Chairish is one of my favorite resources to find vintage pieces for client projects. This month, I am delighted to have been selected to participate in their exclusive Designer Showhouse sale, a curated collection of pieces hand-picked by designers from some of the country’s most prestigious Showhouses! See all of the beautiful finds, available now on Chairish by clicking HERE for my shop and HERE for the rest of the sale. The sale goes live TODAY (Saturday, March 2nd) at 12 noon EST.
I have included items from the Southeastern Designer Showhouse presented by Atlanta Home and Lifestyles and the Charleston Symphony Designer Showhouse. There are some incredible finds in the sale that are marked well below the wholesale prices. Happy hunting!
This is the last weekend to see the Southeastern Designer Showhouse and Gardens presented by Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine. Nestled in the heart of Buckhead, this stunning home is on one of the most magnificent pieces of property in Atlanta. Overlooking a beautiful forest, valley and polo fields, one would never know they were in the midst of the Southeast’s largest city. Click HERE to get tickets.
Please join me one week from today to kick off the inaugural Fall Design Week featuring Atlanta Gourmet and Gift at AmericasMart in Atlanta! I am thrilled to be moderating a panel with today’s top taste makers, designers, and stylists who will be sharing their secrets on entertaining with style.
Foodie culture and entertaining have risen to an art form. Weekend warriors are effortlessly whipping up gourmet spreads, swoon-worthy scenes and decorative tablescapes to fill our Instagram feeds. So, what’s the secret sauce? Take a cue from Bunny Williams’ playbook, who believes there’s nothing more rewarding than having friends and family gather in your home, and makes entertaining seem effortless. Top interior designers, lifestyle experts and photo stylists dish out advice you need to know to be a masterful host—from setting the right environment, designing the menu and table, and even offer styling tips to capture the moment for social media. Learn some of their favorite go-to resources and advice on everything entertaining, dining and tabletop.
Enjoy lunch and a panel discussion with New York-based interior designer Young Huh, who’s work has been featured in Vogue, Wall Street Journal, In Style and countless national interior magazines, Audrey Margarite, vice president of design and product development for Bunny Williams Home, who helps create fabrics, decorative accessories, and furniture for the company’s private and licensed collections, Annette Joseph, author of Picture Perfect Parties and entertaining expert, editor, producer, and magazine photo stylist for Architectural Digest, The Today Show, Goop and others, and designer and lifestyle expert Danielle Rollins, author of Soiree Entertaining with Style.
The inaugural Fall Design Week Featuring Atlanta Gourmet & Gift will offer hundreds of showrooms and lines, designer-focused programming, CEU courses, networking, parties and more:
FIOIRI BOAT AND NIIJIMA FLOATS
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with an encore exhibition of the works of internationally acclaimed artist, Dale Chihuly. The American artist has mastered the “alluring, translucent and transparent qualities of ice, water, glass and neon to create works of art that transform the viewer experience. He is globally renowned for his ambitious site-specific architectural installations in public spaces and in exhibitions presented in more than 250 museums and gardens worldwide.” Since his blockbuster show here in 2004, the gardens have doubled in size.
INDIGO BLUE ICICLE TOWER
Chihuly in the Garden includes 19 installation sites all set among the Garden’s natural beauty. The artist worked with the Garden’s horticultural team to choose plant color schemes. His studio shipped six 53 foot containers delivering thousands of pieces to be assembled on site by his team of eleven over a two week period.“You have to imagine the engineering it takes to bring this in and install it without damage,” said Britt Cornett, Chihuly’s installation manager.Chihuly’s team manages to transport new installations with an “unbelievably low breakage rate,” she said.
Some of the exhibits are a mix of older works paired with entirely new designs. There are also installations created specifically for the Atlanta Botanical Garden exhibit, including Fern Dell Paintbrushes near the Southern Season Garden and Indigo Blue Icicle Tower near the Hardin Visitor Center.
FERN DELL PAINTBRUSHES
“I think there’s a quality to Dale’s exhibitions that you don’t see in a lot of art,” ABG CEO and President Mary Pat Matheson said, attempting to explain the public’s attraction to it. “It’s almost magnetizing. It’s charismatic. It’s spectacularly beautiful, particularly in an outdoor setting. He understands scale and color and the juxtaposition of glass and nature in a way that few artists do.”
