Holiday Hoopla

Truth be told, we’re always scrambling when holiday time rolls around. Here at the gallery, we’re thankfully busy with our day-to-day goings-on and, somehow, for all our good planning, it never fails that Thanksgiving (and the crazy holiday season) sneaks up on us. We find ourselves frantically dashing around ordering ribbon, wrapping papers, gift bags and other holiday necessities.

Luckily, one of our favorite shows to curate and hang is our annual Little Jewels exhibit. It’s the perfect kick start for the holidays and motivates us to go across the street to the tree lot, pick out an elegant little tree, lug it back to the gallery and festoon it with dozens of little sparkling lights. We don’t ever do decorations on our gallery tree and the simplicity of the white lights and the aromatic green boughs is magical.

We love the look of the elegant and delightfully simple tree (and room, too!) This would fit right in at the gallery. From Michelle Stewart Designs, Southern Accents.

Our Christmas tree lot across the street doesn’t quite look like this.

We switch from our fun little Frenchy playlist to Christmas music -- and that encompasses classical, Christmas standards and pop renditions of everyone’s favorite tunes.

Sam comes to the rescue and usually makes some spectacular bows for our wreaths (we admit, they are fake but they look cute once Sam has her way with them.)

This burlap-bowed wreath would fit right in at the gallery and Scurry could stand in for that yellow lab. Sam would approve. From Southern Living.

Hmmmm, this has the gallery written all over it. From Southern Living.

We also put in an order for our wonderful scented candles that are made just for us by French style and design icon, Edith Mezard. Their delicate tea scent is positively addictive and we sell them like crazy. They usually arrive via FedEx, who comes screeching in on two wheels. This year, we’re donating $5.00 for every candle sold to the Atlanta-based Genesis Shelter.

Edith Mezard’s deliciously scented candles

Back to our Little Jewels show. After we hang the show, our walls take on a festive flair with the dozens of diminutive gems that hang for the holidays. Our artists get in the spirit and send us boxes full of tiny landscapes, still lifes, abstracts and florals. Framed and lit, they pack a huge visual punch and we especially love mixing them up with larger pieces.

This gorgeous still life from Nancy Franke is heavenly. You Gotta Have Heart, 6 x 12 oil on board. (Nancy will be here on Saturday, December 4th, from 1-3 p.m. with her paints and easel. If you love Nancy’s work and you’re local, we hope you’ll stop by. We’ve even persuaded a dear friend and client to entertain us with seasonal tunes on the piano while Nancy’s painting…)

Joyous, full of life and energy and bursting with color. My Pleasure, 12 x 12, acrylic on board by Amy Dixon.

We love it when clients come in, searching for that perfect something for that someone in their life…and the solution is art. We can’t think of a better gift to slide under the tree for the young collector just starting out (think a young college graduate in that first apartment) or maybe a newly married couple celebrating their first Christmas in a new home. Or, the individual or couple who have been collecting for years.

Liz Barber’s soft abstracts have a loyal following. Rise to the Surface 1, 11 x 14, mixed media

Even the younger set seem to love to receive art on December 25th – there is never a shortage of moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas buying one or two of Melissa Payne Baker’s beautifully painted abstracted angels and crosses for the pre-teens or teens on their lists (or for themselves!)

Melissa Payne Baker’s Petite Angel II, 8 x 8, mixed media

Noah Desmond’s Sheep is a perfect little jewel for a small space. Oil on board, 6 x 8

Green Glow from Brigitte Curt. So elegant and painterly. Oil on board, 12 x 6.

A new painting for a collection can be like a straight shot of energy, passion, color and form. (A couple years ago, we had a delightful gentleman who came in to specifically buy a wonderfully romantic Lorraine Christie painting for his wife. We heard later that she was thrilled and the painting remains the cornerstone of their collection.)

Lorraine Christie’s gloriously romantic Into the Paris Night II. Who wouldn’t want this under their tree? Oil on canvas, 24 x 18.

