I tell them there’s going to come a moment in this process where we’re so excited that we get chills.
For those searching for storage solutions in Hoboken, there’s good news, you can think beyond a classic white built-in. Alexander Mauro of Home by Alexander told us about his business creating custom furniture, built-ins, and more. He says he gets calls to do a standard built-in, but “usually we end up co-designing something out of the ordinary, better suited for the people’s use.”
Alexander builds a real rapport with his clients, and is flattered that most of his work is referral based as a result. The end-products speak to that relationship. He says in the beginning, he brainstorms and takes measurements and creates the room in “Google SketchUp” He presents options to the client to whittle down what they like and hate, as well as material options. He understands the way materials inform the design, and then they find the best match and fine-tune from there. “I tell them there’s going to come a moment in this process where we’re so excited that we get chills and we’re like this is it, this is so cool! It’s a process, we’re building something that you’ll want to have perhaps for the rest of life.”
His custom floating bookcases are head turners. “I was on a job where the people pulled up that floating bookcase, and asked what if we did something like that,” Alexander explained that the collaboration with his client to achieve that design was very personal and included her vision and voice. He wants all of his clients to be part of the design experience and see their personality in the end product.
His eye for home office design is particularly relevant for Hoboken commuters, he pointed to the floating walnut desk he recently worked on, noting that the hardware involved was high-end, “but that’s what makes the project.”
Use of wood in interior design is having a comeback. Alexander thinks that people are looking for the warmth and depth that wood brings and the balance of organic elements, moving away from the concrete industrial styles and stark white walls of the past. “I try not to do a lot white lacquer, I use real wood or a cool laminate.”
One of my signatures is how I use edge banding as one of my components in every piece, even though the design is different, the edge banding is the same, that’s my secret weapon.
In terms of design trends, Alexander acknowledges that Walnut has “broken through,” while incorporating trends, his work remains timeless and unique. He mixes old and new and his own vision. In addition to clean lines and a minimalist approach, he garners inspiration from bold statements like black, satin cabinets, or forgotten 70’s kitchen cabinets with laminate doors and an oak strip at the bottom. “One of my signatures is how I use edge banding as one of my components. I have a handheld machine, and I put it through the machine and it gets trimmed. Every piece, even though the design is different, the edge banding is the same, that’s my secret weapon.”
Alex’s innovative designs are truly built to last, when resale options are a necessity, he likes to make his pieces adjustable for future owners. He says that options and adjustability are really important, but he can tailor his work specifically. He wants the client’s pieces to fit their lifestyles and their tastes. Closets and armoires can be very personal, he likes to involve his client’s wardrobes, factoring in their shoe sizes and longest items of clothing.
Alexander stands out with his high-tech workshop and classic service. He uses high-quality, German-made Festool Tools, they’re top of the line and he took years to build the impressive collection before starting his business. They work together in a system and hook to a vacuum. The expected sprinkling of sawdust is absent from his workshop which is shockingly spotless. He extends that immaculate approach to his client’s home with his “white glove service.”
For inspiration and beautiful woodwork, follow Alexander on Instagram.
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