We are so excited to share a little giveaway we have planned for our friends out there, featuring one of our favorite, new (to us) jewelry brands – Hazen & Co.!
Started by the amazing Taylor Miller (at the age of nine, we might add!), Hazen & Co. is so much more than pretty jewelry. Taylor’s pieces are handmade in Texas and her ever-changing collections expand beyond jewelry to hair and even home accessories, creating a true Hazen lifestyle brand.
Taylor Miller of Hazen & Co.
Our friend Paige Minear (and past Tastemaker!) wrote a truly delightful interview post featuring Taylor and Hazen & Co. for The Southern Coterie, which can be seen here.
Taylor’s creations are playful, yet sophisticated and are downright charming. They’re an ideal way to pull an ensemble together and will always garner rave remarks.
We are absolutely tickled to offer a giveaway for a Hazen & Co. gold Clover Necklace via the steve mckenzie’s Instagram account! The giveaway is set to begin tomorrow, so please keep an eye out for that post, which will share how you’ll be able to earn a chance (or two!) at winning this fantastic piece.
Hazen’s clover necklace makes a pretty, delicate statement on its own, or it’s wonderful layered with other pieces. We’re pretty sure it’ll become a go-to for our lucky winner…
Stop by the steve mckenzie’s showroom and see some lovely Hazen & Co. pieces, which are a part of a stunning array of jewelry currently on display. And good luck in our Hazen & Co. clover necklace giveaway!!
Please meet our latest obsession – The Vine. A combination landscape design, event design and garden market located on St. Simons Island, The Vine offers a distinct approach to curating some of life’s most special events.
We’re so pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the team behind The Vine, Bryce Vann Brock and Kelly Revels, on a couple very special events at the steve mckenzie’s showroom this week. An evening of Wine with The Vine Thursday and a terrarium making class Friday morning.
Learn a bit about Bryce and Kelly and how The Vine came to fruition:
The Vine was created in 2008 by Bryce Vann Brock and Kelly Revels. This marked an exciting new chapter in a wonderful story that was already being written by their work together at The Sea Island Resort. Bryce served as the resort’s Landscape Director for several years while Kelly specialized there in landscape container design. Together they designed and created spectacular events both small and large at the resort while dreaming of one day combining their talents and energy to form their own business. Today, that talent, energy and vision is embodied in The Vine. So as wonderful as our history is, we are convinced that the chapters yet to be written together will be even more compelling!
Spaces in the terrarium making class are filling up quickly, so reserve your spot now! And how timely is this class with Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday?!? Or, choose to keep your terrarium – they’re a stunning way to add a bit of life and a pop of green to your home or office!
At each of the events with The Vine, you’ll have an chance to preview the new Oyster Containers (available in three sizes), designed by the duo behind The Vine. Inspired by the abundance of natural beauty of the marsh, sea and sky that surrounds St. Simons, owners Kelly and Bryce worked with a local artist to create this organic container that reflects beauty of the area. A limited number of each size is arriving in mid-May.
Contact us today to reserve your Oyster Container or with any questions. Looking forward to enjoying Wine with The Vine Thursday evening and creating some spectacular terrariums in Friday morning’s class!
It’s time to freshen up our tables – spring is here! Let’s recap the fun from our recent Spring Tea Open House~
Vintage Touches
Paige Minear of The Pink Clutch mixed vintage pieces dear to her heart, plus custom monogrammed napkins by Emily McCarthy.
Vintage TouchesBlogger Power! Mandy and Paige
Waiting on Martha‘s, Mandy Kellogg Rye kept a soothing green palette for her table and incorporated topiaries.
Green Goodness table by Mandy
Erika Preval of Charm Etiquette refreshed our manners – start on the outside for the cutlery, leave politics out of the conversation, etc. She even offers classes for everyone to enjoy – young people, adults, corporate situations – remember good manners will open doors the best education cannot, as says Clarence Thomas.
Vintage Finds
We fell in love with the jasmine tea from Just Add Honey and will add it to our next menu. So many flavors; if you attended, please let us know your favorite!
Gray goodness with Gien, Match Pewter, Terrafirma and Le Jacquard Francais table linensSo many choices!Paige Minear, Jermail Shelton, Jill McKenzie, and Erika PrevalCharming Paris small plates
Our current Gien special of 20% off all new orders ends on April 26th. Call or email us for more details.
