Christmas at Callanwolde Designer Showhouse

I know what you're thinking,........Christmas ALREADY???!!!  Hey, I'm not playing Christmas tunes as a background to this blog, so consider yourself saved by THAT!

...just a note to let y'all know that I'm participating in this year's Christmas at Callanwolde.  Last year, my Billiards Room (above) was a Big Hit (at least in my own mind,....haha),....no, really, it was actually well-received and I was honoured to have been invited back this year:

Entrance Foyer

Discerning homeowners trust interior designer Mark Sunderland to create exquisite interiors that combine his extensive design experience with the classic, high-quality furnishings available through his namesake firm. His intrinsic understanding of light, texture, colour, space and proportion inspires rooms that are polished and accessible. In choosing the Entrance Foyer, Sunderland shares his philosophy that foyers "set the tone" and introduce one's guests to the house with a sincere "Welcome!"

Great Hall

Mark Sunderland is honoured to participate in yet-another Christmas at Callanwolde. The Great Hall is an opportunity to feature his decorating skills using antique furnishings from his company, Mark Sunderland Antiques, located at Historic Roswell Antique Markets,.....and monthly as a Permanent Dealer at Scott Antique Market, North Building. Over the years, the Candlers collected furniture pieces from Europe and America; Sunderland pays homage to the house's heritage with unique pieces from many Periods, just as he does with his clients' homes.

On a sad note, Callanwolde's Director, Dr. Sam Goldman, died last week.  I attended his Memorial Service at Callanwolde.  SRO!  He was truly loved and will be missed as the face of Callanwolde, having worked there for 30+ years,.....Director since 1998.

When Deborah and I were there measuring earlier this month, Sam came downstairs (hearing my voice) and gave me a BIG hug, welcoming me to another year at Callanwolde.  It was such a shock hearing two weeks later of his unexpected death.  I will never forget Sam's infectious smile; the World has truly lost one of "The Beautiful People."

But as we know, Life goes on.  Christmas at Callanwolde will continue,....this year and every year.  ....and I'm sure that ALL of the Designers will do their best to make this year's Christmas at Callanwolde Designer Showhouse the best EVER!

Cheers, Everybody!

...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.

It's All-About Texture

...just thought I'd blog about a project I'm currently working on.

My new clients, who live in East Cobb County (Marietta, Georgia), met me last month at Scott Antique Market, where I exhibit each month.  They picked-up one of my cards, and later that weekend, checked out my Design Portfolio on my website and on the Elle Decor Registry.

They liked my work, and, although they do not need a STICK of furniture, they're doing a lot to perk-up their wonderful home built in the late-80s.

This photograph shows how I'm incorporating TEXTURE as well as COLOUR into their "soon-to-be-new" Dining Room.

The grasscloth wallpaper on the left: a well-priced paper from Ernest Gaspard and Associates, ADAC.  Of course, The Hangman, Inc. will install, as always.

The fabric shown is one I found at an "off-the-bolt" fabric store.  The soft sage-greens really compliment  the tones in the wallpaper.  We're re-upholstering their 8 Dining Room chairs in this geometric-woven fabric.

And, to save money on custom-made-draperies,......I'm installing that wonderful "tortoise" woven wood shades in the windows. The simplicity of these woven wood shades (unlined) should really provide that fresh, simple look that my clients were going-for! http://www.kirsch.com/products/natural-shades/

It's simply "a texture-thing" sometimes........

I'll post "after" photos when the project is completed next month.

Cheers,
Mark.

A Day in the Life of an Antique Dealer

Hey, Everyone!

Today, I'm working with my Number One, Deborah Porter,.....pricing, cataloging, and sending images to my Internet Guy, Jr. DeBarros, to post my stuff on Pinterest and prepare my e-blasts for this week's Scott Antique Market Show.

Two shout-outs for Deborah and Jr.:  DEBORAH is a FABULOUS accountant; many of my Designer Friends and Antique Dealers use her. [Forms & Figures, deport33@comcast.net]............ and JR. [jrdebarros@gmail.com] is just-about the best thing since sliced bread,.....with his professional advice and über-wonderfully orchestrated e-blasts and blogs.....I provide him copy and photos,...and VOILA!.....he works his magic,....making my posts really beautiful (I don't know how,....and don't wanna know how........).......

We're ALL busy, Folks,....if it is ONE THING I've learned over-the-years,...it's " you can't do it all......."......but with professionals like Deborah and Jr.,.....it gives me time to go out antiquing,.....and, occasionally,.......an opportunity to read my pile-o-New Yorkers!

And,...if you were wondering,......we WHISTLE WHILE WE WORK!

Click here sign up and receive free emails about the items I show at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta and Historic Roswell Antique Market in Roswell every month. Designers and collectors........ you WANT to see these pieces! *We ship all over : )

Cheers!
Mark.

Bernhardt!

 

Bernhardt Furniture: a furniture brand that's been around for years.......and I'm happy to say that I've been a Bernhardt Dealer since opening my company, Mark Sunderland Interiors, Inc.

Looking over my furniture-orders in the past year, I've noticed that there are MANY multiple-piece orders for Bernhardt.  Two reasons come to mind:

First, Bernhardt has great INTRINSIC-VALUE for quality-furniture in our present Economy!  I've sold TWO full-dining-rooms from the collection shown, Somerset Hill.  FABULOUS hand-rubbed finish on mahogany!

Secondly, Bernhardt, in my opinion, really seems to have their "finger on the pulse" of the furniture Industry, offering some of the BEST traditional AND transitional Collections of all the lines I propose for my clients.

Connect to the link I've provided,.....and, if there's a piece (or 2 or 3) that you'd like me to price for you, let me know!

I look forward to hearing from you!

http://www.bernhardt.com/

Cheers,

Mark.