Recently Jill’s brother, sil (sister-in-law) and 3 young children came to town for a fun summer visit. As you all probably know, Atlanta is not at a shortage for fun activities for kids of all ages, but in our search to find things we’d all enjoy and haven’t done before, we discovered the fabulous Old Fourth Ward Splash Pad!
If you’re not already familiar with Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward Park, here’s a bit about this fantastic local amenity:
Historic 4th Ward Park was one of the first redevelopment projects undertaken by the Atlanta Beltline, Inc. The park connects directly to the future 22-mile Beltline loop and has become a catalyst for additional redevelopment and reinvestment within the surrounding community. The brownfield sites were transformed from a barren contaminated site near Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthplace into a vision for sustainable redevelopment. The area was redeveloped into civic open spaces complete with open lawns, flowing walkways and a city greensward, a splash pad and playground, a recirculating stream, wildflower meadows, a multi-purpose recreation field and Atlanta’s first skate park. In addition to all of the amenities, the park also demonstrates the value of sustainable, collaborative design, and positive social, environmental and economic impact it can have on a community.
At Old Fourth Ward Park there are tons of family-friendly surfaces, benches, and pergola shaded areas. Not to mention restrooms conveniently located near the play park and splash pad – a necessity when enjoying the park with little ones! The ground cover was also well thought out – someone certainly considered wet kids running over to the playground area barefoot and had a super soft, cool surface material installed. So smart! The splash pad really had something available for all ages and abilities to enjoy the water, and when we were there, there had to have been a half-dozen birthday parties taking place – brilliant!
A few tips – bring your own towels and maybe a camping chair and/or picnic blanket, as the benches fill up quickly. Consider bringing your wagon for hauling kids and supplies, since there’s a bit of a walk from parking to the splash pad and playground. GO EARLY! Parking and features fill up quickly.
We hope you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy this fun splash pad before summer comes to an end – and please let us know about your favorite Atlanta activities for little ones, we’re always looking for great ideas for when family comes to town!
I may have mentioned that our son and his wife are expecting their first child in June, a little girl. Right away, my daughters and I started planning a ladies-only celebration baby shower for March to celebrate this blessed event. Well, we all know that life came to a screeching, shelter in place halt in early March. The invitations were mailed, personalized cups and napkins and dreamy candles ordered but off course we cancelled it, keeping everyone safe and at home.
As the baby shower date approached, we decided to go ahead and set the table, making it special for the new mama-to-be via photos. For a refresher, here’s a quick party planning breakdown of what we used and why. First Creative Candles Barely Blush votives were the building block for the color scheme and celebration.
Barely Blush votive candles from Creative Candles – hand-dipped, dripless, smokeless, unscented Celebration planning details
Sequins and Lipstick personalized cups and napkins | Creative Candles votive and ball candles |Ikea votive holder | Blabla Kids Josephine the elephant |Wedgwood Edme dishes | Target bed cover as tablecloth
This soft pink and mossy green palette paired beautifully with our Wedgwood Edme dishes. This is pretty pink quilt made a perfect table cloth backdrop for the candle lit setting of sweet nibbles and drinks. Get creative next time you set the table. Is there a vibrant scarf or shawl you can use on the table? Fresh flowers always add to the table too.
So many napkin colors available with Sequins and Lipstick! Virtual celebration with McKenzie Design and family
It’s not the same, we know. But we are making the best of these days at home, finding ways to celebrate the big, and the little, things. Let us know what you are celebrating via email, tag us on Instagram and we’ll see you soon.
All photos by McKenzie Design.
Versace jacket in the Heavenly Bodies exhibit at The Met
Food – Hooray for neighborhood newcomer, Van Leeuwan Artisan Ice Cream – *bonus tip* Get the sundae with three scoops and all the trimmings. It costs less than getting three scoops on a cone. Oh, and the strawberry tastes just like freshly picked strawberries!
Artisan ice cream
New parents have got to keep up their energy, so we’ve been cooking lots – new favorites like no-cook Energy Balls and old favorites like Jamie Oliver’s Salmon Packets.
And can you guess what’s in this photo?
Any guesses?
If you guessed homemade chicken stock, then you’re correct! Our s.i.l. (son-in-law) has perfected Instapot chicken stock and found these fun blue silicone freezer molds so you can freeze the stock, then stack the frozen blocks in a zip lock baggie. Pull out a delicious, homemade one cup serving at a time. Check out the NYTimes recipe from Melissa Clark, Instapot cooking guru.