GREEN HORNETS AND WATERDROPS NEODYMIUM REEDS
The exhibit opened on April 30th and runs through Oct. 30th. Chihuly’s first exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2004 was the third time he’d done a garden installation. The 2004 exhibit was estimated by the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau to have had a $50 million to $60 million economic impact.
SAFFRON TOWER
The kaleidoscopic colors of the art for which the artist has become so famous may also be experienced in a different light – at night when the Garden offers extended hours. One of the more stunning works this year is Saffron Tower, a 30-foot neon glass sculpture near the garden’s water mirror. Twenty-eight transformers power the neon sculpture.
SOL DE CITRON
TURQUOISE MARLINS AND FLOATS
CARMEL AND RED FIORI
SAPPHIRE STAR
SAPPHIRE NEON WITH NEODYMIUM REEDS, FLOATS AND LOGS
BLACK AND GREEN STRIPED HERONS
There is even an installation at the Children’s Garden, which reopens later this summer.
Thanks to my trusty sidekick William who endured the heat and made me giggle throughout the day. Click HERE to get tickets to this spectacular exhibition which is on view through October 30, 2016.
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The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) has created their most sensational design series yet with DISCOVER ADAC from September 28- October 1. Be sure to click here to register for all events. They are filling up fast and you do not want to miss this incredible line up of engaging, entertaining and enlightening speakers!
On September 28th, in conjunction with DISCOVER ADAC, Dering Hall will be launching their online virtual showhouse Wired & Inspired. I am excited to be participating along with nine other designers from the southeast to create rooms inspired by our favorite cities. SIx of these rooms will come to life at ADAC and be on view until early spring. See below for the full lineup and more information about ADAC: Behind the Windows and Dering Hall’s Wired & Inspired showhouse.
For more design inspiration, be sure to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to Bespoke Banter. Thanks for reading and please come back again!
The 2014 Atlanta Holiday House opened this week with great fanfare. Sponsored by Atlanta Home and Lifestyles, the Moonlight & Mistletoe preview party had admirers swooning over the glorious spaces created by the area’s top interior designers. I always love going back to my hometown to not only see what Atlanta’s finest are creating, but also see design colleagues that gather to support one another. Participating in a show house is a tremendous investment for the designers of their time, talent and resources. It allows them to fully realize their creative vision and be their own “dream” client. In many cases for this showhouse, each room felt like an organic extension of the personality who designed it.
Located on Habersham Road,the showhouse is inspired by the 1890s-1920s English Arts and Crafts style of Sir Edwin Lutyens. Harrison Design Associates designed the 7,000 square foot house and it was built by Sheehan Built Homes. The residence conveys a strong connection to its heavily canopied landscape—fitting for the Home for the Holidays beneficiary, the Southeastern Horticultural Society.
Elegant, sophisticated and striking…Beth Webb’s dining room seemed to be an extension of this lovely designer. It is a symphony of black and white set under a stunning ceiling resembling the tracery in stained glass. The dark walls provide a perfect backdrop for graphic art and plaster works from the recently debuted Arete Collection. The dapper Bradley Clifford is seen below next to their sculptural console table with the interior lined in shattered gold leaf.
The table setting echoes the contrasting palette.
The kitchen is just as glamorous as the rest of the house. Designed by Mark Williams and Niki Papadoplos, the kitchen posessed an understated luxe in its materials and finishes…from the nickel strapping on the hood to the etched globes hanging above the island. The cabinetry is by Bell Kitchen & Bath Studios.
Warm, glamorous and original defined Susan Ferrier’s space. Every single detail from the cocktail tablescape (seen below) to the mink muff the designer carried that evening was perfectly selected and executed. The custom designed furniture including an a white hide upholstered table and the curvy silhouettes on the upholstery were beyond brilliant.
The gentleman’s study designed by Danielle Rollins and Bill Ingram is inviting, chic and festive…perfectly a propos for this dashing design duo. There are many spaces in the home where I could have lingered all night and this was certainly one of them! Again, dark walls provided a glamorous backdrop for colorful abstract art, rich Ralph Lauren tartans, tiger silk velvet, and gilded and polished wood accents.
I was delighted to see the artwork of talented artist Matthew Moore featured in the space. Known for his incredible flowers and botanicals, this abstract painting by him showed another side of his range as an artist.
Whimsical, creative and fun-loving come to mind when describing the covered outdoor terrace by Parker Kennedy Living. Their study of blue and white accented with pops of color made a space typically used during the spring and summer like the perfect place for holiday entertaining.
