March 2021

It’s not just any Friday, It’s April Fools Day!! To pay homage to this international day of light-hearted pranks and jest, I selected a particularly cleaver read, “Paul Smith: A to Z” (Paul Smith in conversation with Oliver Wicker).

Although small, this book is filled with interesting and fun facts about Paul Smith, the British fashion designer whose brand goes far beyond his first line of tailored menswear suits.  Now he has a women’s, children’s, and even home accessories lines.  Oliver Wicker’s book is designed similarly to a children’s alphabet book, A is for Apple, but replace “Apple” with “Abby Road, for example, and include a brief description on why it is important to Smith.

As you flip through the pages, you find Smith is a very fun and carefree personality.  He talks about so many aspects of his life, from his childhood hero to his chaotic mess of an office.  The illustrations are artistic as well.  Photos of graffiti walls, collection of wind-up toys, and family photos surround each description of the Paul Smith alphabet.

You will find yourself smiling and thinking, “I know someone like this!”  I’m sure y’all will think of a friend or family member who will immediately enter your mind when you start “Paul Smith: A to Z.” To all of you who love to smile, take a peak into this book.

Happy Foolin’ Day,

Xavier Neuner

Last month, Jill attended the opening of the newest NARS cosmetics boutique – located in the Shops of Buckhead. The event, hosted by steve mckenzie friend Mandy Kellogg Rye, was such a pleasure to attend and brought Jill back to her days working for Elizabeth Arden…

Mandy & Jill

Cosmetics are much like interior design – is it an absolute necessity? Perhaps not, but when you feel beautiful, you radiate confidence, and are ready to tackle your dreams. Same for a beautiful space, life is calmer, smoother and you can focus on your goals.

NARS offers some fantastic products, and their color palette – to die for. Not to mention the cheeky packaging. It’s enough to lift your spirits if you’re having a bad day!

A bit about Fancois Nars, the creator of NARS:

Francois Nars’ creative vision, which launched NARS Cosmetics with 12 iconic lipsticks in 1994, inspires self expression and imaginative artistry through an unexpected, no-rules philosophy of beauty. As one of the most influential image-makers in the world, Francois’ signature boundary-pushing approach to makeup manifests from the palette to the product name to the campaign photograph itself—continuing to bring high-fashion, high-style, and forward thinking to beauty. With every product, endless opportunities for self expression: “don’t hold back. Be bold. It encourages others to do the same.”

If you’re in the area, check out the new space. It’ll leave you feeling inspired – and the team there will give you an effortless makeup routine.

Here’s to fabulous design, not only for your home, but also for your most personal canvas, your face!

We had so much fun pulling together these Valentine’s table settings, and we think you’ll have even more fun pulling them off for yourself and surprising your loved one with a special dinner at home this holiday!

Sure, there’s something about a night on the town, but does it have to be on Valentine’s day? The crowds, prix fixe menus… We suggest saving the big night out for another evening and celebrating at home. After all, it’s more cozy and comfortable and with the right tablescape, you can set the mood however you like!

We’ve created three designs here – one more casual, another a bit fancier and a third setting that sets the stage for a true holiday celebration:

First up, a casual supper setting.  Perhaps you’ve just started dating, so you don’t want to go overboard just yet. This place setting featuring Libeco linens, a Match Pewter Dinner Plate, R. Wood Studio Dessert/Salad Plate all topped off with a silver heart ornament (could double as a sweet gift!) by Eric Cortina, offers a sentimental feel where a classic french bistro meal such as croque monsieur and a simple salad would be perfectly suited.

Also featured in this setting is an R. Wood Studio Small Scallop Bowl, Two-Piece Salad Set, in red glitter, a Tart/Pie Server, also in red glitter, a simple red spreader, an Acrylic Dolce Vita Water Goblet and Tumbler and Vintage-Style Flatware.

With this setting, things are getting a bit more serious… Although they’re kept casual with the Acrylic Lente Tumbler and Highball glasses and white Vintage-Style flatware. The le Jacquard Francais tea towel, turned place mat and Libeco Linen napkin, both in tones of strawberry and red give a nod to the holiday celebrated. But it’s really the Match Pewter Convivio dinner and salad/dessert plates that elevate this setting. The three heart ornaments by Eric Cortina offer a little something special, while also doubling as a gift.

A creamy lemon shrimp risotto would be an ideal compliment to this setting, and would certainly impress your loved one! Take a bit of the stress off your plate by turning to a local bakery for dessert…

Finally, with our third setting, we’re looking at a proposal-ready tablescape, so beware! This is your classic Valentine’s surf and turf place setting… It’s grounded by a tea towel place mat by Le Jacquard Francais and an April Cornell Essential Napkin in pink. The dinnerware is a combination of Match Pewter Viviana Dinner and salad/dessert plates and a bread a butter plate in Royal Crown Derby‘s Mikado pattern. This tablescape’s crowning glory is the Royal Crown Derby, Mikado coffee/tea service – it’s even more stunning in person!