Baby girl clothes and bows – All the favorites like Gap, Carters, Little English, Baby Bling hair bows, Starry Knight shoes, onesies painted by artist Papa Steve!
Precious sleeping baby
Best board books – (Go straight to Saturn Booksellers and they’ll ship all the latest to you or a loved one). My new favorite is The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. Chomp, chomp, chomp! What’s your favorite read-aloud child’s book?
Not only have we (hopefully) helped our adult kids ease into family-work-life balance, but we’ve gotten to dote on them and this precious baby girl. For that, we are very thankful for the time, love and support from our friends and family.
Want to gift the newest little one in your life with something that will stand the test of time and grow with them? Look no further than the selection of beautiful baby gifts at steve mckenzie’s!
While these items may not be typical to a traditional baby registry, they are gifts the parents, and in a few years, the young person will truly love and appreciate. These are absolute treasures, and classic baby gifts never go out of style.
Pewter Baby Cups
Pewter “Georgia” Baby Cup Pewter “Easton” Baby Cup
Made by Salisbury in the USA, these stunning pewter baby cups are exceptionally styled and feature fine quality handcrafted details. A monogrammed baby cup is a forever gift, and with our quick turnaround time and complimentary gift wrapping, a lovely gift to give and receive.
Alpaca Baby Goods
Made by Alicia Adamas Alpaca, these beautifully crafted baby items are supremely soft and will become instant favorites of the new parents… Baby will sleep soundly swaddled in a sweet alpaca baby blanket, or look ever so cozy in an alpaca onesie or cute pair of booties. And again, you’ll be pleased with the quick turnaround time of these items through steve mckenzie’s.
Handcrafted Baby Cards
A special delivery calls for an equally special card, and our selection of artfully designed greeting cards will add an ideal finishing touch to any baby gift. Your card from steve mckenzie’s will make it into the baby book for sure!
If you’re shopping in celebration of a new baby, please stop by – or call – steve mckenzie’s today and we’ll help you select the perfect gift, which will become a lifelong treasure!
Last year, we introduced our blog readers to Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that does a tremendous job of providing interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women. They’re back on our radar now, with a fantastic promotion in conjunction with O Magazine and Talbots.
Seven new pieces were designed for Talbots in collaboration with O Magazine‘s Creative Director, Adam Glassman, and 30% of the net proceeds will go to benefit Dress for Success!
In addition to these proceeds going to Dress for Success, Talbots is also offering other ways to support this fantastic organization – you can bring in excellent condition, wear-to-work items to any Talbots location March 3-6, and they’re also offering to accept monetary gifts for the organization through April 3.
If you’re looking to do any shopping – or donating of work-appropriate clothes – please consider a visit to Talbots in support of Dress for Success!
This past weekend at AmericasMart was such a whirlwind for us! We were so honored to be selected to participate in their exciting “Retail Meets Design” vignette exhibition, which highlighted the talents of a fantastic group of retailers who are also designers, or vice versa. We were simply blown away by everyone’s creativity!
Steve took this opportunity to add a little glam into his designs and we couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome! In addition, just about everything was sourced from within AmericasMart, and the items he didn’t find there are all available through steve mckenzie’s.
The vignette Steve designed for McKenzie Design was centered around a banquette table and chair arrangement, with the focal point being that amazing hammered metal pedestal table from Bliss Studio.
As you’ve probably deduced by now, tablescapes are a specialty of ours here at steve mckenzie’s and Steve’s tabletop design for his vignette certainly portrayed his appreciation for fine wares. Here’s a rundown of Steve’s sources for his tablescape:
The bar cart, found via Golden Oldies Antiques, was actually an old Viennese pastry cart, which was repurposed, and it acted as the perfect end cap for the banquet – sourced through Lee Industries. The bottom of the bar cart featured a glass cabinet, which was filled with antique brass camel bells. The shield back chairs were found at Aidan Gray, and the nailhead trim on the chairs worked beautifully with the detailing on the banquette seating!
The console table space was perhaps our favorite moment within the vignette. That table, also sourced through Bliss Studio, is a true work of art, and the bejeweled Buddha perched atop it is as well. After all, it was crafted by THE Eric Cortina. And the floral on the console is by Diane James.
