** Tickets to these lecture events make perfect gifts! Purchase a gift certificate today (for a special birthday, anniversary or just for friendship); contact Kayla at (402) 346-4002 ext. 221 or k.scott@omahabotanicalgardens.org. 


BARRY DIXON
Friday, September 24, 2010
www.barrydixon.com 

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A 1982 graduate of The University of Mississippi, Barry Dixon spent much of his childhood abroad. Dixon’s father, who was a metallurgist for an international company based in Germany, moved his family to exotic cities all over the world, elements of which are reflected in his work. Living in India, Korea, New Caledonia and South Africa, where he graduated from high school, gave Dixon a global perspective and laid the foundation for his future.

Believing that “the greatest quality a home might possess is that of innate, soulful hospitality,” Barry Dixon has become one of the nation’s most sought-after designers. He has frequently appeared on “Good Morning America” including a weeklong series where he decorated a living room live on television. He has also done a suite for client and ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer in Traditional Home’s “Built for Women Show House.”

For the sixth consecutive year House Beautiful has identified him as one of America’s top designers; his work is featured frequently in numerous publications, including Veranda, Traditional Home, Southern Accents and House Beautiful. Barry was inducted into Metropolitan Home’s “Design 100” in its June 2008 issue. In addition, 14 different design books include Dixon's projects. Barry Dixon Interiors, Dixon's first book written with well-known author Brian Coleman with photography by Edward Addeo, was published in September 2008 and has gone into its third printing.

Formed in 1993, Barry Dixon Inc. specializes in high-end residential and commercial interiors from coast to coast.

Dixon's own furniture line with Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth was launched in 2005 and has been praised by editors from Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Veranda, Southern Accents, House & Garden and Metropolitan Home, among others. His rug collection with Megerian was launched in January 2009 while his fabric collection with Vervain debuts in 2010.

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ALEXA HAMPTON
Saturday, September 25, 2010
www.markhampton.com 

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Alexa Hampton is the president and featured designer of MARK HAMPTON, INC., the world famous design firm founded in 1976 by her late father, design icon Mark Hampton. Mr. Hampton is recognized in the January 2010 issue of Architectural Digest as one of "The Top 20 Designers of All Time."

Her work is classic, traditional and eclectic. Under her direction, the firm has completed a wide range of designs for domestic and international projects, including apartments and large residences, private airplanes and yachts. Her work has been prominently featured on the covers of House Beautiful and Architectural Digest.

** We are pleased to announce that Alexa's mother, Duane Hampton, will be joining her for this event and will host a book signing featuring her new both Mark Hampton: An American Decorator following Alexa's lecture. (See information on Duane Hampton below.)

Most recently, Hampton was honored by being selected by the Trowbridge House Foundation to be the interior designer for Trowbridge House, the new official Guest House for Former Presidents of the United States in Washington, D.C. Part of the historic Blair House complex on Jackson Place overlooking Lafayette Park, Trowbridge House will serve as a home and office for former Presidents when they conduct business in Washington.

Architectural Digest has named Hampton one of the ‘AD 100,’ the magazine’s directory of the world’s 100 best interior designers and architects, since 2002 -- and Hampton is the first designer on the list to visit Omaha. House Beautiful has included her in their annual ‘America’s Best 100 Designers’ list every year since 1999. New York Magazine named her one of New York’s “100 Best Architects and Decorators” and The New York Times hailed her as one of the members of a “New Guard,” and one of the “bright lights” of her generation. She was named as one of the eight “Female Leads” in the design industry by Interiors magazine and one of the 12 “Fun, Fearless Females” by Cosmopolitan magazine.

She became the sixth regular continuing cast member of "This Old House,” joining the team as senior design consultant. She is the first regularly appearing female member of the cast.

Hampton has designed a line of fabrics for Kravet Fabrics, Inc., and designs furniture for the Hickory Chair Co.

A graduate of Brown University, Hampton has studied fine arts at The Institute for the Study of Classical Architecture and the Rhode Island School of Design. She has done graduate work at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts, both in Florence, Italy and New York. In 2009, Hampton received an honorary PhD from Moore College of Art and Design. She currently lectures about design around the country.

"Alexa Hampton is a modern spirit with a soft spot for old fashioned good taste."
                                                         -House Beautiful, June 2002

About Duane Hampton
Duane Hampton has worked as a writer, editor and lecturer in the field of design. She was born in Portland, Oregon, and has lived in Thailand, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and New York. While traveling in Italy after her freshman year at Mt. Holyoke College, she met Mark Hampton in Florence. They married in 1964 and moved to New York City to attend graduate school.

After receiving an M.A. in English literature from New York University, Mrs. Hampton began working for Conde Nast Publications as Design Editor at Mademoiselle, writing a monthly column. She then became Assistant Features Editor at House & Garden, later helping to edit the Vogue Book of Etiquette, and two cookbooks, New York Entertains and Who’s Who in New York Kitchens.