Atlanta Home Design Blog

Three to See

Clinton — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:21:11 +0000

This week, I’m obsessed with Moroccan lanterns, ginger jars and house plants. Why? I have no idea. In any case, here are three that I love.

Love the pattern on this ginger jar from Mexico.

This Moorish lantern from Casbah Decor is dreamy! The scale and price are just right, too!

Tavern, a new restaurant in Los Angeles, has olive trees interspersed throughout its dining room. What a great alternative to ficus trees.

Sale of the Week: Buckhead Bungalow

Lori Johnston — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:27:49 +0000

Photo by Nicholas Vitone

We’ve bookmarked Realtor Anna Stephens’ Bargains in Buckhead blog, because of its tips on restaurant, store and attraction deals as well as its Buckhead listings, which always catch our eye.

They include this Ashford Park home priced at $350,000. The three-bedroom, two-bath bungalow at 1542 Trentwood Place has just come on the market, listed by Stephens, an agent with Dorsey Alston, Realtors.

Photo by Nicholas Vitone

Stephens tells us the home, which was built in 1951, has a brand new roof, hardwoods throughout, a covered front porch and a fenced-in backyard. The previous owners used one of the rooms for a nursery, which you can see in the photo . And the location is one of the reasons why people want to live in Buckhead – walking distance to the shops and restaurants on Dresden.

Inspiring Ideas: Creative ways to display books

Sejal — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:53:16 +0000

If I was ever to be granted one wish, I would wish to be the owner of a quaint (and successful) bookstore. I would have no problem filling it, as the floor of my tiny bedroom currently acts as storage space for a plethora of novels, cookbooks, design books and treasured story books from my childhood. I love reading, but I love collecting books even more. Unfortunately, I always seem to have to step over (and usually bump over) a stack of books as I make my way through my room. But this summer, I’ll be moving into a new home with a much larger bedroom, so I’ve been researching creative ways to display my lovely treasures. Here’s what I’ve found:

I love how this example treats books like artwork. How poetic!

Here’s an inspiring use of ordinary crates. Like the first example, this is a great way to display random knick-knacks along with books.

I love the fun and bold look of this wooden bookcase. And it has room for hundreds of books!

Lastly, perhaps when I move into my own 12,000 square-foot mansion in the far, far distant future, I’ll reproduce this gem of library designed by Stan Topol for the 2009 Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Christmas House. I could spend every hour of the day in this library, surrounded by my precious books. That indeed would be an ideal life.

What are some inspiring ways you’ve seen books displayed?

Pillow Talk

Heather — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:28:41 +0000

I’ve always loved the fact that I’m able to roll my two passions–writing and design–into a single career. But that combination plays out at home, too. I’m totally obsessed with decorative pillows but, especially, those that incorporate the written word; they instantly infuse a room with personality. Here are just a few stunning examples I’ve uncovered at The Bilt House, The Mercantile and Pieces. Any suggestions as to where I should continue my search?

The pillows from Sugarboo, available at The Bilt House, have wonderful vintage appeal.

The Mercantile carries the Ben's Garden collection, which includes marvelous pillows.

"Hope," available at Pieces, is sure to become as iconic as "Love."

New—Now! Fresh Fabrics from Thomas Paul for Duralee

Kate — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:09:15 +0000

On January 9, I spent my Saturday wandering through the creative labyrinth that was the Gift, Home Furnishings & Area Rug Markets at AmericasMart in downtown Atlanta, a whirlwind tour of pop-up booths, inventory-packed showrooms and exciting new product introductions spanning dozens of floors of three monolithic buildings. After a fruitful day—in heels—I hobbled to a flight of escalators to make my evening exit when I happened upon the temporary booth of Thomas Paul merchandise and alike brands, which Thomas Paul, dapperly dressed, was manning himself. But the designer—a darling of the indie blogosphere as much as the high-end boutiques known for carrying his stylish pillows and boldly patterned rugs—offered the greatest pick-me-up when he gave me a guided tour of his latest collections before their retail debuts.

Thomas Paul

And even as I await their arrival in Atlanta stores, there’s yet another Paul venture on the way. It may come as no surprise that Duralee has had incredible success with its first book of Thomas Paul-licensed fabrics, which is why I was so delighted when I received an e-mail this morning announcing the official release of Thomas Paul 2, the designer’s second edition of modern fabrics for the to-the-trade-only company. From a graphic take on pagoda, to a contemporary Chinoiserie bound to upstage even DwellStudio’s, to cool must-have nautical motifs, the fabrics—available locally at Atlanta Decorative Arts Center suite 423—are certain to be hits with designers and their clients alike. My favorites from the new collection below:

This mod pagoda pattern invites limitless possibilities.

This would be super for a flowing window treatment. Just imagine the sun streaming through!

I would love to make this into a seat cushion for a vintage cane chair—or maybe a PierceMartin number in wicker or bamboo.

This cheery floral would be brilliant as a duvet cover.

For the non-designer readers among us (myself included), Calico Corners also carries a number of last season’s Thomas Paul designs on retail (I bought the Stockholm pattern in berry for some flanged pillow covers at my own home). And thankfully, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles readers can get 15 percent discount on any Calico Corners purchase by using a coupon from our spring Luxury Savings Book, arriving in mailboxes—and online at AtlantaHomesMag.com for convenient printing—in mid-February.

PLUS! See how Keith Summerour incorporated a Thomas Paul print into the master bedroom of his Meriwether County home by visiting the story, “The View From Here,” at AtlantaHomesMag.com.