Design Crush: Banner Day Consulting

May 22, 2017

Last week I shared this beautiful sunroom space with you. One click on this image led me to the designer that created the space, Clara of Banner Day Consulting.

Clara’s story of how she became a decorator is like so many other people these days…she followed her passion. After realizing that her legal career wasn’t satisfying her creative desires, Clara left that profession to follow her love of design. Today, she works with both corporate and residential clients helping them to create spaces that are comfortable and inviting.

In looking through the Banner Day portfolio, it’s obvious she has a knack for design and an art for infusing the rooms she works on with style and personality.

From statement wallpaper to the artful use of reclaimed wood, Clara adds unexpected touches that bring her work to life.

Design Profile: BANNER DAY CONSULTING

♦♦♦

To see more of the Banner Day design portfolio, click here and be sure to check out the blog here.

Behind The Blog: Steve McKenzie’s

October 28, 2016

Like many friendships today, my friendship with Steve and Jill McKenzie started through social media. We connected with each other on Instagram and eventually had the pleasure of meeting in person a couple of years ago. I first met Steve on a visit to their beautiful home decor and gift store and then Jill at a design conference here in Atlanta. Since then our paths have crossed on many occasions including the Black Southern Belle Atlanta Tastemaker Summit where we both had the pleasure of conducting workshops.

Before I jump into the Behind The Blog Q & A with Steve and Jill, let me tell you a bit about them and their business.

Steve McKenzie’s is a high-end home decor, furniture and gift store located on the edge of the trendy Westside Design District. Their retail business opened in 2012 and continues to thrive with an ever-expanding product assortment. Their product offering ranges from statement furniture to home accessories to a wide-range of tabletop items and paper goods. You’ll also find textile designs that are derived from the canvases of Steve’s artwork and handmade items from southern artisans. Steve McKenzie’s also serves as the Southeast showroom for the french furniture maker Grange Furniture. Along with their retail business, they have a full service interior design business, McKenzie Design, where they create personalized spaces for their clients.

Steve McKenzie’s has been published in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle, and has been recognized by other national publications, including House Beautiful and Traditional Home for curation of the businesses’ showroom. The inception of the interior design and home décor businesses have since parlayed into product line design, an upholstery collection, a line of rugs through Verde Home and women’s fashion with a stunning line of scarves.

“To us, a memorable space features layers of new items mixed with timeless treasures–objects that tell a story. Spaces like these encourage comfortable living and great conversation.” –Steve McKenzie

♦♦♦

Now its time to go Behind The Blog for my chat with Steve and Jill…

Both of you have backgrounds in retail and home furnishings so it only seems natural that you’d own a retail store. Tell us a little about Steve Mckenzie’s and what types of items and services shoppers can expect to find in the store.

Shoppers can expect to find unexpected treasures, big and small. Folks need to make several loops around the store to take in all the layers, everything from home décor to jewelry to unique pottery, also furniture, pillows, and tabletop. Shoppers can expect a warm greeting, an offer to gift-wrap their perfect gift, and perhaps a pick-me-up espresso.

Many people may not know that much of the artwork and textiles you carry in the store is created by Steve. Tell us about Steve’s art and what inspires his work.

SM— I painted for nearly 30 years. I am an intuitive abstractionist who enjoys exploring making marks which lead to other marks until the painting is complete. I do not start with a preconceived idea of what a painting should look like. Colors in nature and interesting lines inspire me to make these marks.

In addition to your retail and design business, you also write a blog. Tell us about the blog and what readers can expect from your posts.

Our blog covers design, art, life, leaving us pretty open to what catches our attention. We enjoy book reviews on favorite art books; Tastemaker Tuesday posts on talented designers, artists, creatives; entertaining tips and recipes. Hopefully we inspire! We enjoy sharing our passion for entertaining, books, travel and design. We also love to share our Tastemaker stories from friends, new and old, who inspire us and we plan on featuring ConfettiStyle soon!

How would you describe your personal design style?

