So you did it, you invited some friends or work pals over to your place for some nibbles, beverages, and relaxed conversation. Bravo! Now, read on for some easy entertaining tips from Steve and Jill McKenzie and the team at Mottahedeh China. Your goal? A memorable and care-free evening for all.
Photo credit: Gustav Wilde
Let’s start with a gorgeous Atlanta sunset. Then add an array of colorful Mottahedeh china, and really use it for food, flowers, holding cutlery, and more. Let’s use the good stuff!
Use your low dishes for nuts and olivesTobacco Leaf on the barPop a grocery store orchid in a cachepot for instant room refresh.
Add some height and soothing candlelight on the buffet table. Steve swears by a variety of candle heights for visual interest and light.
Steve lighting candles just before the guests arrive
Keep the food simple – finger foods and here’s a tip, many larger groceries, like Whole Foods offer catering menus. Don’t forget another of our favorite’s, Aldi’s, for cheeses and charcuterie meats, nuts, and sweets.
That’s it, easy and simple entertaining with friends, flowers, and simple food. Whether it’s celebrating the end of the week or something more like a baby shower, it’s about connecting with friends and loved ones.
45 years, can you believe that’s how long the Atlanta Symphony Decorators Show House has been going on?!? It’s got quite a history, and we are so thrilled to be able to participate, by providing some items to designers for use in their show house spaces!
We were lucky enough to preview this amazing home, and the 2015 show house, err… chateau, at 14,000+ square feet, does not disappoint!
The 2015 ASO Show House – Chateau Soleil
We snapped photos of some of our favorite spaces and vignettes and are so excited to share them with you:
The theme of the home is classicism in a modern context. And for us, this tone was set with the bold black and white striped cushions on the outdoor furniture.
Parker Kennedy Living
The show home’s study, designed by our friends, Parker Kennedy Living, featured a lovely mix of chinoiserie, books, books and more books! That wonderful wallpaper is by Fromental.
Melanie Turner Interiors
The first floor bedroom in the show house by Melanie Turner took on the “more is more” approach with a fantastic color palette of blue and white with fantastic pops of yellow! The abstract art was the ideal addition to a beautiful space!
DWH Interiors
Douglas W. Hilton, of DWH Interiors, designed the foyer/landing area and grand staircase. Here, fabulous art provides a warm welcome and invites one to enter the home. The wall color is from the Williamsburg paint collection.
The amazing butler’s pantry and dining hallway, by Stuart Pliner Design connected the rooms beautifully with the repeat of this gorgeous peacock wallpaper. The amazing hand painted rug highlighted the deeper stain on the herringbone pattern wood floor.
Vern Yip Design
This dining room by Vern Yip continues the blue and grey theme we noted throughout the show house.
AJW Designs
Check out this superb wallpaper featured in Ann Wisniewski’s (of AJW Designs) kitchen powder room – wow! We’re in love!
Pineapple House Interior Design
Steve McKenzie art sighting! We’re so grateful to Stephen Pararo and Seble Bebe Mengistu of Pineapple House Interior Design for using one of Steve’s paintings in their beautiful upstairs retreat!
Patricia McLean Interiors
Patricia McLean Interiors
Regal window treatments, a fantastic floral documentary print, fantastic paint and more make up one of the show house’s guestrooms by Patricia McLean Interiors. Those Grange Napoleon chairs, available at steve mckenzie’s, fit perfectly in the space, especially when paired with that fun Duralee fabric!
Cathy Rhodes Interiors
This fresh, graphic wallpaper in the lower stairs/terrace level landing by Cathy Rhodes Interiors adds an excellent touch – even more so when matched with the Lee Jofa chair fabric and artwork by Stephanie Wheeler!
Phew! And there you have the tidbits of the 2015 Atlanta Symphony Decorators Show House that stood out most to us… There is so much design inspiration to enjoy, we encourage all to take the time to plan a visit and support the Atlanta Symphony Associates!
And the branch light fixture she so artfully curated – stunning against that aqua metallic ikat backdrop… Seriously we’re still dreaming about it.
Stormy colors (and not to mention artwork) abound in the home’s grand hall, designed by Laura Walker, of Verde Home and Laura Walker Ltd.
A vibrant green palette – and whimsical textiles – set the stage for the home’s master terrace by the team at Parker Kennedy. How perfect is this spot for a cup of tea in the morning?!?
Speaking of a lovely am ritual, at steve mckenzie’s we love a good morning room. And John Oetgen‘s space didn’t disappoint! His thoughtfully curated collection of colorfully patterened throw pillows were a welcome sight.
If the colors showcased throughout this fabulous home don’t inspire you to bring some new hues into your space, we don’t know what will! But, if you’ve been bitten by the spring color bug, reach out to us today to see how we can create the perfect palette for your space.