Also featured in this table setting are the Acrylic Dolce Vita Water Goblet and Wine Goblets, and Vintage-Style Flatware in Black. Add a few flowers and some candles, and this tablescape will be over the top!

And there you have it – three table settings that are sure to knock your loved one off their feet! Plus, those recipes = a guaranteed success of a Valentine’s dinner! Pop into the steve mckenzie’s showroom today to pick up a few of these items to help create your perfect holiday tablescape, and maybe even the perfect card for your special someone…

Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday from our team here at steve mckenzie’s! May your Christmas be a meaningful celebration with family and friends and may you savor every wonderful moment.

Please see a reminder of our holiday hours below…

And if you find yourself wanting to take part in a little post-holiday retail therapy, we invite you to enjoy our improved shopping experience on the steve mckenzie’s website. We think you’ll find something you’ll love to treat yourself to after the holiday commotion has ended. 😉

We hope to see you in store after Christmas – and please keep steve mckenzie’s in mind as you plan your New Years celebrations. We have plenty of goodies to make your evening sparkle!

Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday from our team here at steve mckenzie’s! May your Christmas be a meaningful celebration with family and friends and may you savor every wonderful moment.

Please see a reminder of our holiday hours below…

And if you find yourself wanting to take part in a little post-holiday retail therapy, we invite you to enjoy our improved shopping experience on the steve mckenzie’s website. We think you’ll find something you’ll love to treat yourself to after the holiday commotion has ended. 😉

We hope to see you in store after Christmas – and please keep steve mckenzie’s in mind as you plan your New Years celebrations. We have plenty of goodies to make your evening sparkle!

Welcome to Villa Flora |Photo credit David Christensen Custom corner by Melanie Turner Interiors Look closely for design details like this exquisitely simple trim in Phoebe Howard Decorator’s primary bedroom Ethereal triptych by the late Todd Murphy defines the main hallway Robert Brown Interior Design mixes lines and curves | Photo by David Christensen Brittany Cason Interior Design mixes styles masterfully. Luxurious canopy bedroom by Pickering House Dreamy canopy and bedroom by Jared Hughes Design A quiet oasis by The Design Atelier | Photo by David Christensen

This year, did you resolve to get organized?! How’s it going so far? If you’ve already fallen off the organizational bandwagon, we’re here to inspire you with one simple item. The tray.

Perhaps our favorite option – a catchall tray in Loop Indigo, based on Steve’s fine artwork and textile line. Will add a punch of fun and color to any space!

That’s right – as in those pretty serving pieces sitting in your cabinet that only come out during certain meals… Believe it or not, but trays can do so much outside of the kitchen. They can help you become stylishly organized!

We love the idea of using beautiful trays and even overlooked pieces from your china collection in drawers for organizing small items such as jewelry, spare change, makeup, cuff links, tie pins, etc. So many options!

Simple trays can handle the tremendous task of keeping us organized. Set on a console, nightstand, end table, or even inside a drawer, trays are a fantastic way to compartmentalize all those small items we’re so often digging through our catch-all drawers for!

This Royal Crown Derby Mikado Sandwich Tray, in Taupe, is a real showstopper! This stunning piece would be a gorgeous spot to place on your foyer table and collect keys, spare change and other loose items.

And you know those small items you reach for most – wouldn’t it be helpful if you could just leave them out in the open for easy reach? Thanks to the tray, you can do that in a stylish way.

This woven rattan round tray is actually a little larger in scale and would be a brilliant place to collect television remotes, decks of cards, or even add tall glasses to the top and fill with makeup and brushes for the bathroom or silverware for a stylish addition to your next buffet.

As you can see, we offer some pretty fabulous options for organizing small trinkets. Reach out to the steve mckenzie’s team today and we’ll be happy to help you achieve this resolution and become more organized in no time!!

A Southerner with a deep rooted connection to Scotland, Scot Meacham Wood is renowned for his timeless design and magnetic personality. And we’re thrilled his fabulous textiles are now a part of our fabric offering here at steve mckenzie’s!

Scot Meacham Wood

Recently featured in the pages of Traditional Home, Scot’s designs draw inspiration from his heritage and thirteen years of experience working with Ralph Lauren. His signature style highlights European and Southern sensibilities, sartorial influences, and bold prints.

Scot Meacham Wood’s home in the San Fransisco Bay area, as seen in Traditional Home magazine.

Since establishing his firm, Scot Meacham Wood Design, in 2001, Scot has become an interior design icon, showcasing commercial and residential projects across the United States and developing a captivating online presence.

With Scot Meacham Wood Home, the tastemaker premieres a one-of-a-kind collection featuring fresh takes on traditional Scottish textiles. With its luxurious collection of fabrics and focus on Scot’s signature tartan, SMW Home is truly a natural extension of the designer himself.

The son of a stylish mother of Scottish descent, Scot was exposed the country’s rich heritage at the young age and was immediately drawn to tartan.

A pattern that has since become synonymous with Scot’s brand identity, tartan became a staple of Scot’s work, and the designer often ventured to historic mills in Scotland to procure one-of-a-kind fabrics.

After years searching for the perfect tartan, Scot decided to create a collection of his own, using his late mother’s estate to bring his designs to life.