Personally, we hope we convey our international style. We love the antiques combined with modern and a very storied interior with objects collected from travels and which have personal meaning. I hope our style is comfortable, approachable and infused with stories.

Where do you find your design inspiration?

Design inspiration comes from so many sources! Definitely magazines, especially international design magazines. My current favorite is Cabana from England. Instagram and Pinterest inform me quickly. My biggest inspiration comes from museums, a painting that has a particular color palette or combination of textures. Right now, it is the Arte Povera movement of Italy which is informing my color palettes.

If you could live anywhere other than Atlanta, where would it be and why?

SM -Paris, hands down! When I was the CEO of a multinational Berkshire Hathaway company, I traveled the globe and my heart always returned to Paris. The number of museums, the respect for the historical yet the love of the modern, the beauty of the architecture. The French government has a policy with artists to manage the estates which has encouraged many magnificent mini-museums to happen. (Rodin museum). You can explore for a lifetime and find inspiration at every corner.

JM- Indianapolis. Besides being my hometown, Indy is a delightful blend of culture, practicality (the city is divided east to west by Meridian Street and by north and south by Washington Street…its a grid system marked in miles instead of blocks), art (IMA, Eiteljorg Museum , Herron School of Art and Design) and fun (Indy 500 and the largest Children’s Museum in the world).

In addition to being married, the two of you have a great working relationship—How do you balance your personal and professional life?

We respect each other’s ideas and opinions, and it’s a team effort. Always.

You hosted an entertaining workshop at the Southern C Summit earlier this year—what three tips can you give us for setting a beautiful party table?

Keep a well-stocked tabletop closet so you have these items at the ready.
Relax. Your guests will be understanding and enjoy the event if you are relaxed.
Be unorthodox. Use the unexpected. It makes the table and conversation more interesting. For example, a rug runner or quilt makes a great table topper. {I couldn’t agree more}

If you could lunch with any famous couple, who would it be and what burning question would you want to ask them?

Charles and Ray Eames–They so influenced American design through their art and products, their logos, branding work, interior design. We would just like to know how they did it.

I always like to throw a quirky question into the mix so tell us about your favorite things…

Steve’s Favorite Color: Paprika
Steve’s Favorite Decorative Accessory: A classic bust
Steve’s Favorite Design Book: It changes constantly but right now it’s Ken Fulk’s new book, “Ken Fulk’s Magical World”. It inspires me to create magic for my design clients.
Steve’s Favorite Southern Food: cornbread-my grandfather’s recipe that I make in our “cornbread only” iron skillet, handed down from my grandfather.

and now it’s Jill’s turn…

Jill’s Favorite Color: Periwinkle
Jill’s Favorite Decorative Accessory: unusual baskets
Jill’s Favorite Design Book: currently enjoying My Stylish French Girlfriends book
Jill’s Favorite Southern Food: my father-in-laws biscuits

Personally and professionally, share a few items on your bucket list?

Thanksgiving Day parade in NYC {me too!}
Round Top in Texas {Steve & Jill, you’re going to love it}
Paris runway show
Falling Rock Visit

♦♦♦

Wow, what a truly inspiring and talented couple they are. Thank you so much Steve and Jill for giving all of us a glimpse into your life and business.

If you live in Atlanta, I encourage you to visit their beautiful store. To learn more about Steve McKenzie’s stop by their website and connect with them on social media ( Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Twitter). To follow their blog, head here.

Steve McKenzie’s, 999 Brady Ave NW #1, Atlanta, GA 30318

♦♦♦

This is the last installment of the year for the Behind The Blog Series. I’m lining up a fantastic group of designers, bloggers and creative talents to share in 2017. Until then, enjoy all of the 2016 features all over again…

Behind The Blog: J. Schoenberger Designs

Behind The Blog: Erika Ward Interiors

Behind The Blog: Thistlewood Farms

Behind The Blog: Bliss At Home

Behind The Blog: Dwell By Cheryl

Behind The Blog: Cheryl Luckett & Dwell By Cheryl

September 22, 2016

I’m so excited to share this interior designer and blogger with you as part of my Behind The Blog series.

