On this spooky day, we wish you only treats, no tricks…
We hope everyone enjoys a fun and safe holiday! Stop by the steve mckenzie’s showroom this weekend and pick up a treat for yourself.
On this spooky day, we wish you only treats, no tricks…
We hope everyone enjoys a fun and safe holiday! Stop by the steve mckenzie’s showroom this weekend and pick up a treat for yourself.
With the gift-giving season gearing up, we’d like to take a moment and introduce you to Rablabs, beautiful, nature-inspired accessories that are sure to be a hit with just about anyone on your list this holiday season.
With stunning products, ranging from classic coaster sets to agate adorned lamps, and even jewelry, Rablabs are all one of a kind – each equally beautiful in their own unique way.
Designer Anna Rabinowicz launched her first home collection for RabLabs in 2002, creating objects inspired by nature which fuse ancient, precious materials with cutting-edge design.
She uses a luxurious palette of materials, layering semiprecious gems including agate and crystal with the finishing touches of pure gold and sterling silver.
Anna has a long history of looking at nature for inspiration. Having designed such intricate objects as prosthetic knees and devices for cardiac surgery, she brings her experience and understanding of biology and nature to the design of elegant objects for the home.
Working with skilled artisans in the United States and Brazil, her hand-crafted designs provide a much needed natural component to both modern and traditional interiors.
The team here at steve mckenzie’s are especially excited about the gift-giving possibilities these fabulous gemstone rings offer… And the Rablabs agate photo frames are a guaranteed winner this holiday season!
Stop by the showroom today to take a look at these amazing pieces in person, and start your holiday wish list with Rablabs!
Although the calendar says it’s time for Halloween tricks, we’re already thinking about this holiday’s treats. The time to start thinking about client gifts is NOW!
A special client gift is an ideal way to thank them for trusting you with their projects and their business. Below we share four top holiday client gift ideas to get your gift-giving wheels turning:
Blenko Water Bottles
Handmade in West Virginia, this classic shape is welcome in any home as a pitcher, vase or color accent. Shown is the mini water bottle in Seabreeze. Other colors are azure, crystal, cobalt, amethyst, clover, kiwi, topaz, tangerine, and spring green – all available in mini or regular size.
Alicia Adams Alpaca Classic Throw
Woven from luxurious 100% baby alpaca fur, these generously sized throws are hypo-allergenic, extremely soft and warm, yet lightweight at the same time. And look at all those color choices! For an extra special touch, consider adding a monogram.
Match Pewter
Your client enjoys entertaining so you know a beautiful Match Pewter tray, or other accessory, will be enjoyed for years to come. Hand engraving is offered and it’s time to pre-order these personalized pieces.
Candles, Soaps & Room Sprays by Juls Candles
The quality of these fabulously scented goods will be evident to your client, and will be something they appreciate with each and every use. Come in or give us a call to learn about the special scents carried by steve mckenzie’s.
Keep in mind, steve mckenzie’s offers complimentary gift wrapping and shipping services so we can take care of the gift-giving from start to finish. Need some more ideas? Just email us and we’ll be happy to work with you on some customized client gift solutions.
steve mckenzie’s is the Southeast retailer for Grange furniture, a line of fine, handmade and hand-finished pieces made in France. These hardworking pieces will grow with your family and become heirlooms passed from generation to generation.
The beautiful video above offers a bit about the furniture-making process at Grange, and the myriad of custom options available. Each bespoke piece takes the client’s lifestyle into consideration, ensuring the piece fits seamlessly, not only into the client’s space, but also within their lifestyle – taking into consideration how they’ll live with the piece.
Since 1904, Grange has been perfecting the art of creating handcrafted, classically designed pieces with a modern sensibility. The pieces range from beds, dining tables and sofas to chairs, occasional pieces and even entertainment units.
Available in over 75 different wood and colored finishes, there’s a Grange design ideal for any part of just about every home – including the outdoors!
To us here at steve mckenzie’s, Monderisim is represented by the architecture and furniture design following World War II. It began as a response to the rapid advances in technology and how we could live using these new materials and manufacturing techniques.
Modernism was founded in Architects such as Le Corbusier, a French-Swiss architect who designed iconic buildings like Ville Savoye. Le Corbusier sought to create structures and furniture that responded to the crowding of urban cities. His lines are both graceful, yet paired down and facilitate a tranquil living amongst the chaos of the city.
Steve and Jill consider themselves lucky to live with the Corbu LC04 Chaise Lounge, in hide, by Le Corbusier – it’s a showstopper!
Another modernist who really inspires Steve is Alvar Alto. He was a true renaissance man with accomplishments in architecture, design, textiles and glassware. His lines are timeless and their function is unparalleled.
