Downtown
{ Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 }
Bill Peace, High Style High Rise Home Tour
Bill Peace of Atlanta-based Peace Design is one of six top designers participating in the month-long High Style High Rise Home Tour at The Residences at W Atlanta – Downtown. His decorated model, created in conjunction with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, is on display through April 1st, with ticket sales benefitting the High Museum. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you choose to “supersize” your time at the W Downtown by swinging by BLT-Steak and/or Bliss Spa….
Q. Atlanta hidden gems?
A. It may not be hidden to some, but my neighborhood is a true gem. I have walked, cycled and sometimes swayed my way through Virginia Highlands since the 1980′s. The intown community has a southern pace with a progressive energy– young and old who could live most anywhere choose this charming village. From the many established shops, to the hot eastside outpost for Jimmy Stanton’s stylish Stanton Home, to the modern classic fashions of 310 Rosemont to the restaurants I have designed over the years like Fontaine’s, El Taco and recently Genki– I continue to love working, shopping and eating my way through the best neighborhood in the city.
Q. You’re hosting a delegation of top designers from around the world, and you’ve got 24 hours to show off Atlanta to them. What’s on the agenda?
A. The Peace Design Tour of Atlanta would be centered around a few of my favorite things….architecture, art and food!
We would start the day at the original Highland Bakery for a hip take on a southern breakfast before a quick walk through the Sol LeWitt’s 54 Columns urban sculpture on N. Highland at Glen Iris. From there we’d go to the High Museum to catch the Picasso to Warhol exhibition and show off the elegant Richard Meier and Renzo Piano building. Stepping across Peachtree Street to MODA, we’d explore the current show on chair design…Stories in Form.
Enough culture already– for food we must first head downtown to the amazing new Alma Cocina for Chef Chad Clevenger’s inspired Latin and modern Mexican fare along with a few exotic Margaritas designed by the cocktail rock star, Vajra Stratigos. I am also proud to show off the restaurant’s interior– designed by Peace Design in collaboration with ai3.
Strolling through downtown we will of course check out the modern masterworks of modernist John Portman. Then back to the eastside of town to the Carlos Museum of Art and Archeology designed by Michael Graves. A quick stop for a bottle of something special from my friend Nick at Highland Fine Wine, light bites and a “Gigi Says” cocktail at Ecco in Midtown before an amazing feast with the food super star Kevin Rathbun at Kevin Rathbun Steak…another amazing interior!! If anyone is still standing we will finish it off with a late night martini at the Highland Tap.
Q. Big design trend on the horizon?
A. I have always avoided getting caught up in the trend of the moment. I believe quality and craftsmanship survive and trends fade. We will continue to see classic design, comfort and luxury thrive.
Q. Design trend that you can’t wait to see disappear?
A. Outrageous color and pattern with the attempt to imitate quality and good design! There is a trend to mix any and all color with pattern and call it good design and I believe color can be dangerous in the wrong hands!
In the space I designed for the High Style High Rise Home Tour there is a complete absence of color to demonstrate that the classic design ideals of form, scale, contrast, harmony, symmetry…or asymmetry are the essence of good design. It is important that the audience have an opportunity to contemplate design without it being camouflaged by random color and pattern.
Q. What’s so special about the High Rise High Style Home Tour at The Residences at W Atlanta- Downtown?
A. I believe the High Museum is a real treasure in our city. The opportunity for designers to invite the public through designed spaces for the benefit of the High is very special. The Residences at W Atlanta – Downtown offer an interesting range of living options that is captured in the variety of styles reflected in this tour with all the amenities of intown high rise living.
Photo Credit: Peter Block
{ Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 }
Kerry Howard, High Style High Rise Home Tour
When designer Kerry Howard isn’t popping up all over the television (Bravo’s Top Design and HGTV’s Design Wars, to be precise), he’s conceiving brilliant interiors all over Atlanta. Beginning March 9th, Kerry will take part in the High Style High Rise Home Tour at The Residences at W Atlanta – Downtown. Six of Atlanta’s top designers will be designing model units there, where they’ll be on display and open to the public for a month-long home tour. Check out what Kerry has to say, go take a look at the condos, and then give me a call when you’re ready to write an offer on one of them…
Q. What are your favorite Atlanta hidden gems?
A. One of my favorite hidden gems in Atlanta is Bjork Antikt, owned by Amy Wikman. It is a warehouse packed full of any type of furnishing you could possibly want and that would provide inspiration to any designer. You would never know what is in the building based on its outside appearance. I could literally spend hours in this space if I had the time and money to spend there.
