June 2020 - McKenzie Interior Design

showhouse

2020 Southeastern Designer Showhouse

Published on June 22, 2020June 22, 2020 by steve mckenzie's2 Comments

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!

kitchen remodel, modern kitchen

Is It Time to Remodel Your Kitchen?

Published on June 5, 2020June 5, 2020 by steve mckenzie'sLeave a comment

We’re still home, a lot, all together. It looks like this will be the norm this summer. Let’s face it, if the kitchen isn’t working for you, not much else matters. Is it time to remodel your kitchen?

Finally fed up with the tiring work flow, dark cabinets and poor use of space, this owners of this 90s kitchen decided it was time to remodel, but without moving any walls, plumbing or electricity. Before and after photos tell this story, don’t they? You may want to take some notes…

before after, 90s kitchen, dark kitchen, dark countertop, remodel — Large but oddly trapezoid shaped island looks like it would be great but…it wasn’t!

before after, 90s kitchen, dark kitchen, dark countertop, remodel, hanging pot rack — The flow is pretty good on this side.

before after, 90s kitchen, dark kitchen, dark countertop, remodel — Opposite the island and there was a dance floor of empty space in-between!

Steve McKenzie came on board this project, assisting the homeowners and their contractor with the goal of maximizing and updating the spacious yet awkward kitchen. The family of six enjoyed cooking together and entertaining and knew there had to be a better way to use the space. It was also time to update colors, lighting and finishes with an eye toward resale. Steve started with reconfiguring the kitchen island and removing the high-low feature that so many of the kitchens had. Take a look at the after photo.

Fraser After, atlanta kitchen, large kitchen remodel, modern kitchen — Inviting and invigorated kitchen island |photo by Christina Wedge Photography

By squaring off the island footprint, it became a focal point of this new cool blue-gray kitchen. Updated tile combined with dark pewter hardware and modern clear glass pendants gave it a brighter outlook as the hub of the home. The vivid antique area rug gave it added warmth.

Fraser After, atlanta kitchen, large kitchen remodel — Not only updated but added storage and warming drawer. Love that furniture leg detail! |
photo by Christina Wedge Photography

Fraser After, atlanta kitchen, large kitchen, modern kitchen — Eating area view of kitchen | photography by Christina Wedge Photography

Steve’s team refinished the existing Lazy Susan table and chairs, added new seat fabric and a bright modern light fixture to complete the update. The family was thrilled with Steve’s solutions to their problems. Updated with the perfect tile, paint and fixtures, improved function and work flow, all with minimal disruption, all boxes checked off.

Feel free to share this with a friend and know we appreciate your taking time to spend time with us. How can we help you and your home? We would love to hear from you at shop@stevemckenzies.com or @stevemckenzies on Instagram.