October 2023

You may recall how McKenzie Design was recently featured on the cover of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME… But, what you may not know is all of the work behind the scenes to make the photoshoot of this design such a success.

It takes a team of people planning, prepping and executing the plan for a fantastic photoshoot – and, in turn, a wonderful feature – and we were so lucky to have been on a team with photographers, Anthony-Masterson, and Editor-in-Chief, Betsy Riley.

Working as a team on a photoshoot is a necessity – it’s a collaborative project and everyone involved needs to come together to create a unified vision and provide the best editorial possible for the reader. To do this, the editor will keep their reader in mind and work to craft the message they want to share, specifically for them. The photographer knows what will translate well from a photography standpoint. And, finally, the designer knows what they worked to achieve for their client. It’s all about trusting the other parties and bringing these three visions together.

On shoot with Anthony Masterson and Atlanta Magazine’s HOME.

Thanks to Steve’s many years working as Creative Director and then CEO of Berkshire Hathaway company, Larson-Juhl, he’s got a great deal of experience under his belt, both in working on various photoshoots and directly with the media. Needless to say, he was a wealth of expertise when it came to prepping for our big photoshoot for Atlanta Magazine’s HOME.

Because of Steve’s and Anthony-Masterson’s shared histories shooting spaces for publication, we thought we could share some top tips, with our design industry friends, on being an awesome player on any photoshoot team – all in hopes your project makes it to print! Here’s what we have to offer…

1. Be prepared. For anything. This may sound a bit vague, but anything can happen on a photoshoot. You’ll arrive on site with a plan – or at least an idea – of what will happen throughout the shoot and inevitably things change. Prep your photoshoot site as best you can and ensure it’s in tip top shape for when the editor and photographer arrive. 
2. Consider your design from all different angles. You may have created a design with a specific functionality in mind. But, when you’re in the midst of a photoshoot, things change. Furnishings may be readjusted so they’re captured in the best lighting. Even if you don’t think a corner of a room will be photographed, be sure it’s designed and photo-ready, just in case. 
3. Bring extra accessories. Repeat after us – you can never have too many accessories. We love a great vignette shot. Secret to those amazing shots? Perfectly selected and positioned accessories. Bring additional accessories for each space being photographed. Perhaps the editor will want to try a different selection of pillows on a setee or make it appear as if a cocktail party is in progress on the bar. You’ll need to think ahead and have your stock of accessories to pull out should the need arise.
4. Stay out of the way. This is a tough one. The spaces being photographed have been your baby and it’ll be difficult to give up control. But, you must trust in the photographer and editor to capture and highlight those
   spaces in the best possible light. That’s their job, and with you supporting from the sidelines, it’ll be a success. 
5. Offer advice. This may seem contradictory to tip #4, but when called upon, you’ll need to provide guidance, share inspiration and suggest solutions if any issues arise. It’s a difficult balance, but once you’ve been through a shoot or two, you’ll become a pro!

*Bonus tip from Steve and Jill – Keep your favorite shops and accessory/textile destinations on speed dial during the shoot. You never know when the perfect item may just be down the road! Lucky for Steve, he was on shoot and Jill was back at the showroom… Blue hued pillows for the kitchen banquette were needed. So, she gathered up all they had and they were brought to the home where the photoshoot was in progress. A selection was made and the kitchen shot was a winner!

Steve’s bedroom design made the cover!

So, there you have it. Our advice on becoming a photoshoot savant and a little behind the scenes of our photoshoot with Atlanta Magazine’s HOME. It was such a fun experience and now we’re ready to tackle the next shoot – and whatever it may bring!

Keep an eye out for a feature post here, on the blog for steve mckenzie’s, where Steve will share more about the clients and the space he designed for them.

Steve and Jill attended January Market at AmericasMart earlier this month, and had the pleasure of visiting the Pantone Design Exhibition – they were so taken with the signature vignettes and the color forecasting, they knew we’d have to do a quick photo recap here on the blog for steve mckenzie’s!

