Inspired by ... Christina Wedge

" You don't take a photograph. You make it." - Ansel Adams

Recently in searching for an interior photographer I was guided to contact Christina Wedge by several industry experts namely Brian Patrick Flynn of HGTV fame during a seminar at ADAC. Brian emphasized the importance of the need for gorgeous images in the design industry and especially images that you as a designer own.

 

christinawedgephotography
 

 

So with the goal of growing my portfolio I contacted Christina to photograph my personal home last fall. Christina was such a joy to work with, with her laid back although perfectionist style. She has an incredible eye and provides amazing input for each photo down to the tiny details. I cannot remember how many times we changed the coffee table vignette! Adding a book, a sculpture, flowers, a tray, and then painstakingly adjusting the height and angles of each object. The perfect photo was about taking away elements more than adding and this process is time consuming requiring infinite patience and a passion for art.

 

Her talent comes through the lens and translates into images that tell a story. Preparation for a photo shoot is key and my team spent hours shopping, arranging, steaming, ironing, etc. until we thought everything was perfect. And then Christina showed up and she pointed out so many things that we hadn't exactly perfected! She even taught us tricks to keep the pillow starched and straight. (Hint it doesn't include starch but packing tape!).

 

I feel so blessed to have met Christina and had her photograph several of my projects.

 

And her images have led to incredible opportunities that would not have presented themselves with my amateur photography. This week Better Homes & Gardens is coming to view one of my projects for an upcoming issue!

 

Christina shared some of what inspires her with us today. Thank you Christina for your unique perspective and inspiration on the design industry.


1. What is your most prized possession, what you can’t live without? My camera, family, friends, Hershey my chocolate lab and my red cowboy boots. 

2. What is your last purchase? A Cannondale slice race bike for my first Ironman this year.

3. What is the easiest way to update a space? Paint.

4. What would you say is the color of the moment? Well, for me it will always be orange.

5. If you could shadow any designer for a day who would it be? I would love to shadow the late Verner Panton. He was born in Denmark and made his name as a visionary designer.

wikipedia.org
 

6. Favorite restaurant… Atlanta: Optimist. Berlin: Frieda Kahlo restaurant.

7. What store/ catalog could you spend hours browsing in? Anthropologie.

8. What is your favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday? Lake or beach and Morellis ice cream.

9. Marilyn, Audrey, or Jackie? Jackie.

www.jacquelinekennedyonassis.tumblr.com
 

10. What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen lately? Memphis and the Stax Museum last month.

Here is a link to view Christina's portfolio.

 

 

Sourcing at Scott's

Sourcing at Scott's Antique Market is one of my favorite "duties" as an interior designer. Scotts, the world's largest monthly antique show, is a destination for the majority of design professionals and enthusiasts and not only those in the Atlanta area. People drive from all over to scour through the vast buildings that house this immense treasure hunt. And a hunt it is... such a surprise what you will discover each time.

My last trip provided a few incredible finds that I thought I would share...

I loved the grey wash of the wood against the yellow velvet of this gorgeous daybed.

I am a huge fan of hides and I really liked the use of the almost white hide for the chair seats and backs. The wood on these chairs also has a sculptural quality that would look really interesting in a room.

I found two of these corbels and thought they would be a cool detail for a custom range hood or to incorporate into a custom vanity.

This trunk seat is an intriguing concept and could be cool in a boys bedroom. I'd like to see the seat in a rich velvet though!

 

So versatile, I love the detail on these white vases and dishes. You can never have enough beautiful white bowls! Great to display in a hutch.

 

 

 

Another treasure I spotted were these black storage boxes with wonderful patina. I never have enough hidden storage for all my son Tanner's super heroes!

 

 

 

The only items I purchased on this trip were these blocks from a printing press. I am a sucker for cool wood objects and I loved that contrast of metallic paint and wood. Each one has a unique patina. They are interesting on their own, but I think they would be really powerful framed as a group.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring fever

 

It's the first week of March and in Atlanta that could mean blue skies and 65 degrees or temps hovering just above freezing. It usually alternates between winter and spring for a few weeks here confusing our wardrobes, the early blooms, and causing a bad case of spring fever.

 

So while the weather team discusses potential snow in Atlanta in March! I am choosing to think spring and enjoy a few images of colors than undeniably speak of hotlanta and sunny skies.

 

Loving this periwinkle blue maxi from anthropologie - very Greek goddess.



