Shopping Atlanta

One thing Atlanta is known for is furniture shopping. No trip to Atlanta is complete without visiting some of their numerous home stores. I think antique shopping is the local past time!

One of my first stops after a fun lunch with noted blogger The Blue Remembered Hills was to ADAC (the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center).

One of my favorite shops was definitely Ainsworth Noah which carries a selection of antiques along with new furniture and art.

 Loved this little side table made by Dessin Fournir, one of many brands they represent.

Every part of this showroom you want as a little vignette back in your own home! 

Another great shop was Holland & Co which has this lovely antique doorway leading into the showroom.

 And what better place to get an architectural accent such as an antique door and surround than at my favorite shop in the world, Architectural Accents (which I've blogged about previously HERE).

In addition to architectural salvaged pieces from Europe they also carry lots of new hardware lines -a one stop shop!

 Loved this stained glass chinoiserie scene - would be great in a bathroom for some privacy.

There is no shortage of antique (and reproduction) mantels and overmantels, each more beautiful than the last.

 This overmantel had a lovely golden chinoiserie scene above an antique French marble mantel.

My favorite was this 18th century limestone mantel from a house in France.  I would take this home in a heartbeat if I could!! Maybe after I win the lottery....

 This lovely oak mantel and overmantel would look great in a home library.

And there is no shortage of antique doors to take home to add a touch of France to your own maison. 

Probably the most anticipated part of my trip was a visit to Scotts, the monthly antique show where dealers from around the world come to sell AND shop.

 So many lovely things I wish I had room for!!

 Have you ever seen a chandelier built of antique French firemen helmets? Only at Scotts....

 This interesting beaux-arts clock appears right out of a hotel or palatial gilded age mansion.

 I couldn't decide whether these bronze urns were more funereal or just plain fabulous.

I was able to take home a souvenir however, this antique French dresser eventually found it's way back home to me from a dealer based in Texas. Scotts makes it easy with numerous shippers available at the front desk.  Atlanta is to antique shopping what Chicago is to pizza; HOME!

Shopping Architectural Accents in Atlanta

While in Atlanta one of the many shops I stopped into was an architectural salvage shop unlike any I had been to before, Architectural Accents. This isn't your run of the mill junk shop with beat up doors and bathtubs, they carry the finest architectural salvage / antiques from Europe as well as new custom hardware and other fixtures needed in any high end renovation to an old house or NEW old house.

 I might as well admit I died and went to heaven -this was my favorite spot in Atlanta!

 Each door I saw was my next favorite. Imagine building a house utilizing of some of these pieces.  Thousands of doors to choose from.

 I loved the elegant proportions to the paneled door on the left above.

Notice how all of the antique doors have already been repaired and stripped of many layers of (lead) paint -ready to use in your own project!

My favorite door was actually a pair of circa 1870 double doors from an old mansion in France which features hand painted scenes from La Fontaine's fables.

I would happily build a living room around these doors. The prices were very reasonable as well - about what you'd pay for custom, high quality new doors (without the character!)

 The oak Tudor staircase below also caught my attention.

There were 1000's of mantels to choose from.  You can even order your own new mantel if you don't find an antique that suits you!

 The impressive solid wood example above from France is enormous -don't let the scale fool you.

 Perhaps some English mantels might be to your taste instead?

 The mantel above retains its beautiful hand painting.

 Imagine the carved mantel above in a knotty pine library.

 The perfect iron fireback for any architect above - a Grecian temple with Greek key surround!

 There are no shortage of light fixtures either, both interior and exterior.

 These brass French lanterns would make a big statement in any stairwell or entry hall.

Notice the many options for Cremone bolts on the wall above. The shop is enormous but still packed to the gills with fabulous house parts.

The beautiful iron railings are a steal! Like any good salvage yard there are plenty of parts and pieces below to repair your old house as well.

My favorite item that is made-to-order is custom leather book edge binding to line faux shelves - made to any length that you require. Perfect if you want to match a hidden door detail like at Meridian House (see that post HERE and notice the Jib door in the library)

Be sure to stop into Architectural Accents the next time you're in Atlanta, you won't regret it. I can't wait until my next visit!

Artefact design and salvage, Sonoma

I recently returned from a vacation to Northern California and while I organize my thoughts & photos I thought I'd share with you Artefact Design & Salvage. Artefact is a store that I came across in Sonoma thanks to a recommendation from my good friend, designer Michael Hampton.

Housed in a small district of warehouses near the Sonoma airport, the immense store carries all manner of re-purposed salvage and a lot of other quirky finds.

 One could spend hours browsing their stock and reading through the offered design books of local talent.

One will of course be greeted by Axel, the trusty store mascot! A playful dog, he will demand you play with him and his favorite toy bucket. Beware.....should you attempt to play with him, Axel and his bucket will follow you throughout the store no matter the length of your visit!

The goodies continue outside in the yard - I particularly loved this stone urn.

 This child's sled would be a charming planter or great for Christmas decorating.

 Looking for column capitals; How about a matching pair of enormous Corinthians?

 The closer you look the more you find; architectural fragments are everywhere!

This metal dormer is the real thing -often copied for use as mirror frames or such inside.

 Notice the unusual Egyptian column integrated into the wall above.

 I wish I could have packed these dozens of feet of huge Gothic revival trim into my suitcase!

 This ornate iron gate must have come from a grand estate.

 The design of this iron guardrail was probably one of the more inspiring finds.

I'm not sure how this enormous stone 'coin' from Philadelphia made it to the wilds of California but I imagine it would be great integrated into someone's vineyard!

If you find yourself in wine country don't forget to stop by Artefact and tell them ArchitectDesign sent you!
No compensation was received for this post: the pictures are my own.