The vignettes unveiled at January Market were curated by some fabulous tastemakers in the design industry; many of whom are friends of steve mckenzie’s…

Space by Heather Hogan Roberts of Ivy & Vine Space by Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Schwartz of Cloth & Kind – photo by Rue magazine Space by Janie Hirsch of J. Hirsch Interior Design Space by Jamie Durie of Durie Design – photo from New Growth Designs Amazing table by Rablabs in the Habachy Designs space – photo by Rablabs Robert Leleux, of Southern Style Now Space by Shaun Smith of Shaun Smith Home – photo by Modern History Furniture

Amazing spaces by Kristin Alber, of Kristin Alber Design and Michel Boyd, of Michel Smith Boyd Interiors, were also part of the Pantone exhibit.

It’s so exciting to see so many familiar names within these fabulous spaces – and we hope you all find them as inspiring as we did!

In addition to viewing these stunning vignettes, exhibit visitors were also treated to a first display of Pantone’s colors of the year, Rose Quartz and Serenity. Here’s a look back at the annual colors since 2010:

Check out our “Pantone Colors of 2016” Houzz Ideabook, which showcases Steve’s latest fabric collection Garden Boquet, featuring tones of Rose Quartz.

If you’re looking for help incorporating color in to your space – look no further than the steve mckenzie’s design team; we’d love to work with you on your design projects this year!

Once again, it’s almost time for the unveiling of the annual Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Serenbe Designer Showhouse – and this time, steve mckenzie’s is showcasing a signature space all our own!

You may remember, we’ve worked with other designers in past Serenbe showhouses, and even designed two Serenbe artist cottages, alongside our friend, Kerry Howard. Suffice it to say, we’re Serenbe fans!

We are thrilled to design the Entrance Hall to the fabulous Penthouse of a one-of-a-kind textile loft, which is this year’s Designer Showhouse! Knowing our space will offer visitors a first glimpse into the amazing designs of fourteen other designers is absolutely wonderful, certainly humbling and slightly scary. But, we’re up for any challenge!

Above is a shot of our blank canvas when installation was first beginning. A stunning light fixture by Currey and Company is hidden beneath a bit of protective wrapping, but will be revealed tomorrow – on opening day!

Another sneak peek into the luxurious life of an interior designer… Packing, securing and transferring furniture, artwork and more to the penthouse for installation.

We cannot wait for the first guests to arrive and be greeted with this brilliant wallpaper design by Mitchell Black. It’s dramatic, luxe and oh so sophisticated.

As we mentioned above, the house officially opens tomorrow, September, 9th and is open through Sunday, October 2nd. All proceeds from the designer showhouse will directly benefit the Art Farm at Serenbe, a cause we believe is so worthy. Buy your tickets here – you won’t be disappointed with a visit to this outstanding showhome!

Check out this link for a rundown of all the 2016 Serenbe Showhome designers. We’re so grateful to be in such brilliant company!

If you’ve been out of touch for a while, you may not have heard… Wallpaper is back in a BIG way. Chances are, you already know this and have been seeing the wonders of wallpaper just about everywhere you look.

We were inspired to share the wonders of wallpaper with you, thanks to a fantastic article in the April 2015 issue of Atlanta Magazine featuring an absolutely enviable space by our friend Kelly of Kandrac & Kole Interiors.

photo by Emily Followill

While blue and white is a classic combination, the addition of a bold wallpaper to a bathroom space is totally refreshing, and truly eye-popping! It’s no wonder this space was selected as Atlanta Magazine‘s April “Room Envy” space.

photo by Emily Followill

In addition to this wallpapered bathroom, we’er seeing lots more action with wallpaper in general…

Below is an image of a room in the 2015 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Showhouse, which we previewed last week. This is a fabulous powder room space designed by our new friend Beth Kooby, which features “Petal Pusher” wallpaper by Oh Joy! and we think it’s so much fun!

