Alex Dauley Alex Dauley

AT HOME WITH

Alex Dauley

Noted for mixing classic architecture with modern elegance, interior designer and Lusso client Alex Dauley shares insights into her approach, her latest Edwardian home project, and the philosophy behind creating timeless spaces.

Interior design is more than just creating beautiful spaces - it’s about making a place feel like home. For interior designer Alex Dauley, this philosophy has guided her work in the world of interior design for almost a decade, through residential and commercial spaces including a bar at the exclusive Soho House and offices for Universal Music. Renowned for blending modern elements with classic architectural features, Alex creates spaces that are both timeless and contemporary. One of her latest projects, an enchanting Edwardian home in south London, combines historic charm with clean, contemporary design, and features Lusso’s striking Picasso stone bath in charcoal, adding a bold yet elegant focal point to the home’s luxury bathroom.

For many interior designers, the journey into the profession is often a blend of passion and purpose. For Alex, a love for design was always present, but it wasn’t until she took an interiors course at KLC School of Design that the path forward became clear. “After the first lesson I was hooked and then continued to study, qualify, and set up my own practice” Alex recalls. “I primarily started in residential spaces, but I love commercial and hospitality design.”

When asked about her approach to choosing colours, Alex emphasises the emotional power of colours in shaping a space. “Spaces start with an understanding of how the client wishes to feel in the space and the lifestyle they wish to create,” she explains. “Colours hold emotion and set a mood, so once we establish the emotion, the colours are informed.” Another standout feature of Alex’s designs is her ability to blend the old with the new, as seen throughout the recent Edwardian property project, where the task was to seamlessly integrate modern design elements with the home’s original architecture. “We weren’t afraid to blur the boundaries, ”Alex reflects. “We were deliberate in the fact that we wanted a distinct feeling of modern and contemporary, whilst celebrating the traditional architecture where it remained.”
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    Picasso Charcoal Freestanding Stone Bath 1780mm

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    Luxe Brushed Gold Wall Mounted Bath Mixer Tap

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    Senza Back To Wall Rimless Toilet with Concealed Cistern and Brushed Gold Flush Plate

    Senza Back To Wall Rimless Toilet with Concealed Cistern and Brushed Gold Flush Plate

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The large, four-bedroom Edwardian home had a drab and unassuming interior when it was first acquired, however, with a clear vision and an exacting brief, the space has undergone a dramatic transformation, becoming a beautiful blend of modern elegance and traditional Edwardian features. The home’s design celebrates its Edwardian heritage while introducing clean lines, natural materials, and modern furniture to give it a contemporary appeal. The colour scheme throughout the house blends muted neutrals and dark hues of blues and greens to create a sophisticated yet calming ambience, as demonstrated in the large family bathroom where Lusso’s Picasso stone bath takes centre stage. The charcoal finish of the stone bath contrasts beautifully with the muted colour palette, microcement walls, and striking marble backdrop.

The balance between the old and new is what gives the home its unique character, with modern furnishings and neutrals and dark hues enhancing its period features. Rather than attempting to mask the Edwardian elements, Alex brought them to the forefront, creating a space that feels both timeless and relevant to modern living. “The colour palette, use of natural materials and blend of modern and vintage furniture allowed the space to feel cohesive,” she explains. “The client was very specific in their vision for the property, so that very much informed the overall look and aesthetic of the home that exudes understated Edwardian elegance.

"The colour palette, use of natural materials and blend of modern and vintage furniture allowed the space to feel cohesive."

Alex Dauley

When asked about her design approach, Alex reveals a deep commitment to adapting her work to suit each client’s specific needs and aspirations. “I am a lover of contemporary and Mid-century design, with some glamour thrown in,” she says. “Most clients work with me because they like this approach, but I always work for the client, their brief and aspirations. My job as a designer is to take their brief and elevate it beyond their design expectations, whilst still allowing them to see themselves in their home.”

Amid the hustle and bustle of designing commercial spaces and luxury homes, Alex emphasises the importance of having a peaceful sanctuary in her personal life. “I really love my front room”, Alex shares. “It’s small, cosy and dark, which allows me to switch off and rest at the end of long days. It is a place of calm and in this hectic world, I always want a space to unwind.”

This personal retreat reflects the same principles that guide Alex’s professional work: a commitment to creating spaces that allow people to find peace and tranquillity in their surroundings. By using luxury brands such as Lusso, Alex also ensures that her designs consistently meet the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. “The Lusso products are beautiful and I have used them a few times in projects and will continue to do so.” Alex explains.

From the tranquility of Alex’s personal home to the grandeur of the Edwardian renovation in south London, Alex’s designs demonstrate that interiors are about balancing aesthetic, function and beauty, underpinned by client's vision and the designer's expertise.

Take inspiration from Alex Dauley’s Edwardian home project and style the Picasso stone bath in your own sanctuary.

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