Alexander Widener Wants to Share His Love of Collecting with You

Alexander Widener is living his dream—and he wants to share it with you. A year ago, Widener left his corporate job in New York City for the pretty village of Wiscasset, Maine. After several years as a marketing professional for heritage brands such as Matouk, Sister Parish, and Samuel & Sons, and chronicling his love of decorative arts and textiles for a modest social media following, Widener was feeling the pull toward a new chapter. When he and his husband, Bradly, stumbled upon a property
on Main Street during one of their many trips to Maine, they took the leap. Fast forward to spring 2025, and Widener Company, an interiors shop with an adjoining guest cottage, was born. Widener continues to recount his adventures—and frequent antiquing hauls—for a growing and devoted online audience: one recent video of Widener briefly explaining the history of Wedgwood pottery went viral overnight. When I visited his shop last August, my daughter and I arrived at the same time as a woman who had driven up from Beverly, Massachusetts, just to meet him. Widener welcomed us all as if we were old friends and eagerly showed us around, making us feel right at home. widenercompany.com

1. I’m always on the hunt for…vintage D. Porthault linens. They are the softest things I have ever felt and are stitched entirely by hand.

2. I will never have enough…baskets! My kitchen ceiling is already filled with antique examples, but I can’t help but buy more when I find them. My shop also sells modern versions that are made right here in our village.

3. The best souvenir I’ve brought home…is a painting from the Porte de Vanves flea market that I bought during my last visit to Paris. It now hangs above my desk in the shop and reminds me of France.

4. My personal style signifier…is my duck cardigan from S.S. Daley. I coveted it for years before using my first TikTok paycheck to buy it, and now I wear it constantly. Maybe it’s time for another color?

5. The best gift I’ve ever received…was from my husband, Bradly, who gave me the gift of being able to pursue my dream. The moment I bet on myself, the world began to open up to me, and I owe it all to him for believing it might be possible.

6. My favorite gift to give…is a cutting from my prized geranium, one that Monticello has been growing since Thomas Jefferson brought it to America. It’s such an unusual variety, and I love sharing it with others.

7. An object I could never part with…is an 1850s screen with panels from the French wallpaper company Zuber. I got it for a song several years ago, and I will never let it go!

8. When I travel, I always carry…a tin of mints. My favorites are from Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella—they use an antique recipe that’s definitely worth the splurge.

9. A place that means a lot to me…is Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The first time I visited, my entire worldview changed.
I saw myself reflected back in a way I had never seen before, and no matter how many times I visit, I still get that same feeling.

10. The best book I’ve read recently…is An English Vision: Traditional Architecture and Decoration for Today by Ben Pentreath. I’m endlessly inspired by his work.

11. The best advice I’ve ever received…is to trust in myself. It’s very difficult to do and requires you to be vulnerable and self-reflective, but boy, has it helped me.

12. My recommendation to those who want to collect…is go slow. The best way to train your eye is by going out and shopping. You don’t have to buy anything, but you should handle every object that interests you and always ask questions. I’ve found that antique dealers are very generous with knowledge. Once you learn what you like, start buying it, and soon enough, you’ll be a collector.