As marketing director and co-founder of design practice Alexander &CO, Tess Glasson has a highly sophisticated understanding of design.
When you combine this with a background in communication, you can understand why the collaborative approach of the team at Alexander &CO is so well defined. The vision is clearly articulated and the outcomes often breathtaking (just take a look at Alexander House!)
We appreciate Tess taking the time to share some of her inspirational ideas, favourite designs and more.
Describe your style in 6 words or less.
Tess: Fashion: Relaxed but put together.
Interiors: Colour, Collected, Comfortable, Functional, Timeless.
Which architects/designers most inspire you?
Tess: I’m a fan of Brutalist architecture - monochrome and minimalist and I love the austerity of concrete. It’s my most favourite material.
Mexican modernist Luis Barragan and I’m also inspired by the new generation of Mexican architects like Frida Escobedo who became the youngest architect (in her late thirties) to work on the annual revered Serpentine Pavilion commission.
What is your most cherished piece at home? (Furniture, art, lighting or decorative)
Tess: Can’t pick just one!
Little trinkets and treasures that I’ve collected on my travels like a handmade rug from Peru, jewellery from India. Art that I have bought over the years as each piece is representative of a different place in time and in my life. I also have a couple of crystal vases that were my grandmothers that I would never buy myself but they are precious little heirlooms.
Alexander House, which is our new company HQ and also an extension of our family home after hours as it’s next door is a very personal project for our family and I loved being involved in the selection/making of some really special pieces.
Table - We custom designed this table using the most exquisite marble slab called ‘Four Seasons’ and it is one of the most beautiful marbles that I’ve ever seen. The patterning is intricate, like a painting and leaves you in awe of what nature has produced! The slabs are a magnificent combination of greens, purple and pinks. We used the leftover piece of the slab to make an entry foyer ledge.
Custom designed marble table by Alexander &CO
Armchair - I bought this vintage Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art Easy Lounge Chair from a local furniture dealer and it was not in good shape but is a design classic and we had to have! We worked with a passionate mid 20th century upholsterer and restorer (Demuz Design) who ensured all the original details were maintained. He said it was one of his hardest jobs yet and took many hours to get it back to its glory! The leather (from Instyle) was flown in especially from the Elmo tannery in Sweden for this piece.
Coffee table - This vintage Roche Bobois freeform coffee table was bought from local Sydney dealer The Vault. The pink tone and kidney design fitted perfectly within the design direction we had for the living room space in Alexander House and is a treasured find.
The vintage armchair and coffee table are some of Tess's most cherished pieces.
What is your go to white interior paint colour?
Tess: Dulux White on White for a very clean white, Dulux Snowy Mountains half strength for an interesting chalky white.
If you could splurge on a piece of furniture or art right now, what would it be?
Tess: Ok this is definitely more than one but lots sitting on my current love list!
Artwork
Any of the amazing watercolours from Gloria Pannka. She is a senior Western Aranda woman and a second generation Hermannsburg School watercolour artist. Her grandfather was Albert Namatjira. We recently took our boys to Uluru and Alice Springs and saw first hand how beautiful the West Macdonell Ranges are which is where she lives and the subject of a lot of her paintings.
Contemporary folk artist Justin Williams. We borrowed Wolfhound Interior, 2020 (COMA, Sydney) for the Alexander House shoot and it was sold very soon after. This piece is all rendered murky oil pants and thin washes of colour and is inspired by the mythology and residents of the remote Mt Dandenong region.
Wolfhound Interior, 2020 by Justin Williams.
Just saw a virtual preview of the new Ben Crawford exhibition ‘An outlaw for my love’ (Curatorial and Co.). Really love his work and the colours are so special.
Sculptural pieces from NY based Simone Bodmer-Turner.
If I had a spare building – love all the large scale mural work of street artist @mr_aryz Octavi Arrizabalaga.
Furniture
Sarah Nedovic Gaunt – the Lady ’79 ceramic lamp with custom pleated shade is a sculptural delight.
Arkade Dining Chair designed by Nanna Ditzel by Brdr. Krüger.
Do you have a trade tip you can share?
Tess: Buy quality always. Buy vintage and find a passionate restorer or reupholster who can keep the story of the piece alive.
What are you favourites:
Favourite Instagram account/s you follow?
Tess: Too many to mention. Here’s two interior ones -
@myinteriordetails – interior design inspiration from Madrid, Stockholm and Mallorca.
@ruevintage74 -Home and antiques shop in Madrid and interiors feed.
Favourite galleries or museums?
Tess: All time favourite is Musee Rodin Paris. I’ve been many times and it does not get any less of an extraordinary experience. The garden, the sculptures and the home.
During our last trip to Salone del Mobile in Milan we had an afternoon off work and exhibitions and had so much fun at Fondazione Prada.
And of course, the MET.
Favourite way to unwind at home?
Tess: With four boys under 11, unwinding at home can be a challenge!
Alexander House has a beautiful sauna and I’ll escape in there as often as I can every week…
Favourite restaurant?
Tess: Bill’s Bondi, Chiswick and Nomad. All in equal measure and all for different reasons and occasions. Consistently delicious food and wonderful service.
Favourite podcast?
Tess: Not a massive podcast listener but loved Ester Perrell – Where Should we Begin .
Favourite piece on Collécte right now?
Tess: A pair of vintage safari chairs by Kaare Klint
Tess Glasson www.alexanderand.co Instagram @alexander_andco @tessglasson1
Main image credit - Russel Horton
