Vitality and The Next Cool Thing

F. Scott Fitzgerald said that vitality shows in the ability to persist as well as the ability to start over. If this is true (and I believe it is), you may be reading the words of the most energetic man in interior design. As most of you know, throughout the strained economic times of the past few years and my own strained emotional times of the past few months, I have persisted in creating beautiful interiors for my clients, saving them time and money in the process. And, out of the dying embers of the late, great Beverly Hall Furniture Galleries, I have fanned the flames of the now vital Mark Sunderland Interiors. This could not have happened, of course, without the enthusiastic support and encouragement of my exceptional clients, business associates, family and friends. In other words, you.

Especially as we enter this season of gratitude and giving, I have been thinking about what I can do to show you my thanks and share my vision for the very bright future ahead for us all. And I’m so excited to tell you about it – and invite you to join me for The Next Cool Thing, January 14 – 16, 2011.

The Next Cool Thing will be a vibrant exhibition of Atlanta’s interior design creativity – and Mark Sunderland Interiors is slated as one of the event’s top highlighted talents. Taking our cues from the world of television and film, each exhibitor is creating an environment that entertains, delights and above all, shows the sophistication, quality and cleverness of Atlanta’s best. Most exhibitors will present a small taste of what they can do in a 10 foot by 10 foot space. I’m thinking quite a bit bigger than that, bringing together my top manufacturers, suppliers and artisans in a spectacular 10,000 square foot display of Americana, inspired by American Pickers, television darling of the interior design world.

Throughout the weekend, you’ll see a variety of interior displays – including, of course, my own creation earmarked by signature wit, intelligence and charm. During the day, the event will be a family-friendly festival, featuring local fare, art and live performances. In the evening, it will transform into a star-studded, elegant, red-carpet affair to rival the gala balls of the 1920s. Every attendee will be treated as a celebrity, although we’ll be sipping champagne and martinis with actual celebrities of the film and television world – stay tuned for more info on that.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of the remarkable people and items that I can’t wait for you to see in person. Meanwhile, I want to hear from you! Tell me what you hope to see at this amazing event – and let me know if you want in on the festivities. I’ll be sure to get you access to what promises to be an event that people will be talking about for a long time to come.

I expect that it will be a display of vitality that would make F. Scott quite proud.

Come Ye Thankful People Come...

Coming home to Mom and Dad's house for Thanksgiving is what life's all about, family.

Good memories start flooding into your mind: the way the trees look outside in the woods, a smell from inside an empty oven. Nice memories.

When I was in second grade,...back when you could do this kind of stuff, my teacher, Mrs. Stine (the porcupine....that's another blog) around this time of the year would have the class memorize this song. We probably sang it every day in November, and, of course, my little church, Asbury, sang it every SUNDAY in November. I cannot tell you what my sister's phone number is (stored in direct-dial, voice-command mode in my FANCY phone, ...but I remember most of this song (someone tell me if the next to the last stanza is right, I think not).

Come Ye Thankful People Come,
Raise the song of Harvest Home,
All is safely gathered in
'ere the wintry storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
For our wants to be supplied.
Come Ye Thankful People Come,
Raise the song of Harvest Home!



Love that song.



As we give thanks this week, why don't we REALLY give thanks? Try a Random Act of Kindness: pay for the next person in line wherever you are, you Starbucks people gotta cough up another five bucks,....I TOLD you that coffee shouldn't cost that much,...pay for the next guy's carwash,....go to your closet today and remove a box of NICE clothes (preferably from this Century) and take them personally to that family whose house just burned down. By the way, they'll LOVE cashmere; just don't tell them that they'll be wearing GOAT.

You don't have to plan this kinda thing; you'll know when it's the right time. You'll know.

Share your ACT of KINDNESS on my blog with the rest of us, or, better yet, just tuck your story in your little heart,...and don't be surprised if your little heart grows a couple sizes bigger this week.

Sure, I'm gonna watch the Macy's parade this Thursday (trying to enjoy the tidbits of live, non-dubbed marching bands,...and I'll have my fair share of bird, filling balls and football, with a deregeor nap or two thrown in,....but I plan to PAY IT FORWARD a few times this week, as I've grown accustomed to doing.


When you're not looking, your personal cornacopia is filling to the brim. Have an apple, folks. Good work.