Our family will actually celebrate Thanksgiving twice this year, both times hosted by our son and his wife at their charming country home. These photos are from “Shake It Up Thanksgiving” where we all tried new, adventuresome recipes that you might not be brave enough to try on traditional Thanksgiving. Lots of fun, low stress, family fun had by all!
Bulls eye flannel quilt made a perfect table cloth for appetizers and cocktails. Steve used his favorite Blenko pitcher as a vase for the maple leaves and hydrangeas.
Steve was inspired by the colorful foliage on the property that worked magically with Jill’s hand made quilt. Delectable focaccia, an assortment of cheeses accompanied the apple cider mimosas and martinis. We toasted our thankfulness for each other, work we love, and the sunny day.
Speaking of work, Steve had the pleasure of attending High Point Market this fall as a High Point Market authority style spotter this year. Take a look at his recap and trends here. Reach out if you’re ready to take your home to the next level.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
We’ll leave you with a close up of this stunning home-grown glass gem corn. Makes great popcorn too!
Fall is here so let’s embrace pumpkin spice everything, and get ready for the holidays!
We’re so pleased to once again partner with the talented Shelly Dozier-McKee on Saturday, Oct. 20th for an inspiring class, How to Style Your Bookshelves, to be held at Verde Home.
Space is limited, so click here to get your tickets right away.
Learn tips from a pro!
Next up is the venerable NMP Gift Show (Northside Methodist Preschool), held every November in Atlanta featuring a curated selection of original art and gifts from talented local artists. Artist and interior designer, Steve McKenzie will be there for the third year in a row with his fine art prints, original art, greeting cards, pillows and home decor featuring his iconic fabrics. Mark your calendar for opening night Nov. 8th, Nov. 9th and 10th. Admission is only $5 with proceeds benefitting the preschool scholarship fund.
NMP Holiday Gift Show Nov. 8th – 10th
Get your holiday spirit on with our friend Shelly Dozier-McKee (Did you know she was runner up in a 3M gift wrapping contest??) for the Creative Gift Wrap class on Saturday, Dec. 1st at Verde Home. Last year, the guests all applauded her! Again, tickets are selling quickly, so click here to get yours.
Add something special to your gifts this year!
It’s time to make our own memories this fall and holiday season!
We’ll see you soon~follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes snippets and specials too!
Not only do we have college football and basketball games (Go Butler Bulldogs!) to look forward to this winter, but our family looks forward to board games together. As our kids are young adults now, it’s the season to gather round the table for some game time.
Steve and I took up backgammon this year and love it. Keeps us unplugged and thinking strategically about the next move. Perhaps this would be a welcome gift for someone on your list?
Here is one of the hottest new games, have you played Catan? Looking forward to learning this interactive game of settlers with our adult kids.
Another fun intergenerational family activity is a puzzle. Many folks leave one out on a table so family and friends can stop and work on it a bit at a time.
Georgia State Puzzle – 500 pieces for ages 10 and up
Game time calls for crunch snacks. This Asian-inspired snack mix from Cooking Light looks like just the right recipe to share over your next game.
Photo credit: Jennifer Causey
Thank you for letting us share our thoughts as we make plans to create special memories together. That’s what this is all about, right? And let’s keep it easy, unplugged and authentic. Tell us what your family does to have fun together.
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.
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 hope you spend the holiday with the ones who are most special to you. And enjoy those leftovers!
We look forward to seeing you in the steve mckenzie’s showroom tomorrow for our Black Friday specials – there are some great deals to be had; and don’t forget about our free gift wrapping service!!
Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a month away?!? As we quickly approach our favorite time of year, we’re taking stock of the butler’s pantry and linen closet and planning out all the detailing surrounding the main meal itself.
steve mckenzie’s has everything you’ll need to set, serve, savor and ensure success of your Thanksgiving meal! We’ve pulled together a quick list of this fall’s entertainer’s must-haves to prepare for a memorable get together, your friends and family won’t soon forget:
Something Melamine
For us, melamine is an entertainer’s dream… It looks high end, but is practically indestructible! And appetizer time is an ideal time to set these pieces out. Your guests will be milling around visiting, snacking, perhaps cooking and the last thin you’ll want to worry about is a chipped or broken dish. This chip and dip set and appetizer plate set by Le Cadeaux would be a beautiful start to your meal, and practical to boot!
Designer Candles
Gorgeous taper candles are an amazing way to really amplify your tablescape. Forget the boring white candles, these high fashion tapers will offer a while new dimension and additional sparkle. Made with the finest beeswax, these candles have a burn time of 11 hours, so your Thanksgiving dinner will be all aglow, as will the next day’s brunch.
