In this light-filled entry, natural materials take the lead, with a rattan-wrapped mirror and beaded fixture adding depth against a restrained backdrop.
Andrew Joseph: If you weren’t a designer, you’d be a…
Alex Thies: I always say if I hadn’t gone to design school, I’d have gone to culinary school. I love to cook and bake, and have such an appreciation for the culinary arts. I’m such a sucker for cooking competition shows and love trying new restaurants. I’m fascinated by flavor combinations and plate presentation — it truly is a work of art!
AJ: How would you define your work in three words?
AT: Warm. Livable. Timeless.
This living room centers around a tailored built-in, where soft blue cabinetry and integrated shelving frame the TV and bring structure to the space.
AJ: Are you a pet person? Dogs or cats?
AT: Yes! I’m a dog person through and through. I have three large dogs at home — a Great Dane, a golden retriever, and a mutt — and I’d probably have more if my life weren’t already so crazy. I’m passionate about animal rescue and even wrote my grad school thesis on animal shelter design. This summer, my husband bought me a baseball that says “Drink coffee and pet dogs,” and that pretty much sums up my personality.
AJ: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
AT: Probably some sort of octopod with eight arms — I always seem to be juggling a million different things. Either that or the ability to clone myself so I could be in more than one place at a time!
With a coastal palette pulled straight from the expansive water views, this bedroom layers soft neutrals and warm wood tones into a calm, elevated retreat.
AJ: What would you like to be remembered for?
AT: Being a good person in all capacities of life — as a business owner, a wife, a mother, and a friend. I try to operate with a strong moral compass, showing kindness to others and making the world a better place. To me, that matters most above anything else.
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