The lighting above the table and the sconces above the console are all from Currey & Co., each of those pieces added some needed modernity. The vertical artwork was sourced from Wendover Art Group and the horizontal piece is from Art & Frame Source.
You may recognize the wall covering, as it’s based off of Steve’s art and textile design, was transferred to grass cloth and transformed in to wallpaper. It is so exciting to see the loop art used in this way!
The banquette pillows offered their own touch of glitz and glam and were found via D.V. Kap.
And that etagere, which added the perfect amount of style and storage was found via Gabby, as were all of those stunning accessories used to style it.
The rug also deserves a mention all its own… The luxuriously soft and beautiful floor covering Jaipur Living, and it was a showstopper!
We also have to share a little shout out to all of the other amazing retailer/designers who designed some brilliant spaces for the “Retail Meets Design” vignettes:
– Kristin Alber of FOUND
– Nina Nash and Jared Hughes of Matthews Furniture + Design
– Susan Victor and John Ishmael of Natina Home & Design
– Rozanne Jackson of The Iron Gate
– Ann Huff, Meg Harrington and Sam Jones of Huff Harrington Home
– Paige Schnell, Beth Nash and Anna Kay Porch of Tracery Interiors
In addition to designing the exhibition vignette, Steve was also invited to speak on a panel about the retail and design business and how to bridge the gap between them, as well as promoting the dual businesses. Kristin Alber of FOUND, moderated the panel and was such a delight to get to know during AmericasMart!
While AmericasMart can be a crazy time, and this year was no exception, it’s always a phenomenal source of inspiration and a wonderful time to meet and greet with all of our industry friends. And we’re so appreciative of all the praise the vignette exhibit has been garnering on social media – just check out #retailmeetsdesign to get an idea of all the excitement!
Here’s to AmericasMart 2017!!
Earlier this summer, Steve and Jill attended The Southern Summit, an amazing event hosted by The Southern Coterie, which founded by two extremely talented women, Cheri Leavy and Whitney Long.
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?”
C: I am into coupe glasses right now because of my friend, Brian Hart Hoffman’s new book, The Coupe: Celebrating Craft Cocktails and Vintage Collections I am over my dated kitchens and bathrooms. The struggle is real if you love 1930s homes.
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!
Now, who’s already planning their visit to Sea Island for The Southern Summit 2017?!?
Meet our new neighbors… Cover. An amazing bookstore featuring works on art, design, food and wine.
As our longtime blog readers are aware, we’re BIG art and design book lovers. Our “Library Friday” series is only the tip of the iceberg on the topic.
As you can imagine, we’ve found our new happy place at Cover.
Their stunning selection of beautiful books is simply outstanding.
Cover is conveniently located near our showroom at:
1031 Marietta Street, Suite A
Atlanta, GA 30318
Cover has got it going on too… Events, fantastic press. Next time you’re visiting us, plan a visit to Cover as well – you won’t be sorry!
Speaking of events, they’re hosting the Jarry Magazine launch party with Steven Satterfield next Thursday evening. Check out event details here.
A warm welcome to our newest neighbors – we’re so happy you’re here in Atlanta’s Westside neighborhood!
We hope everyone’s enjoyed a nice, long weekend. Spending time in the sun, grilling, hanging out with family and friends – oh, and those fireworks – it’s the epitome of what summer is all about.
We hope you all continue your celebration safely. Happy 4th of July to all from the team here at steve mckenzie’s!
This past weekend at AmericasMart was such a whirlwind for us! We were so honored to be selected to participate in their exciting “Retail Meets Design” vignette exhibition, which highlighted the talents of a fantastic group of retailers who are also designers, or vice versa. We were simply blown away by everyone’s creativity!
Steve took this opportunity to add a little glam into his designs and we couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome! In addition, just about everything was sourced from within AmericasMart, and the items he didn’t find there are all available through steve mckenzie’s.
The vignette Steve designed for McKenzie Design was centered around a banquette table and chair arrangement, with the focal point being that amazing hammered metal pedestal table from Bliss Studio.
As you’ve probably deduced by now, tablescapes are a specialty of ours here at steve mckenzie’s and Steve’s tabletop design for his vignette certainly portrayed his appreciation for fine wares. Here’s a rundown of Steve’s sources for his tablescape:
The bar cart, found via Golden Oldies Antiques, was actually an old Viennese pastry cart, which was repurposed, and it acted as the perfect end cap for the banquet – sourced through Lee Industries. The bottom of the bar cart featured a glass cabinet, which was filled with antique brass camel bells. The shield back chairs were found at Aidan Gray, and the nailhead trim on the chairs worked beautifully with the detailing on the banquette seating!
