Photo Credit: Rough Southern Home
These days it’s hard to find home décor and furniture made in the U.S, let alone in your region. But over the past few years, makers and designers specializing in lighting, furniture and home accessories are popping up all over the South. Not only are they regionally made, they are all handcrafted using the highest quality of materials and the designs are exquisite.
Here are 8 Southern companies that are making waves in the home décor industry:
1. Holler Design: Home furnishings inspired and designed from traditions of the “South” with a modern, clean-line aesthetic. Each piece is locally sourced, designed and handcrafted on the family dairy farm of designer, Matt Alexander, in Tennessee.
Where in the South? Lascassas, TN
Favorite Home Goods? Beam Stool
2. Alabama Chanin: Founder Natalie Chanin, is a former NYC stylist, who left New York to return to her southern roots in Alabama. She now runs a textile manufacturing company, a café, a community center and is world-renowned fashion designer, textile designer and author. And! When she’s not too busy, she’s designing home goods that have the same richness as her textile lines. Decadent and yet, delightfully simple.
Where in the South? Florence, AL
Favorite Home Goods? Grapefruit + Watercress Candle and Facets Stripe Pillow
3. Southern Lights Electric: Vintage-industrial inspired light fixtures handcrafted by designer Adam Gatchel. Adam uses a combination of old and new techniques, as well as materials. His work can be seen in numerous restaurants and hotels across the country, including local establishments Pinewood Social, Barista Parlor, and Rolf & Daughters.
Where in the South? Nashville, TN
Favorite Home Goods? The Sputnik
4. Garza Marfa: Minimal, modern furniture with a subtle southwestern vibe. Designers, Jamey and Constance Garza, moved from LA to the creative Texan town Marfa and began designing contemporary furniture with leather and steel. Their designs are inspired from their surroundings of the high plains desert of the Trans-Pecos.
Where in the South? Marfa, TX
Favorite Home Goods? Saddle Leather Round Chair and Saddle Leather Cot
5. Rough South Home: A collection of handmade and one of a kind modern-rustic furniture, lighting and home accessories made from repurposed industrial finds. He has recently added small batch collections of tables and chairs made from local hardwoods and salvaged metals. Clark Titus is all about giving objects a second chance and designing furnishings that make a strong statement.
Where in the South? Atlanta, GA
Favorite Home Goods? Pullman Chair and Warehouse Light on Rope
6. Ann Ladson: Ann Ladson has been working with her hands for as long as she can remember. As a pastry chef, audio engineer, floral designer and metal worker, Ann has had a fascination of the material exploration of art and science. She designs jewelry, hardware, vessels and utensils – all made by hand with impeccable craftsmanship. Ladson has a beautiful understanding of composition, form and finish.
Where in the South? Charleston, SC
Favorite Home Goods? Brass Finishing Spoon
7. Moran Woodworked: A furniture company that cares about their environmental impact, as much as the design of each piece they create. They are committed to responsible selection of materials and a modern approach to design. Michael James Moran and Celia Gibson are interested in the balance of form and function, and honoring the natural beauty of wood through high quality craftsmanship.
Where in the South? Charleston, SC
Favorite Home Goods? Charred Conical Lamp
8. South of Urban: Modern, sustainable furniture designed by local designers in Atlanta. Most of the materials used are salvaged, reclaimed, and recycled. The rest of the materials are eco-conscious and within close proximity of the city. The furniture collections have a minimal, mid-century aesthetic.
Where in the South? Atlanta, GA
Favorite Home Goods? 1301 Z Lounger
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I have been on an indoor gardening kick lately, filling every nook and cranny with plants (that I hope I won’t kill). One of my favorite places to implement greenery is on the mantel. When visiting homes in the south, I rarely see plants on fireplace mantels. Maybe it’s more of a west coast thing? Whatever it is, I am a huge fan of juxtaposing books, plants and sculptures together in this tiny little area of the living room.
After the holidays, I left my mantel pretty bare. We are talking two plants. I don’t know about you, but after Christmas I need a non-decorating season. A clear the clutter, let the house breath, decorating hiatus.
I decided to leave the mantel clear until I felt inspired. Well, January and February came and went. And then March came along with spring, and I still didn’t have a shred of inspiration. But! Then one day I stumbled upon a gorgeous vermilion colored candle on a stack of vintage red books at West Elm. Ding! Ding! Ding! I was smitten by the simple display and could not wait to take this candle home with me. I had finally found my inspiration. This color combination was exactly what I had been looking for, except I didn’t know it until I saw it.
Searching for inspiration without perimeters is a beautiful creative process. If you haven’t tried it, you should the next time you are re-designing a space. Look for a feeling, a color or a flavor instead of an object – the process is more interesting when you don’t have specifics.
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Much apologies for the lack of posts this week. I have family visiting, and I have not mastered the concept of working from home with house guests (especially when I’m having too much fun). Anyways, if you missed my 12th & Broad piece last week, here’s a chance to catch up. Enjoy lots of fun decor ideas for spring parties.
Photo via Style Me Pretty
Spring has finally sprung! And, all I want to do is throw an outdoor party. For the last few weeks Nashville has experienced warmer days, lots of sunshine and gorgeous crisp air. After the crazy winter weather we had last month, this change in season is greatly welcomed.
This weekend is Good Friday and Easter (aka Passover), and whether you celebrate the holiday or not, it’s a great time to celebrate the new season with friends and family. After being cooped up all winter, I think entertaining al fresco is a must. Dining outside is pretty much my favorite way to entertain. The atmosphere is casual, everyone is at ease and there is no rush to leave – exactly how sharing a meal with your loved ones should be.
