Hickory Chair is always a favorite stop for me during High Point Market and this market was no exception. I love the vivacious Alexa Hampton and hearing from her the inspiration behind her Hickory Chair collections each market. The old saying the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is certainly true of Alexa Hampton. Daughter of famed designer, Mark Hampton, Alexa always produces a collection that secures her place as one of the top designers in the world of interior design. The collection was sexy, dramatic and rooted in classic design. The room was painted in a signature Mark Hampton color. The collection featured new introductions and favorites from past collections reintroduced in new fabrics, finishes and custom details.
I asked Alexa what her favorite piece was in the collection and she responded in an almost offended tone of “that is like asking me who my favorite child is”! She then laughed and said that there were so many favorites it was hard to choose one singular piece but loved how the chairs below turned out with the red and white fabric and red detail trim.
Some of the furniture pieces were inspired by antique furniture in Alexa’s own home. Close attention to scale was particular important to Alexa. She shared how important it is to have furniture of an in between scale that can work to marry antiques with current oversized pieces to fill larger scale rooms in homes of today. Note the graffiti inspired art on the back wall of the show room created by Alexa. It’s unexpected, modern details like this graffiti art, mixed with classical silhouttes that defines Alexa’s signature style.
I’m always anxious to see what colors or wall treatments Alexa will use to show case her new market introductions. The hallmark of a good designer is creating a room from the ground up, so even though furniture is what is being introduced, careful thought is given the the room as a whole. The back drop becomes as important as the furniture in telling the story of the collection. Alexa’s room compositions often result in rich, saturated color, pattern and texture which are carefully crafted by her experienced, well trained eye.
This was my favorite vignette designed by Alexa for October 2014 market. The geometric fabric on the sofa keeps the room from feeling too serious. The asymmetrically placed gallery wall featuring Alexa’s interpretation of classical art also lends a fresh look to the room. Another interesting fact: Alexa created 32 painting to complete her vision for the collection, after the rave reviews her original artwork received at the April market.
Here is a close up of the trim on the Eva armchair. It’s the finer details like this trim that we have come to expect from Alexa’s exquisite furniture design from Hickory Chair.
I loved this beautiful velvet, tufted bed sleigh bed in deep green. After walking around all day at market, it was all I could do not to fall on the bed and take a nap! Like the entire collection, this vignette was grounded in sophisticated, yet casual elegance.
Although, the lighting in the new show room wasn’t conducive to my amateur photography, I did catch Alexa in a cute pose relaxing and enjoying one of the sofas in her collection!
Kudos Alexa for a job well done!