 

 

www.anthropologie.com
 

 

 

This pencil skirt from Joe Fresh is definitely a kaleidoscope of color.

www.joefresh.com
 

Sweet mint green chair on Holly Mathis' blog from industry west.

www.industrywest.com
 

Love this image of lettuce green accents from House Beautiful's 2012 March issue. So fresh.

www.housebeautiful.com
 

 

Fresh green pillow from Stanton Home Furnishings.

 



 

www.stantonhomefurnishings.com
 

 

Bright pink and orange Duralee fabric for release in April of 2013..

www.duralee.com
 

Tory Burch's Whitney Dress from the Spring 2013 collection - feminine and beautiful.

www.toryburch.com
 

 

Bright sunny yellow on the runway for Gucci 2013.

www.gucci.com
 

So while the weather here remains iffy.... my mind is definitely in spring mode and ready for some cheery and sunny color and temps!

Inspired by ... Jared Paul

I had the good fortune of meeting Jared Paul at my first design job almost 10 years ago. Whether you are in commercial or residential design, you probably know Jared, as he is a man with many hats. I thought I was busy, but it is hard to hold a candle to all the endeavors that Jared has his hands in. Not only is he an amazing designer, he runs a very successful independent sales firm JPI, and he owns Paul + Raulet at ADAC. Walking into Paul + Raulet now, you would never know that is has been around since 1960, as Jared has infused his own sense of style and fun into the showroom. My favorite, of course, is that you can usually catch an old episode of Dynasty playing on the TV! No matter what Jared has to juggle - he still always manages to have a good time and make life enjoyable. I'm lucky to call him my friend!

 

 

www.atlantahomesmag.com



 

Jared was named one of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles 20 under 40 and both of his homes have been featured in AH&L. Here is a link to his 1850's farmhouse in Palmetto, GA.

www.atlhomesmag.com
 

www.atlhomesmag.com
 

Jared took a little of his time to share what inspires him. Thank you Jared!!

What is your most prized possession, what you can't live without? My 1985 SAAB

What is your last purchase? A Curtis Jere Lamp for the Steven Rubell Auction

What is the easiest way to update a space? Of course paint or new pillow but new lamps can with that too...

What would you say is the color of the moment? Mustard

www.pantone.com
 

If you could shadow any designer for a day who would it be? Joe D'Urso

www.nymag.com
 

Favorite restaurant? My favorite restaurant closed last year so I don't have one right now... Italian is my favorite food.

What store/ catalog could you spend hours browsing in? Honestly I am terrible at staying or looking at anything in one place for too long but I do love an antique or junk store - that is something really fun to see what you might discover and make "new" again

What is your favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday? Napping and working in the yard

Marilyn, Audrey, or Jackie? Joan Collins



www.fanpop.com
 

What is the most inspiring thing you've seen lately? Turning 41!

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite paint colors

As an interior designer, one question I find I am often asked is what paint color to choose. The process is not as simple as it sounds. There are many variables involved in the selection of paint such as the room's sun exposure, natural lighting, ceiling heights, floor choice and color, surrounding rooms, etc.... I always bring multiple color options to a space when I am presenting and make sure to look at the paints in the environment they have been chosen for. This also gives my clients the opportunity to be part of the process.

 

I am partial to neutrals when painting large rooms and open spaces. The first stop is to gather paint samples or swatches and paint large size samples using white poster boards. Move these boards around your space and watch the colors change in all different lighting and at various times of the day. Colors can look drastically different on a sunny and an overcast day and in incendescent and floursecent lights. You want to love your color choice all the time! Never, never, never paint without trying samples!

 

So with everything to consider I cannot pick a color without looking at each unique space. However, I will share with you a few of my favorites. They might be a great starting point for samples!

Sherwin Williams favorites

Functional Gray - 7024 - a warm gray

Wordly Gray - 7043 - neutral warm gray on the lighter side

Griffin - 7026 - Brown

Natural Tan - 7567 - neutral

Black Fox - 7020 - dramatic dark room or trim

Extra White - 7006 - trim white

North Star - 6246 - a soft blue

www.sherwinwilliams.com
 

I am in love with Benjamin Moore's new "Color Stories" collection, but here are a few of my favorites...