Cheryl Luckett is a Charlotte, North Carolina based interior designer that juggles a full-time Human Resources career with a blossoming interior design business. I first came to know Cheryl through her design blog, Dwell By Cheryl and was captivated by the beautiful and budget-friendly spaces we creates for her clients. And she is one of my thrifting soul-mates finding the most amazing pieces at thrift stores, flea markets and Habitat for Humanity.

I had the pleasure of meeting Cheryl a few years ago at the Design Bloggers Conference and I have to tell you that she is a true Southern Belle with an engaging and warm spirit about her. Sit back and enjoy my conversation with Cheryl…

♦♦♦

Cheryl, you have done what many aspiring designers want to do and that is build your design business while working full-time in another career? Can you share a few tips for anyone wanting to turn their ‘day’ job into their dream job?

My best advice would be to simply “DO IT!” I receive countless inquiries from folks wanting to know how I balance my business, school and my current career, but honestly I don’t have a good answer. All I can really say is that I committed to doing it and I did it. Often what separates those who succeed and those who don’t is the ability to keep going. I made the sacrifices, I put in the time and I stuck with it. The fact that I’m single without children certainly adds to the flexibility that I have, but like everyone, I have responsibilities as well. It hasn’t been easy. I will say that I began my business as if it were my sole source of income not as if it were my “side hustle”. This meant making investments in learning, photography, networking, branding, marketing, etc. very early on. This helped to create a professional image and put me in the ranks of those working full-time in design even if I wasn’t at the time.

In addition to your design business, you write your blog, Dwell by Cheryl. Tell us about the blog and what readers can expect from your posts.

My blog began as a way for me to get my name out. It focused on projects I completed in my own home and inspiration and ideas for creating a beautiful home on a modest budget. Lately however, the blog has become more of an extension of my business. It’s a way to see the behind the scenes work that I do to pull a client project together from start to finish. It still occasionally features my own home improvement projects but, for the most part, it’s focused on design trends and client work.

***you are view Cheryl’s website & blog at www.dwellbycheryl.com

What do you love most about being an interior designer?

I love helping my clients love and better utilize their homes. I absolutely love coming home each day. There’s a sense of comfort that I feel when I open the door. My goal is to create that same sense for my clients. It’s extremely rewarding when that happens.

I’d love to learn more about your design philosophy so tell us what three design elements you think every home needs?

(1.) Layers – I’m in no way a minimalist. I think that a home should envelop you. Layers help to achieve this. From drapery to rugs, to art and accessories, it’s the details that make a house a home. (2.) Something old– I’m known for my love of vintage furnishings and décor. I think they add history to a space. I also love them because they can help stretch the budget. Everything old is new again and many vintage items are totally on-trend today. Utilizing the originals in your design can provide better quality without sacrificing of-the-moment style. (3.) Pattern– I’ve become a bit of a pattern junkie. I love the way patterns play with one another to add visual interest to a space. There’s something so “designer” about a space that has a great mix of pattern. It’s not always easy to do, but when done well, it totally makes a space.

When it comes to decorating with color, I believe every designer has a favorite color palette. What’s colors do you love to incorporate in your projects and why?

I love incorporating neutrals as my backdrop. I love taupe. It’s one of those colors that walks the fine line between gray and beige. It also works so well with so many other colors. While I love neutrals as the foundation for a color scheme, I’m obsessed with pops of color. They add life to a space.

Where do you find your design inspiration?

I love studying other designers work. I comb through Houzz in the evenings, soaking in every detail. It’s a great place for inspiration. I also love textiles. When I experience a creative block I’ll take a trip to a fabric retailer or wholesaler to get inspired by the patterns and color options available.

Like me, you are an avid thrift store and vintage shopper. What items are always on your shopping list?

