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Monday, January 11, 2010

A day with one of my favorite bloggers, and dinner with one of my favorite designers

As I reported a few days ago, there was a lot going on in Atlanta this cold weekend in January! In some ways, I felt as if my blog world and my real world collided when I met with Brooke from Velvet & Linen, and her wonderful husband, architect Steve Giannetti. We arranged to meet at Scott's Antique Market, which is a huge place - but as soon as I saw them, I knew exactly who they were (I felt like I was meeting celebrities - Brooke's blog is one of my absolute favorites, and I am in awe of Steve’s architectural talents)! After just a few minutes together, I felt as if I had known Brooke and Steve for years.

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After walking through Scott’s with Brooke, Steve, and Angela (a designer from Washington state who is dear friends with the Giannettis and a faithful blog reader), we went over to Love Train, which is in the parking lot of the North building of Scott’s. The picture above was taken by Brooke this summer; when we were there a few days ago, the scene was quite different as it was 22 degrees and about to snow! I have passed by Love Train so many times in the past, and never knew what it was until I read about it on Brooke’s blog last summer. It is an amazing place – a place where Mark Sage (owner of BoBo Intriguing Objects) stores and sells many of the interesting antiques and objects (many of which are ‘commercial’ in origin, used for a specific commercial purpose in old bakeries, bistros, pharmacies) that he brings home from his travels in Europe and all over the world.

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Steve snapped a shot of Brooke (right), Mark (middle), and me (left) as we huddled around the heater – Love Train is a warehouse, and it was really, really cold! It was worth braving the weather, though, to chat with Brooke, Mark, and Steve, and hear about the interesting things going on in their respective businesses.

Take a minute to visit Brooke’s blog for pictures from Love Train – Brooke and Steve have amazing talent for seeing the beautiful in the ordinary, and took pictures of things that I didn’t even notice when I was there (such as the picture of the swing above). I highly encourage a trip to Love Train – but it is important to note that Love Train is only open during Scott’s Antique Market days.

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(Left to right, me, Suzanne, and Brooke)

That evening, Brooke, Steve and I had a fantastic dinner with Atlanta based designer Suzanne Kasler, whom I have featured many times on the blog – she is one of my all time favorites. It was fascinating to hear the discussion about the Los Angeles design scene, what is going on in design today, where design might be going in the future. We also chatted a bit about the project that Suzanne and I are working on together – she is doing the interiors on the new home that architect Stan Dixon is designing for my family. Although I have only been working with Suzanne for a few months (we are still tweaking the plans, but are making great progress), already Suzanne has had an amazing impact on the flow and usage of the rooms – she is truly an expert at space planning. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with on the interior design!

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A final picture before parting ways – that’s Steve on the right. It truly was an evening to remember! It is interesting that we are all wearing black – someone commented on Brooke’s blog that we look like New Yorkers! I rarely wear black, but it seemed to fit the mood of the cold wintry day.

All images courtesy Velvet & Linen. Brooke wrote up a detail filled account of the day - click here to see her post.


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33 comments:

  1. that's a group of folks with some great eyes for design right there, sounds like a fun time...even with the cold!

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  2. Doug - when you are next in Atlanta, I want to meet you! Maybe I will get to meet all of my top 10 favorite designers (you being one) at some point in time.

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  3. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to visit with us, Holly. It really meant a lot to Steve and me. I know that you mentioned this as well, but it really did seem as if I had known you for years.
    I will call you this week to talk to you about Suzanne's home. I think it is going to take me awhile to truly take in all of the beauty that I saw that day. She did an amazing job.

    xo
    Brooke

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  4. Thanks to Brooke and David for visiting our city in less that perfect weather.

    And special thanks to Suzanne, Brooke, and David from all design blog-dom: Y'all encouraged Holly's long anticipated debut in pictures. Hurray!

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  5. Finally!!! Holly reveals herself!!! Can I quit calling you Sarah now?

    Holly, I love you! I'm so glad you've "outed" yourself, even though Brooke had to push the issue first!!!! You'll be happier this way I think.

    I can't wait to see what is happening with your new house, it will be the first "US design blogosphere" house I think!!! wow!

    Joni

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  6. Wait, I forgot about Lauren, but she moved into her house. Has anyone else for the US built their own house yet?

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  7. What fun! It looks like a wonderful weekend in Atlanta!

    P.S. Thank you for the lovely comments on the blog Holly!!! You made my day.

    xo

    Natonius

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  8. Holly, I love putting a face with your wonderful blog and emails. I am so glad you all had a great time together.

