New Chapter

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steve mckenzie’s Cypress Loop Sketchbook for all your thoughts and dreams

Dear Friends,

Change is always happening in the world and we want to let you know about some changes at steve mckenzie’s. Before we get into the changes, we want to thank you for your loyal dedication to our business. When we began this endeavor over 6 years, we had no idea how many friends and supporters we would come to know. We are eternally grateful for all of our friends we have made in the Atlanta design community and all of the consumers who have fallen in love with our product offering in the store.

We recently began an evaluation of our entire business model and have made some decisions about the next steps for our business. Therefore we have made a decision to close the retail portion of our business. However, you can’t get rid of us that easily.

Steve will continue with the McKenzie Design interior design business as well as producing his art and fabric, licensing for his art, rugs for Verde Home, stationery, and more. Also stay tuned for his first licensed furniture collection. Steve will also continue the classes that have become so popular (and sell out so fast). In fact, his design and art studio will remain at our current address and he loves visitors, always.

Verde Home, our fantastic business neighbor, will take over our retail space and will also continue to offer the Selamat Designs furniture and lighting line. Jill will join Verde Home as sales and outside sales to interior designers, thus expanding her offerings to include the full complement of Verde Home lines plus Selamat and Steve’s fabrics and wallpapers.

Now the majority of our current products need to be sold, and we will begin the sale March 7th.

However as a thank you to you, our loyal customers, please visit us before then for best selection and know we’ll pass on our best price.

We will continue to sell in the space through April 30th. Verde Home will officially take over the space May 1st.

In closing, know that we sincerely appreciate your support. We ask that you spread the message of Steve’s growing interior design and art business. If you are one of our trade customers, look for Jill to contact you soon to share all the lines she now represents and if you need to see her sooner, please contact her.

Many paths have opened on this amazing journey and we are grateful for each of you along these paths, and hope you celebrate this next chapter with us. We look forward to seeing each of you soon.

Sincerely,

Jill and Steve McKenzie

There’s Plenty of Time…

The turkey leftovers are history and holiday decorations are center stage.  That means time with friends and family.  Have you been meaning to gussy up the guest room? Liven up the living room? There’s plenty of time to add some special pieces, just in time for your upcoming gatherings with friends and family.

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Boho chic wall hanging
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Orbit MIrror
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Ayo Mirror by Justina Blakeney
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Curly Swirls Candelabra

If you need a professional hand with paint choice, art placement or furniture/accessories selection, contact McKenzie Interior Design today to schedule your consultation.  Learn more about our award-winning projects here.

We look forward to working with you!

Click here to email us today

404.618.0422

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A Tropical Transformation: McKenzie Design’s 2017 Historic Macon Showhouse Dining Room

Our space in this year’s Design, Wine & Dine Showhouse, supporting the Historic Macon Foundation is finally complete! While we’re delighted with the way the dining room by McKenzie Design turned out, we’re even more thrilled to have been in the company of such talented designers from throughout Middle-Georgia, including Lisa Bellwin, Tracy BentonSally DraughonValerie Garrett, Judy Hodgens, Terry Holland, Carolyn Reichert, Carrie Robinson and Katherine Walden.

Most recently, our design team has been inspired by the all the lush, tropical motifs, which seem to be popping up everywhere! While we wanted to ensure we respected the history of the fantastic Porter House – moved to Weslyan University‘s campus – we also wanted to present our take with an updated sense of tradition. We’re so pleased with the results of our design plan, and are lucky to have had the opportunity to partner with some truly terrific manufacturers and artisans to help us realize our space…

We fell in love with Sherwin Williams’ “Iverness” and opted to use this luxurious hue throughout the dining room. The brass Pagoda light fixture by Currey & Company was a true jewel in the space! The cerused oak dining table, from Grange Furniture, was an ideal backdrop for our tablescape.

We had a ball with all of the fabulous Thibaut Design textiles used in the dining room – the “Tropical Fantasy” design from their Biscayne collection was the jumping off point and we went from there. Drape 98 provided all drapery fabrication for our space. As evidenced by the McKenzie Design showhouse dining space, we fell in love with the tropical, yet classic, design of our primary textile, featuring large leaves, colorful ginger jars and exotic animals.

The lush texture of the Moss colored velvet, paired with Selamat’s Sheridan wingback chair offered a smart juxtaposition of textures, and offers a natural element. These dramatic chairs, act as the “head” of our dining table, while the Sika Rossini chairs, act as the side chairs. Our showhouse dining space is anchored with a stunning, hand-knotted rug by Laura Walker for Verde Home.