While wallpaper does add instant drama, you don’t have to use it throughout an entire room to successfully incorporate wallpaper into a space. In fact, we’re loving the idea of using wallpaper as an accent. Whether it’s used to line the back of bookshelves, or add a fun pop of color and pattern to a piece of furniture (as seen in many of the Grange pieces carried at steve mckenzie’s), it’s a surefire winner!

Are you ready to experience the wonder of wallpaper for yourself? If you think you’re ready to take the plunge, but don’t quite know where to start, reach out to the team here at steve mckenzie’s and we’d be thrilled to help make a fantastic design, featuring some fun wallpaper, happen for you!

She’s an interior designer with an impeccable sense of style. But, she’s also an unbelievable artist, working with natural mediums in ways we’d never imagine. Tish Mills seems to be able to do it all, and we’re thrilled to have gotten the opportunity to get to know her better over the last year!

Some of Tish’s creations grace our shelves here in the steve mckenzie’s showroom, although they never last long, catching people’s attention as soon as they’re near. Her agate accessories have been fast movers here, and some of our own, personal favorite items carried in-store.

Tish Mills’ custom creations on display at steve mckenzie’s

But, first and foremost, Tish Mills is an unbelievable designer in her own right and creates some stunning, and totally awe-inspiring spaces. We’re absolutely honored Tish agreed to let us feature her as a Tastemaker, here on the blog for steve mckenzie’s, and we’re excited to share a bit more about Tish with you today:

Tish Mills

Since forming Harmonious Living in 1999, Tish Mills has become known for creating highly peaceful spaces that are a true reflection of the homeowner’s personality and the way that they live. Tish uses a mix of color and materials from the surroundings to create balanced spaces that are seamless from interior to exterior. Project results have been recognized numerous times within the design industry. Tish Mills has received 13 design excellence awards from the Georgia Chapter of the ASID; one project winning three national ASID awards. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Elle Décor, Traditional Homes, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and Atlanta Magazine as well as several books on interior design. Tish Mills is a graduate of the University of Georgia and studied Feng Shui at the American Feng Shui Institute. She is an active member of the American Society of Interior Designers.

1. Three words that describe your aesthetic? 

No Boundaries, Thoughtful, Organic

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

It is hard for me to have one favorite project since they are all very different and a reflection of each homeowner, rather than me.  Having said that, I’m very proud of the house that was featured in the May issue of Traditional Home Magazine.  This was an especially challenging and rewarding project for me because the client pushed me more than a client ever has.  She only wanted to see the very newest and most trend-setting design in a very bold color palette.  That is very different for an Atlanta project, which tends to be much more neutral.  Coupled with this directive, the client also wanted the spaces to feel calm and soothing.  It was quite a tall order.  The outcome, speaks for itself.  It was beyond anything she had hoped for.  And, we are now working on a new ground up project for the same family.

I am also just finishing a project for a long time client that is very neutral, yet not safe at all, that I am so incredibly excited to photograph and share.  We’ve worked on this project for about four years, including a full year before we brought in an architect or builder.  By the time the team was assembled, we had an incredibly clear vision for the project.  The client and I recently pulled out the concept sketches we did at the first meeting on this project and were both amazed at how true the end product has stayed to our initial conversation.

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

Like almost every Designer would say, inspiration comes from everywhere.  It is almost a creative person’s curse as we look at the world differently.  Travel is always a key source.  I was in Marrakech a few years ago and that really shifted my design approach. The level of detail, patterning, and imagination in every corner of that country is breathtaking.  The flip side of that is as simple as a weekend at the beach.  I could sit every day and watch the colors shift during sunset or the tide wash over the sand.  My children tease me that I only like colors associated with an oyster shell or a sunset.  Needless to say, they were surprised by the project I mentioned above.  Cooking is another source of inspiration as I approach it from a very free space not limited by any recipe.   For me, cooking engages all of the senses to a higher level.  As I said, inspiration comes from everywhere…

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

My Grandmother (Gran Gran), as I miss her every day.  She was a cowgirl who lived way before her time.  If she were my age right now, watch out world;  Oprah because she is a trailblazer and shows no fear; Axel Vervoordt because studying his design approach taught me to never over think, but rather design from the deepest place in my soul.

