Portfolio
“Blending elements of maximalism, Art Deco, and Hollywood Regency style, Darien-based Cary is no shrinking violet. Full of drama and narrative, her spaces are as distinctive as the clients she works with.”
“International flair runs through the portfolio of globetrotting designer Alexandra Cary. She credits summers spent at the Greenbrier as helping inform her luxurious POV—and no doubt, her travels across Morocco, the Middle East, and other far-flung locales have had an influence too.”
A bold red lacquered door sets the tone for this stately yet spirited entryway, framed by classic white millwork, gas lanterns, and fluted columns. Above, a Gothic-inspired balustrade adds architectural flourish, while chinoiserie planters and a geometric welcome mat ground the scene with personality. The nameplate—Casablanca—hints at the cinematic elegance within.
This jewel-box powder room marries bold pattern with sculptural sophistication. Jungle-inspired wallpaper climbs the walls, wrapped in ornate gilt framing and crowned by a carved Rococo mirror. A dramatically veined, fluted marble sink floats above a brass console, set against a backdrop of honed black marble tiles. With brass fittings and a single Bird of Paradise bloom, the space feels both theatrical and intimate—an ode to decadence in miniature.
This statement entryway sets the tone for the home’s layered aesthetic—a study in symmetry, glamour, and botanical drama. Classic black-and-white checkerboard marble stretches the length of the hall, drawing the eye toward arched French doors and a lush floral arrangement atop a skirted table. Tall potted palms and pleated lanterns add scale and softness, while gilded frames and crisp panel molding reinforce the architecture’s timeless elegance. A passageway that feels more like a destination.
This sculptural stair hall is a study in contrast and quiet detail. Crisp panel molding climbs the walls in a rhythmic dialogue with the iron-and-brass balustrade, while a tailored wool stair runner in a subtle chevron pattern softens the ascent. The surrounding gallery features framed nautical studies and a monumental Famille Rose vase, grounding the space in history and artistry. Set against a checkerboard marble floor, this transitional moment is both stately and serene.
A sun-drenched moment of repose—this intimate sitting area balances modern softness with classic millwork and curated accents. Creamy linen club chairs flank a sculptural gold side table, while a single line drawing anchors the space with graphic elegance. Natural light pours through mullioned windows, casting warmth and tranquility across the room.
A harmonious blend of soft blush tones, honed stone, and gleaming brass defines this serene primary bath. Fluted marble vanities sit beneath a full-length mirror, their sculptural forms echoing the geometry of the chevron tile backsplash. Dual rainfall showers are framed by a glass enclosure, with brass fixtures bringing warmth and rhythm throughout. A freestanding tub and lantern pendant elevate the space with timeless elegance, while pale Venetian plaster walls soften the formality with a warm, romantic glow.
This bespoke dressing room was designed as a sanctuary of elegance and order. Custom cabinetry in cerused oak is accented with antique brass mesh and leather-wrapped handles, while LED-lit glass shelving spotlights a curated handbag collection like objets d’art. A glamorous photograph sets the tone at the far end, nodding to the room’s cinematic flair. Every surface and drawer is considered—from velvet-lined compartments for jewelry to mirrored panels that expand the narrow footprint—creating a space as indulgent as it is efficient.
This primary bath is a masterclass in quiet luxury—wrapped in honed Calacatta marble with brushed brass fittings and a freestanding tub as sculptural focal point. A fringed vanity stool adds a whisper of vintage glamour, while sheer café curtains soften the natural light, transforming daily rituals into cinematic moments.
A custom fluted marble vanity commands attention with its sculptural presence, complemented by a faceted mosaic backsplash in honed stone. Warm blush walls and unlacquered brass fixtures add depth and elegance, while a single vase of dark tulips offers a moody, romantic contrast. Every element is considered—ornamental, yet functional.
Layered with softness and structure, this primary bedroom pairs architectural millwork with a scalloped canopy and a sculptural chandelier that evokes blooming florals in flight. A palette of ivory, camel, and burnished gold wraps the room in warmth, while custom textiles and curated accents—like the embroidered coverlet and bird-motif cushion—add quiet drama and personal charm.
This bespoke bedroom centers around a tailored canopy in lustrous camel-toned silk, scalloped and draped for a sense of drama and softness. Layered textiles in embroidered linen and cut velvet add depth and touchable luxury, anchored by a singular peacock-motif accent pillow. Gilded sconces and deco-inspired nightstands bring symmetry and subtle sparkle, creating a room that feels both romantic and grounded.