Perfectly Poised Accents
You’ve got your china and your serving pieces all squared away. But, how about those tabletop accent pieces that say you’ve thought of each and every detail. It’s these pieces that help guests feel at home and encourage lingering… This small, 8″ tray by R. Wood Studio is so versatile – be it cheeses, olives or other charcuterie, these tiny nibbles are an ideal accompaniment to any celebratory meal, and this little dish is the perfect vessel! Next, a few smartly placed white marble salt cellars (yes, the gold spoon is included ;-)) will show guests no detail was overlooked and their comfort is paramount… down to ensuring perfect seasoning for each plate.
And there’s so much more we have to offer all the entertainers out there both in-store and online via the new steve mckenzie’s website. We’d love to have the opportunity to help you select the ideal pieces to make this holiday special or even pick the perfect hostess gift if you’ll be celebrating outside of your home!
Tis’ the season, we suppose… And we’re only busier from here! See steve mckenzie’s allover Atlanta this month. We’re out and about sharing our fabulous home accessories, art, holiday decor and more – make plans to see us soon!
Sneak Peek at the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Home for the Holiday Show House, opens Nov. 18th!
But, the first stop is one you can make right now to a recent post, where you can learn our top tips for creating and sending holiday cards, effortlessly. Be sure to enter the giveaway, which ends at midnight tonight!!
Next stop, Decatur, for the Decatur Art Walk:
Find Steve and his art at Trinity Mercantile onFriday, Nov. 4th from 5-9pm.
116 East Trinity Place / Decatur, GA
Who’s ready to choose their Christmas cards. What?? I haven’t put away my Bermuda shorts yet, you say! As a corporate wife of a Berkshire Hathaway company CEO, mom of an active family of now young adults, and all that entails, I’ve learned a few things over the years and would like to share some words of wisdom with you.
Playful holiday card idea
Planning ahead will save you time, money and avoid stress. Plain and simple.
Read on for my helpful tips and a Giveaway from Minted.com!
Since you may need some time to pull together photos, addresses, etc, it is really smart to start thinking about this holiday tradition now. To help you with holiday cards, here’s my easy action plan, aided by Minted.com, which provides unique images from independent artists.
First, what card suits your family this year? Spend some time thinking about all the fun events, birthdays, milestones for your family. There are so many options these days – Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s. Was there a special occasion in your family this year, perhaps a wedding or big trip? Now that we’re Empty Nesters (I think that’s defined by what’s in your fridge these days which are mostly condiments, cheese and wine), holiday cards take on a different look. No matching smocked outfits, less time all together as a family, school, work and their own families happen, so there are fewer photo opportunities. If you’re going to be taking photos with the extended family at Christmas, perhaps a Happy New Year’s card suits you best.
Schedule 15-20 minutes for a few days to go through your photos. Are the family photos on your phone? Your spouse’s phone? Did someone take a good couples photo of you at an event? Save them in a universal spot like Google photos or iPhotos.
Delete bad photos. Never a better time than now and it frees up more space to capture new memories.
Now that you have an idea of what the contenders are, in terms of images, develop a game plan to fill in the photo blanks. For instance, here’s my current photo summary and game plan…
I have 0 photos of me and spouse – Someone needs to take a cute pic of us!
Good quantity of SM, me and child #3
Cute photos of our married kids sent to me already
I need photos of this year’s college graduate. Who has one?
Plenty of photos of Duke the Shop dog!
Duke the Shop Dog
Now for the fun part – browse your favorite online stationery source. I’m super-excited about Minted. Save your favorite unique designs with their handy heart symbol, download your photos and see how it looks in each design. Minted has a handy “Find It Fast” button where you can see your photos in several cards, making it easy to choose your favorites.
Minted.com makes it easy to send holiday sentiments!
My goal is to have narrowed down my choices to three by late October and an order goal of November 5th. I’ve learned what works for me – plan ahead and diminish the panic feeling as we head toward Thanksgiving (my mailing date goal). Enjoy this time thinking about your family, and the dear friends who will enjoy your special cards. ~Jill
Bonus = A Giveaway! Minted has generously offered to share their unique designs from independent artists with a $100 Giveaway toward holiday cards. See the latest trends and updated classic holiday card designs. Click here to enter to win $100 to shop Minted! No purchase necessary and giveaway ends midnight Nov. 2nd.
This post and images (except Duke’s photos) are sponsored by Minted, but all text, and opinions are all my own.