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

I have several pieces I’ve collected over the years that mean a great deal to me, such as a pair of antique doors from Portugal.  Until recently, I would have said something like these.  But, for Christmas this past year, my now fiancé, painted a piece for me of two horses.  The emotion of the painting, the body language between them and the look in both of their eyes, spoke volumes.  I’ll love that piece of art, and the love behind it, for the rest of my life.

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

I don’t really believe in rules for the most part.  I’m a firm believer in following my intuition.  If you love it and have an emotional response, buy it.  We will find a place in the home for that special item.  However, having said that, I do also believe there are  some things in a room have to be quiet and set the stage for the more special pieces in the space.  Not everything can be the star fighting for attention, or the result will be anything but peaceful.  Actually that can be quite frenetic.

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

I’m really enjoying working with the influx of concrete tiles.  The patterning and color combinations are very inspiring and have been a great launching place for design.  In color, I’m really loving strong blues such as navy which can be very crisp.

I’m over safe design.  Seeing the spring collections from the manufacturers have been the best in years.   The industry, as a whole, is again pushing the boundaries and much stronger and creative products are hitting the market.  I’ve been adding resources and new patters/textures like crazy as a result.

8. How does artwork fit into your designs?

Artwork is often the star or jumping off point for spaces for me.  It is typically the item in the room that really pushing the color and emotion.  I rarely shop for art without the client because they have to have an connection to the artwork in any space since it really helps push the soul of the room.

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

Ok, I admit it… my iPhone.  I couldn’t survive without talking to my children.  And, on the practical side, I do tend to take pictures of anything I see out in the world that I want to remember.  The creative inspiration on an deserted Island could keep me going for a long time.

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

Get to work.  Get out and see and do everything you can.  I am immediately turned off by people who are not self-starters and are not hungry to learn.  If you are breaking into the industry, it is important to understand that design is very hard work with lots of hours.

Hard work and lots of hours indeed, Tish is spot-on with that piece of advice for up and coming designers!

And a BIG thank you to this maven of interior design for allowing us to feature her as a Tastemaker. We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Tish Mills better!

Building on his WCAF Bloggers Tour success, Steve is joining acclaimed stylist and entertaining expert, Annette Joseph on a once-in-a-lifetime photographer’s retreat to Berlin as the tour’s Branding Expert!

 Annette enjoys sharing the many ideas, tips and tricks she has gained as a nationally recognized photo stylist/producer specializing in lifestyle editorial images for magazines. Annette Joseph

With over 20 years experience, her expertise includes photo styling for interiors, food propping and special production projects. Check out Annette’s fabulous book, “Picture Perfect Parties,” to gain a sense of Annette’s signature style.

Throughout Annette’s Berlin photography workshop, guests will be immersed in one of the hippest urban landscapes in the world. They’ll mingle with other creatives, relax and enjoy an educational photo styling experience.

Also joining Annette and Steve will be Christina Wedge, an amazing lifestyle and interiors photographer.

Home base for the group will be the stylish Honigmond Garden Hotel.

The workshop is for all levels of photographers, as long as they have a basic knowledge of how to operate their camera and place it on a manual setting.

Steve is thrilled to have the opportunity to provide social media and branding tips to such a creative group, and you can be a part of it… Please join us and be a groovy Berliner – there’s a great team in place to show you the ropes!

Earth Day is fast approaching on April 21st and 22nd.  How will you celebrate this fabulous yet fragile planet which sustains us? Here are three fun ways get outside and celebrate our Earth and Mother Nature.