Check back tomorrow for a preview of the second floor which is just as an amazing as the first. If you are in the Atlanta area, the showhouse is a must-see…Pictures do not do it justice and this is just a small selection of all of the incredible details!
Wednesdays – Saturdays, 11am-5pm
Sundays – 1pm-5pm
November 19 – December 7
Wednesdays through Sundays.
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Thanksgiving Day.
2865 Habersham Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Please park at ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center)
351 Peachtree Hills Avenue NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Parking has been generously donated by ADAC and complimentary Santa’s Shuttles will run continuously from the main entrance of ADAC during showhouse hours. On many days, Santa’s Shuttles will be staffed with volunteer elves, who will be on hand to give guests an overview of the house and ensure that check-in is as smooth as possible.
Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online or at the door
Liz Williams Interiors; McAlpine Booth & Ferrier; Amy Morris Interiors; Parker Kennedy Living; Mark Williams Design Associates; Flynnsideout; Beth Webb Interiors; Bill Ingram and Danielle Rollins; SmithBoyd Interiors; B.D. Jeffries; Carter Kay Interiors; Margaret Kirkland Interiors; Barbara Heath; Cloth & Kind; Boxwoods Garden & Gifts
Please contact the studio if you are interested in any of our design services.
For more of my design inspiration, please follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to Bespoke Banter….Thanks for reading!
Throughout my entire career, I have been directly involved in product design – from paint color palettes and holiday products to custom frames, when, two years ago, the entire design world opened itself up when we launched our fabric line and showroom. Interior design was a natural progression as clients inquired about my design services for their homes. In college, I worked in Sherwin Williams’ research labs on color palettes for the Caribbean market. Instantly, I was hooked on the power of color and its impact on design.
My creative process for design is similar to the creative process for my art… I don’t start with a preconceived notion; I pursue an exploration of one brush stroke to another. Intuitively, the laws of balance, art, line, color are there, but I don’t focus on those. Same goes for my Interior design process, an image or color in nature can become just the spark I need for a space’s color palette.
My most recent creative breakthrough would be the chandelier I just designed for a client’s home. The chandelier combines the talents of several artists, and in my mind, it will reflect the look and feel of one of my paintings.
Starting this new business with Jill in Jan. 2012 and realizing all the potential for creative outlets to merge my artistic side with my design side.
The art series I’m currently working on is an exploration of the combination of color and pattern. It’s much bolder than prior work. To me it evokes a feeling of freedom and flight.
A sneak peek of something we’re working on that’s been under wraps until now is an outdoor fabric collection in our classic patterns!
JILL: Our family and the way we do business (we’re here to make the designer/client happy and look good while providing extraordinary service).
STEVE-Creating spaces and products that allow friends and family to create beautiful memories together.
Find a fabulous mentor who is willing to invest in you; network to meet great designers & resources; and most importantly – LISTEN. Listen to your clients, the way they live and want to live. Listen to your mentor and your peers. We learn so much more when we listen.
From an artist perspective, Anselm Kiefer and Antoni Tapies for their bold, fearless creations. From a design point of view, Axel Vervoordt, for his keen understanding of the role of art in the home.
POTUS – As a kid, my family and I saw an exhibit of Presidential china. Ever since, I’ve always wanted to design the White House china, and maybe even, the entire White House.
STEVE & JILL: An isolated beach with my family all together – relaxing, enjoying good food and playing games.
STEVE – For me, bliss is an afternoon of no demands on my time and being outdoors. JILL – An uninterrupted nap on the screened porch or playing a great game of tennis.
STEVE- Let It Whip by The Dazz Band; I love what I’m doing at this stage in life, and as a college student of the 80’s, this song embodies a great beat and keeps me going. JILL – Don’t Cha Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me?
Oh boy – so many items have stolen my heart and shelf space! Among my favorite collections are vintage ceramic turkeys, reamers, floral frogs, and religious artifacts. Jill says Steve has a problem 🙂
STEVE– Paprika; like a good chili, most interiors benefit from a dash of paprika
JILL – Periwinkle, my favorite crayon.What s your favorite design trick?
Orchids go a long way in any space.
Atlanta favorites include Anne Flaire Antiques, Scott’s Market, the print floor of the High Museum of Art, and The Lawrence restaurant.
THANK YOU JILL & STEVE!