2022 Kick Off + Southern Home Magazine

What a way to kick off 2022!  The new Southern Home magazine features an exciting McKenzie Design interior design project.  For this Atlanta home, full of treasured antiques, Steve McKenzie revamped their dated look with a soothing, luxurious palette of fabrics, colors and furnishings and more.  We’re thrilled that now you can soak in all the details in the Jan/Feb issue of Southern Home magazine, available on newsstands.  Big thank you to photographer Emily Followill and stylist Eleanor Roper.

Updated kitchen interiors with soothing color palette for this busy family.

Southern Home magazine

Breakfast eating area marries stately Windsor chairs and pedestal table with an updated rug.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

The Homestead’s old barn made a charming rustic back drop.

Our family will actually celebrate Thanksgiving twice this year, both times hosted by our son and his wife at their charming country home.  These photos are from “Shake It Up Thanksgiving” where we all tried new, adventuresome recipes that you might not be brave enough to try on traditional Thanksgiving.  Lots of fun, low stress, family fun had by all!

Cocktails by the barn
Bulls eye flannel quilt made a perfect table cloth for appetizers and cocktails. Steve used his favorite Blenko pitcher as a vase for the maple leaves and hydrangeas.

Steve was inspired by the colorful foliage on the property that worked magically with Jill’s hand made quilt.  Delectable focaccia, an assortment of cheeses accompanied the apple cider mimosas and martinis.  We toasted our thankfulness for each other, work we love, and the sunny day.

Speaking of work, Steve had the pleasure of attending High Point Market this fall as a High Point Market authority style spotter this year.  Take a look at his recap and trends here.  Reach out if you’re ready to take your home to the next level.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

We’ll leave you with a close up of this stunning home-grown glass gem corn.  Makes great popcorn too!

Glass Corn

 

 

One Museum Place Home Tour

Have you ever looked up at a high rise and wondered what it’s like to live there? Join interior designer, Steve McKenzie and top Atlanta Fine Homes and Sotheby’s realtor, Ally May for a personal tour of One Museum Place in Atlanta, Georgia. See what’s possible through Steve’s curated eye with a nod to the mid-century vibe. A logical questions when you’re neighbors with the High Museum of Art!

Serene midtown neighborhood with the High Museum of Art across Peachtree

Ally asked Steve for his design expertise in this space, “what would you love to see in this home”. Taking cues from the Atlanta midtown neighborhood, Steve honed in on organic and geometric shapes of mid century classics such as the Wassily chair, abstract sculptures, and a sensuous curved sofa.

McKenzie Design

Hope you enjoy this quick tour with Steve and Ally on You Tube and subscribe for more on design and lifestyle.

 

Gift Guide for 5 Top Consumable Gifts

We all have folks in our life, who truly don’t need a thing. Yet you want to show them love and how much you enjoy having them in your world. Here are 5 consumable gifts they will enjoy using, thinking fondly of you every time. Consider what might be a bit of luxury for them, a treat, and indulge them this gift giving season.

This first one is a favorite of mine. The monthly arrival of a special magazine is a very thoughtful gift. You can tailor it to your recipient’s interests and they can enjoy the curated content, then pass it along to another friend. Double win!

pink mug and magazine
Magazines are one of my favorite indulgences.

Paper is another savvy consumable gift. I love stationery, notepads, wrapping paper, greeting cards, etc. As happiness expert, Gretchen Rubin points out, we can be a bit of an under-buyer in this category. Maybe someone on your list would enjoy a being stocked up with personalized stationery or a pack of special greeting cards and stamps. Added bonus…support a local independent maker! Here’s a quick list of some of our favorite creative makers ~Thimblepress, Kat McCall Papers, Sara Fitz,

Thimblepress
Notepads and jotters galore for 2021!

The gift of listening to music, a podcast, an audible book ranks high on the list of consumable gifts. Perhaps a gift of music & an Echo speaker, or Kindle Unlimited membership, or the gift of a podcast (also it’s free!) suits several folks on your gift list. One of my favorite podcasts is Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project! Take a listen here.

Count on Darlings Fine Things to have the best bath and beauty products. Luxurious treats for relaxing and taking care of oneself, like this Green Tea & Peony Bath Soak by Niven Morgan. Remember they will ship your gifts for you.

Darlings Fine Things
This therapeutic bath soak features lavender and mint.

No consumable gift list would be complete without food and beverage gifts. Is your gift recipient a tea or coffee lover? The talented team at Just Add Honey has many choices, including a gift certificate, for your tea aficionado. What about a handmade gift certificate for a tea-time together outing at their Beltline location?

parTEA in a box – sip at home kit from Just Add Honey

For gourmet treats, we’re stocking up on Schermer’s Pecans gift boxes. Perfect for teachers, tutors, and coaches alike. Salty or sweet? Why not both!?

Steve McKenzie
Neighbors, teachers, friends alike will appreciate this tasty gift.

While the 2020 holidays look a bit different, let’s celebrate with our loved ones the best way we can. Remember to order early for best selection (supply chain kinks) and best shipping prices. Let us know some of your favorite consumable gifts on our Instagram and Facebook pages. Happy gifting!

