Wednesday's 'What If's' Post. "What If I Told You I Chose Alexa Hampton Because I Loved Her Hair?"

Well, what if? I hope you wouldn't think any less of me for being honest! I was flipping through this issue of House Beautiful below and naturally her pretty picture caught me eye! ( Plus, I'd had my hair lighted today so I guess it was already on my mind!)

Of course, one thing led to another and I was busy researching Alexa Hampton and it struck me…I really like this girl's taste in design! We share a lot of the same beliefs when it comes to not skimping on quality as opposed to thinking that quantity is better. About making sure you put quality, well made curtains in each room when you can afford to do so. And if not, use bamboo blinds…things like that! Then, as I researched a bit more I fell in love with a house by the sea that in my opinion has my name written all over it! You've probably all seen it before…you have to remember, I don't get out much!
It was featured here in Architectural Digest many moons ago!

So yes, originally I was drawn to Alexa's pretty hair style and color…then, I quickly fell in love with her design inspiration in the homes she has helped to make more beautiful.

Just look at the examples I ran across while on my search! They are truly to die for!

Curbed.com

Connecticut Cottage and Garden

Mark Hampton.com

I sure am wanting a copy of her book right about now! We may even start carrying it in my shop after all of this!

I got a little carried away as usual while re-searching all that Alexa does. I stumbled on a few examples of her light fixtures….

As well as some beautiful examples of her fabrics that she produces through Kravet. Here are several that caught my eye.

(this trim needs to come to my house!)

And then there is also her wonderful line of furniture! Is there anything she can't do?

So you see,  Alexa does indeed have great hair…

But she also has great genes as well! What a wonderful heritage to grow up as the daughter of an American legend…what a history to live up to and a privilege to take over her father's firm and continue to run it with such success!

 (Martha Stewart Home Design) 
I loved everything in this article that you can see here and as stated by Kevin Sharkey, "Mark Hampton began his career working for some of the greatest interior designers of all time. Mrs. Henry Parrish II, David Hicks, and McMillen, Inc. He later went on to design for such clients as Brooke Astor, Estee Lauder, Jacqueline Onassis, and The Henry Kissingers, in addition to his work on the White House, Camp David, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the American Academy of Rome."

And then, just when you thought it couldn't get any better….she is named the 'Design Icon'! The first woman to ever receive this prestigious award! Way to go Alexa!!

Wow, that's quite a bio I would say! No wonder Alexa is able to carry on the tradition of excellence in all that she does! She was taught by the best of the best!

I hope you all are having a fabulous week so far! Would love to know your thoughts and any other info I've left out! 

I was recently told that I have had my blog hacked into and that someone is deliberately copying it word for word, picture for picture ( even of my family). I am hoping this can be resolved soon and that my friend that discovered this has been able to stop this same invasion into her life as well. There are several of my favorite blogs and bloggers out there that have been plagiarised. If you are concerned that you may be one of them or have any wonderful suggestions on how to stop this I would love to hear from you! Until then, take care!

Much love,

Wednesday's What If's….Leta Austin Foster

Well, here we are again and it's Wednesday!

 They sure are coming around a lot quicker it seems since I started my

 "What If" Wednesdays! 

I'm really glad, though. It's making me stay on my toes and keep up to date with a lot of designs and designers that otherwise I might not take the time to read about. 

Case in point for today's designer…"What if I got to hire someone that designed exactly like the icons I remember studying and those that I've always admired if for nothing else for their conviction on style?" Do you know what I mean by that? That they aren't swayed by the trendy looks but they stick with their gut instinct? When I think of the way my husband's grandparents house was decorated I remember that it felt glamorous but liveable. Regal but not stuffy. Elegant but understated! Does that make since? It reminds me of the way Sister Parrish and Rose Cummings pulled together such glamourous rooms of the past. Which is why when I saw Leta Austin Foster's design portfolio I immediately fell in love with her! Some of her rooms I seem to gravitate to more than others but they are all exquisitely thought out and in her own words, "Every design must be unique and no detail should be compromised!

After all, she is doing everything I've ever  dreamed of doing and then some! She now has her own shop and is blessed to have two of her daughter's designing right beside her! How fun! India Foster and Sallie Giordano. And not to forget Lizzie! Elizabeth Dinkel is a top designer in Los Angeles!