Thanks to all who came out for our Spring Tea Open House! If you couldn’t make this event, visit the showroom soon – spring inspiration abounds!!
You may remember we introduced the founders of The Southern Coterie in this blog post last year, after returning from presenting at the Charleston Southern C Summit. Well, we had the opportunity to attend the most recent summit, just last month at The Cloister on Sea Island… The location alone had us swooning. Add in some top notch online personalities, business owners and all around creative entrepreneurs and we knew we were in for a treat!
The stunning solarium ceiling at The Cloister on Sea Island
The summit was absolutely jam-packed and the amount of inspiration we’re feeling = unparalleled. We were thrilled by others who are following their passion and shared a bit about their journey with us – including Gray Malin, Lizzie Fortunato, Libbie Summers, Darcy Miller and many more.
Photo Credit: Grey Owl Social for The Southern C Summit
Here are our top five takeaways from what was an unforgettable event:
Tell your story. We all have a story. Listen to another’s story. That’s what connects us as neighbors, people, shop owners, entrepreneurs, etc.
Photo Credit: Teresa Earnest Photography for The Southern C Summit
“Community over competition,” says Darcy Miller (from Martha Stewart Weddings) – value your industry relationships and be open to new ones. (Watch for some new steve mckenzie’s collaborations!)
Catching up with the founders of Dear Keaton – Photo Credit: Grey Owl Social for The Southern C Summit
Shoppers want experiences – the smells, tastes, textures, and learning opportunities they encounter all build the greater picture of what our brand means.
Photo Credit: Grey Owl Social for The Southern C Summit
Think outside the box. This may sound obvious to some of us creative types, but what’s considered “out of the box” in our industry changes often and this bears repeating.
Photo Credit: Teresa Earnest Photography for The Southern C Summit
Follow the Golden Rule. Sounds simple, right? In our everyday hustle and bustle, the golden rule may not be top of mind. But, if we can always remember to treat others as we’d like to be treated, a positive influence we will be.
Photo Credit: Teresa Earnest Photography for The Southern C Summit
We’re so honored to have been a part of this fantastic summit, along with so many inspiring individuals. We cannot wait to begin putting all our takeaways to good use, so be prepared for some pretty exciting things happening in the near future for steve mckenzie’s.
Steve’s workshop “Plan B: Reinvention” – Photo Credit: Grey Owl Social for The Southern C Summit
If you weren’t able to attend The Southern C. Summit at Sea Island, we hope our top highlights aid you in your journey. And, we highly recommend you make plans to attend the next Summit; they’re not to be missed!
Cheri and Whitney were sensational hostesses of The Southern Summit and after attending such a lovely, well- thought-out and fun event, we knew they’d be a wonderful team to feature as Tastemakers! To our delight, they agreed to participate and we couldn’t be more thrilled to highlight them as our newest Tastemakers for the blog for steve mckenzie’s…
Cheri & Whitney
About Cheri:
For Cheri, born with a knack for instantly connecting with people, The Southern C seemed like a natural progression. From novice beginnings, writing a “cousin newsletter” to operating a successful online and print publishing business with her husband, it’s Cheri’s enthusiasm and inspiration that has made The Southern Coterie and its live events – The Southern C Summits – a must visit for Southern entrepreneurs looking to make valuable connections. Constantly on the lookout for the newest talent in the South, Cheri has an authentic passion for meeting, greeting and giving entrepreneurs a platform to speak about their brands. An eighth generation coastal Georgia native, Cheri splits her time between Athens and St. Simons Island.
About Whitney:
After a successful career as a scout, stylist and contributing editor for some of the biggest names in print media like Coastal Living, Southern Accents, Southern Living and Better Homes & Gardens plus various special interest titles, Whitney took time off to focus on her favorite job – being a mom to four – but the scouting didn’t end there. Whitney draws on her years of curating unique places and people for the lifestyle magazine industry to create connections, find strategic partners and cultivate a talented team of writers and presenters. Born in the quintessential southern town of Elba, Alabama, Whitney now calls the quaint seaside village of St.Simons Island, Georgia home.
Cheri & Whitney
1. Three words that describe your aesthetic?
C: Colorful, Eclectic, Keeper – I am a keeper of family treasures – china, silver, linens, books, old print press blocks and tools (my husband is fourth generation newspaper business).
