERY IMPORTANT ADVICE A. You are our only friend who is the closest thing to a wine sommelier we will come to, and you’ve exposed us to a lot of great wines (even tho Joann will never be converted) – so tell us, what are your current favorite recommendations for a red, white and rose under $30/bottle?
Renowned interior designer Alexa Hampton has done it all — TV, books, magazines, you name it and Alexa has been featured there. Today, she joins the show to talk about growing up with her designer father Mark Hampton, the inspiration behind her two books, Decorating in Detail and Language of Interior Design, her recent travels for an upcoming furniture collection, and why there is no room for snobbery in design. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: What has been Alexa’s biggest challenges over the many different collections she has created and titles she juggles. Alexa’s habit of drawing on a photograph as a low tech and practical way that gave her a “Eureka” moment. Her father’s designation between a decorator and a designer. People may not realize how much they really can put in a room. Alexa’s self-described “rookie mistake” when redoing her bedroom, and the lesson learned in bouncing back after a misstep. More about Alexa’s trips to Vietnam to check out prototypes for her new furniture collection, and going to Ireland with a group from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. How publishing books in the world of decorating is more different than it has ever been. The point of views from her books The Language of Interior Design and Decorating in Detail. Design is no place for snobbery, and there is always more to learn, discover and see. How the fee can grow, but the markup will be scrutinized. The balance between having a trademark look, and being open to adapting based on the client’s needs.
Today’s guest took the reigns of a prestigious design firm at a young age and built it into her own empire. Now, she is sharing her story and talking about her process for finding smart, stylish design solutions, as well as best practices any entrepreneur can relate to. Alexa Hampton is a New York designer renowned for her extensive knowledge of classic and eclectic European design. She is the Owner and President of interior design firm Mark Hampton LLC, as well as the home furnishing products line Alexa Hampton Inc. She is also an international lecturer, two-time author, Wall Street Journal columnist, and television personality with the distinct honor of being the first and only female designer to make regular appearances on “This Old House.” Stay tuned to hear more from Alexa herself about building out a visionary career, the importance of honesty at work, asking for help, and owning your mistakes—and enjoy a good laugh as well! Today's episode of Women WorldWide, which features a Visionary Woman Award winner, is being sponsored by Moore College of Art & Design. Moore is the first and only women's visual arts college for undergraduates in the United States. In This Episode Growing up a design legacy Early life and career Design process and practical considerations Managing stress and overcoming obstacles Importance owning your mistakes Quotes in This Episode “I’ve been coming to the same office since 1984!” —Alexa Hampton “There’s not only one good solution for a design dilemma.” —Alexa Hampton “You gotta be willing to get lucky.” —Alexa Hampton “I hope I don’t have a trademark style... I don’t design in a vacuum. But, I see my job as a decorator as really to tease out the best version of my clients’ style. ” —Alexa Hampton “When I first took over the firm, after years of observing the boom of the ‘80s and the early ‘90s, I needed to go cleaner... I needed a purge, and now the notion of not having all those flourishes is beyond me. I love them–I desperately desire them. I’m affected by the pendulum swings of environment.” —Alexa Hampton “I never swan in and preach from on high. It always starts with an ample amount of practical information.” —Alexa Hampton Resources AlexaHampton.com Connect with Alexa on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest The Language of Interior Design Decorating in Detail
With the launch of the podcast, Million Dollar Decorating, James Swan adds entrepreneur, media-host and producer to his career accomplishments. The interview-based show became the first daily podcast devoted to the worlds of design, decorating and beautiful living and features interviews with the world's leading designers, decorators, architects and artisans. Life-style leaders like Bunny Williams, Alexa Hampton, Robert Couturier, Sandra Nunnerly, Vicente Wolf and Timothy Corrigan populate the podcast where unguarded conversations reveal behind-the-scenes sources of inspiration, resources and stories that inspire and motivate. James Swan had a career crafting classically influenced interiors across the United States. Swan has been featured in House & Garden, House Beautiful, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe and The Chicago Tribune and wrote for the “Trends & Shopping” column in House & Garden magazine as well as the online real estate site Curbed.com. His book “101 Things I Hate About Your House” won a 2011 American Bookseller's Award. Television appearances on HGTV's “Homes Across America,” speaking engagements with the professional design industry association NEOCON and regular guest spots on national radio programs have consistently placed Swan in the media spotlight. Swan's career took off back in Northern California at a noted San Francisco architecture firm, where he managed residential interiors. After that, Los Angeles beckoned, specifically the design firm of Frank K. Pennino & Associates, where as senior designer he managed high-profile projects, and earned a reputation for refined classical design that succinctly reflected his clients' lives. In 1999, Swan opened his own firm in Beverly Hills. Swan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in theology and music from Southwestern College in Waxahachie, Texas, and studied in Arizona State University's Architecture and Design master's degree program. Swan is a past member of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, serving on its Executive Board of Directors. His other commitments include PAWS/LA, which assists with the care of pets for people living with disabilities, and KidSmart, an art education foundation for inner-city youth. In his free time, Swan may be found furthering his passion for skiing and traveling. Currently he lives and works from his home on the Maine coast. James is just one of the extraordinary guests featured on The One Way Ticket Show. In the podcast, Host Steven Shalowitz explores with his guests where they'd go if given a one way ticket, no coming back! Destinations may be in the past, present, future, real, imaginary or a state of mind. Steven's guests have included: Legendary Talk Show Host, Dick Cavett; Law Professor, Alan Dershowitz; Broadcast Legend, Charles Osgood; International Rescue Committee President & CEO, David Miliband; Grammar Girl, Mignon Fogarty; Journalist-Humorist-Actor Mo Rocca; Film Maker, Muffie Meyer; Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.; Abercrombie & Kent Founder, Geoffrey Kent; Travel Expert, Pauline Frommer, as well as leading photographers, artists, writers and more.