Photo via Kinfolk and Pinterest
Below are a few décor tips on how to throw a great spring party. Instead of going with the same style, year after year, try something new. I guarantee your friends and family will appreciate the new look.
COLOR PALETTE
DON’T: Please, for the love of all that is holy, back away from the elementary hallmark pink, yellow and blue that is used every year for spring décor. Back away! Leave those childish colors to the Easter baskets.
DO: Apricot, Tangerine, Blush, Coral, Lucite Green and Sage.
These colors are fresh and flirty. Still whimsical, but modern and grown-up.
Photos via Pinterest
TABLE DÉCOR
DON’T: Since we are on the topic of childish décor, let’s leave the bunnies, baby chicks, and little lambs to the kiddos as well. There is no need for a giant plastic rabbit to ever be incorporated in your decor, nor a faux grass runner on your dining table, or cheap throw away signs that tell everyone spring has arrived. Just don’t.
DO: Keep the décor simple, fresh and let nature be your inspiration. There is no need for imitation, use the real deal and the results are timeless and beautiful. Flowers and greenery, seasonal fruit, handmade place cards, pretty linens and nice dinnerware is all you need. Simple is always better.
Photo via Burnetts Boards and Ruffled Blog
FLOWERS
DON’T: Tulips and daffodils are beautiful but they are not the only flowers growing in the spring flower bed. There are numerous varieties, in all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. Do not limit your décor to two types of flowers because they are the poster-child of spring.
DO: Choose a sunny citrus floral arrangement with lots texture. Instead of the traditional single-variety tulip, create a mixed variety of florals in shades of dusty oranges, coral pinks and sage-greens. The colors are stunning together and will be perfect for a spring table. 
Photos via SF Girl by the Bay and Brit + Co
COCKTAILS + DESSERT
Whether you are hosting an intimate brunch or a traditional Easter lunch, always have cocktails and dessert. These two items on the menu are what make a party, well, a party. They make a lot of smiles, and they bring a festive element to the décor.
DON’T: Mimosa bars have had their fun but it’s time to try something new.
DO: Try a delicious Guava Sangria with a Touch of Sage, Honey Paloma, French 75 (similar to a mimosa, but so much better)
Photos via SB Chic, Design Love Fest and PDX Food Love
DON’T: Overly sugary sweet desserts in bright (chemically dyed) colors.
DO: Try a lightly sweetened but decadent dessert, like an orange sherbet cake, a naked strawberry shortcake or mandarin orange tea cookies.
Photos via Design Love Fest Pinterest Boards
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I rarely can find the color I imagine for a project on the shelf of any store. Everything I like is an in-between of something. I’m not sure if its the fact that I am complicated, or that I’m simply ahead of the game. Whatever it is, it keeps me on my toes. If I can’t find it, I make it my damn self.
When I bought hanging glass containers last summer for my air plants, I thought finding a coral pink sand for them would be easy. I thought “coral pink is popular, colored sand is popular, there should be plenty of choices”. Ummm, no. Every shade I came upon was too bright, too childish, or too muddy. I was determined to find this color to pair with the art on my living room walls. But after weeks of looking, I knew it was time to rethink my color choice. I either needed to go with a completely different color or dye the sand myself. Neither of which I wanted to do. This was supposed to be a simple project. And then a light bulb went on – mix pink and orange sand together. Voila! coral pink.
Perfect, right?! The color pops against the gray walls and pairs beautifully with my art collection. I could not be happier.
Just remember, there is always a way to bring your ideas to fruition. The key is to step back from the idea when you’ve hit a road block. The solution is likely staring you in the face and much simpler than you anticipated.
If you are in Nashville and looking for an excellent selection of air plants, glass containers and colored sand, head over to All Seasons on 8th Avenue. It’s hands down my favorite garden store.
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“Imagine a yard sale full of great finds from Nashville’s best closets, guest rooms and garages, and so big it takes up an entire warehouse!” – 12th & Broad
12th & Broad is hosting their first ever Broadlandia Yard Sale this Saturday, just in time for spring. They’ve rented out Track One – a large warehouse space in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood (near the Sounds stadium), and they’ll be filling it up with a city-wide yard sale complete with boutique gallery, bloody mary bar, and great non-profit partners like ThriftSmart.
And if that wasn’t enough to get you excited, Flock South will be there! My dear friend (and partner in design crime) Samantha Oaks with Lucien Porter Design Company, will be sharing a booth with me at Broadlandia. You remember her? She’s the one that designed the oh-so fabulous airbnb in the 12 South Neighborhood. This is our first event together, and the beginning of an exciting partnership.
So what are we selling? Home goods, lots and lots of home goods. From decor to lighting to kitchen-ware to rugs and small furnishings. It’s going to be a hodge-podge mix of items from our homes, vintage pieces from my booth at Gas Lamp Antiques, and props from past projects. Plus! You get to meet us, ask questions and find out more about what we are doing with our companies.
DETAILS
When: Saturday, March 28
Where: Track One, 1211 4th Avenue South, Nashville TN, 37203
Time: 8-10 a.m. Early Bird Shopping (w VIP ticket; includes bloody mary and breakfast)
Open House: 10 a.m.-noon (free admission)
Want first dibs on all the best stuff + free breakfast, a bloody mary and other special perks?
Procure your Early Bird Shoppers ticket for just $20. You’ll get a VIP shopping experience from 8-10 a.m. before the doors open to the public.
VIP Tickets: www.broadlandia.eventbrite.com
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