Alto’s Savoy Vase in White glass for iittala is a go to wedding present for us; it’s beautiful on any table with just about any floral arrangement. Steve and Jill’s favorite is gardenia floating in their grey glass Savoy Vase.
Arne Jacobsen one of the founders of the Danish modern movement; again, a man of many disciplines of design. His architecture and furniture have become the icons of the modern movement. Steve would put an egg chair in every interior if he could. To him, it is the icon of the modern movement. Steve and Jill also live with an egg chair in a black boucle; always a popular seat at cocktail parties!
Ray and Charles Eames come to mind next. A duo of unparalleled creativity, they really shaped how the United States moved into the modern world. From logos and art experiences, to furniture, architecture, and textiles. They really defined what modern means to the US.
If you have not seen it, watch the documentary on their lives, “Charles and Ray Eames: The Architect and Painter.” They were an amazing force of influence. Steve and Jill live with their Herman DCW Moulded Plywood Chair in Walnut for Herman Miller – can you tell we have a thing for classic chairs here?!?
Recently, Steve has been following many of the fashion shows for the upcoming 2015 spring season. Not only do these shows showcase works of art in the form of fashion, we also look to them for color forecasting… Many of the color trends seen in these shows helps us to determine what colors may be emerging in the home decor market in the near future.
One show stood out to us most of all, and that was Valentino’s Spring 2015 ready to wear collection. The soft tones and muted colors brought to mind a favorite book that recently made the move to our new design studio space, located in the rear of the new steve mckenzie’s showroom.
The book these spring fashion shows conjured memories of is Morandi 1890-1964.
It is a monograph of Morandi’s entire body of work. Morandi lived his life in Bologna, Italy. He spent his entire life creating a body of work that studied still lifes that he would create in his studio of collected bottles, etc. and he painted them in these same dreamy palettes. He would paint the same still life many times with different palettes and lighting just as he saw it.
Steve’s tenure at Larson-Juhl would take him annually to Bologna for a trade show. Over the years, he traveled to Bologna approximately 20 times. Steve was incapable of making the trip without visiting a gem of a little museum based solely on Morandi.
At first, Steve went to the museum to try and understand how someone could paint their entire lives and only do small still life pieces. As the years progressed, something kept pulling him back. It was the nuance of his use of color and how he saw objects change over time. Steve learned to look at objects differently, thanks to Morandi’s works.
As Steve saw this new color trend coming through, thanks to those spring 2015 fashion shows, Morandi’s book was immediately pulled off the shelf and Steve has poured through it over and over studying his paintings all over again. To him, they’re like old friends and – sneak peak – Steve is definitely collaborating with Morandi on his next collection of fabrics!
Sure, we like having our own blog for steve mckenzie’s. But, what we like even more is being a part of the blogger community and keeping up with some of our favorite blogger friends (many of whom we’re lucky enough to be IRL (in real life) friends with too).
Because we’re always reading fabulous posts and discovering wonderful new blogs to follow, we thought we’d share some of our favorites here with you.
The topics of our most-loved blogs ranges greatly – from art and lifestyle to interior design, cooking and fashion, there’s truly something out there for everyone. And if we help you to find a new favorite blog read, then that’s what it’s all about… Connecting our friends to other bloggers out there!
And with that, you have our current, somewhat random assortment of favorite blog reads. Although we still have many more to share with you – so keep an eye out for another blog roll call soon!
If you don’t know the Guggengheim Bilbao museum by name, you’ll certainly recognize it for its fabulously unique architecture!
Located in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain, the Guggengheim Bilbao museum was designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry.
A few years back Steve and Jill took Mimi and Carter to Spain on vacation and to give them an opportunity to experience the Guggengheim Bilbao museum firsthand.
One of Steve’s favorite artists, Anselm Kiefer, has an amazing collection on exhibit at the Guggengheim Bilbao museum, and it was wonderful to see so much of it, all in one place.
Mimi and Carter enjoyed the Richard Serra exhibit, “The Matter of Time,” most, as they were able to walk through it and look for details, as opposed to just standing and looking at a painting in one place. Not only did this open the door to great museum conversation, they were also able to stretch their legs a bit.
If you ever get the chance to visit Bilbao, Spain, be sure to add the Guggenheim to your list of must-do’s when there! And be sure to make time to take in all the outside exhibits by masters such as Louise Bourgeois and Jeffery Koons, as well as that renowned architecture!
And don’t forget to try some authentic Basque cuisine – it’s not to be missed!
From the bright, clear, cool days to the leaves turning colors, it’s no surprise Autumn is a favorite season for many; and that includes the team here at steve mckenzie’s! We’re thrilled to be in the midst of fall, and although you may not need convincing, thought we’d share some of our favorite things about fall.
