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.
Hope you enjoy this quick tour with Steve and Ally on You Tube and subscribe for more on design and lifestyle.
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.
Welcome to Villa Flora |Photo credit David ChristensenCustom 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.
Look closely for design details like this exquisitely simple trim in Phoebe Howard Decorator’s primary bedroomEthereal triptych by the late Todd Murphy defines the main hallwayRobert Brown Interior Design mixes lines and curves | Photo by David ChristensenBrittany Cason Interior Design mixes styles masterfully.Luxurious canopy bedroom by Pickering HouseDreamy 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.
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!
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…
Large but oddly trapezoid shaped island looks like it would be great but…it wasn’t!The flow is pretty good on this side.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.
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.
Not only updated but added storage and warming drawer. Love that furniture leg detail! | photo by Christina Wedge Photography
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.
I may have mentioned that our son and his wife are expecting their first child in June, a little girl. Right away, my daughters and I started planning a ladies-only celebration baby shower for March to celebrate this blessed event. Well, we all know that life came to a screeching, shelter in place halt in early March. The invitations were mailed, personalized cups and napkins and dreamy candles ordered but off course we cancelled it, keeping everyone safe and at home.
As the baby shower date approached, we decided to go ahead and set the table, making it special for the new mama-to-be via photos. For a refresher, here’s a quick party planning breakdown of what we used and why. First Creative Candles Barely Blush votives were the building block for the color scheme and celebration.
Barely Blush votive candles from Creative Candles – hand-dipped, dripless, smokeless, unscentedCelebration planning details Sequins and Lipstick personalized cups and napkins | Creative Candles votive and ball candles |Ikea votive holder | Blabla Kids Josephine the elephant |Wedgwood Edme dishes | Target bed cover as tablecloth
This soft pink and mossy green palette paired beautifully with our Wedgwood Edme dishes. This is pretty pink quilt made a perfect table cloth backdrop for the candle lit setting of sweet nibbles and drinks. Get creative next time you set the table. Is there a vibrant scarf or shawl you can use on the table? Fresh flowers always add to the table too.
So many napkin colors available with Sequins and Lipstick!Virtual celebration with McKenzie Design and family
It’s not the same, we know. But we are making the best of these days at home, finding ways to celebrate the big, and the little, things. Let us know what you are celebrating via email, tag us on Instagram and we’ll see you soon.
Did you know Steve’s art is available at Huff Harrington Fine Art gallery? Yes, that charming little house off Roswell Road, brimming with loads of art from Atlanta and abroad.
Remember when you were young or even now, you waited for that certain person to notice you, maybe smile, or ask you a question. You know you will be best of friends. If only your paths would cross. Well, we’re so pleased our spheres intersected and created such synergy. Here’s how it happened.
Love spotting Steve’s art in their Instagram feed
When the energetic and effervescent owners, Ann and Meg rang us for a lunch date last spring, we were delighted and accepted with a big smile. Over a delicious chick salad lunch, we exchanged useful tips and business insights. As the conversation flowed to art, they hesitated a second and then asked Steve to be part of their dynamic gallery. Wow! We were clinked our ice tea glasses in celebration.
Zenith II by Steve McKenzie
If you’ve seen our homes or Steve’s design studio, you know how we value art into our living and working spaces. Art evokes emotions, dreams, smiles and happiness. The Huff Harrington Fine Art gallery does just that and is a feast for the eyes. Steve is proud to be represented there. Please visit online and let your eyes and soul wander.
Parallel by Steve McKenzie
Be sure you add Huff Harrington Fine Art to your list of “Places to Visit After Covid”. For now, you can peruse their online array of original paintings by American and French artists in all styles and media. Follow both @Stevemckenzies@smckenzieart and @huffharrington to engage your creative spirit and soar.
Entry to Thomasville Antiques Show by Steve McKenzie
Anyone else compiling a list of weekend getaway trips? We so enjoyed our recent weekend trip to Thomasville, Georgia, that we must share! It started off with Steve receiving a coveted invitation to design the entry way to the 31st Thomasville Antiques Show.