Gift Guide for Her (Mom, Sister, SIL, BFF)

Get ready for gift giving season now! To help out, we’ve rounded up 5 top gifts for her. You know, the ladies in your life, like your mom, your BFF, your sister, your sister-in-law, your aunts. You get the idea. According to consumer guru, Clark Howard, it’s more important than ever to shop early. Avoid higher shipping fees as the season merrily rolls along, and avoid possible out of stock issues due to the pandemic. This week also kicks off the shopping season with Amazon Prime Days and Target deals. If you’re not an Amazon prime member, take a look at the program details here.

two woman hugging each other
Gift giving season is almost here.

Let’s make mask wearing a bit prettier and handier with this mask necklace from Lucy Inspired. Lucy is a talented jewelry maker, dear friend, and you might recognize her from “Beach Flip” on HGTV.

Genuine brown leather necklace with a cute vintage-style key charm

Since I’m wearing less lipstick these days, I’ve focused on my hands and nails. What lady wouldn’t love this London Butter Little Luxuries set? Four beautiful shades to match your holiday moods, and not something I would buy for myself. A thoughtful gift indeed!

We will travel again, even if it’s a car trip, and to celebrate that give her a new, shiny, pretty travel mug from NYC’s Effie’s Papers? Choose from any number of designs of these thermal double-walled mugs.

Effie's paper
Tantalizing travel mugs by Effie’s Papers

Darlings Fine Things always has the best gifts! Natural stone necklaces, “Zara“, features a 30” antique gold plated chain. Available in (photo) Jasper, Snowflake Obsidian, Quartz, Green Aventurine, Rose Quartz, Dalmatian Jasper, Amethyst, Amazonite, Black Onyx.

Darlings Fine Things
Who doesn’t love a new necklace?

This stylish, hard working leather tote bag is a smart addition to any ladies wardrobe.  It stands open upright so you can see what’s in there, holds a 13″ laptop and tons more, and it is easy to clean.  Lots of fashion colors to choose from too!  

Simple, classic style, this leather tote is a thoughtful gift.

Make your list, check it twice and happy shopping! Next up, gift guide for grandchildren and a gift guide of consumable (gifts that get used up) gifts. Cheers!

Summer Wrap Up + Savings

It’s been quite a summer for everyone. Steve and I did a quick mental inventory over lunch, and we have much to be thankful for. Two new grand babies, family meals, gardening, continued work and quiet fun. Little did we know that our collaboration with Creative Candles would keep our creative juices charged throughout this spring and summer. We thank them for their top quality candles in mesmerizing colors, and kindness.

There is still time to use code MCKENZIE20 to save 20% on your total Creative Candles purchase by Sept. 6th.

Steve McKenzie
Summer Collection works beautifully together

Spring kicked off with a virtual Baby Girl Shower. Keying off this darling Blabla stuffed elephant, Josephine, the Barely Blush pink and Moss Green palette developed sweetly. We shared the fun with our new mom-to-be, family and friends virtually.

baby shower, celebration
Celebrations still happen! Custom cups and napkins by Sequins and Lipstick. Photo credit: Steve McKenzie

Then we really got creative, in our two bedroom condo and outdoor space. A romantic dinner for two on the balcony featuring lush greenery, textures and desert inspired candles.

green plant
Candle lit table with green plants. Photo credit: Angie Webb Photography

Festive family dinner was next and you know Steve loves to set a gorgeous table. He’s also a fabulous cook, so it’s a win-win for all.

Brass, creamy Wedgwood Edme dishes, dreamy linens, florals and candle light set the mood.
Photo credit; Angie Webb Photography | Floral arrangement by Steve McKenzie
Thankful to be married to someone who makes me laugh. Photo credit: Angie Webb Photography
Serve yourself bar set up!
Photo credit: Angie Webb Photography

And our final summer wrap up is a self-serve cocktail bar with these vintage atomic candle holders and round bronze candles, an old-fashioned made with local Fiddler Bourbon by ASW Distillery, Schermer pecans to nosh on and bold buffalo check napkins.

Actually, this is a valuable documentation of this C-19 spring and summer. We’ll remember how and why we did so much work at home. Have you documented your experiences? Tell us what you’ve done to remember this crazy period of time. As always, thank you for traveling along with us. Cheers!

Snack Attack (hint, it begins with Schermer…)

Our snack routine got stale, with all this time at home, WFH, cooking ALL the time. Who’s in charge of the pantry anyway?! Then we remembered Schermer Pecans, a treat from The Southern C summit a few years ago. Remember going to conferences? Someday…

Grown in Georgia, these deliciously fresh pecans will change how you look at snacks forever. Once you read about their legacy, history and their dedication to quality, you will feel even better about supporting this delectable regional and national treasure.

Steve Jill McKenzie
McKenzie Design duo Steve and Jill McKenzie x Schermer Pecans
Steve McKenzie
A delicious array of snacks and treats from Schermer Pecans
All photo credit: Angie Webb Photography |Floral arrangement by Steve McKenzie

Our first snacks were the Roasted and Salted Pecans and the Cinnamon Pecans (the Cocktail Collection) to accompany a Friday evening cocktail. There is a difference in pecans – Schermer Pecans are so fresh, nutty, just the right amount of salt and then cinnamon to tease the tastebuds.

