Contributors

sersaleAntonio Sersale

Antonio Sersale was born in London from a Neapolitan father and an American mother who met on the beach in Positano.

He has spent his life traveling between Mexico, Italy and England where he was educated in Public school before going to the Ecole Hoteliere of Lausanne to study Hotel Management.

He has lived for the past 20 years in Positano looking after the family Hotel together with his father Franco and his wife Carla. During the off season months (when the Hotel is closed) he travels extensively to promote the Hotel and discover remote corners of the world.

His two boys study in England and Switzerland.

john-robshawJohn Robshaw

After earning a fine arts degree at Pratt and studying traditional block printing in China, John “I-Caught-the-Asia-Bug” Robshaw journeyed to India to find natural indigo dye for his paintings. Instead, he fell in love with the local artisans’ fabric-making traditions. The hands-on immediacy and vitality of textiles dyed, printed, woven, stitched, and worn piqued what was to become a lifelong fascination.

In India, John found that he could apply a painterly aesthetic to the traditional method of block-printing by mixing up patterns and overlapping them in a more formally artistic way. There, his signature dynamic look was crafted: an updated spin on the exotic, handmade object; a vibrant mix of sophistication and romantic allure.

Now John works with various workshops in India, where he travels several months out of the year to oversee production, experiment with new dyeing and printing techniques, and to work alongside the artisans creating the fabrics. However, John’s work is not exclusive to India, as he now produces in countries across Southeast Asia. He takes care to cultivate and preserve their traditional techniques.

In the US, John Robshaw has become a pioneer of Southeast Asian textiles, managing to incorporate the exoticism of the hand-made into the world of luxury home goods. With the success of both the home line and fabric line, the John Robshaw brand has captured the attention of industry greats, such as ABC Carpet & Home, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales in addition to the array of international fabric showrooms and mom-and-pop retailers that carry the namesake.  Robshaw has also been at the helm of successful collaborations with Barnes & Noble, Lucky Brand Jeans and Duralee, to name a few.  Most recently John has gone on to release John Robshaw Prints with Chronicle Books based on the never-ceasing wanderlust that continues to fuel his own global-chic brand.

rowleyAlexandra Rowley

Native New Yorker Alexandra Rowley loves nothing more than coming back to her hometown after discovering new places – near or far. He work as a photographer has exposed her to many, as she often travels on assignment or for her exhibitions. Sara asked her to report on Hotel Recamier after she stayed there during her solo exhibition in Paris in 2010, and now she can’t stay in a new place without thinking of Hotel Chic! She is represented by Dina Mitrani Gallery for her artwork and Faucher Artists for assignments. Her comissioned work has been published in HGTV Magazine, Architectural Digest, Domino, House Beautiful, as well as ad campaigns for Levi’s, Waterworks, Dove Chocolate and many others. Please visit her on alexandrarowley.com

matisonLauren Matison

Lauren Matison is the founder of offMetro.com, an award-winning online travel guide covering car-free getaways from New York, San Francisco and around the world. Lauren also writes for Bicycling Magazine and the Huffington Post, and has contributed to Los Angeles, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Grist.org, BizBash, and PeterGreenberg.com. She has been featured in travel segments for NBC’s Today in NY show, and currently blogs about two-wheeled travel for the non-profit advocacy organization Transportation Alternatives. Lauren lives in New York City with her husband and dog Brooklyn.

madcapJason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke, Madcap Cottage

John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon are the dynamic duo behind Brooklyn-based interior design firm Madcap Cottage. Known for their whimsical use of color and pattern, the Madcap gents scour the world for eclectic finds that capture their unique and gimlet-eyed view of the world. “Speaking of gimlets,” says Jason Oliver. “I could use one right now with a honker-sized slice of lime on the side. And don’t be stingy with the gin.” Imagine a British country house that pairs granny’s antiques and a spirited dash of Chinoiserie chic with a side of Moroccan marvelous and Indian elan. Shake, stir, then pour. “We are a little Auntie Mame,” notes John. “And a helluva lot of Carmen Miranda in one of those Busby Berkeley scenes when La Miranda wore oodles of bananas upon her head.” For life should be a little bananas… “If you are looking for beige and boring, go bark up someone else’s tree,” quips Jason. “Not that we condone besmirching a birch, n’est-ce pas? We can think of more far more pleasurable antics.” The Madcap boys extol the wisdom of Miss Mae West, “When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I’ve never tried before.”

clendeningNicki Clendening, Scout Designs

Founded in 2009, Scout Designs has been featured on 1stDibs, and in Lonny magazine, Time Out New YorkInterior Design, Daily Candy and on numerous blogs from Curbed to Style Court and Apartment Therapy. In 2011 Scout Designs was named one of Trad Home’s Top 20 “New Traditional” Designers to Watch, and in November 2012 was named a “Rising Star” by the International Furnishings & Design Association.

With a love of art and antiques, Scout Designs interiors effortlessly incorporate a wide range of styles and design elements–modern, traditional, and vintage–to achieve spaces that are both adventurous and timeless. Whether shopping the fields at Round Top, Texas, picking up a piece at a brocante in Bordeaux, or discovering gems in Los Angeles flea markets, Nicki Clendening is always on the hunt for unique furniture and interesting objets, with a keen eye for the unusual and the exotic. Clendening’s ability to “scout” the best for her clients allows her to create interiors that exude a globally influenced sophistication while also being extremely livable and comfortable.

howeSusanna Howe

Susanna Howe is a photographer based in New York. Her work has appeared in Town & Country, Esquire, Absolute, Outside. She shoots a mix of portraits, fashion, and home for both advertising and editorial clients. For more of her work check out www.susannahowe.com

LCH-headshot1Lindsey Coral Harper

Originally from Cartersville, Georgia and a graduate of the University of Georgia, Lindsey moved to New York City in pursuit of a career in interior design.  After interning with Ralph Lauren in London, Lindsey accepted a position with the well-known decorating firm Richard Keith Langham, Inc. in Manhattan.  Working with Mr. Langham for eight years, Lindsey was inspired to establish her own residential interior design firm in 2007.  Lindsey also adds to her credit freelance work for the Savannah College of Art & Design in Lacoste, France as well as work for Dorothy Draper & Co., Inc.

Lindsey’s travels both here and abroad have influenced her sense of style as much as the genteel South.  Fresh, young and modern with a twist on the traditional, Lindsey’s designs radiate bold pattern, texture and color.  She is able to transform a residence into a highly comfortable, personal and welcoming space for any client.

Although based in New York City, Lindsey currently has clients all over the country and some as far away as London and Montreal. Her work has been published in several national shelter publications as well as many lifestyle magazines and blogs.

Lindsey is also the co-founder of Lamshop, an American made bespoke furniture and accessories line which was established in 2008.

tilton-fenwickSuysel dePedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster , Tilton Fenwick

Design partners Suysel dePedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster share a mutual appreciation for traditional aesthetic injected with a fresh perspective. They embrace unexpected color and pattern while always infusing comfort. Tilton Fenwick was named one of TradHome’s 2011 Top 20 “New Traditionals” and has been featured in the New York Times, House Beautiful and Traditional Home magazines. Anne and Suysel look to frequent travel as both inspiration for their design work and respite from their often fast-paced New York City home base.