Photo credit: Timothy Kolk

Decorating is a career I came to by chance. Twenty years ago, I began working in my family shipping business. One day I was sitting with a dear friend in my apartment questioning my future. "You have such great taste Alex," she said, "you should be a decorator." We are still best friends today but she is also a great client. To date, I have done her apartment in the city, her house in the country, and her husband's office.

For me, decorating is a profession that consumes my life. In everything I see and touch, I search for beauty, style, comfort and elegance. I find inspiration everywhere: from a museum exhibit to a couture dress, from an old film to a vintage book. Throughout my travels, for business or pleasure—whether in Paris, Houston or St. Bart's—I'm always looking for the perfect object d'art, piece of furniture or accessory for my clients. I've mastered the art of shopping all over the world, bargaining, finding unusual pieces in flea markets and antique shops to suit different styles and tastes. And I'm always looking for that special item to stimulate my imagination and enrich my interiors.

Alex Papachristidis Photo by PatrickMcMullan.com

I adore what I do because it is always changing. Many interior decorators are known for a signature "look" instantly recognizable the moment one sets foot in their clients' homes. When you walk into a room I've designed, you see its owners' taste—nurtured, directed and interpreted by me. I have a strong aesthetic sensibility but a broad range of taste so I am open to variety. Some clients prefer modern decor, others traditional; some clients love bold colors and patterns, others muted, or an all white room. My motto is: "I give my clients what they want in the best taste possible." So each project is unique.

I adore creating different looks for the same clients, i.e. a modern beach house with contemporary interiors and a grand pre-war apartment with incredible moldings and traditional interiors. But within each residence, it is crucial to have continuity and flow. I stay away from the "decorated" look where everything matches exactly and prefer the way European mix different things together. The furnishings of my interiors look like they were collected over time. It may take a bit longer to finish a room 100 percent, but when I find that last piece, clients are inevitably delighted with the results. And, I always believe in quality, comfort and luxury.

Though a classicist at heart, I think it is important to create environments that feel contemporary. One of my favorite techniques is to juxtapose antique furniture against modern paintings and sculptures, or other carefully selected modern elements. I can update and refresh a tired old walnut chair with a new fabric and a chalky white finish.

Photo credit: Timothy Kolk

In my projects, the architecture is paramount—it must be timeless, classical and substantial—a fitting back drop for any design. If the clients' taste changes over time or they want to update their look, rather than needing to undergo major construction, it is fun and easy to upgrade with new fabrics, wallpapers, carpets, window treatments, and/or lamp shades to transform one or two rooms or an entire house.

Establishing budgets is important from the outset of a project. I always tell clients when their expectations are not in synch with their budgets. At the same time, I have a great sense of both spending where necessary and saving money. Since we have strong relationships with our vendors, and use them over and over, my clients get excellent value. Whenever I can, I source the best quality products as inexpensively as possible and meticulously tailor projects to specific clients needs.

Throughout my career, I have collected furniture and objects for myself. I modernize my own collection by taking it in different directions all the time, adding new elements to freshen my look.

Fabrics should be soft to the touch, and refined to the eye. I enjoy using silk velvets, linens, matte taffetas, mohair as well as specifically chosen prints, chintzes and textures. My eye is constantly changing and evolving. Decorating is my love, my life, my passion.

Decorating is a great luxury and I always try to make it fun and enjoyable, a positive experience for everyone.