Happy Earth Day!

First and most obvious, but we often miss this opportunity, enjoy the tonic of fresh air, and companionship with nature! Walk through the woods in search of emerging wildflowers and green moss. Go outside, no matter the weather!

Next eat seasonally and locally with this special offer for Georgia Grown Farm Basket from the ever-popular site Hand-Picked Atlanta.  Delight your family and friends by discovering  new herbs and vegetables to add to your entertaining menus, plus you’ll be helping local farmers with your support.

Georgia Grown Farm Basket

Remember our blog post about favorite kitchen helper, Unpaper towels?  By using these washable workhorse towels from our Georgia pals Dot and Army, there’s another way to help our environment and earth, right in your own home, all year long.  More points for you and Mother Nature!

And finally, another chance to explore outside at this Atlanta treasure, Blue Heron Nature Preserve. All kinds of activities are planned for April 21, see there website for all the details and year round volunteer opportunities.

Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Atlanta

Can’t wait to take shop dog, Duke, for a long walk along the Chattahoochee River soon!  Let us know how you will celebrate Earth Day and use #inspiredtailoredauthentic #earthdayatl

Living a “green” lifestyle doesn’t have to be obvious and in-your-face… You can enjoy a more Earth-friendly lifestyle in a very stylish way – take it from us! Here are a couple quick tips and products we think are very stylish, and that also happen to be Earth friendly:

Correspond in Green

We’re not talking green ink, but rather use eco-friendly paper products, such as this collection we’re currently offering in the steve mckenzie’s showroom that’s made in Nepal from sustainable materials. It’s a beautiful and stylish as it is “green!”

Stay True to Textiles

A selection of some of the fabric napkins available at the steve mckenzie’s showroom.

We’ve shared this tip before, and we’ll surely share it again, as it’s one of our favorite tips, but use fabric napkins in place of paper!! This creates less waste and offers a more stylish place setting (no matter if it’s the dining room table, or cuddled next to a loved one on the sofa).

Neutral cloth napkin selection at steve mckenzie’s.

Make your use of cloth napkins even more eco-friendly by opting not to wash after every use – typically adults, and even older children, won’t soil their napkin after every use. Save on the water and energy used to clean the cloths by washing only when necessary. After each meal, ask family members to simply leave their cloth napkins in their seat, that way, when setting the table for the next meal, they’ll use “their” same napkin again.

Colorful cloth napkins at steve mckenzie’s.

When your cloth napkins have become soiled, toss them in the wash with your other laundry, so you don’t devote an entire load (and the resources) to only cleansing cloth napkins. Use eco-friendly detergent, wash in cold water, and when the weather’s nice, line dry. Nothing’s better than linens dried in the sun on a warm day!

Are you inspired to become more “green” on this Earth Day?! We sure hope so! We hope you all enjoy a lovely Earth Day, today and everyday!!

Each year we celebrate Earth Day and use this day to recognize all we can do to protect our Earth and its natural resources. This day may also bring about overwhelming thoughts of how much there is to be done to ensure we leave our Earth a better place for future generations.

Although it’s easy to get lost in the big picture, there are small things you and your family can begin doing today to make a more positive impact on the Earth. As one person, you may not be able to save the rain forests, but you can work to share small changes with those around you and together, you can make this Earth Day count!

A few of our favorite, simple, “green” practices are:

Use Cloth Napkins

A selection of some of the fabric napkins available at the steve mckenzie’s showroom.

We’ve talked about the benefits of cloth napkins before, but could always use a refresher! Not only are cloth napkins a more eco-friendly option, versus paper napkins, they’re also beautiful.

Neutral cloth napkin selection at steve mckenzie’s.

Many times, you won’t need to wash your cloth napkins after every use – each family member leaves their napkin at their place at the table – which increases the eco-friendliness of these napkins. When you’re ready to launder them, don’t devote an entire load to napkins, simply toss them in with another laundry load, and line dry, if it’s a nice day out.

