Baker Furniture, Anne Irwin Galleries, and Mark Sunderland Interiors

I have been very honoured to have been selected by Melody Trivosone, the new Showroom Manager of Baker Knapp & Tubbs, ADAC, to participate with about a dozen or so other interior designers for a private function in their beautiful showroom the week of Design ADAC.

Anne Irwin Fine Art, one of my favourite art galleries in Atlanta, will be showing some wonderful paintings from her gallery amongst the beautiful room settings at Baker.

Baker and I go way back.  At Beverly Hall Furniture Galleries, I had a loyal following of Baker clients.  Here's a photo of one of my "All Baker" rooms:

.....and guess where those beautiful paintings came from?  That's right, Anne Irwin Fine Art!

http://anneirwinfineart.com

I am so looking forward from returning from Kentucky Derby Weekend and participating in this fine Event with Baker and Anne Irwin.

Having been an Independent Designer since Fall 2010, when Beverly Hall closed their doors, I'm a "regular" at the Baker Showroom at ADAC.

http://www.bakerfurniture.com

Are YOU a Baker fan like me?  If so, I'd be happy to propose your new Dining Room, Living Room, bedroom, or, as one of my Baker clients did, furnish your ENTIRE home with all the different Collections from Baker and Milling Road.

Thank you, Melody, for this wonderful opportunity to network my businesses: Mark Sunderland Interiors, Inc. and Mark Sunderland Antiques, LLC. (http://www.msunderland.com/)

I'll keep y'all posted on how the Event goes!

Keep Calm and Use Baker and Anne Irwin Fine Art!

Cheers!
Mark.

Draperies!

As an interior designer, I always seem to be working on a drapery-job or two each month.  One of the reasons,...and the MOST IMPORTANT reason: I've used the SAME drapery-workroom for over 18 years.  Starting the years I worked at Ralph Lauren Home, then for 15 years at Beverly Hall,...and now, with Mark Sunderland Interiors, my new clients discover what my repeat-customers have know for years: custom-draperies don't have to "break the bank."

It's a combination of product knowledge,...both fabrics and hardware.  "Window-Treatments," as they're known in the 'Biz, can sometimes be fully-functional,......sometimes non-functional, just providing a little "softening" to the room.

In any event, the right draperies can help "finish" that room with TIMELESS, classic treatments.  Just take a look at my website; I've been using some of the same techniques I've been doing for years!  No room for "trendy" in my World.

Here's my most-recent drapery installation from last week, with BEFORE and AFTER photos.  See the difference?   ....and my client LOVED her new "window-treatments!"

DURING the installation.....William Bone with his helper, Joe.

Dining Room; BEFORE draperies

Dining Room; AFTER!

Living Room; BEFORE draperies

Living Room; AFTER!

   

1: Close-up of Dining Room silk fabric from Kravet; 2: The Living Room silk, also from Kravet, reads nicely with the client's vintage, celadon lamps with jade finials.

Best to All....
Mark.

SECOND HOMES SHOULDN’T BE SECONDARY

I LOVE helping my clients enhance and beautify the homes they’ve worked so hard to obtain. Over the past sixteen years, I've created designs for second homes ranging from a cabin in the woods to an estate on Kiawah Island. Nantucket. Destin. Snow Mass. Hilton Head. And every one of them has been magnificent, each in its own way.

It always surprises me when people treat their second homes as if they don’t matter. The second home is where they put things that are too worn or out of style for their regular homes – and this makes no sense to me! Whether it's a one-bedroom studio or a mansion on the lake, second homes should be valued for the comfort and relaxation they provide.

A good designer can recycle those "oldies-but-goodies" and put them in "just the right place". However, if quality time isn't spent discussing function and comfort, that wonderful second home can become a not-so-wonderful secondary afterthought. Do you entertain for six or eight for dinner? Then your 48" round table won't cut the mustard. Do you have a counter at your island to sit at and eat your cereal? Those old barstools are probably too high.

Regardless of whether you decide to recycle old items or buy new, do treat yourself to a good mattress and box springs. Losing sleep at your vacation home is an oxymoron at best. Your sofa needs to be comfortable for those Sunday afternoon naps, too - no springs popping up through the cushions!

A second home need not be secondary. With careful thought, working within a plan and specified budget, your second home will provide many years of good times and fond memories.

I don’t have a second home (I hope to one day). But a little vicarious living can be fun. So, if you don’t have a second home (yet), I’d love to hear what your dream home would be. If you do, tell us what you love most about it!