June 2013 - Design PulpDesign Pulp

June 2013 Posts

Designer Inside Sources: Local Showrooms

Jun 28, 2013 1 Comment

I don’t have many secrets – life seems simpler without them. However, these designer source showrooms are some of my tried and true over the past 10 years. Being a loyal person, if a company takes great care of me and our clients, I will return again and again. Some of these sources may be familiar Atlanta favorites and some hopefully new destinations!

BEST UPHOLSTERY (and Bang for your Buck): Domestic Comfort

Domestic Comfort’s owner, Cliff Zeber, comes from a vast furniture and design background. He knows furnishings, frames and fabric. As a standard, he only stocks 8-way hand tied sofas and chairs (this refers to the quality and long-wear of the frame and spring construction). Many of Cliff’s furniture lines are similar to those at Mathews Furniture Gallery and ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center). It is evident that Cliff stands behind his products. His clients matter to him so Domestic Comfort matters to me.

1579 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
404-872-2500
www.DomesticComfort.com

BEST NEW HOME GOODS BOUTIQUE: Trinity Mercantile & Design Co.

Trinity Mercantile and Design opened in Decatur last year. Owners Wallace Bryan and Lisa Turner are an amazing team. The store has beautiful upholstery, art and lamps. They truly know how to pull it together and their offerings exhibit a refined yet global and hip look. Again, they take great care of us. They turn around quotes quickly and provide us with beautiful pieces on approval. Their curated approach is perfect for in-town living which often contain small and challenging spaces.

131 East Trinity Place, Decatur, GA 30030
404-378-0197
www.131trinity.com

BEST RUGS: Anadol Rug Company

When beginning the design process with a client, I often begin with the rug. Typically, the rug, large furnishings and art are the most expensive pieces of the room. The rug, however, can create the entire character of the room. What makes Anadol Rugs so great is their wholesale approach and mainly Turkish inventory. They also have close relations with rug makers in Pakistan, Nepal and India. Much of my rug expertise was refined from conversations within these doors. Hand knotted vs. hand tufted vs. factory made, wool and silk vs. wool and bamboo silk – there is simply so much to learn about the art of rug-making! Ummi Gunturk, is my go-to at Anadol and she takes amazing care of our company. We deliver rugs to the floors of our clients on approval and she makes sure that they are set up with a rug pad and an amazing price.

1088 Huff Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-350-3338
www.anadolrugs.com

BEST PLACE FOR ORIGINAL ART ON A BUDGET: Marty Mason Collected Home

Marty Mason is the proprietor of the best consignment shop in the city: Saavy Snoot. He recently opened a huge new store on the West Side that carries new furniture and accessories. What makes this store stunning are the walls of beautiful art everywhere you look. Marty has forged relationships with up-and-coming local artists and created a truly gorgeous and interesting store by pairing his furniture with their art. I can almost always find great pieces for over the sofa or the bed – finishing a room beautifully.

1080 Brady Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-355-1399
http://www.savvysnoot.com/marty-mason-collected-home/

BEST AND MOST USER-FRIENDLY FABRIC STORE: Lewis and Sheron Textiles

Lewis and Sheron has been in business since 1944! They have taught me so much about fabrics: what weights are best for upholstery, how the repeat works, how many yards are needed for long panels and pillows. Their selection is amazing and always fresh. Their ever-friendly staff go the extra mile for my team and myself. Most of their employees have been there for over 15 years – a sign that this team is appreciated, happy and excellent at what they do. I realize that I am gushing but I cannot express how much I admire this company.

912 Huff Road, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-351-4833
www.lsfabrics.com

Let us know if you would like to get to know these showrooms more – you are always welcome and chances are we will be there soon.

Favorite Local Artists

Jun 21, 2013 1 Comment

I am an Atlanta festival junkie! I love spotting the art and speaking with the artists to learn about their inspirations and methods. Creativity is contagious! I genuinely feel if I like and respect the artist I am then motivated to display their work in my home and the homes of our clients. This camaraderie is as important to me as the art itself.