Colorful cloth napkins at steve mckenzie’s.

Consider Natural Solutions Using Lemons

Recently, Limoneira shared some excellent tips, reminding us of all the wonderful uses for lemons around the house. Some of those uses include…

Cleaning Copper with Lemons

Cleaning copper – make a paste with lemon juice and salt. Rub copper using a rough cloth, rinse and dry to see shine.

Insect repellent for stored clothes – take a lemon and use a knife or nail to make small holes all over. Push cloves in those piercings. Hang the lemon outside in the sun to dry. It may take 4 days or a week to dry, depending on the weather conditions. When it is completely dried, it becomes a natural insect repellent. It works the best when kept in the wardrobes, cupboards, and suitcases containing clothing. This does not only repels the insects but also takes away the stale odor from the stored clothing.

All purpose cleaner – add an equal amount of lemon juice and water to a spray bottle is an effective kitchen and bathroom cleanser.

So many of these natural lemon solutions take the place of chemical cleansers and other not-so-Earth-friendly options. If you could incorporate only one or two of these ideas into your lifestyle, you’ll be well on your way to becoming more “green!”

These ideas can help you live every day as if it were Earth Day, and will hopefully inspire those around you to do all they can do become more eco-friendly. Happy Earth Day to all!

Head’s up – Mother’s Day is just around the corner… In fact, it’s exactly nine days away, on Sunday, May 10th!

If you’re looking for a little gift inspiration, we’re here for you. Here’s our rundown of six fantastic Mother’s Day gifts to give the special mother (or in some cases mothers) in your life:

A beautiful, one-of-a-kind picture frame, complete with a picture of her favorite child!

photo by Nicole Sloan

A fantastically scented, handmade candle – and how about some bubble bath and a sponge to accompany it, so she’ll be ready for a relaxing bath?!?

photo by Nicole Sloan

These sweet Blenko glass carafes are ideal for all sorts of uses… A small vase (presented on her breakfast-in-bed tray), a bedside water pitcher, or just a pretty sun catcher on a windowsill.

Here’s a great idea… Gift her with a book as beautiful as her! Beauty Everyday is choc full of stunning images of homes and gardens throughout the south and is currently 20% off at steve mckenzie’s!

photo by Nicole Sloan photo by Nicole Sloan

No mother will be disappointed with a piece of handcrafted jewelry – especially when you tell her it’s as unique as she is!

These custom state flower artworks will help to bring out her sentimental side. Consider pulling a grouping together and include the state she was born in, the state(s) where her children were born, and the state in which she currently resides. These will tell a beautiful story!

***Bonus gift ideas – here are some thoughtful gifts you can create for mom yourself:

• Plant a Potted Flower/Herb Garden
• Author a Thoughtful Poem
• Create a Book Full of Favorite Family Recipes

Hopefully we’ve inspired you to gift the special mother(s) in your life with something equally as special for her. And to all the moms out there, happy Mother’s Day!

Earlier this year, we shared a bit about how we use Pinterest – both professionally and personally – to inspire our designs and lifestyle.

We had so much fun revisiting our pinboards for that post, we thought we’d bring it back and focus on our “Loft Living” board for another Pinspiring post.

Loft living is such a desirable concept for so many. But, in reality creating a space that’s both beautiful and functional within an open loft space can be quite a challenge. When revisiting our “Loft Living” Pinterest board, we discovered quite a few common threads that were weaved throughout some of our favorite images…

Natural Light

A huge perk of loft living are amazing, oversize windows and/or skylights. However, these windows may only be along one wall in the loft space. Make the most of those industrial windows by using light and airy colors in the largest components of the space – like the ceilings, walls and floors.

