Featured image: Raffles Grille at Raffles Hotel Singapore, designed by Champalimaud Design | Above: Alexandra Champalimaud
Guided by the innate beauty and character of each locale, Alexandra’s award-winning interior design studio Champalimaud Design creates extraordinary spaces that tell compelling stories and foster unparalleled experiences. From Asia to America, in a five-star hotel or private residence, Alexandra’s creativity and talent knows no bounds.
FOUR hears from the designer herself about her journey in the industry, her inspirations and her plans for the future…
HOW DID YOU GET INTO YOUR LINE OF WORK?
Talent, necessity and pure luck. I was born into a beautiful family within a beautiful environment in an inherently interesting and glorious country, which is Portugal. I studied in Portugal and went to England for my training. The real experience started when I was a one-person team as an immigrant in Canada. That’s how I started my business.
WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION FOR INTERIOR DESIGN STEM FROM?
From innate beauty and the way I see the world.
TELL US MORE ABOUT CHAMPALIMAUD DESIGN…
My inspiration comes from my roots and upbringing in Portugal and Europe. Champalimaud was started in Montreal, where I lived for 15 years. An innate sense of place drives individual interpretations of my creative talent. Each project and its inspiration are unique. In every sense, we design to last: in aesthetic, emotion, and quality.
Living area in New York private residence designed by Champalimaud Design
WHAT MAKES YOUR COMPANY UNIQUE?
The collaboration of the entire team. We all have a voice.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNS?
Polished, deep, creative, and magical.
DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE STYLE?
There isn’t one signature piece, but I think our company applies the use of colour and the story it tells extremely well. This direction enriches the individuality that we bring to each project.
WHERE DO YOU GET INSPIRATION FROM?
It is innate; that’s where I get the inspiration. It’s not a thing; it’s not a place; it’s often a peaceful environment where your mind is clear. That’s how you get inspired if you’re creative.
Beverly Hills Hotel cabanas designed by Champalimaud Design
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DESIGN?
Happily, I have no favourites. Each successful result or project, or home, or be it a carpet fabric design, each single one of those tasks is equally inspiring. They all share the same degree of thought and respect.
TELL US ABOUT THE LIFE CYCLE OF A PROJECT…
Our projects move through concept design, schematic design, design development, and the drafting of construction documents before passing them on to a contractor. We watch the construction and finally deliver the project.
ANY “WOW” MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER THAT STAND OUT FOR YOU?
My induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2012. That was a real “wow” and a very big thank you.
HOW DO YOU SOURCE THE PRODUCTS, MATERIALS AND CRAFTSMEN FOR THE PROJECTS?
The world is our oyster. Sources can be found anywhere, and we more than often do it by way of the internet. Relationships are key. When they’re good, a designer will always go back to that source of creative inspiration from others who make things, from people who create magic in their field for design.
Plaza Royal Suite designed by Champalimaud Design at The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR DESIGNS WILL IMPACT THOSE WHO INTERACT WITH THEM?
I hope that they’re uplifting because we can all do with a dose of that.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF INTERIOR DESIGN?
The way I see it, it is absolutely imperative that as designers, we create sustainable, beautiful, enriching, kind, local, and environmentally friendly projects.
ANY SPECIAL PROJECTS YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE DETAILS ON?
I’m very excited about the influence I’m bearing on the development of extraordinary wall coverings and paints that launched two years ago in England. It is such a roaring success that we are coming to America to present a different perspective of how to design interiors with ease and individuality.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND THE COMPANY?
We are bound to continue experiencing enormous changes in our lives, and therefore new paradigms and new challenges emerge. Naturally, we are not only leaders in our field, but we respond to what the world is asking for.
Living area of a private residence in Vail designed by Champalimaud Design
To find out more about Champalimaud Design, visit the below links…
Champalimaud Design
2nd Floor
115 Broadway
New York
NY 10006
United States
Web: champalimaud.design
Tel: +1 212 807 8869
Email: info@champalimaud.design
Instagram: @champalimauddesign
Facebook: @ChampalimaudDesign