Interesting framed art, mirrors, brass planters and animal figurines are among my favorites. I essentially built my business on my ability to stretch a dollar until it hollers. Thrifting with a great eye for the “good stuff” is one way I’m able to create spaces for my clients, even if they have modest budgets.

How would you describe your personal design style?

My style is definitely transitional. I love traditional elements mixed with more modern pieces. You can also expect to ALWAYS see a bit of vintage in my projects.

If you could lunch with any famous woman, who would it be and what burning question would you want to ask them?

I’m obsessed with Canadian designer Sarah Richardson. I’d love to pick her brain on how she approaches the design process. Her interiors are beyond beautiful and I’d take any pearls of wisdom from her.

What’s your favorite way to unwind?

I’m a wine lover, so a good glass of red on my front porch swing flipping through the latest issue of a shelter magazine is heaven to me.

I always like to throw a quirky question into the mix so tell us about your favorite things…

Favorite Paint Color: SW Balanced Beige
Favorite Decorative Accessory: Brass animals make me happy. : )
Favorite Design Magazine: House Beautiful
Favorite Styling Tip: Greenery adds so much life to an interior space.
Favorite Vacation Destination: Wine country. (Any of them)

Personally and professionally, share a few items on your bucket list?

I will own a mountain home!
I’m dying to go to Rome. It’s likely this Art History class that has me itching to go.
Well, if I’m honest, getting married would be nice. : )

Didn’t I tell you Cheryl’s spirit (and design work) was captivating? Thank you Cheryl for sharing your projects, inspiration and dreams with us. I can’t wait to see what amazing things will unfold for you and your business in the years ahead.

♦♦♦

P.S. Just a few days ago, Cheryl received some amazing news and learned that her home office space was one of the rooms featured in the new design book, Southern Space for Beautiful Living. You’ll definitely want to add a copy of the book to your shelves.

all images except book cover via Cheryl Luckett

Portfolio Review: Interior Designer Mark D. Sikes

September 2, 2016

After sharing the room image above in Saturday’s post, I spent some time going through the portfolio of the designer that created this space. If you’re not familiar with the work of Mark. D. Sikes, I’m going to share more of his work with you today.

Mark D. Sikes started his career in visual merchandising and marketing and honed his skill of creating spaces that are filled with beautiful details, classic design elements and a mix of modern and European furnishings. In 2011 he started his own design firm and has been soaring ever since with numerous magazine features and show house designs under his belt.

What I love most about Mark’s work is the mix. I mention the “mix” a lot here on the blog because of think it is one of the more important design aspects of any room. The mix comes through variety–a variety of textures, colors, finishes and styles. Mark is a master of the MIX!

As you look through the images of his work below, take note of how each room is styled and how items are layered to create a distinctive look for each space.

♦♦♦

♦ Mark D. Sikes ♦

This colorful and eclectic space below is showcased in the September 2016 issue of House Beautiful. The Asian art and the eclectic mix of accessories are my favorite details.

It’s clear from Mark’s work that chinoiserie and bold color are part of his signature style. Many of his spaces include a chinoiserie design garden stool (one of my favorite accent pieces).

You have to love a designer that’s not afraid of pattern mixing.

In addition to residential projects and show houses, Mark designed Reese Witherspoon’s Nashville store, Draper James. He created a space that exudes southern charm and style representative of Reese.

In just a few weeks, you’ll be able to enjoy Mark’s work in his first design book, Beautiful. The book will be released mid-September and I can’t wait to add it to my design collection.

To subscribe to and follow Mark’s beautifully curated blog head here and check out his full portfolio here.

Behind The Blog: Jennifer Schoenberger Design

April 29, 2016

I’m excited to bring you the very first post in my new Behind The Blog series her on ConfettiStyle and I’m even more excited to be featuring my friend and fellow interior designer Jennifer Schoenberger and Jennifer Schoenberger Design.

