mckenzie design Archives – McKenzie Interior Design
Serene midtown neighborhood with the High Museum of Art across Peachtree 
It’s been quite a summer for everyone. Steve and I did a quick mental inventory over lunch, and we have much to be thankful for. Two new grand babies, family meals, gardening, continued work and quiet fun. Little did we know that our collaboration with Creative Candles would keep our creative juices charged throughout this spring and summer. We thank them for their top quality candles in mesmerizing colors, and kindness.
There is still time to use code MCKENZIE20 to save 20% on your total Creative Candles purchase by Sept. 6th.
Summer Collection works beautifully together
Spring kicked off with a virtual Baby Girl Shower. Keying off this darling Blabla stuffed elephant, Josephine, the Barely Blush pink and Moss Green palette developed sweetly. We shared the fun with our new mom-to-be, family and friends virtually.
Celebrations still happen! Custom cups and napkins by Sequins and Lipstick. Photo credit: Steve McKenzie
Then we really got creative, in our two bedroom condo and outdoor space. A romantic dinner for two on the balcony featuring lush greenery, textures and desert inspired candles.
Candle lit table with green plants. Photo credit: Angie Webb Photography
Festive family dinner was next and you know Steve loves to set a gorgeous table. He’s also a fabulous cook, so it’s a win-win for all.
Brass, creamy Wedgwood Edme dishes, dreamy linens, florals and candle light set the mood.
Photo credit; Angie Webb Photography | Floral arrangement by Steve McKenzie 
Thankful to be married to someone who makes me laugh. Photo credit: Angie Webb Photography 
Serve yourself bar set up!
Photo credit: Angie Webb Photography
And our final summer wrap up is a self-serve cocktail bar with these vintage atomic candle holders and round bronze candles, an old-fashioned made with local Fiddler Bourbon by ASW Distillery, Schermer pecans to nosh on and bold buffalo check napkins.
Actually, this is a valuable documentation of this C-19 spring and summer. We’ll remember how and why we did so much work at home. Have you documented your experiences? Tell us what you’ve done to remember this crazy period of time. As always, thank you for traveling along with us. Cheers!
Celebrations still happen!
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.
Coffee makes the world go round. 
Big swig of caffeine at The Southern C Summit in Charleston. 
Pops of orange in the McKenzie kitchen. Photo credit: Anthony Masterson 
Deliciously rich aroma fills the kitchen as the cold brew steeps. 
For sure! Photo credit Kalyn Johnson of Effie’s Papers 
Steve McKenzie designs a soothing bed for Peacock Alley 
Cozy cocoon from the daily grind 
Steve created a soothing oasis for a restful sleep. Original art by Steve McKenzie 
Steve created the outer corner monogram for the Grand Euro shams. 
Steve and his signature monogram 
A layered bed with a mix of comfort, calm and sophistication 
Yvonne McFadden is a master with natural materials. 
Tish Mills Kirk creates an outdoor oasis. 
Robert Brown Interior Design masterfully mixes patterns, textures and art.
Here are some glimpses into the masterful bedrooms, beginning with the master bedroom designed by Huff-Dewberry.
Huff-Dewberry updates the classic wall of blue and white china. 
Off the master bedroom, Huff Harrington creates a restful outdoor retreat. 
Holly Phillips and her ode to a Moroccan sunset. 
Honey Collins Interiors came home to Atlanta to design this special bedroom. 
Ashley Gilbreath showed up with all the textures, metal details and more.
So you did it, you invited some friends or work pals over to your place for some nibbles, beverages, and relaxed conversation. Bravo! Now, read on for some easy entertaining tips from Steve and Jill McKenzie and the team at Mottahedeh China. Your goal? A memorable and care-free evening for all.
Photo credit: Gustav Wilde 
Use your low dishes for nuts and olives 
Tobacco Leaf on the bar 
Pop a grocery store orchid in a cachepot for instant room refresh. 
Steve lighting candles just before the guests arrive 
Add some dear friends like Lauren Finney of Modern Luxury magazine and designer, Clary Bosbyshell, and mix! 
Steve McKenzie and Lance Jackson of Parker Kennedy Living
Now, who will you invite over this weekend?