My favorite Atlanta festivals are the Inman Park Festival in April and Summerfest in the Virginia Highlands in June. I met a couple of artists this year at Summerfest: Kathryn Fortson and Spoon.

Here are some examples of their work, beginning with Kathryn:

Where Wishes Come True by Kathryn Fortson

Falling in Love by Kathryn Fortson

Kathryn Fortson’s use of color is inspiring; she mixes warm and cool colors effortlessly. I asked her why so much of her art had boxes in it. She explained the idea of a box – that it holds important stuff but sometimes you have to burst out of it to reach your full potential. Find more of her work at: http://kathrynfortson.com/

Next, paintings by Spoon:

Twelve Seconds by Spoon

Beyond Song (Flamenco) by Spoon

Another fascinating artist I found this year is named Spoon; she creates imagery with small circles of paint. When close to the piece the image is not discernable but as you back away the subject comes into focus – somewhat reminiscent of Chuck Close’s work. Spoon says: “I’ve never had a “name” for my painting style. It was just an idea that I wanted to try because I hadn’t seen it anywhere else. That is also apparently why, when I tried to verbally convey my idea to other people, it was usually met with blank expressions. So I started painting to illustrate what I had been trying to describe. Since then I just haven’t been able to stop. I keep finding new subjects or ideas that I’m dying to begin working on.” http://www.artworkbyspoon.com/

On to Eva McGill-Oliver’s Work:

Mixed Medium by Eva McGill-Oliver

“These works are a meditation of this phase when the routine of daily life can often seem unfamilar in a very familiar environment.”

Soon by Eva McGill-Oliver

Another artist that I love and use consistently is Eva McGill-Oliver. We represent her in our new web shop, check it out at balancedesignatlanta.com. Eva is a beautiful and kind person with an adorable baby boy. Her easy going personality and accommodating spirit lift me up when I am scouting art for a client. Often we will communicate a general color scheme of a room and she creates a modern piece that pops in surprising and awe-inspiring colors. http://evamagilloliver.com/home.html

Finally, works by Helen Ferguson-Crawford:

Pink and Gold Series by Helen Ferguson Crawford

Drift by Helen Ferguson Crawford

Helen Ferguson Crawford is another favorite. She is a registered architect and mom, and lives around the corner from me. I admire her tenacity and work ethic! She says, “In my work, surfaces of deeply layered paint are slowly constructed, excavated, pushed, erased, and recovered to reveal places where beauty and disquiet collide.” Her work easily speaks for itself. http://www.helenfergusoncrawford.com/helenfergusoncrawford/home.html

I hope you find your favorite artists and continue to support them. They need our love, adoration and support so they can keep creating…or at least I like to think they do. Let us know if we can help you introduce some of these artists’ work to your home!

BE SOCIAL

MEET THE TEAM

Stephanie Andrews

Stephanie loves family, community, and design, and tries to roll all three together in her close knit Atlanta, GA network. She launched her own interior design firm, Balance Design, in 2002 and is a strong promoter of handcrafted items, especially from her friends. Using this approach when selecting art, furniture, and accessories, she makes homes feel inspired and unique.

Danielle Clockel

Danielle is a proud resident of Atlanta, GA, with a love of feminine elements mixed with darker, edgier details. Her happy place is anywhere cold, and she draws inspiration from vintage tea sets, tattoos, and Victorian gothic literature. Her spirit plant is a cactus.

Shelby Adamson

Shelby is a Florida transplant who has called Atlanta home for over 10 years. With a love for the city's church architecture and the simple joy of handmade tile in geometric layouts, she also enjoys getting her hands dirty sawing a wooden headboard. She considers herself a lifelong student of art and design.

Melody Richardson

Melody is a born and bred Atlantan, with an international point of view. She loves different cultures and the vibrancy they bring to different spaces, but also cherishes girly, whimsical designs. Any project with a lot of color is her dream come true.

Jennifer Carter

Jennifer is an Atlanta native whose love of design and remodeling began with her parents renovating their 1920s bungalow. She is passionate about pattern and textiles, and has an affection for blending the old with the new in her designs.