Q. You’re hosting a delegation of top designers from around the world, and you’ve got 24 hours to show off Atlanta to them. What’s on the agenda?
A. Being the southern gentleman that I am, I would show them a little hospitality by starting with a visit to White Provision, located on the west side of Atlanta. I would take everyone to get a hot breakfast at West Egg and spend the remainder of the morning perusing through some of the furniture and accessory showrooms in that area. After lunch, I would take them on a pre-arranged tour of the southeast’s premier design center, ADAC, where some of the world’s finest showrooms are represented.
Q. What’s a big design trend on the horizon?
A. Well as those in the industry know, interior design usually follows fashion trends. I am excited to see a lot of color blocking happening with some major fashion designers. Within the next few years we will begin to see this color blocking trend happen with interior design. I could not be more excited for this trend to start! I do not think that most people fully grasp how much color can effect and change our surroundings.
Q. Design trend that you can’t wait to see disappear?
A. I feel like the economy has played a major role in influencing design over the past four years. I have seen so many interiors with a monochromatic scheme due to an economic influence. All of the reclaimed, recycled and reused furniture is starting to look really watered down to me. I think it is time for a resurgence of color in our lives.
Q. What’s so special about the High Style High Rise home tour at The Residences at W Atlanta- Downtown?
A. We all know the phrase “Location, Location, Location!” Well this magnificent piece of architecture is located on prime real estate, with views that are bar none for potential home owners looking for a less-is-more lifestyle. From a designer’s standpoint, even the interior selections were easy to work with. The Residences offer a blank slate from which to build a beautiful space that complements the panoramic views in Atlanta.
{ Friday, September 2nd, 2011 }
Atlanta’s Signature Weekend
If you’re in Atlanta this weekend, you won’t be able to complain that there’s nothing to do. Somewhat strange bedfellows, but that’s what makes the weekend so unique. Labor Day weekend has evolved into Atlanta’s Signature Weekend- a sampling of the happenings, below:
AJC Decatur Book Festival- Book lovers rejoice!
Atlanta Black Gay Pride Weekend- The world’s largest black pride celebration
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game- College football’s kickoff event is also a great chance to see die-hard fans mingle with the Dragon*Con (see below) crowd.
Dragon*Con- the country’s largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film.
NASCAR- A whole weekend of racin’ at the Atlanta Motor Speedway (not to mention a live show by Skynyrd).
The World Famous Drive Invasion- Drive-In Movies, Rock ‘n Roll and a Classic Car Show
{ Monday, August 1st, 2011 }
Terry Kearns, Architecture Tourist
Terry Kearns is the author of Architecture Tourist, one of my favorite blogs. It was fitting that we recently met one another while touring a home, and serendipitous considering that I’ve wanted to feature Terry on A Is For Atlanta for quite some time. If you’re interested in Atlanta architecture, history or neighborhoods, Architecture Tourist is not just a must-read, it is the must-read. I’m really not sure how else to put it. Fortunately for me, Terry was generous enough to field a few questions from me recently- I hope you enjoy as much as I did…
Q. You’ve got three hours to meander through any neighborhood in Atlanta. Which one are you choosing, and why?
A. I’d choose the Dekalb Avenue east from Krog. It’s not an obvious place to look. Start at Krog Street Bridge and head east, turn anywhere into Inman Park, just anywhere. Make sure to check the “war” streets just west of Moreland: Battery and Degress. After you cross Moreland, cruise the “lady” streets in Candler Park: left on Josephine, right on Euclid right on Elmira. In Lake Claire you’ll see the huge continental divide mural at the Arizona Avenue underpass. Then turn left at Connecticut and tour the “state” streets: Connecticut, New York, Arizona, and Delaware. Then cruise “Southerland Hill.” Turn left on Southerland Place just east of the Lake Claire swimming pool to see Southerland, Oxford, and Gordon. Finally, tour the “garden” streets. Cross East Lake and turn left at Drexel. Make sure to see Melrose and Emerson, home to Ryan Gainey’s Garden of Poetry and Prose. Go home via Oak Grove, Kirkwood, Edgewood, Reynoldstown, and Cabbagetown…but that’s another meander.