Much like a showhouse, he could think out of the box and keyed off this over-scale artwork from Wendover Art. Watch for a later recap of how he formulated his design plan.
Exploring downtown on our weekend trip to Thomasville
Delighted that Thomasville is only a four hour drive from Atlanta, this charming village has something for everyone. We booked a charming VRBO cottage, perfectly appointed for us with super helpful owners. While much of our time was spent at the antiques show shopping and listening to the speakers, we did get a special tour one of the venerable southern shooting plantations, Pebble Hill Plantation.
Stately architecture of this magnificent Georgia Belle
No photography is allowed inside. But it wouldn’t have done the rooms justice anyway. The interiors are intact, down to the seahorse tortoise shell comb in the powder room, with Gracie wallpaper, over 20 sets of china, discrete bell pulls for the staff, and a lively family history.
Jill and Steve McKenzie outside Pebble Hill Plantation
After soaking up the history and timeless design at Pebble Hill Plantation, we enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop in downtown Thomasville. Are you a blue cheese lover like me? I highly recommend their Asher Blue.
Then we strolled along the bustling downtown sidewalks. We had to explore this amazing taxidermy shop, of course.
Who can resist the taxidermy store?
Be sure to allow lots of shopping time, and don’t miss Firefly. It’s a magical place full of gifts for all ages, things you won’t see everywhere. Nan Myers is the mastermind of the magic, a talented event planner too. And there’s a local book store, toy store, clothing boutiques, and top it off with a chili dog from Billiard Academy’s walk up window.
Steve and I recently reviewed our calendars, looking ahead to the balance of Q1 and the opportunities in Q2. My eyes lit up at the Influencers of Midlife Conference, marked with colorful stars and underlines. It’s happening March 26 – 29 at the Hotel at Avalon, headed up by my dear friend, interior designer, over 50 fashion maven, Robin LaMonte. Steve wondered aloud and asked me why all the happy symbols (literally, in my journal)?
So I stopped to think, why am I excited about IOM? Here are my top reasons, and I think some of them may resonate with you too.
Renew, recharge and replenish!
Hanging out with like-minded women for a whole weekend! Women who are life-learners, hard workers, active, and eager to share, and know where I’m coming from. My kind of peeps…
Learning from these women, everything from wellness to fashion tips to business advice. Midlife is a pivotal transitional point in our lives, many of us experience a spiritual and emotional renaissance.
I see myself through a different lens with these ladies. So much potential!
Sharing in a spirit of growth, support and kindness to each other and ourselves.
On Fridays, we review the highs and lows of the week, pause to ponder, and then plan for the next few weeks.
This Friday, we are loving the buildup of excitement for the upcoming Fall Design Events at AmericasMart and ADAC, the Southeast’s most comprehensive dual-venue design resource, and Steve was tapped to highlight the collaboration between these two trade shopping destinations. Over the past month, he thoughtfully created luxurious curated vignettes at each location which will be open to the trade. AmericasMart is open from Sept. 23-25 and Discover ADAC is set for Sept. 24-26 – hope to see you there!
We love dahlias…that’s our September obsession, as you can tell from Steve’s instagram account. Thanks to the sustainably-grown flower and fruit farm, 3 Porch Farm, dahlias have graced our table for two weeks. Maybe we’ll see you at the Freedom Farmers Market on Saturday. While you’re there, pick up some fabulous heirloom tomatoes too, and then make Southern Living’s Tomato Pie recipe, a real showstopper.
Finally as we pause and look ahead, the holidays (can you say Hallmark movies) will be here before you know it. We have company coming this year and thankfully we are ready for guests anytime with our beautiful American Leather Sleeper Sofa. It really is superb because there are no bars, no springs, stylish and comfy. Find out more at Verde Home, and remember to #shoplocal.