BM Old Soul - CSP-65 - tan



BM Museum Piece - CSP-40



BM Oil Cloth - CSP-760 - neutral with gray undertones



BM Sea Glass - CSP-735



BM Crumb Cake - CSP-1010 - yellow undertones



BM Hidden Cove - CSP-1030 - warm neutral



BM Chocolate Velvet - CSP-235 - dark brown neutral

When in Rome...

When in Rome... I go antiquing! Rome, GA that is! Berry College, a wonderful client of mine, is located in Rome, and I probably visit the city at least several times a month. Berry has a beautiful campus full of interesting buildings and amazing wildlife.

 

 

 

Until recently, I had never been to Rome's downtown area, but on this last visit I meandered downtown for a quick visit to a few local spots. That's when I happened upon Master's Antiques, a local shop full of treasures!

 

I love to design spaces that look collected over time and layered. To do this, you cannot purchase all new items for your home. For a space to be unique to the individual it must be a collection of what each client is drawn to and loves.

 

Antiques are a wonderful way to mix in classics and different periods with new furnishings. Heirlooms are incredible and come with a story... a history. If you're not blessed with heirloom pieces, or heirlooms that you love, then you can hunt for your own piece of history to infuse into your style.

 

Some of the items I spotted at Masters Antiques I just couldn't leave there so I brought a few items home because I fell in love. They will find a way into my home in their own way.

 

Here are a few of my finds...

 

These hand embroidered Italian linens are so incredible and I just couldn't pass them up! Think outside the box when incorporating antiques in your home. These linens could be framed as art.

I loved this little stool but unfortunately did leave without purchasing. Simple to recover, it would be adorable as a vanity stool or in a master closet or a little girls room. Lots of possibilities!

This stool was $35 and is very close to this pretty one from Ballard Designs. Antique stores can also be a great way to find bargain pieces that you can upgrade to a current style.

www.ballarddesigns.com
 

The pattern and color in this rug was incredible but I had to pass on this as well as I don't have a spot for it!

I did pick up these silver bowls which have so many uses... serving pieces for snacks, use for votive candles, or on a vanity or nightstand to hold jewelry.

My last treasure find of this trip were these green and gold 1960s glasses.

I just loved the mix of green and gold and they were very similar to glassware I recently spotted at Anthropologie, except these are the real deal!

I'm always amazed by all the items I find while scouting for clients, shopping, and antiquing, but each time I find something I love, it makes our home a collection of what is unique and special about our family. Adding what you love and changing decor makes the space more you.

 

Americas Mart

There are many wonderful things about living in Atlanta, but as a designer one of the best is the sources. Yes, we are very fortunate to have ADAC and Scott's antique market, but we also have Americas Mart, which puts on several wonderful shows a year - their biggest being the January and July shows. This past January market had many exciting product introductions so I thought I would share a few. Personally, I was most excited about all of the products I saw in the color navy, which is another wonderful neutral. So many colors look fantastic with navy, including emerald, which is Pantone's color of the year. Hope you enjoy! ...

 

Noir introduced some beautiful pieces of furniture at Mart. I particularly love the lines of this table and the detail in the side table below.

These storage cabinets are so stylish and versatile. I can see them used for books, displaying collections, in a dining area, etc. The mix of materials is also nice.

Wendover Art showcased these geometric images in the color navy. I am particularly loving the first image "Meditations". 

www.wendoverart.com

 

 

www.wendoverart.com

 

These next two pictures, the wood base lamp with drum shade, and the brass and wood chandelier below are both from Curry & Co. Each would add texture and character to a space and showcase the trends of weathered wood and brass finishes.

www.currycodealers.com
 

www.currycodealers.com
 

This adorable side table in leather and brass is from Upcountry.

www.upcountry.com
 

Global Views introduced this incredible black floor lamp from their A Studio line.

As always Surya impresses with these amazing rugs in geometric patterns again using the neutral navy!

www.surya.com

 

Gray with orange, navy and emerald!

www.surya.com
 

What a gorgeous pillow that would really add an amazing pop of color to a neutral chair or sofa.

 

www.surya.com
 

Below is the Cameron chair from Worlds Away with a gold leafed frame and velvet upholstery in again... navy. Gorgeous lines and extremely comfortable.

www.worlds-away.com

 

Hope you enjoyed this eye candy from Americas Mart and a glimpse inside a few design trends for 2013. The day I spent at the mart was a world wind of excitement and to top it off I got to meet and talk to Kathryn Ireland! Can't wait until July!