St. Croix is in the spotlight! If any of you are HGTV fans, you may have already caught the new season of Design Star, a reality show to find the next hot home design TV host on HGTV. Among the contestants is 26-year old Alex Sanchez, who was raised on St. Croix, graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in architectural engineering, and is currently the owner of his own home design business in Washington D.C., Renaissance Design. We here at GoToStCroix.com caught up with Alex (it helps that we go way back!) to ask him all about his experience, his background and what he does when he’s visiting St. Croix!
GoTo: Describe the experience of filming a reality show– the challenges, the living situation, the relationships with other contestants. Was there anything completely unexpected?
Alex: I think that I went into it knowing that it will all be unexpected. So I kind of my opened up myself to the experience. The one thing that really surprised me was that I got along with so many of the other contestants. Having a camera follow you around 24/7 was interesting but in a way exciting, but made it hard to design outside of my normal environment. The challenges were incredibly difficult. They actually are a lot harder than they look on TV.
GoTo: When did you realize that design was your passion?
Alex: After I left corporate America, I spent a year working odd jobs and trying to figure out what I really wanted to do. So I looked back in my childhood to see what I was interested in. I spent most of my time growing up drawing houses, redesigning rooms and watching design shows. At that time I didn’t think of it as a career, but it was evident that it has always been a passion of mine.
GoTo: Your style is so urban and modern—how does St. Croix fit into your aesthetic? What Caribbean influences do you incorporate into your design?
Alex: All of my designs usually bring in some form of natural accent or texture. Being from St. Croix, I always have to incorporate nature into my designs. Many times my island background comes through in my choice of color and accents. But the biggest contribution of my hometown is definitely the organic flow of my designs. Even my modern geometric elements tend to be asymmetrical or random. Having nature as my inspiration has left me with the desire to have things unique, unexpected and less structured.
GoTo: Were there any early supporters of your design dream that have been important to your development?
Alex: My parents have been my biggest support system. My father realized early that I didn’t need toys, just art supplies. Trips to the art store became a weekly event and both my parents always celebrated my creativity. They even let me draw up the plans for our first home renovation at a very young age. They gave me liberties with my room to constantly keep redesigning it. But the most important thing they gave me were options. They never told me that I couldn’t do something. Whatever I said I wanted to do, wanted to be, they told me it was possible. This was essential for my growth as an artist and I am eternally grateful.
GoTo: What is one essential interior design tip for island homeowners?
Alex: In the islands you need to let your surroundings be your inspiration. Bring the outdoors in! Use nature to select your color palette and don’t distract from the view, which is your natural art, by over-cluttering. Incorporate work from local artisans and play with texture. I think the most important rule is to break the rules of traditional design. What you see in stateside homes doesn’t usually translate well in the islands.
GoTo: What do you miss most about St. Croix?
Alex: I miss the lifestyle. There is a connection that you have with your home that nowhere else can replace. And when it’s a place like St. Croix with natural beauty everywhere, it’s hard not to miss. I miss having family around me and culture. St. Croix is a unique place that is laid back and easy. people are very straight forward and genuine and the atmosphere is one of freedom that can not be duplicated.
GoTo: What’s your favorite island activity while you’re visiting home? Favorite food? Favorite beach?
Alex: When I come home I love going nighttime kayaking with Caribbean Adventure Tours. I have to stop by Brady’s on Queen Street to get me a fried chicken plate. Beaches change every year on St. Croix. The last time I was there I was surprised by how beautiful Salt River (Columbus Landing) beach was. That is my new favorite beach.
GoTo: What’s next after Design Star?
Alex: There is so much that I want to do! I have been working with development companies in Washington DC to renovate houses in neglected inner city neighborhoods. I am really enjoying this and plan on changing neighborhood thru my design. I am back to mentoring kinds more often and using my platform to encourage kids to pursue their passion, especially in the arts. I will continue designing houses for clients that break rules and inspire. I am also looking to get more involved in designing restaurants and public spaces. I am planning to enroll in graduate school to get my Masters in Architecture next year. My goal is to develop a new, more efficient architectural design for island homes. I want to utilize the abundant sun, wind and views to maximize how we live in the Caribbean.
Thank you Alex! Good luck!
Be sure to check out Design Star on HGTV on Sunday nights at 10 pm to check out Alex in action! And definitely be sure to vote for him on the Design Star website, and help Alex get his own show! You can vote up to 10 times a day, so get to clicking and supporting one of St. Croix’s own!
very nice article. I hope Alex wins!
nice interview piece, but how is this exclusive? He was interviewed in all the local papers and tv stations.
It’s considered “exclusive” because this is an interview specific to GotoStCroix.com, it wasn’t reprinted or regurgitated from any other news source. Thanks!
nice to see our young people doing great things.
This is a great article on Alex. Unfortunately, I found this artlcle after watching the episode in which Alex was eliminated. I think it is a shame the judges chose him to go home because he does possess alot of design talent but was ignored in the “group” settings. He appears very quiet and extremely easy to get along with. It was very unfortunate that he happened to be grouped with two people that were outspoken, aggressive, and into themselves. They were too ignorant to notice that a third person was in their group. His talent will be missed, and I really don’t have any desire to watch Design Star now that it has been taken over by the four remaining people. By the way, Michael……..for your information, your group would not have one the episode of redesigning a space for a firehouse had Alex not stepped in and taken charge when you injured yourself…….REMEMBER!!!!!!!!!
Alex replied to an email I sent and encouraged me about starting my own business. He seems like a great guy who is not into himself and only means doing right by people. He has a great personality and has the looks to make it on TV. I wish him the very best for his future. He deserves it. Plus, he shouldn’t feel too bad about not getting his own show. I mean, other than David Bromstad, when the hell are the other winners on anyway????