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Welcome

“As a resident of the world of design since birth, I’d like to take some time to celebrate some of the people and things in that world that I admire. I hope you come along for the ride. And, as my name has really taken a beating these last couple of years, -thank you Mr. Bezos, - feel free to think of me here by my nickname: Lex. And, please also enjoy this completely un-recognizable and years old headshot.” - Alexa Hampton

Melissa Hall Simmons

Melissa Hall Simmons

Lindsay Calhoun

If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Mallorca

What are three words to describe your style?

    • Tailored 

    • Polished

    • Collected

Tell us about your childhood bedroom? \Which one? My mom was a decorator... 

What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? (a sentence or two would be great here) an antique Biedermeier secretary captured me in my 20s. I couldn't really afford it, and I've never regretted it. 

In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Today I’m feeling Ken Fulk. He’d take my calm and cool and throw it a party. 

No room is complete without a dimmer switch! Everyone looks pretty at 30%

People think of me as fancy, but I am really very pragmatic. Also fancy.

Things you omit from

  • A flower arrangement: perfection

  • An hors d’oeuvre platter: sad olives

  • A bar cabinet: bottled lime juice -- might as well have sad olives. 

A song for

  • Dinner at home: depending on the mood – celeste “love is back” or “golden” my morning jacket

  • Working at your desk: quiet

  • Going for a run: “messy” by lola young... or anything Taylor 

Biggest Vice? A clean martini. Good olives, obviously.

If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? Thankfully you can’t check out on Zillow, so something on 1stDibs. 

What design book do you find yourself going back to again and again? I love to study architecture books. Lately, Stan Dixon’s “Home”. 

For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for?  Homes that feel personal and right in 30 years -- not of the moment. 

A Few Favorites:

  • Movie: Pretty Woman, Love Actually, The Bourne Identity 

  • Scent: santal

  • Drink: a classic gin martini or barnyardy red burgundy

  • Hotel: Passalacqua is lovely

  • Travel Destination: anywhere onboard an Oriental Express

  • Artist: Oh gosh. Impossible to pick just one–  Clare Woods, Liza Lou, Janaina Tschape, Manoucher Yektai

  • A cause near and dear to me: It is an honor to serve on the board of New Beginnings, which provides housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness.

  • Thing to collect obsessively: Tableware. I have service for 30 in any vibe you can dream up. 

  • Era in the history of design: 1940s Royere.

  • Museum: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Stunning architecture by Moshe Safdie and an even more impressive art collection assembled by Alice Walton. And it’s 30 minutes from my house. 

  • Paint Color: Farrow & Ball Smoked Trout

  • Favorite person to follow on Instagram: I'm not on Instagram personally. I'm finding my inspiration in the wild; galleries, boutique hotels, and a lot of miles on the bike. 

  • Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? We went from zero pets to a zoo. Rocky is our giant Bernedoodle, Pearl is our Maine Coon, and Sushi, Mulan, and Falkor are our koi. 

Emily Tucker

Emily Tucker

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