But it’s barely April you’re saying! Why should I look at summer camps near me now? Your kids will be home for the summer before you know it, asking what are we doing next? Do yourself and them a favor, flip to your family summer calendar, and plug your kids in a fun and innovative summer camp, thanks to MODA, Museum of Design Atlanta.
Always forward thinking, MODA believes kids make great designers! They see through fresh eyes, love wacky ideas and are brave enough to think anything in this world is possible. campMODA teaches kids to use design thinking in combination with STEAM (science, technology, engineering,art/design, and math) skills to solve problems and address real-world challenges. Believe me, these camps fill up quickly. You’ll learn so much from them too.
campMODA from May 28 – July 23
Do you have budding engineer or computer game coder? What about your teen activist? There’s a spot for everyone. Join one of MODA’s week-long full-day or half-day camps for kids and teens (Pre-K through 11th grade) at one of four locations: MODA’s Midtown home, Georgia Tech College of Design, First Presbyterian Preschool and The Lovett School in Buckhead/Vinings. Full-day camps (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are $495 per week, and half-day camps (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) are $250 per week. MODA members receive
10 percent discount.
Each campMODA 2018 session features one of these innovative themes: Designing with LEGO Robotics; Adventures in Blockly; Designing and Coding with Minecraft; Craftivism; LEGO Robotics for Filmmakers; Architectural Design with Minecraft; Circuits and Robots; Playground Engineering and Career-Building Design Studio
Field Trips. Reserve your spot to ensure placement in the camps of your choice.
Robotics, science, design and more
Have you looked at a family membership? Not only can you save on summer camp, you’ll have access to adult lectures, classes and exhibits, perfect for family field trips and date nights.
steve mckenzie’s Cypress Loop Sketchbook for all your thoughts and dreams
Dear Friends,
Change is always happening in the world and we want to let you know about some changes at steve mckenzie’s. Before we get into the changes, we want to thank you for your loyal dedication to our business. When we began this endeavor over 6 years, we had no idea how many friends and supporters we would come to know. We are eternally grateful for all of our friends we have made in the Atlanta design community and all of the consumers who have fallen in love with our product offering in the store.
We recently began an evaluation of our entire business model and have made some decisions about the next steps for our business. Therefore we have made a decision to close the retail portion of our business. However, you can’t get rid of us that easily.
Steve will continue with the McKenzie Design interior design business as well as producing his art and fabric, licensing for his art, rugs for Verde Home, stationery, and more. Also stay tuned for his first licensed furniture collection. Steve will also continue the classes that have become so popular (and sell out so fast). In fact, his design and art studio will remain at our current address and he loves visitors, always.
Verde Home, our fantastic business neighbor, will take over our retail space and will also continue to offer the Selamat Designs furniture and lighting line. Jill will join Verde Home as sales and outside sales to interior designers, thus expanding her offerings to include the full complement of Verde Home lines plus Selamat and Steve’s fabrics and wallpapers.
Now the majority of our current products need to be sold, and we will begin the sale March 7th.
However as a thank you to you, our loyal customers, please visit us before then for best selection and know we’ll pass on our best price.
We will continue to sell in the space through April 30th. Verde Home will officially take over the space May 1st.
In closing, know that we sincerely appreciate your support. We ask that you spread the message of Steve’s growing interior design and art business. If you are one of our trade customers, look for Jill to contact you soon to share all the lines she now represents and if you need to see her sooner, please contact her.
Many paths have opened on this amazing journey and we are grateful for each of you along these paths, and hope you celebrate this next chapter with us. We look forward to seeing each of you soon.
Sincerely,
Jill and Steve McKenzie
One of our very favorite bloggers and organizational-guru is here for Tastemaker Tuesday and we couldn’t be more excited to share her feature post here with you today!
Carrie Peeples, of Neatsmart is a witty and wonderful person. We become fast friends at last year’s Southern C Summit, and she even worked her organizational magic in the steve mckenzie’s Interior Design workspace., Carrie listens to your organization needs and expertly create memorable combinations we’d never think of pulling together.
Read on to learn about Carrie’s top tax tips from the organizational point of view, saving you time, headache and maybe even some money! I’ve added some cute home office ideas at the end too.
Continue reading “Top 3 Tax Organization Tips”