Amazing Staircases

Staircases are another element that can really be played up in a loft space. Think of it as a sculptural feature, which often have multiple purposes. Sure, they’re a means to an end. But, they can also act as storage, a room divider, and so much more. Don’t settle for something basic when this one element can be made in to something truly amazing.

Textures

Traditional lofts can feel cold and sterile with their copious amounts of concrete and exposed piping and duct work, but vintage elements, such as exposed brick walls and hundred year old wood beams offer loads of warmth. If your space doesn’t already offer those components, add them! And then add those necessary soft items – a vintage rug and fun floor poufs (extra seating!) will be oh-so-inviting for your guests.

Although there’s so much more to designing a fantastic loft space, hopefully these tidbits will provide a bit of inspiration – or should we say Pinspiration – to your dreams of living the loft lifestyle.

If we can help you achieve your design dreams, be it in a loft space, Tudor home, or modern condo, please reach out to the steve mckenzie’s design team today!

Pinterest offers us a wealth of inspiration with just the click of a mouse and sometimes possibly a simply keyword search. We turn to Pinterest to find inspiration not only in our work for steve mckenzie’s, but also in our personal lives.

With over 100 boards we pin to, we thought it was time to share a bit of that Pinspiration with you – our fabulous blog readers! Our “Pinspiring” posts will feature a board we’re currently loving, some of our favorite images from that pinboard and why it’s working for us.

First up, is our “Office Concepts” Pinterest board. With the start of a new year, many people are looking to become better organized, and for many, a beautiful office space may be just the ticket for a more manageable life. Check out some of our current favorite office design Pinspirations:

From these inspiring images, and from our other pins on our “Office Concepts” board, you’ll note some similarities. Neutral colors abound, natural/textural elements almost always play a part, while fantastic lighting and lots of storage are must-haves. Also, smart, yet stylish seating plays a role in these designs.

All of those are fantastic takeaways as we work with clients to create organized and stylish office spaces for them. If you’re looking to create a successful office space, please reach out to the steve mckenzie’s design team to learn how we may be able to work together!

WalletHub recently shared a listing of 2016’s best and worst cities for staycations… And Atlanta came in as the 6th best city for a staycation!

Now, we know Atlanta is pretty fabulous – there’s lots to do, a deep sense of history, fantastic restaurants and shopping – the list could go on and on. Obviously, the folks at WalletHub agree. Their number crunchers compared the 150 largest cities across 28 key metrics. WalletHub’s data set includes such metrics as movie and bowling costs, golf courses, frozen-yogurt shops and spas per capita. Pretty neat Atlanta earned the spot as the 6th best staycation city on the list!

And we couldn’t agree more… Here are our thoughts of the top places to stay and things to do as you plan your in-town staycation:

The Mandarin Oriental Atlanta promises luxurious, fabulous accommodations and is currently in the #1 spot on TripAdvisor’s top Atlanta hotels list. The rooms are sumptuous and the attention to detail is stellar.

Now, if you’re searching for a cozier place to stay, look no further than the Stonehurst Place bed and breakfast. This hidden gem is located in Midtown and it will truly serve as your home away from home. The rooms there feature stunning furnishings and museum-worthy original works of art! Bonus – you don’t have to make the bed.

Atlanta Westside illustration by Nik Neves

In addition to shopping at steve mckenzie’s and exploring all Atlanta’s Westside neighborhood has to offer, there are tons of amazing tourist attractions our team recommends…

Georgia Aquarium Atlanta Botanical Gardens Oakland Cemetary High Museum of Art Ponce City Market

And there you have it, a quick rundown of where we’d stay and what we’d do on our Atlanta staycation! Thanks to WalletHub’s listing of best/worst staycation cities for inspiring this post… We hope we’ve inspired some of our local readers to become tourists in our own city – or if you’re from out of town, we hope to have sparked some interest in planning a visit to Atlanta. Remember to stop by steve mckenzie’s while enjoying Atlanta. We promise the tea here is cool, as is our current selection of unique, authentic souvenir options!