"It was like daylight in the swamp," says interior designer Alex Papachristidis, who will deliver the keynote at the Houston Design Center Fall Market on Tuesday. He is describing the epiphany that took him out of the doldrums of his family's shipping business and into the Parsons School of Design.
His first project was his sister's Manhattan apartment; from there, the designer has gone on to touch homes all around the world with his signature decorating style, one he describes as "traditional — but with a fresh hand."
Papachristidis attributes his eclectic design sensibilities to his larger-than-life mother, who brought her son along on sojourns to Paris, Greece and Venice, vacationing with him in Bermuda on the weekends and the Hamptons during the summers.
During his travels, he was exposed to antique furniture and modern art — a juxtaposition that he is still drawn to when decorating.
He tells CultureMap that, during his travels, he was exposed to antique furniture and modern art — a juxtaposition that he is still drawn to when decorating.
In a recently-released book, The Age of Elegance, Papachristidis has compiled a decade's worth of decorating examples that showcase the variety of his work. While his touch is distinctive, it's clear that each interior also reflects the clients' personality.
"I pride myself on bringing my clients out," Papachristidis laughs. He encourages each to accumulate furniture and artwork and begin a collection all their own.
Learn more about Papachristidis' design philosophies at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. A luncheon will follow the presentation and book signing. Register online here.