This beautiful settee is by Bjork Studio, who provided all our upholstery. The settee, in bold animal print (Amur from the Menagerie Collection by Thibaut) is a highlight in the space and was the most talked about piece opening night – by far.

The hand finished mirror situated above the fireplace cannot go unnoticed. It’s by artist Stacy Milburn, and added needed contemporary element, which offers an exciting energy.

To set the table, we paired pieces from the new Jardins Extraordinaire collection by Gien with the classic handmade Chartreuse dinner plate by R Wood Studios. The exciting and fresh “Pebble in Blush” napkin, hand printed in India, by Collier Rose Ink, completes a memorable place setting.

Recently, we acquired six vintage pieces of glass from an old Midwest factory that still had the papers attached. Framed in these stunning steel frames, they make for an interesting, contemporary addition to the space, yet share a storied past. We love using pieces with a bit of history in our designs!

This glimpse of our showhouse tabletop is one of our favorite moments. We dubbed this little guy “Otis,” after Otis Redding, who was from Macon. He is by Avala International. In the background is the beautiful oyster vase, by Vine Garden Market, and a crystal votive from Harmonious Living by Tish Mills.

We hope you have enjoyed this little tour of our showhouse dining room! If you’d like to learn more about any of the products used, please plan a visit to our showroom or reach out via e-mail or phone.

We urge you to plan a trip to Macon to visit the showroom – the house, as well as all related Design, Wine & Dine events are absolutely worth the short drive! Please reach out to us for restaurant recommendations and be prepared to be inspired by this historic city. Visit the Macon, GA website for other fun excursions to enjoy while there. But, keep in mind, the showhouse will only be open through the 25th – you can see more details here.

Thanks again for joining us on this tour – please let us know your thoughts!

All photos in this post are courtesy of Marc Mauldin Photography except the photo of the Porter House from Historic Macon Foundation

2017 Color of the Year + Selamat Designs = Greenery

So you’ve probably seen the Pantone Color of the Year ” Greenery” by now.  You might also be wondering how this zesty yellow-green shade applies to your surroundings, as you may not be ready to swap out all of your furniture.

Let us show you how to incorporate some home accessory items from Selamat Designs  in your home, re-vitalizing your palette, much like updating your wardrobe with a new trendy necklace or coat.

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Revitalize your home with shades of “Greenery”!

Visit the showroom or email us for more details.  Looking for more assistance with your interiors?  McKenzie Interior Design is at your service!

Have a wonderfully fresh week!

 

 

Sneak Peek of the steve mckenzie’s Space at the Magnolia Designer Showhome…

As you may have noticed, we’ve been up to our elbows in designer showhomes – and loving it! They’re such fun ways for our team to flex those designer muscles, work with some of our favorite brands and taking an opportunity to enjoy our industry friends while designing in the same home.

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The Magnolia Designer Showhome, located in lovely Cartersville, GA, is a really special project because it benefits Advocates for Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Advocates for Children strives to create a world where all children are respected, loved, happy, and thriving. Their goal is to bring hope and comfort to over 3,000 children and families every year in Bartow County and the surrounding North Georgia areas.

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Now, the showhome doesn’t open until October 19th, but we’ve been working for some time to create an amazing space on the private terrace, off of the master bedroom. We were thrilled to have an opportunity to design an outdoor space since our showroom has been able to carry some truly fabulous outdoor furnishing brands – including Selamat and Kannoa, both of which are put to use on this terrace! Here are a few sneak peeks into our design of our Magnolia Showhome space…

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Delivery day! Here, you can get an idea of our blank canvas. It’s really quite large, and one of our biggest challenges is creating a space that feels both intimate – after all, it is located right off the master suite – while providing a great use of space.

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Our goal on the terrace is to create an intimate entertaining space with multiple seating areas. A cozy corner will be the ideal space for a couple to curl up, but it will easily transition to a place to host a generously sized soiree. Outdoor area rugs from Jaipur and a custom rug by Delos, based off one of Steve’s paintings, help to achieve this goal.

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The overall feel for our Magnolia Showhome terrace is to offer an updated traditional style for this historic home, which will be warm and welcoming, and will allow the homeowners to use it in many different ways.

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Our design will be on showcase with a slew of other amazing interior designers, including our friends Beverly Baribault Group, Peace Design, Michel Smith Boyd, Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole of Kandrac and Kole InteriorsYvonne McFadden and so many more!