Photograph by Kristy Dickerson

I met Jennifer a few years ago and immediately felt her warm and genuine spirit. Since that time our friendship has blossomed and I have become one of Jennifer’s biggest fans. As a designer, she has an eye for detail, can accessorize a room like no other and designs rooms that exude the ultimate in comfort and luxury. One of the things I really love most about Jennifer’s design style is her ability to mix old and new and modern with vintage, creating spaces that feel collected, personal and timeless. And if you need some fashion inspiration, Jennifer has impeccable personal style with a love for vintage fashion.

♦♦♦

Recently I posed a few questions to Jennifer so that we can learn a little more about her and take a look behind her blog, Vreeland Road.

Grab a cup of coffee of let’s chat with Jennifer and take a look at more of her work…

How did you get into the interior design field? And what do you love most about design?

My career began after the purchase of our first home in Roswell. It was my first canvas and I went to work creating with paint, lighting and flea market finds. Friends and friends of friends began asking for help and it started as a little side business/hobby while working a nine to five. In 2010 I started blogging and showcasing my work and ideas, and at that point I felt like folks started to take it more seriously and business took off. What I love most about design, is helping people create a home they love living in. Our surroundings are so important to our daily lives and energy. It plays a role in everything we do, I really believe that. And being a designer is a gift. I’m so grateful (and flattered) every time a new client calls inviting me into their personal space. It’s a privilege I take very seriously.

♦♦♦

I know you have fabulous style but can you give me three words you think describe your personal style?

Oh gosh, it’s so hard for me to label my style. It’s a conglomerate of so many things and always changing! I think if I had to come up with three words it would be FUN, classic and a little bit rock and roll.

♦♦♦

Design trends come and go, but which design trend are you loving most right now? And which one do you wish would fade away?

I have to say I’m a huge fan of the notion of opposites attract. The idea of mixing an antique desk with a modern chair or hanging an ornate gold frame against a rustic, reclaimed wood wall. You see a lot of this mixing going on, traditional with modern. I’m not so sure this is a trend, so to speak, but I hope it sticks around because it creates great interest in interiors. As far as a trend I wish would go away, nothing really jumps out at me. I guess if you are going to hang your tv over your fireplace, please be discreet and creative in trying to camouflage it when not in use.

♦♦♦

What’s your favorite room in your home?

Right now, none of them! LOL. But if I had to pick, I’d say our kitchen/keeping room is on track to being my favorite, probably because it’s the only space close to being “finished” and it’s where we spend most of our time together.

-those drapes!

What’s your most prized decorative accessory?

My most prized decorative accessory would be anything that belonged to my Mother. For example she had a pocket watch she wore on a gold chain, and I incorporate those things into vignettes around our home as a reminder of her love and sacrifice. Being a Mom is a really hard job!

♦♦♦

If you could share one piece of advice with aspiring designers, what would it be?

Be fearless in your design and ideas. Stick to your guns and don’t let any contractor, vendor, husband-of-the-client talk you out of it. Nothing is more frustrating, when you come up with an idea you laid in bed all night long thinking about, to have them roll their eyes at it and think you are crazy. You are not crazy. That and be prepared when you lay out your business plan, brand, processes and procedures. Have all that ready and rocking for when the flood hits because it will be too difficult to go back and implement while trying to design the lights out of five different spaces at once.

♦♦♦

What’s your favorite way to rewind after a long day?

Family dinners. Hands down. I feel like our corporate culture owns us Monday through Friday, so for me it’s so important to make those days count with a family dinner around the table. It might be 8 o’clock at night by the time we all sit down, but it’s happening. And Mommy gets very angry when over-the-top coaches or sports interfere with weekday family time. It’s so important for Mom, Dad, siblings to have that connection every day. To be heard.

I know you are from Michigan and love your home town, but what do you love most about living in the south?

What I love most about living in the South is Southerners passion for living! Whether it be their homes, gardens, entertaining, the way they still “get dressed” – the South is big on living and I think it played a major role in the success of my design career. I can’t say for sure that if I was still living in Michigan, I would have developed such a passion for interiors.

♦♦♦

Tell me 5 things you can’t live without?