The console table space was perhaps our favorite moment within the vignette. That table, also sourced through Bliss Studio, is a true work of art, and the bejeweled Buddha perched atop it is as well. After all, it was crafted by THE Eric Cortina. And the floral on the console is by Diane James.
The lighting above the table and the sconces above the console are all from Currey & Co., each of those pieces added some needed modernity. The vertical artwork was sourced from Wendover Art Group and the horizontal piece is from Art & Frame Source.
You may recognize the wall covering, as it’s based off of Steve’s art and textile design, was transferred to grass cloth and transformed in to wallpaper. It is so exciting to see the loop art used in this way!
The banquette pillows offered their own touch of glitz and glam and were found via D.V. Kap.
And that etagere, which added the perfect amount of style and storage was found via Gabby, as were all of those stunning accessories used to style it.
The rug also deserves a mention all its own… The luxuriously soft and beautiful floor covering Jaipur Living, and it was a showstopper!
We also have to share a little shout out to all of the other amazing retailer/designers who designed some brilliant spaces for the “Retail Meets Design” vignettes:
– Kristin Alber of FOUND
– Nina Nash and Jared Hughes of Matthews Furniture + Design
– Susan Victor and John Ishmael of Natina Home & Design
– Rozanne Jackson of The Iron Gate
– Ann Huff, Meg Harrington and Sam Jones of Huff Harrington Home
– Paige Schnell, Beth Nash and Anna Kay Porch of Tracery Interiors
In addition to designing the exhibition vignette, Steve was also invited to speak on a panel about the retail and design business and how to bridge the gap between them, as well as promoting the dual businesses. Kristin Alber of FOUND, moderated the panel and was such a delight to get to know during AmericasMart!
While AmericasMart can be a crazy time, and this year was no exception, it’s always a phenomenal source of inspiration and a wonderful time to meet and greet with all of our industry friends. And we’re so appreciative of all the praise the vignette exhibit has been garnering on social media – just check out #retailmeetsdesign to get an idea of all the excitement!
With each New Year, brings an opportunity for a fresh start, a chance for revitalization, a new perspective. We wish you a very happy New Year and whatever it is you’re hoping to resolve to do this year, and any challenges you may be facing, we hope you achieve it!
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!
If you’ve followed the blog for steve mckenzie’s for a while now, you know we’re fans of a great – and many times, beautiful – book! But, what you may not know is that we’re also lovers of fun, beachy reads. Specifically, just about anything by Kathy Hogan Trocheck, or as many of you may recognize her pen name, Mary Kay Andrews. Her novels are lighthearted, fresh and an absolute pleasure to read.
Because Kathy is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida and she’s worked in the Atlanta area, her novels take place throughout the Southeast. Oftentimes, her books reference great design and delicious food – along with a dollup of trouble and maybe a smidge of romance. They have it all, folks! And thanks to her love of “junking,” Kathy has developed quite a keen eye for interior design… Just check out her Instagram feed for evidence.
We are absolutely delighted to have Kathy as our featured Tastemaker and think you’ll thoroughly enjoy getting to know her and her style with this fun Q&A…
Kathy Hogan Trocheck aka. Mary Kay Andrews
Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times bestselling author of 25 novels, including The Weekenders, Beach Town, Ladies’ Night and Summer Rental. A former features writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she is a self-described decorator in denial and habitual estate sale devotee. Her Tybee Island vacation homes have been featured in HGTV magazine and Better Homes and Gardens magazine. This May, St. Martins’ Press will publish her first non-fiction release, The Beach House Cookbook. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
1. Three words that describe your personal style?
Cluttered, Classic, Quirky
2. Would you please share a little about a favorite space of yours?
My favorite space is currently my kitchen and adjoining breakfast room, designed with my longtime interior designer and pal Clay Snider of Clay Snider Interiors and Robin Pittman of Robin Pittman Designs. We took a narrow, dysfunctional galley kitchen in our 1920s era home, and expanded it into what had formerly been a den, and transformed an awkward pass-through room into a breakfast room with a custom-built butler’s pantry inspired by an antique Welsh cupboard. Now my kitchen has enough space for both my husband and myself to cook together, a roomy island that houses favorite cookbooks, a wine fridge and storage, as well as a fabulous Wolf range with a custom hood supported by chippy antique corbels. And counter-height seating for four.