Magnolia Showhome - Cartersville, GA
Magnolia Showhome – Cartersville, GA

We hope you’ll plan a trip to visit this beautiful home and support such a worthy cause – plus, we can’t wait for you to experience the Master Terrace of the Magnolia Showhome by the McKenzie Design team!!

You’re Invited: “Florify” your world with the NEW Florence Broadhurst collection!

We invite you to experience the innovative furniture, accessories and textiles of one of the world’s most creative tastemakers, Florence Broadhurst, at the Atlanta premier of Selamat’s new Florence Broadhurst collection!

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steve mckenzie’s – Selamat‘s exclusive Southeastern showroom – is thrilled to host this event, which will take place on Wednesday, September 7 from 6-9pm.

The Florence Broadhurst Collection by Selamat
The Florence Broadhurst Collection by Selamat

We’ll be celebrating this exciting launch with signature cocktails and invite all guests to come dressed in homage to a favorite Florence Broadhurst incarnation – it’ll be a night to remember!

Florence Broadhurst Floral Wire Bowl - available in red, blue and verbena.
Florence Broadhurst Floral Wire Bowl – available in red, blue and verbena.
Florence Broadhurst Pomogranite Cocktail Table in Nautral Hand Carved.
Florence Broadhurst Pomegranates  Cocktail Table in Nautral Hand Carved.

As you can see from the sneak peek images above, this collection is dynamite! It’s even better in person, so we hope you can attend the official Atlanta unveiling of the amazing Florence Broadhurst collection for Selamat!

RSVP here or reach out to steve mckenzie’s for additional details.

New looks in outdoor that’ll make it impossible to go back inside…

Although it’s been a bit gloomy in Atlanta lately, you can’t deny the season for outdoor living is here. And we’re excited to share some fantastic new looks in outdoor furniture that’ll be tough to part with when it’s time to come in for the night.

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Tangier Collection

First up, outdoor furniture by Kannoa. steve mckenzie’s is thrilled to be the exclusive showroom in the Southeast for this fantastic brand of stylish and beautifully crafted outdoor furnishings.

South Beach Collection

Featuring clean, modern lines, Kannoa outdoor furnishings are available in a wonderful array of Sunbrella outdoor fabrics.

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Speaking of color, can we talk about the rainbow of hues these fantastic occasional tables by Kannoa?!? If these wouldn’t brighten up your poolside space, even on the dreariest of days, we don’t know what will!

John Bedell Photography

And this stunner of a chair appears formal dining room worthy – which we suppose it truly could be. However, it’s specially crafted by our friends at Selamat for use outdoors.

John Bedell Photography

These are actually aluminum frames, available in five powder coated finishes, including the dreamy turquoise and sunny yellow colors above. Ideal for adding to a fun mix of outdoor seating options!

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Now, talk about sunny yellow – this side table from Selamat will add a beautiful, sculptural touch to any outdoor space. An ideal way to add a pop of color!

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And you just can’t put your drink down anywhere… For some of us, only the most stylish options will do. Like this golden beauty from Selamat.

Sprinkle fun side tables all around your outdoor living area, and you’ll be prepared to host any gathering. Offering guests a selection of comfortable and stylish seating, along with a place to prop a beverage or small plate, will ensure a memorable event that’s effortless on your end!

Reach out to the McKenzie Design team today to talk outdoor design and learn how we can make your outdoor space a favorite room in your home!

Now, where are the cool beverages?!?

steve mckenzie’s Partners to Design Serenbe’s Tiny Artist Cottages

If you follow steve mckenzie’s on Facebook, you may have seen that over the past few months, Steve has been working with our friend, and fellow designer, Kerry Howard to create inspiring interiors for two brand new tiny cottages for Serenbe, slated to be used for their Artist In Residence (AIR) program.

(photo by Cody Guilfoye)
(photo by Cody Guilfoye)

With Steve being an artist himself, this project has been especially rewarding, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to share the completed design with you all! We first announced our participation in this project in this blog post, which offers a bit of background on Serenbe’s AIR program their partnership with Auburn University’s Rural Studio, where the goal of creating low-cost and inspiring living solutions began.

(photo by Cody Guilfoye)
(photo by Cody Guilfoye)

Many people had to join together to make this project a reality – after all, there were some lofty goals put in place for all involved! Not the least of which was designing the cottage interiors in a way that would inspire a plethora of artists who are fortunate enough to participate in Serenbe’s AIR program, while maintaining a realistic view of what future cottages would look like, when not given the opportunity to work with interior designers.

