We’re back with a new guest tastemaker for some quick-fire questions and a mini-curation of some fab Chairish finds!
This week we are joined by designer Allison Crawford, who as of last month is based out of both the Lone Star State’s capital and the city of lights. Allison’s style ethos of intentional simplicity is inspired by the different ways of life she’s encountered during her travels, as well as what she’s learned about style during her time in Paris. Lately she has been gearing up for the reveal of two Texas-based residential projects: Casa Kraddick, a musician’s home inspired by the ebbs and flows of jazz, and Spanish Oaks, a country getaway with a color palette that matches its surrounding greenery and hillsides.
Read on to find out which acting duo’s fashion sense influenced her interior aesthetic, and the item she collects on her travels that always manages to fit into her luggage.
Has working in both Austin and Paris influenced your design aesthetic or sensibilities?
Absolutely. My move to Paris was delayed for over a year unexpectedly, so I learned to live with a pared-down version of my home and wardrobe as I waited to move. The longer I spent with less, the more profoundly I discovered “le edit” and the joys of limitations.
What is the most memorable career moment you’ve had so far?
Long before I moved to France, I discovered an antique oil painting at a Paris flea market that is still one of my favorite works of art. I’ve always loved vintage objects and the eclectic collections at flea markets and vintage stores. I’m really excited to incorporate more French design into my aesthetic now that inspiration is just out the front door.
What is the coolest vintage piece in your house?
At HOTELette, my favorite piece is an Eero Aanio chair. I found it tucked into a corner at a vintage furniture dealer in Dallas. It was badly chipped and had bright red stained upholstery. The makers mark area was also damaged, that I had to do quite a bit of research to confirm that it was an original. I then worked with furniture refurbishers to return the fiberglass base to its original ivory color accented by fresh jet black upholstery. It is both obviously vintage and oddly contemporary; Plus it swivels, so guests can move from conversations with folks at the bar to the den without ever getting up!
Who is your ultimate style icon?
Call me a millennial, but I love the Olsen twins. Their clothing line The Row is so exquisitely clean, simple, and architectural, that it makes me want to create spaces for people to wear the clothing. And as public figures, they have found a way to reinvent themselves and constantly challenge their creativity. I love their mysterious, messy chic personas and how different they are now vs when I watched them on Full House as a child.
Do you collect anything? What sparked your interest in collecting that item?
I’m not much of a collector, but I recently began taking 35mm black and white photos. I enjoy the challenge of working with film. Plus photos take up less space than many other collectibles, so I can take them as I travel and don’t have to worry about how I’m going to get them home.
Headshot Image Courtesy of Viranda Michelle