3. What’s the source(s) of your inspiration?
I’m inspired by movies (Nancy Meyers’ movies like Something’s Gotta Give, The Holiday and It’s Complicated) and television (Downton Abbey) and shelter magazines and books. Also? I make a pilgrimage every Christmas to the Ralph Lauren flagship homes store on Manhattan’s Upper East Side just to imagine moving in there.
4. Name three people (alive or dead) you’d invite to your dream dinner party…
I’d love to have dinner with Nora Ephron, Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham and Harper Lee.
5. A piece of/type of furniture you couldn’t live without?
For our 30th wedding anniversary my husband and I bought a gift for each other, an antique Welsh cupboard. It displays part of my large collection of blue and white porcelains, stores my silver flatware and some table linens and, at Christmas, displays my collection of vintage bottle brush Christmas trees. The new kitchen was designed around that cupboard.
6. Do you follow a particular set of rules when working to design a space of yours?
I’ve long believed in the value of buying classic antiques. That trendy greige Belgian-look console table in the latest Restoration Hardware catalog may be calling your name today, but the day after you bring it home automatically becomes “used furniture.” Whereas a well-made, true antique never really loses value. A fan once called me “a decorator in denial,” which is a pretty apt description of me, as is “a hoarder with good taste.” We are a close family with two young grandchildren who live around the corner and are in and out of our house all week long, so our house has to be comfortable, livable and low maintenance. I buy only what I love, shopping mostly estate sales, trolling high-end antique stores to see how the pros design rooms like movie sets. A designer friend once told me the recipe for a great room includes beautiful hardwood floors, beat-up, colorful Oriental carpets and meaningful art. Add in neutral slipcovered sofas, lots of books and tons of pillows covered in antique textiles and that’s a room I want to live in.
7. Trending… What is something you are currently “into” and something you are “over?”
I’m over poorly-executed chalk-painted furniture, and am into refining and editing to make our home a statement that reflects our taste and lifestyles. These days I practice “catch and release” upgrading our existing furnishings and “releasing” the placeholder pieces I bought while waiting for that one perfect thing. It helps tremendously to have a designer on speed-dial. I’m forever texting Clay photos of things I see at estate sales or at Scott’s Antique Market. “This?” Seventy-five percent of the time he texts back “God, no!”
8. How does artwork fit into your designs?
I tend to like landscapes and portraits with some antique prints thrown in, and I usually group art in a room according to theme. My husband accuses me of buying the same painting over and over again, but I know what I like! Our living room in Atlanta is mostly hung with oil paintings of European villages and landscapes, while the stair-hall features beautifully matted antique bird prints. The downstairs powder room has a blue and white toile paper depicting bird dogs, so the art consists of watercolors and prints of bird dogs. At our beach house on Tybee Island we have long picture ledges in the living room displaying my collection of vintage oil paintings by amateur artists of seascapes and river scenes—most of which show a full moon reflected in the water.
9. What would be the one thing you would have if you were stranded on a deserted island?
A yellow legal pad. I guess I’d have to MacGyver something to write with, but I can’t imagine a life where I’m not scribbling something.
10. Please share a piece of advice you’d offer to someone looking to break into the writing industry.
My motto is “you can’t fix what you ain’t wrote.”
Once you’ve started a piece of writing, forge all the way ahead to the end of your story before beginning serious revisions. Too many beginning writers succumb to the idea that every paragraph must be perfect. They erase and polish for months on end—ending up with one exquisite paragraph but no story. Bash out your story in rough draft form. Let it “marinade” as an editor of mine once called it, then go back and revise and rewrite.
We love Kathy’s take on design and the relaxed, laid-back, yet refined vibe we’re getting from her responses. And we cannot wait to check out her cookbook next year – it promises some classic cuisine, done with Kathy’s unique, fresh take on cooking. Keep an eye out for an update from us on The Beach House Cookbook, due out in May of next year!
A huge shout out to one of our favorite authors – and “junkers” – Kathy Hogan Trocheck aka. Mary Kay Andrews – we’re so honored to have had the opportunity to feature her as at Tastemaker for steve mckenzie’s!!
Not only is this fabulous home tour, geared toward folks excited about contemporary design, taking place this week, but our own namesake will be leading tours as a docent for the 2015 tours!