(photo by Cody Guilfoye)
(photo by Cody Guilfoye)

Because these cottages will work as examples for future Rural Studios dwellings, Steve and Kerry wanted to ensure their designs work to make the most of these unique dwellings. They donated their time designing and installing the interiors, while a number of vendors, including Verde Home, Selamat Designs, R. Wood Studio, Cherry Hollow Farm, Cosentino, Bosch, Workstead Design Shop, Marmoluna, TOTO, Top Shop stone, AuthenTeak, and Robert Allen, all donated products and materials to make the team’s designs come to fruition.

(photo by Cody Guilfoye)
(photo by Cody Guilfoye)

For a full look at Serenbe’s new artist cottages, check out this article from Atlanta Magazine. To learn more about Auburn University’s Rural Studio’s program and how these cottages provided a real-world example for them as the program expands, see this story on inhabitat.com. Finally, this article from Mother Nature Network beautifully highlights the cottages themselves. We’re so grateful this collaboration has been so well received and we’re honored to play a role in the project’s success!

(photo by Cody Guilfoye)
(photo by Cody Guilfoye)

If you love the artsy, eclectic feel of these cottages, and would like to bring a bit of this lovely look into your own space, please contact the steve mckenzie’s design team today!

Tastemaker Tuesday – Thatcher & Shannon Davis of Selamat Designs

They’re the dynamic husband and wife duo behind Selamat Designs, a fantastic, all natural product line new to the steve mckenzie’s showroom – Thatcher and Shannon Davis. After reading their interview for this blog feature we believe you’ll be as wowed by them as we are. And, because the guiding force behind our brand is also a husband-wife team, we felt there was some synergy here for sure. Not to mention this team creates some amazing, and truly responsible and sustainable products – they’re Tastemakers for sure!

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Thatcher & Shannon Davis

We are a husband and wife owned natural materials company based in San Francisco.  We design everything in house and manufacture where the materials and expertise are grown.  We are artisnal, interested in the craft of furniture making as much as the design of attractive, inventive, useful and unique products.  We care about the growth of the materials, harvesting, manufacturing, finishing, packaging, and product life.   We work hard on our own brand and on others, we are small and nimble, boutique, and forward looking. 

1. Three words that describe your aesthetic?

Eclectic, colorful, and individual

2. Would you please share a little about your favorite space/project to date?

We have been working with an Australian Design Archive, Florence Broadhurst, for the last year interpreting fabulous patterns from the 1960’s and 70’s into furniture and accessories.  It has pushed us in ways that we as a team have loved.   

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3. What’s the source(s) of your inspiration?

Not to sound cheesy but for us, it’s nature and the life of our family.  We live in a place where we interact nature on a daily basis and it influences our materials, our shapes and our finishes.  We are also inspired by the practical nature of living with products in a family setting.  We don’t want anything too precious and always have sand on our floor….

4. Name three people (alive or dead) you’d invite to your dream dinner party…

Florence Broadhurst, Bono, and Georgia O’Keefe

5. A piece of/type of furniture you couldn’t live without?

A basket to keep our shoes in by the front door.

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6. Do you follow a particular set of rules when mixing textures, finishes, etc. – how do they work for you?

No rules, that is my rule.  Showing your personality is essential.  Take risks, surround yourself with things that mean something to you personally.  You can always create a story in a space that incorporates things that seem disparate. 

7. Trending… What is something you are currently “into” and something you are “over?”

I am always into rattan, it is the perfect material, hand-made, sustainably grown, endlessly useful.  I love it outside, go ahead and let it biodegrade. 

I am a little over the gray in Restoration Hardware…

Super Chairs

8. How does artwork fit into your designs?

Like all great inspiration, art from the basic to the masterful is the best fodder.

9. What would be the one thing you would have if you were stranded on a deserted island?

My family… husband, three kiddos.

10. Please share a piece of advice you’d offer to someone looking to break into the interior design industry.

Be honest, be professional, and work hard to earn the respect of your clients, your vendors and your community of peers.  Don’t be afraid to try something different, people will hire you to give them permission to do something in their space that they would never have the nerve to do on their own. 

We love that last bit – it’s amazing how courageous clients can be with a professional at the helm!

Thanks so much to Shannon Davis of Selamat for offering a bit about herself and her business to our readers. There’s so much to love about the Davis’ and their unique brand of products. We’re proud to carry the Selamat Designs line at steve mckenzie’s and invite you to pop in and take a look at all they offer.