Michael Hampton

Michael Hampton is a Washington, DC based artist and interior designer. His projects reflect an appreciation for modern classicism and include private residences in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Santa Fe and Aspen.

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My Kind of Minimal

02-06-15

My Kind of Minimal

Among my pantheon of favorite designers, the work of Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, is near the top of my list. Ive enjoyed following the venerable design firms prolific work over the years, which has evolved from a more classical style to one that is more contemporary. Yet a love and respect for classicism is still rooted in all of their work. For his own New York apartment, Azcuy embraced the modernist shell of the apartment, while creating his own unique architectural foundation and framework for his collection of streamlined furniture and accessories.

The apartment throughout is filled with beautiful compositions, which are one of the many hallmarks of Azcuy’s projects. By designing a simplified, yet luxurious and exquisitely detailed backdrop it allows the sculptural qualities of the furniture and accessories to shine. Its my kind of minimal where warmth, comfort and luxury are not sacrificed for the spareness and austerity of the architecture.

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ODAA Images-5

Beautifully crafted cabinets inspired by Adolf Loos add a graphic statement to the room, while creating the perfect backdrop for displaying an assortment of sculptural accessories, including the Josef Hoffman serpentine coupes

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ODAA Images-3

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ODAA Images-4

A marble coffee table by Gae Alenti anchors the Living Room

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ODAA Images-6

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ODAA Images-7

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ODAA Images-1

Concrete walls create a textural contrast from the white and perfectly smooth walls.

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ODAA Images-2

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ODAA Images-8

A perfect composition

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ODAA Images-9

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ODAA Images-10

Rolling upholstered screens provide a faceted like architectural element to the Master Bedroom while providing privacy when needed

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Bold Stripes

01-29-15

Bold Stripes

I had mixed impressions about Raf Simon’s Spring-Summer 2015 Haute Couture Collection. Call me a classicist and a lover of true couture especially when it features extraordinary embroidery work, which the collection did have in small amounts. However, the plastic raincoats and mod, hallucinogenic patterned body suits didn’t quite cut it for me when it comes to beautiful couture. But I tend to be a traditionalist though overall I was intrigued and inspired by the collections modernity and innovativeness. However, the striped dresses really stood out for me. They were the perfect marriage of taking modernist patterns and colors and mixing them with timeless and pretty silhouettes. And the knee and thigh high boots added another unexpected edge. I have always loved stripes and the boldness of these brought to mind a few of my favorite modernist painters such as Kenneth Noland, Wyeth Alexander, Richard Diebenkorn and Josef Albers. Raf Simons is truly brilliant though. He is taking fashion into a new era while respecting and celebrating Haute Couture and simply beautiful clothes. His debut collection for Dior was extraordinary and had me gasping! See here.

kenneth noland 2

kenneth noland 2

Kenneth Noland

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silhouette_04-x

Kenneth Noland

Kenneth Noland

Kenneth Noland

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silhouette_45-x

Wyeth Alexander 2

Wyeth Alexander 2

Wyeth Alexander

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silhouette_46-x

Richard Diebenkorn Ocean park series

Richard Diebenkorn Ocean park series

Richard Diebenkorn

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silhouette_51-x

Richard Diebenkorn

Richard Diebenkorn

Richard Diebenkorn

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silhouette_52-x

Wyeth Alexander

Wyeth Alexander

Wyeth Alexander

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silhouette_53-x

Kenneth Noland 3

Kenneth Noland 3

Kenneth Noland

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Josef albers

Josef albers

Josef Albers

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In a Moroccan Mood

01-26-15

In a Moroccan Mood

I have always been intrigued by the exoticism and mystery of Morocco. My mind has been filled with images of the jewel like colors found in the architecture and interiors, the heady scents of jasmine and orange blossoms, the frenzied crowds in the Medina and Souks and of course the flavors of tagine, couscous, pastilla, preserved lemons and bright and delicious salads.

So when David and I were trying to decide on where to go for our next big trip it didn’t take us long to decide on Morocco. After traveling in Europe, which we love of course, we concluded that we wanted to experience something entirely different. Something that would capture and inspire our imaginations and provide us with experiences unlike any we have ever known.

We are beginning our journey in Marrakech, where we are staying at the El Fenn.  After several days there we will continue on to Fez and the Hotel Sahrai. One cannot think of Morocco without conjuring up images of the private worlds of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in Marrakech and Tangier. Magical worlds created in collaboration with Bill Willis, Madison Cox and of course Jacques Grange. The first place on my list to visit in Marrakech is the Majorelle Gardens where I cannot wait to take in the lushness of the gardens and the vibrant colors of the Villa itself.

I would love to hear any suggestions on must see’s, must reads, shopping and restaurants as we continue our preparations for our upcoming trip.

Villa Oasis Marrakech-2

Villa Oasis Marrakech-2

Villa Oasis, Marrakech

Villa Oasis Marrakech

Villa Oasis Marrakech

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Villa Oasis 2

Photos – Marianne Hass

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Villa Oasis 2-1

YSL bedroom Villa Oasis

YSL bedroom Villa Oasis

Photos – Bill Willis

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Villa Oasis Marrakech-3

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Villa Oasis Marrakech-4

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Villa Oasis Marrakech-5

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Villa Oasis Marrakech-6

Photos – Marianne Haas

Villa Mabrouka Tangier-1

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Villa Mabrouka, Tangier

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Villa Mabrouka Tangier-2

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Villa Mabrouka Tangier-3

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Villa Mabrouka Tangier-5

Villa Mabrouka Tangier

Villa Mabrouka Tangier

Photos – Nicolas Matheus

Jardins Majorelle

Jardins Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle

Majorelle Gardens

Majorelle Gardens

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Michael Hampton

Michael Hampton is a Washington, DC based artist and interior designer. His projects reflect an appreciation for modern classicism and include private residences in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Santa Fe and Aspen.

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