By now you probably know what a passion Steve has for modern art, architecture and design, and now he’s able to share that love with others while guiding them through an amazing example of this aesthetic.
Here’s a bit of info from the MA team on this exciting event:
Now in its ninth year, Design is Human Atlanta returns for a weeklong series of design events promoting creative knowledge, commerce and culture, featuring talks, panel discussions, film premieres, CEU classes, product launches and more during Design is Human (DiH) Atlanta through June 7, 2015. During the DiH Atlanta, the international design community descends upon Atlanta for a celebration of international design excellence and creative culture.
Bernard McCoy “We’re excited to share innovative, contemporary, international and local designers and brands with Atlanta,” said MA founder, Bernard McCoy. “I am especially excited for two North American premieres this year – Germany’s Naber Concept Kitchen at the International Design Expo, and BEKA & Partners’ ‘Barbicania,’ the latest film in their ‘Living Architecture’ series.”
This year, DiH Atlanta boasts dozens of international brands at the MA International Design Expo (MIDExpo), new signature events and programming, bold idea sharing, and is bookended by the MA Architecture Tours, including two-weekends of some of the best modern commercial and residential spaces in Atlanta, and satellite locations in Athens, GA, Raleigh-Durham, NC and Asheville, NC. Tickets are available now at MA-designishuman.com and ticket locations around Atlanta on May 15, 2015.
If you are a local design professional, there are many opportunities taking place in conjunction with the DiH events you may want to take advantage of:
MA Day of Design for Professionals at ADAC on June 3. ADAC, Presentation Room, 1st Floor 351 Peachtree Hills Ave., Atlanta, Ga 30305
Satisfy multiple CEU credits in one day and be the first to see the MA International Design Expo! Featuring free CEU classes from industry leading manufacturers Knoll, Teknion, Arktura and Dornbracht, plus an exciting presentation from Naber on the North American launch of their “n” Concept Kitchen. The day includes lunch and beverages from Octane (for purchase) and a complimentary cocktail reception in the MA International Design Expo. Network with your peers and manufacturer reps and be the first to see the exhibits. Register today. Seats are limited. Attendance is free!
At Old Fourth Ward Park there are tons of family-friendly surfaces, benches, and pergola shaded areas. Not to mention restrooms conveniently located near the play park and splash pad – a necessity when enjoying the park with little ones! 
The ground cover was also well thought out – someone certainly considered wet kids running over to the playground area barefoot and had a super soft, cool surface material installed. So smart! The splash pad really had something available for all ages and abilities to enjoy the water, and when we were there, there had to have been a half-dozen birthday parties taking place – brilliant! 
Celebrations still happen!
Barely Blush votive candles from Creative Candles – hand-dipped, dripless, smokeless, unscented 
Celebration planning details
So many napkin colors available with Sequins and Lipstick! 
Virtual celebration with McKenzie Design and family
Versace jacket in the Heavenly Bodies exhibit at The Met
Artisan ice cream
Any guesses?
Precious sleeping baby
Pewter “Georgia” Baby Cup 
Pewter “Easton” Baby Cup
Cheri & Whitney
Cheri & Whitney
Bear Bryant
Whitney’s Great Aunt Kate’s vintage flame mahogany breakfront.
Colorful pillows add a POP!
Oyster painting by artist Cathie Parmelee
Scene from The Southern Summit
The stunning solarium ceiling at The Cloister on Sea Island
Photo Credit: Grey Owl Social for The Southern C Summit
Photo Credit: Teresa Earnest Photography for The Southern C Summit
Catching up with the founders of Dear Keaton – Photo Credit: Grey Owl Social for The Southern C Summit
Photo Credit: Grey Owl Social for The Southern C Summit
Photo Credit: Teresa Earnest Photography for The Southern C Summit
Photo Credit: Teresa Earnest Photography for The Southern C Summit
Steve’s workshop “Plan B: Reinvention” – Photo Credit: Grey Owl Social for The Southern C Summit
Kathy Hogan Trocheck aka. Mary Kay Andrews
Bernard McCoy “We’re excited to share innovative, contemporary, international and local designers and brands with Atlanta,” said MA founder, Bernard McCoy. “I am especially excited for two North American premieres this year – Germany’s Naber Concept Kitchen at the International Design Expo, and BEKA & Partners’ ‘Barbicania,’ the latest film in their ‘Living Architecture’ series.”