This jewel-toned sitting room celebrates global elegance through a confluence of calligraphy, chinoiserie, and midcentury-inspired form. A custom velvet curved sofa grounds the space in saturated mustard, while large-scale Islamic calligraphy adds spiritual depth and scale. Layered ceramics, lacquered cabinetry, and sculptural lighting complete the room’s collected, curated narrative—one that honors both heritage and modernity.
A moment of high contrast and cultural layering—this vignette pairs a sweeping navy-and-gold calligraphy canvas with a hand-painted chinoiserie chest, creating a dialogue between East and Middle Eastern artistry. The curved ochre velvet sofa echoes the fluidity of the script, while a midnight blue bolster punctuates the palette with sculptural intent. Framed by tailored drapery and classical millwork, the scene is both grounded and transcendent.
A romantic parlor swathed in floral wallpaper opens through tasseled silk drapery into a luminous salon of palms, lacquer, and gold. The juxtaposition of soft pastels and graphic black-and-white stone flooring creates a cinematic moment of contrast and cohesion. Every threshold is treated as an opportunity for drama—woven together through color, texture, and collected meaning.
Nestled into the bay, this upholstered window seat becomes a romantic punctuation in the room’s floral narrative. Embroidered linen, velvet, and block-printed cushions mingle against a garden backdrop, blurring the line between inside and out. A gathered table draped in silk and crowned with blooms offers a painterly stillness—a place for daydreaming, reading, or simply watching the light move through the trees.
This salon corner is a symphony of cultural layers and thoughtful proportion. Monumental Arabic calligraphy in gold leaf anchors the space with spiritual weight, while a lacquered chinoiserie chest and handblown glass vessels offer tonal contrast and historical texture. A curved ochre velvet sofa invites conversation, its soft geometry echoed by a sculptural navy bolster. Every piece tells a story—together, they compose a room with soul.
A lacquered chinoiserie console sets the stage for a salon vignette steeped in global influence. Framed Islamic calligraphy and Mughal miniatures form a curated salon-style gallery wall, anchoring the space with reverence and refinement. A mix of ceramic vessels and crystal decanters adds sculptural punctuation—each piece selected not just for beauty, but for the story it tells.
This moody-yet-whimsical parlor envelops you in pattern and nostalgia, with a rose-and-vine wallpaper extended across both walls and ceiling in a fully immersive gesture. A pale lavender sectional anchors the room with softness, flanked by jewel-toned pillows and delicate vintage portraits. Bay windows offer a burst of natural light, framing the space like a Victorian painting in bloom. It’s a room for novels, tea, and long, meandering conversations.
With walls and ceiling swathed in a rose-strewn William Morris print, this parlor blurs the boundary between architecture and ornament. A modern linen sectional grounds the space with generous scale, while vintage silhouettes, pastoral landscapes, and fringe-tied drapery create a dialogue across centuries. Anchored by a fluted marble cocktail table and curated library stack, the room invites both reverie and reading—equal parts salon and sanctuary.
A saturated palette sets the tone in this creative retreat, where glossy cerulean millwork wraps the room in clarity and focus. Twin demi-lune desks invite both solo work and collaboration, while ochre velvet chairs and a hand-knotted rug layer in warmth and texture. The wallpapered ceiling and inset bookcase add softness and whimsy, making this space as imaginative as it is intentional—a room designed for thinking in color.
This moody, luminous dining space reimagines the basement as a destination for design. Wrapped in high-gloss paneling and anchored by a sculptural brass dining table, the room plays with reflection and form. Smoky blown-glass lighting and molten-gold chairs create a celestial glow, while a plush banquette softens the space with quiet luxury. An atmospheric palette and avant-garde detailing elevate this subterranean setting into a scene of golden intimacy.
An ode to romance and storytelling, this dining room is enveloped in blush paneling and accented with hand-painted scenic panels evoking the architecture of empire and the lushness of faraway lands. A tailored curved banquette wraps a matte black pedestal table, while cane-back chairs and a chandelier of glass discs add contrast and movement. At once intimate and transportive, the space invites lingering.
This intimate view of the cerulean study reveals the layered beauty of its details—from the demi-lune desks topped in creamy stone to the ochre velvet tub chair offering both comfort and contrast. Built-in shelving is backed with subtle floral wallpaper, echoing the ceiling’s motif and softening the architectural formality. Every element speaks to a space designed not just to function, but to inspire.
A towering Famille Rose vase commands attention at the stair’s base, its intricate narrative and gilded florals set against crisp ivory millwork. Above it, a single antique eye miniature—piercing and poetic—adds a surrealist wink to the traditional setting. This corner becomes more than a transition; it’s a curated moment of symbolism, scale, and storytelling.