Q. What are the essential “must sees” for Architecture Tourists in Atlanta?
A. How about downtown’s public lobbies? Whatever your tastes these lobbies impress. The Grant Building lobby is straightforward and reserved. The former C&S Bank is Atlanta’s Pantheon. The Healey Building has a gothic ribbed rotunda. The Hurt Building’s main entrance is an elegant rotunda that softens this huge building. The Candler Building lobby is small and perfect and ennobling. Visit the Victorian portrait gallery at the Ritz. At 191 Peachtree see the colossal Helena Hernmarck tapestry “Urn” and ride the escalator down to see Ray King’s “Atlantis.” The Peachtree Plaza’s lobby conveys the sense of the colossal hotel almost floating overhead. The Regency’s groundbreaking lobby remains spectacular and cozy. The Marriot Marquis’s lobby is a multi-level playground that my eye can never fully take in. When it’s busy – think Dragon Con – it’s one the best people watching places in Atlanta. Finally, the Sun Trust Tower’s elevator lobby is a pyramid in a square in a circle in a square with breathtaking clarity.
Q. Hidden Atlanta gems?
A. There are so many. I enjoy small scale public or public facing places: Oglethorpe Hill, The Villa Apartments, the former Scottish Rite Hospital in Oak Grove, the Cator Wolford Gardens on Ponce, the Little Chapel at Glen Memorial. Allow me to add the renovated Hinman Building at Georgia Tech though it’s not open to the public. It may be the most exciting indoor space in Atlanta.
Q. If you were given an unlimited budget, unquestioned power and the edict: “make Atlanta more beautiful”, what would you do?
A. Beautiful things continue to enrich us. It may be physical beauty; it may be functional beauty. But I’m rather an anti-planner and would be a terrible Tsar. So I’d abolish the position and retire with a big pension. Then I’ve volunteer to help folks enjoy these places and to find ways to preserve them as best we can.
Q. What is Architecture Tourist, and why is it awesome?
A. The most awesome thing about Architecture Tourist Blog is meeting people. Blog posts connect people. Once in a while we meet in person. What a pleasure.
Photo Credit: Architecture Tourist
{ Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 }
Lisa Borders, Grady Health Foundation Rock-N-Ride
The Grady Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Grady Hospital, is putting on Rock-N-Ride this Saturday, a bike rally and music festival benefiting the foundation. Lisa Borders is the President of the Foundation, and while she may not be riding a Harley on Saturday, the former Atlanta City Council President will definitely be on hand at Velvet Underground for the music portion of the show. Will she join Yacht Rock Review on stage? You’ll have to attend to find out…
Q. Given the choice, would you rather ride a Harley around 285, or lead a rock band in front of a crowd of thousands?
A. If I’ve had a choice, I would lead a rock bank in front of crowd of thousands ~ using music, the international language, to make people smile; generating money for the city and positive energy for the crowd!
Q. When you think about Atlanta’s future, what gets you most excited?
A. I am most excited about our growth and impact on the country. I predict we will lead through the initiatives noted below.
- Economic Development – Beltline will be built and serve as an economic stimulus second only to Atlanta’s airport, the nation’s largest and busiest;
- Greenspace – Beltline will be built; Atlanta will surpass her municipal peers in acreage greenspace; this accomplishment will drive property values & also increase transit options;
- Transportation – comprehensive plan to connect communities (18 county area) as well as coordinate and align resources; and
- Housing – currently overbuilt submarkets will experience absorption at reasonable prices
Q. One last meal in Atlanta- where are you going, and what are you ordering?
A. My last meal in Atlanta would be at the Busy Bee and I’m ordering Soul Food.;o)
Q. Favorite neighborhoods?
A. My favorite neighborhoods are where I live- Downtown Atlanta and Southwest Atlanta.
Q. What is the Grady Health Foundation, and why is it critical to Atlanta’s future?
A. Grady Health Foundation (GHF) is the non-profit, fundraising arm of Grady Health System (GHS). The Foundation is responsible for securing resources – financial, equipment, professional services – for the region’s premier Level 1 Trauma Center and the clinicians who are available 24/7/365 to serve first responders and the community at-large.
Photo Credit: PSHONE