The food. It’s the season for fresh apples, pumpkin everything, and fabulous produce from our farmer’s market. Both Steve and Jill love to be in the kitchen, whether they’re preparing a simple pan of roasted root vegetables, or baking one of JIll’s famous pumpkin chocolate chip breads. This recipe is very similar to the one Jill’s been using for years. She does use gluten-free flour instead of the regular, all purpose flour, and bakes it in mini loaf pans, that way is can be frozen for later enjoyment or easily shared with family and friends. Try it for yourself and enjoy a taste of fall – let us know what you think!
Outdoor gatherings. Be it a tailgate or a neighborhood block party – even a crisp night on the back porch with the one you love – they’re all great excuses to cuddle up in a lovely throw and enjoy a nice, warm beverage.
Breast cancer awareness month. This time of year, folks gather together in the name of a great cause, and that’s breast cancer awareness. Is there another month more focused on a singular cause? We think not – and it gives us a wonderful, heartfelt feeling when folks come together like this. In celebration of breast cancer awareness month, we’ve got a fabulous, PINK section of our showroom on display. Come in and see it for yourself!
We’ve saved our favorite thing about fall until now because, well, that’s just how we operate – saving the best for last here. Our favorite thing about autumn is HALLOWEEN! Steve and Jill are fantastic celebrators of Halloween and truly enjoy getting into the spirit – costumes and all!
Although we think the real reason fall is so favored is because it’s the start of the holiday season. Gathering with family and friends, celebrating all that’s near and dear. It certainly is a most wonderful time of the year!
If we can help make the most out of your autumn season, be it with dinnerware perfect for dining outdoors, or freshening up your home for the holiday season, thanks to McKenzie Interior Design Services, we’re here for you.
Becoming a true mecca for culture, the latest exhibit to grace our fine city is, simply stated, one of a kind.
“The Art of Diplomacy: Winston Churchill and the Pursuit of Painting,” an exhibit of Winston Churchill’s paintings is on view now, through February, 1, 2015, at Atlantic Station’s Millennium Museum. A venue as unique as the work on show – and right in our own neighborhood! Sometimes we pinch ourselves, just to make sure this is real life – that we live in a location attracting these kinds of exhibits. Fantastic!
Here’s some information, from the exhibit site, on what brought Churchill’s work to Atlanta and what you can expect to see:
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s death (January 24, 2015), The Millennium Gate Museum and the Churchill family have jointly organized an exhibition of the iconic statesman, war-time hero, and Nobel-prize winning historian’s lesser known but equally vibrant triumphs: his paintings, better and more humbly known among his friends and in his writings as his “daubs.”
Curated in part from the never-before exhibited, personal family holdings of several descendants, The Art of Diplomacy explores the relationship between Churchill’s strategic decision-making and his evolving practice as an artist. How did his strengths as an historic leader, innovator, and policymaker affect his painting, and how in turn did his development as an artist influence his decisions and overall perspective? Churchill, who picked up painting in the wake of his resignation as First Lord of the Admiralty following 1915’s disastrous Battle of Gallipoli, embraced art as a source of great enjoyment. But beyond his love of what he called a “joy-ride in a paint-box,” he saw painting as testing grounds for leadership strengths like audacity, humility, foresight, and strength of memory. Painting a picture, he wrote, “is like fighting a battle; and trying to paint a picture is, I suppose, like trying to fight a battle.”
The Art of Diplomacy thus brings together over thirty of Churchill’s paintings, photographs, letters, films, and personal belongings as it guides the viewer from Churchill’s early artistic career in the late 1910’s to his prodigious, inter-war period and, finally, to his late works leading up to his passing in 1965. Divided into eight sequences, the exhibition will span the Millennium Gate’s three major galleries, two period rooms, and its technology center, including sections on: Origins, Mentors, and Political Rebirth, 1915-1921; Technique and Tactics, 1922-1930; Hobbies, Political Wastelands, and the Rise of the Nazi Party, 1930-1939; World War II and a Sunset in Marrakech, 1939-1945; Art as Diplomacy in the Post-War Era, 1945-1965; Legacy, 1965-Now; Chartwell and Chequers; and Churchill and Georgia. The Millennium Gate additionally hopes to borrow two paintings that Churchill gave to his closest World War II allies – President Franklin Roosevelt and President Dwight Eisenhower – representing the first time that these works would ever be showcased together.
In comparison to previous exhibitions of Churchill’s work, The Art of Diplomacy presents a novel interpretation that places the act of painting at the center of Churchill’s evolving leadership – and, by extension, at the heart of twentieth century history. As Churchill wrote, “If it weren’t for painting I could not live. I couldn’t bear the strain of things.” If he was right – in the words of esteemed art historian Ernst Gombrich – “his painting may have helped to save Western civilization.”
If this has intrigued you as much as it has us, click here for event tickets and make a point to visit the Millennium Museum soon. We can’t wait to experience this exhibit for ourselves!