American Leather Comfort Sleeper Sofa at Verde Home
Today is National Dog Day. Another made-up holiday? Perhaps, but let’s take minute to love on our furry friends, and our family favorite dogs is the English Springer Spaniel, a cheerful, intelligent, attentive dog. Read on about our three ESS loves…
Oreo, guardian of the youngest or the oldest person in the room
When we moved from the Chicago area to Atlanta in 1990, we added our first Springer, Oreo to the family, and soon thereafter our son, Carter. That sweet dog let Carter and then baby sister, Mimi learn to walk by holding onto her fur and toddling along with them. When Oreo was done, she gave them a lick, making them squeal with giggles and let go, and then tucked herself into her kennel, her safe place. I can’t say enough about our Atlanta award-winning breeder, Karen Foster. She interviewed us, giving us the pup best suited for our lifestyle, and she was spot on with Oreo. Tip – Ask you breeder lots of questions about their processes as it could save you lots of time and heartache.
Guard dogs? Not quite, but they sure were sweet shop dogs.
As Oreo aged, we got another puppy to bridge the gap, Biscotti or Bisi. And was she every busy! She could find a tennis ball in anyone’s yard. This cute girl was a star in our Traditional Home story too. See her peeking in the front door?
Bisi looking for her kids Photo credit: Sarah Dorio
After Oreo’s passing, it was just Bisi and our three kids. So… 8th grade daughter, Mimi, sat Steve and I down for a powerpoint presentation on why we should adopt another English Springer Spaniel from Springer Rescue America. Guess what the answer was? You guessed it. Duke joined us one month later.
English Springer Rescue America has chapters all over the United States.Bisi hanging out in Traditional Home spread. Photo credit: Sarah DorioBisi + Duke hanging out upstairs. Photo credit: Sarah DorioAdventure Duke at Atlanta Memorial Park
Why do we love our dogs? They comfort us just by being there. We look forward to coming home to that wagging tail. My dog teaches me to be more patient. My dog teaches me to find joy in the little things. Dogs lift our spirits, they are natural mood elevators. They keep us socially connected at the dog park, running into a neighbor on a walk around the block. Whether you take your dog to a “yappy” hour at a local dog-friendly spot, or just give your pooch some extra love, celebrate time with your furry friend!
A month in Italy to create art – a dreamy opportunity! How did this come about, you may ask. Here’s a quick art recap of how Steve’s Artist in Residence at La Fortezza came about and the fabulous results.
You may remember last fall, Steve taught a painting workshop at Annette Joseph’s 9th century villa, La Fortezza. It was full of creativity, laughs and exploration. That lead to this offer from Annette, be the first Artist in Residence, creating work inspired by the region. And he said YES! So, this past July, he did just that, creating a body of work that reflects the history, geography and beauty of the Lunigiana region. Truly a gift to focus on art for a full month.
Plein Air Painting with Steve
Apertivo, yes please!
If you haven’t been to this part of Italy, add it to your travel bucket list. Lunigiana is a historic region between Tuscany and Liguria, drenched in history, unique foods and breathtaking views.
Being familiar with the town and nearby art store, Steve knew what supplies he needed to take and what he could purchase there. So, with brushes and paint in hand, he spread out in the spacious studio, working on many canvases and paper pieces at once, as the inspiration moved him.
Soldata Romano II
One of the benefits of being in one place for a longer period of time is you make friends with the locals. This was especially helpful as Steve wanted to make copies of historic rare books and ephemera at the local rare books archives, to incorporate into his paintings. With some patience and help with translating, he got more than he needed, including the Roman soldier seen above, an atlas of the region from 1785, and a lawyer’s goat skin bound book of contracts from 1635, all incorporated into various works of art.
It wasn’t all painting, there was cooking to be done, in Annette’s fabulous kitchen, plus visiting local museums, sites and an artists’ co-op. Check out Annette’s many workshops here.
A new favorite, Mutti tomatoes mixed with simple garden produce were the base for many suppers.
One of the artists shared some scrap chunks of Carrara marble with Steve. What an amazing new conduit for his art, another blessing from travels and learning from new friends.
Sculpture by Steve McKenzie – Carrara marble
How does one end such a wonderful month of painting? With a show of course! A downpour didn’t dampen our spirits either. The food truck brought the food inside the studio where our friends, local and from afar, ate, drank and danced into the night.
The next day, we packed up the art, said ciao to La Fortezza, and headed to the iconic beach town, Forte Dei Marmi, the perfect way to cap off a jubilant July.