W: Relaxed, Cozy, Lived-in
2. Would you please share a little about your favorite space/project to date?
C: Our cottage on East Beach, St. Simons Island was on the Christ Church Tour of Homes years ago and I loved getting ready for that tour. I worked with several talented interior designers to pull it all together – Mary-Bryan Peyer, Andrew Downs, Lisa Ellis Design and my mother-in-law Sudy. I have been collecting original art since post college and have joked that I drove my mom’s hand-me-down cars but always had an art payment versus a car payment monthly. This was thanks to my mentor Millie Wilcox of Left Bank Art Gallery who let me pay in installments. Millie created a sheet for tour attendees that turned it into an art exhibit detailing the artists and history of many of the pieces. She even researched pieces from my ancestors so it turned into an archive of my art I will treasure forever.
W: Our living room – giant sectional sofa where all six of us can squeeze in for family tv time watching some of our favorite shows like Shark Tank, America’s Got Talent and The Goldberg’s. That is when and where I am my happiest which makes it my favorite space.
3. What’s the source(s) of your inspiration?
C: Travel, antiquing, magazines, blogs, instagram and family treasures.
W: So many friend and creatives that I have met through The Southern C and Southern C Summit! I follow their blogs, check out their websites and social channels and am continually inspired!
Bear Bryant
4. Name three people (alive or dead) you’d invite to your dream dinner party…
C: Southern journalist, author and entertainer Julia Reed, newspaper icon Kathryn Graham and author Ernest Hemingway – don’t you wish you were invited too?
W: My Daddy who passed far too young, Bear Bryant (this would be a pick for my Dad – would LOVE to hear that conversation) and Dolly Parton – who wouldn’t want the fabulous Dolly at their dining room table? Can you tell I’m a Southern girl with these icons?
Whitney’s Great Aunt Kate’s vintage flame mahogany breakfront.
5. A piece of/type of furniture you couldn’t live without?
C: I love a good parsons table – so versatile. I have created a few with Andrew Downs. We did one for the cottage with Hermes orange Edelman leather he had left over from a project in the 80s – ahhh so fab. So then in Athens, we did Tiffany blue suede on one with a short nesting table beneath in blue skin for all of my coffee table books.
W: My great aunt Kate’s vintage flame mahogany breakfront – in addition to holding dishes, it holds lots of memories of Sunday post-church lunches and holiday family meals.
6. Do you follow a particular set of rules when mixing textures, finishes, etc. – how do they work for you?
C: I am a rule breaker for sure. I do what feels right so my style is very layered and nuanced with odd objects on brackets on the wall and I collect majolica so it is everywhere. I love old rugs and have orientals and some incredible Turkish kilims from a neat local on St. Simons, Vickie Myers, who sells them from her extensive travels. Her warehouse is a blast to dig in. That was another payment plan in my thirties. I can’t say enough that if you love beautiful things and you are on a budget then work with vendors. You would be surprised what people will do to help a young collector. I am a firm believer in textured layers but there is no rhyme or reason to my process. I buy what I like and I am not matchy matchy so I blend a lot of different pieces.
W: No, I think it’s all about a balanced mix and what is visually appealing to your eye but also taking into consideration what elements work well in each particular space.
Colorful pillows add a POP!
7. Trending… What is something you are currently “into” and something you are “over?”
W: I’m over the staged, too-many pillows look with the karate chops in the tops. I am into relaxed and streamlined. A few pillows with a colorful bold pattern pack more punch! When I want to sit, I want to sit without removing 10 pillows to do so. Same goes for my bed!
Oyster painting by artist Cathie Parmelee
8. How does artwork fit into your designs?
C: Clearly for me as I have expressed above – art is everything to me. My friend who is an interior designer, Cullen Osteen collaborates with me on my Athens home and teases me that most of her clients buy art to fill a space and I buy art and look for the space. Needless to say, I am a proponent of the gallery hang.
W: Art can serve to anchor a room and also serve as the jumping off point for the design scheme. I love sizable statement pieces – kind of like a great statement necklace.
9. What would be the one thing you would have if you were stranded on a deserted island?
C: My husband Vance of course. A healthy supply of wine and hopefully some fabulous stemware. My two golden retrievers. I don’t think I would do well on a deserted island.
W: My iPhone so I could book a plane ticket back home!
Scene from The Southern Summit
Thank you so much Cheri and Whitney!! Not only did we have a fabulous time at The Southern Summit this past May, we’re so happy to have had to opportunity to get to know you both better and share a bit about you here on the blog for steve mckenzie’s!