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  9. What fun! It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Connecting with 'virtual' friends - just receiving a comment from one of the 'big time' designers or bloggers
    is exciting - I can't image what it would be like to actually 'meet' them. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. This is totally off topic -but you have the same shade red hair that every single person in my family has except me (mom, dad, brother, grandmothers -you name it). I've always been the odd man out! Only a red head would appreciate that comment I think :-)
    Looks like a great day -thats the best part of blogging -meeting the faces as you already know the 'souls'.

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  11. Stefan, I do appreciate your comment (those with red heads in their lives always comment on my hair!), but my sister would appreciate your comment even more; my brothers and I all have red hair, and my sister was the lone brunette. She claims to hate red hair because of this, and I get a huge amount of satisfaction out of the fact that she now has a red haired child!

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  12. you all look fabulous.
    i bet it was fun.
    xx

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  13. Isn't it adorable how excited everyone is over your "reveal" ? Such an amazing weekend you had! I'll bet you hardly had time to think of how cold it was in such good company!

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  14. Yeah! Finally a face to go with all that talent! And what a wonderful group of people that inspire so many of us. I can feel that something very good is going to come out of this. Happy week!
    Monika

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  15. I am sure you all had a great time. Having Suzanne Kasler design a house for you must be so exciting!

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  16. OMG! First of all - I cannot believe your big reveal! So nice to see you, darlin'! Second, it looks like a fab time with Brooke and gang and I am so jealous and third - Suzanne Kasler is doing your interiors for the new house????? OMG - that is crazy. Wow, you are one lucky girl. I am positively thrilled for you Holly. This is incredible news. Your new home is going to be amazing, I just know it. Imagine- maybe you will get into House Beautiful or one of her books haha.

    Can't wait to see - when does work begin?

    P.S. You look great!
    xo Terri

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  17. First of all, you are absolutely adorable!! (My mother just knew I was going to be born a red-head and my name was going to be Amy. Much to my mother's chagrin I was not!)
    How fun to meet Brooke & Steve (I hope to have that pleasure this summer) and to have Suzanne as your Interior Designer! Wow, how exciting! Can't wait to watch the progress.
    It's been a good 5 years since we've been to Scott's, and we used to drive in every couple of months, so I really miss it.
    Happy New Year!
    joan

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  18. Looks like y'all had a great time! I went to Scott's with a friend on Saturday afternoon, and saw Suzanne. I told my friend that she looked familiar. Now I know who she was from this post!! Wish I would have said something. Anyway, I still feel so new to blogging, but it's fun to see design celebs!

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  19. I love this, it's almost like your 'coming out' party! Although I have seen your pretty face, now others will know the face of TTI! The Giannetti's are two people that talent oozes from!
    I so want to get to Love Train...I'll wait until it warms up though!
    xx

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  20. augghh... You're out!!! I'm so proud of you!! Now we all know whos behind the blog!

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  21. Wow. Looks like you had a fantastic weekend! And I'm so jealous you got to pick Suzanne's brain over dinner....

    Why aren't more great designers based out of Houston!?!?

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  22. PS - I, too, am all for your public "outing", Holly. Brava!

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  23. Sounds like you had a wonderful time... thanks for sharing with us

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  24. All that talent in one place! You are all beautiful inside and out.

    xo,
    cristin

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  25. Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend!! You also have quite a talented team working on your new home. I can't wait to hear more about it!

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  26. Holly,

    So glad you all had such a great week last week. I love Brooke. So jealous, wish I could have been in town for all the events. I hope to make it to Atlanta soon. I need to come shop for clients in a big way. Thanks for all your awesome posts.

    Gwen Driscoll
    Ragland Hill Social

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  27. I have been to Love Train, just didn't realize it. Atlanta was hopping this weekend with all of your events and the Eddie Ross parties. Lots of fun! I was hoping to run into Brooke at the Atlanta Market.

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  28. I am missing out on all this (bummer) nice to see a picture of your beautiful face on your blog though!!

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  29. What a powerful group of folks right there! Looks like a great gathering. Didn't realize Suzanne was doing the interior design for your new house- I'm sure it will be something!

    PS- was great to see your "outing."

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  30. What fun!
    What sizzle! You guys could melt an iceberg!
    I love Mark's hat!
    xo xo

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  31. I thought I'd chime in here too. Love all the pictures of everyone, especially in the black!:) Sounds like an incredibly fabulous and fun weekend.

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  32. I can't wait to see the project of your new house !!

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  33. Sounds like a fabulous time! I'm heading to Atlanta soon myself to visit some "artsy" friends!
    I've enjoyed your blog and will be back!

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