What a team of three beautiful daughters as seen in this great blog Stylebeat. 

Just take a look at the assortment of Leta's work and keep in mind that alot of it was also assisted by or done through one of her daughters!

Besides the fact that she has her own shop and gets to work alongside her daughters…I also knew I loved her when I saw these glorious, glorious beds!

I've always been a sucker for beds like these! My DREAM would have been to own a pair of three quarter sized bamboo beds for my son's rooms but these are a close second!

And when I saw this pair of twin canopy beds I just knew Leta was right up my alley! I saw these on the incredible blog that we all know and love, The Enchanted Home! I actually ended up having a beautiful pair made for my daughter many moons ago and still love them today!

I love the soothing quality of these rooms as well!

Look at that beautiful chinoiserie screen! Unbelievable!

And these beams are breathtaking! 

As is this bedroom which is remarkably like my own! 

I think you can see just by the work itself that Leta Austin Foster is a woman of convictions when it comes to great style and that she has definitely passed that down to her talented girls as well!

Inspired by the women she admired, she has enjoyed a fabulous career as an Interior Designer and was also able to open her own shop as well! It's called  The Leta Austin Foster Boutique.

As I sit and reflect on these last few pictures that I found of her's I cannot help but be excited when I read the article about the opening of her shop. With the downturn of the economy today and the fast rate of how our business is slowing down it is definitely encouraging to find someone that has the same business philosophy as yourself and one that spurs you on to keep on keeping on!

And….I can't imagine having someone as influential as Pierre Frey himself enter my shop and then bestow the tangible gifts that he did to Leta…what he may not realize is that the intangible gift of encouragement probably went way beyond his expectations!

Take a look at the article below and know that this pretty much sums it all up for me…I will always look to those that have gone before me on this same journey and have succeeded! 

Open for Business: Leta Foster's design firm finds success in the details

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Leta Austin Foster FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHT: When Pierre Frey’s son visited her shop, he was so impressed that he had the exclusive Noël line shipped to her that day. “I didn’t think they would ever be interested in a shop as small as mine.” MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: “I don’t think we would have gotten through the hard times if I didn’t have the decorating business.” BIGGEST INFLUENCE/MENTOR: Ruby Ross Wood, Rose Cumming and Sister Parish ...all iconic designers who defined glamour in the early 1900s. “I love what those women did. They influenced my store because I wanted to have the things they would use.” SECRET TO SUCCESS: “I don’t know. Maybe it’s just getting up every morning and making it the best day you can.”

By KAKI HOLT

Special to the Daily News

When Leta Austin Foster established the design firm that carries her name, she vowed attention to detail would be her trademark. Because she could not find the decorative accessories to give her look just the right finishing touch, she started her own store. Nine years ago, she bought the shop that Mizner had built in 1924 and turned it into a magical emporium. European accessories reflect their French, Italian or British origins. Her hand-embroidered linens (Lan de Chateau favored by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor) might run $6,000 to change the sheets

Other local designers shop at Foster’s store for their own clients because they’re always sure to find something different. Everything from throw pillows to children’s clothes can be monogrammed. Custom orders are customary. “Though we are targeted to high-end clientele, we do have lines for the middle market. I believe a store should be open to everyone.”

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHT: When Pierre Frey’s son visited her shop, he was so impressed that he had the exclusive Noël line shipped to her that day. “I didn’t think they would ever be interested in a shop as small as mine.”

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: “I don’t think we would have gotten through the hard times if I didn’t have the decorating business.”

BIGGEST INFLUENCE/MENTOR: Ruby Ross Wood, Rose Cumming and Sister Parish ...all iconic designers who defined glamour in the early 1900s. “I love what those women did. They influenced my store because I wanted to have the things they would use."

SECRET TO SUCCESS: “I don’t know. Maybe it’s just getting up every morning and making it the best day you can.”

What a fabulous article and I love her thoughts on every aspect of the design business as well as a retail business! I'm confident in my shop and I've never stopped loving what I'm doing…even though it gets tough at times like this!

Her secret to success is crucial and I hope I never forget it!
I want to get up everyday and make it the best day that I can!

It's always a great idea to look at those that have gone before us and head their advice…of that I am certain!

Have a wonderful, wonderful Wednesday!