Today you will become even closer to the world of design - wemanaged to talk to Alexa Hampton herself! She told us a lot of interesting things about interior design, trends and much more. The editor-in-chief of the magazine about design, architecture and interiors etk-fashion.com Oksana Kashenko, with the help of Design & Decoration Center, managed to talk to the excellent Alexa Hampton and find out a lot of interesting and unusual things about her views on the profession, popular trends and the role of creative thought in decorating. Alexa Hampton Alexa Hampton is an American designer from New York, the daughter of the famous decorator Mark Hampton. She graduated from Brown University, has a Ph.D. from Moore College of Art & Design. She is the head of Mark Hampton LLC, and also owns her own bureau Alexa Hampton INC. Alexa is famous not only for her interior design, she also designs yachts, airplanes, comes up with textile prints, develops lamps and furniture for Kravet, Visual Comfort & Co and Hickory Chair.
- Hello, Alexa!Our magazines cover topics related to interior design and architecture, and we try to always be aware of all the trends in these areas. Tell me, what do you think about constantly updated trends? - I don't believe in trends. All fashion trends are formed, first of all, by the publications themselves (magazines, various Internet resources, in other words - the media). All this is created artificially, often for the sake of commercial gain, and not the aesthetic evolution of design. I don't believe in trends, but pearls will always be in fashion for me! Alexa Hampton, designer
— What do you think is more important:functionality or form (design)? — Definitely both are very important. However, functionality, in my opinion, is still more important. But it should be noted that functionality sometimes directly depends on form. Personally, I like to find the golden mean: when everything is both beautiful and functional.
Hickory Chair's Alexa Hampton Collection.— What is the most important rule of interior design, in your opinion? — I don’t know the most important thing… First of all, you need to listen to the client and understand very well what he wants – this is the key to success. It may seem trivial, but to create a good product, you need to be kind and cheerful. The more fun I have working, for example, the better the result (at least, it works for me). In addition, you need to love your work and be a professional. If you feel that you don’t know something – learn it.
Alexa Hampton Collection by Hickory ChairFurniture. - More and more young people want to be designers, what do you think about this aspiration? - Everyone can do everything. I adhere to this rule. Of course, you have to work hard and long. You don't become a designer in one day. But I am convinced that this profession is worth spending time and studying.
Hickory Chair's Alexa Hampton Collection.— Do you break the unspoken rules of decor? — My first book, The Language of Interior Design, is about this, about the rules of interior design, or the lack thereof. After all, we all know the alphabet, but some of us write poetry, some songs, and some just speak beautifully. You always have some rules, but you don’t always have to stick to them.
— In our (Russian) weather realitiesIt is quite problematic to find the perfect color combination for an interior. What would you advise? - Yes, it is a problem. The colors themselves are very important. A white room, for example, looks light, but boring. The main thing is that people feel happy in the color scheme of their interior. Even if the combination is truly crazy. Personally, I am afraid to experiment with shades. It is always scary. It is scary to throw away a lot of money and then be disappointed. But you have to take risks. I like David Hicks and British design in general, their color combinations are magical. Alexa Hampton, designer
— Are there any other projects that youdream of implementing? — Yes, I dream of implementing literally everything that comes to my mind. However, you can see my best ideas on my website (markhampton.com).
— And finally, tell me what periodin the history of design do you like the most? - It is the first third of the 19th century, the Empire era. I also really like the work of Martin Majel (late 20th century). He is incredibly talented and made a very big contribution to the world of fashion, especially during his work with Jean-Paul Gaultier. In general, I like comfortable and simple things.
Textiles, like colors, need to be mixed. Many people are afraid of this. And they should be. But that's how cool things turn out. Alexa Hampton, designer
The Main Rules of Design According to a Successful American Decorator – etk-fashion.com