When creating his textile line, Scot worked closely with a Scottish mill dating back to the 18th century to develop a line of tartans that are a vibrant twist on the traditional pattern.

Many of the modern tartans in his collection are named to pay homage to his mother. For example, the “Meacham Plaid” has his maternal grandmother’s maiden name and the “Mary Ann Damask” is named for his mother.

Please stop by the steve mckenzie’s showroom today to view this stunning new collection in person and learn how our design team can help bring this historically inspired, yet comfortable, look in to your own home.

And hop on over to Scot’s charming blog, The Adventures of Tartanscot, to keep up with this fabulous designer, and our new friend!

Last week, we shared “Part 1” of a post on Steve and Jill’s recent trip to New York, which focused on their time at the What’s New, What’s Next event. For part two, we’re talking ART and inspiration… One of our very favorite subjects!

First things first, Steve and Jill’s daughter, Molly, met up with the duo to become a trio on this art expedition… and they set off to MoMA – specifically to see the Robert Rauschenberg: Among Friends exhibit. It is “the first 21st-century retrospective of the artist, presents over 250 works across mediums from his six-decade career.” And it was excellent!

While there, the trio caught a glimpse of the upcoming Louise Bourgeois exhibit and spotted this amazing spider – anyone up for another visit to MoMA?!?

Next up was the Donald Judd Home tour in the city, which offered an incomparable experience with his art and vision. The group was able to visit is formerly private living and working spaces, as well as enjoy Judd’s concept of permanent installation in downtown New York. Talk about inspiring – this is a not to miss portion of any minimalist appreciator’s visit to the city!

Together, Steve, Jill and Molly ventured to Bergdorfs, where even more inspiration was discovered, thanks to the Gucci home decor on view!

Can we please help to work this gorgeous pillow or this spectacular chair into someone’s home?!?

There was no lack of enthusiasm for color, texture or pattern matching here. Although you may know a Gucci piece when you see it, it’s truly the details which make these items so special.

Now, for a little Gucci motivation in interior design…

The new Jayson Home store in SOHO was practically calling out to Steve, who could just about move right in and feel at home. The art, natural elements and color palettes were awe inducing.

As a showroom retailer, it’s so much fun to visit other, inspirational showrooms and enjoy what they have to offer!

Finally, our traveling trio were ready to hop in their rental car for the drive out to Beacon, NY… But – leave it to these three to hop into a sporty yellow convertible for the journey. It was the ideal mode of transportation to enjoy a bit of autumn in the Northeast!

Beacon is home to the Storm King Art Center, which is “widely celebrated as one of the world’s leading sculpture parks… Located only one hour north of New York City, in the lower Hudson Valley, its 500 acres of rolling hills, woodlands, and fields of native grasses and wildflowers provide the setting for a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time.” Storm King was simply spectacular. The way the sculpture plays into the landscape and the Hudson River Valley setting is truly unmatched.

While in the Hudson Valley, the group couldn’t pass up a visit to the brand new Magazzino Italian Art museum. Founded in June of 2017, this museum is a private warehouse which hosts select works from the Olnick Spanu Collection, most of which have never been exhibited stateside.  Its mission is “to widen public appreciation and education of Post-war and Contemporary Italian Art in the United States.” As you can imagine, the trio has returned to their respective homes after this art adventure feeling more inspired than ever! For Steve, who enjoys travels such of these from both an artist’s perspective, as well as that of an interior designer, making the time to experience art in all its forms is imperative. And being able to do it with family makes it all the more special!

So many of our design clients come to us looking to add a splash of color to their space. Many of these people have fantastic taste and collections of timeless pieces that will easily fit into a new design. However, these savvy folks always shy away from color… Why?

It seems like many people understand the value of starting with a neutral base for any space. And while we think neutrals are a necessity, we also believe in adding personality, drama and even a bit of pizzazz with some very bold color. Be it in an amazingly bright wallpaper, a brilliant hued upholstery job, or funky custom pillows with contrast piping, there are unlimited ways to effortlessly add splashes of color to your neutral spaces!

Petite glass vases, like these hand blown pieces by Blenko, available in a rainbow of colors and sizes at steve mckenzie’s. And don’t forget what an impact a few cut flowers, or even a bit of greenery can add to a space. Not only does it add color, it also adds the perfect soft touch.

These vintage surplus pillows from All Souls Mercantile are sure to add the perfect subtle touch of color. They’d be ideal in a lake house, or space with a bit of western flare. But, don’t let our ideas limit you – there are so many ways these pieces can add personality to a design!

Your tabletop will truly come to life with a bright napkin, bit of colorful Royal Crown Derby china by Mikado and even a vibrantly colored acrylic glass, which is just as durable as it is attractive!

The team here at steve mckenzie’s are rockstars at textile pairings, and creating memorable pillow arrangements, thanks to colorful fabrics and trims. If you’s like to achieve a similar look, but don’t quite know where to start, reach out to our team today!

Now, who needs a pair of shades to give their eyes a rest after enjoying such a color rich post?!?