Schermer Pecans
The Cocktail Collection – beautifully packaged for a hostess gift
McKenzie Design
Snack set up with pretty buffalo check Dot and Army cocktail napkins
Schermer Pecans
Elliott Natural Pecans with a robust sweet flavor in a favorite R Wood Pottery dipping bowl

Need we say more? You need to try these delicious pecans for yourself. Get a head start on your holiday shopping too. They are a welcome gift too, see all the options here.

Green Plants + Home

Anyone else adding green plants to their spaces these days? We’re fairly obsessed with house plants (a positive side effect of Covid). You know, propagating them, repotting them, trying to squeeze more of green into our condo. We’ve found lots of great information and plant ideas on Pinterest. Plants give us a sense of purpose, a sense of growth, something to care for, and add healthy benefits to our world.

art
Mixing sculpture, framed art, and plants makes me happy.
Photo credit: Anthony Masterson Photography
green
Lush green plants bring the outdoors in.
Duck Green
Farrow & Ball new Duck Green paint
green
String of turtles stays on the small side.
green plant
Creative Candle lit table for two with greenery and desert vibe baskets from Dear Keaton.

Now I need to find some cute pots for two special spider plant starts, babies from my grandmother’s plant.

Show us your plants on Instagram using the hashtag #stevemckenzies. Be well!

Home Tour: Summer Collection

Several folks have asked how we came up with our Summer Collection x Creative Candles. We’re happy to share our thought process and hope you enjoy the tour. It all starts with flowers, of course, playing off the colors we most often use in our home. You know how much Steve loves floral design (I’ll brag, he’s won a national award), hence summer floral is our launching spot for our Summer Collection.

Steve McKenzie floral
Summer Collection floral by Steve McKenzie using Trader Joe’s flowers. This wallpaper by artist
Walter Knabe offers a timeless background for every season.
summer collection
Variety of heights, shapes, and colors with a consistent brass candle holder adds interest to a sideboard.
Art and floral by Steve McKenzie | all photography by Angie Webb Photographer

Our personal home colors are gray, orange, greens and golds, on the softer side. Creative Candles has such a wide variety of artisan colors, it made it easy to gather a gorgeous grouping for summer. While Paris Gray was our year-round favorite in our suburban home, this Summer Collection branched out to embrace Barely Blush, Terra Cotta, Maize, Moss Green, Wedgwood and Roman Bronze. These luxurious, hand-dipped candles come in a variety of lengths and shapes too.

Steve McKenzie summer collection
McKenzie Design Summer Collection works beautifully together

Desert colors, warm summer colors and sunsets also inspired the collection. Look at how the Terra Cotta, Barely Blush and Maize candles play off each other like a summer sunset. Dear Keaton baskets gave this alfresco table some texture and a cute vessel for the kalanchoe flowers. Those extra long tapers added a fun flair to the background monstera plants.

alfresco table
Table for two on our 25th floor balcony
Steve Jill McKenzie
McKenzie Design duo Steve and Jill McKenzie x Creative Candles

As lifelong learners, be bold and add some new colors to your table settings, coffee table and patio with candles, pillows and plants. Feel free to contact McKenzie Design with any questions and/or design needs. Be well and have fun!

2020 Southeastern Designer Showhouse

Happy Monday! You still have time to visit this beauty of a showhouse this week through Sunday, June 28th. Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles magazine along with developer Benecki Homes, Linda MacArthur Architect and honorary chair, Melanie Turner and their talented team including over 15 of the top interior designers in the southeast, have outdone themselves with this year’s Villa Flora. We know how challenging a showhouse can be, then throw in the COVID shut down, and it could have easily gone awry. But this stalwart team kept calm and designed on.

showhouse
Welcome to Villa Flora |Photo credit David Christensen
family room
Custom corner by Melanie Turner Interiors

Here’s a quick tour to whet your appetite for more…starting with the stately and welcoming exterior. You’re then quickly drawn to the back yard view of the six acre property. This family room by Melanie Turner Interiors provides cozy, custom luxurious seating, inspiring art and a view of the sparkling pool.

drapery detail
Look closely for design details like this exquisitely simple trim in Phoebe Howard Decorator’s primary bedroom
Todd Murphy
Ethereal triptych by the late Todd Murphy defines the main hallway
showhouse
Robert Brown Interior Design mixes lines and curves | Photo by David Christensen
showhouse
Brittany Cason Interior Design mixes styles masterfully.
showhouse
Luxurious canopy bedroom by Pickering House
showhouse
Dreamy canopy and bedroom by Jared Hughes Design

Which canopy bed is your favorite? Hint, there’s one more… Also the hand painted Gracie Studio wallpaper in Jared Hughes Design room is a stunner.

lap pool
A quiet oasis by The Design Atelier | Photo by David Christensen

We’ll close with this soothing indoor lap pool, original to the home, updated by Melanie Millner of The Design Atelier with these handmade hammocks. Click the link to see ticket information. What a terrific way to kick of your summer!