We guess that even in its most elemental form, art has a miraculous power to connect us in the most wonderful way – especially right now when giving, not receiving, means the most.

Aaron Whitehouse’s Gothica Maria, mixed media and resin on panel, 34 x 24.

Ta Ta!

M.

Highlighting...Svetlana Shalygina

Svetlana Shalygina, Shy

Here at the gallery, it’s usually love at first sight when we find a new artist we’re excited about. After the initial period of courtship, we’re all so excited to receive the first box of precious cargo. It’s like Christmas morning! So many delights to feast our eyes upon, and it can be hard to pick a favorite from among the bunch.

The most recent box from Svetlana Shalygina was no exception. Her work has an organic appeal that is elegant in its simplicity. The elongated figures have a tribal quality to them, yet they also represent the “common man” – they could be anyone. Without a doubt her work is very contemporary, but I think it appeals to the viewer on a personal level. One of the main criticisms of contemporary art is that it can be cold and impersonal, but Svetlana demonstrates this is not always the case.

The work Shy, in particular, struck a chord with me. It reminds me of children on a playground and how they (and all people) tend to form groups and crave acceptance. The main figure in the foreground seems isolated and somewhat timid, perhaps longing to join the group in the background but not quite sure how to make the first move. The strong horizontal element in the painting gives the viewer a sense of perspective and further divides the lone figure from the others. The texture on the canvas adds visual interest to the piece and brings the piece alive off the canvas and out into the viewer’s space.

Everyone can relate to this work. We’ve all had an experience where we were the “new one” in town/school/work and felt the uncertainty and trepidation that comes with being placed in that position. How we all wished that someone from the background, someone who is already a member of the group, would step up and be our friend.

There is so much I take away from the painting. The main thing is, we’re all alone at some point in time…and that’s ok. It too will pass. Fear of reaching out and making personal connections can inhibit us if we let it. Instead, we should strive onward, boldly and confidently, and make the first move. I like to think that if this work were part of a series, in the next painting, the figure in the foreground of this painting would turn around and walk back towards the group. Make an introduction. Find friends. Connect. There is also a sense of responsibility that comes with already being an accepted member of a group. Newcomers should be welcomed and celebrated. It’s much easier to turn away than to make an effort to include someone you don’t know. The start of the new school year is a great time to reflect on this!

Tata!

Sarah

Getting Sammied (Yes, it’s a verb!)

If you’ve been following this little blog, no doubt you’ve heard us mention Sam Jones. Sam works with us here at the gallery, and, more importantly works with many of our clients in their home doing what she does best: re-creating rooms and living spaces.

We say that sort of jokingly, but it’s really true. Sam can be called a number of lovely things: Renaissance woman (she knows more about everything than anyone we know); art expert (just throw out an artist’s name, any name, and she’ll rattle off style, period, influences and what he/she liked for lunch.)

Sam adores abstract expressionist art and Mark Rothko is one of her faves (Mark Rothko, No.10, oil on canvas, 1950) (We’re sure she knows every little detail about this ground-breaking artist – we’ll have to test her…)

She’s a tastemaker (she’s on top of every design trend out there); reader of design and art blogs…

There’s not an issue she misses.

It’s always about the mix with Sam…Atlanta’s own dame of decor, Suzanne Kasler, is the inspiration here.

Veranda and John Saladino: Sam’s in heaven.

She’s also a connoisseur of coffee table books; a movie goer; floral designer extraordinaire; and, best of all, furniture re-arranger.

You see, one of Sam’s greatest gifts (and it truly is a gift) is that she can walk into a room, cast an eye over what you’ve got and before you can say hey presto, she’s painted the walls, moved the sofa, re-positioned the chairs, re-hung Aunt Mildred’s rather dull landscape, and maybe recovered a sad and dusty love seat from one of her nameless haunts with nubbly Belgian linen – et voila! You are the proud possessor of a stylish, elegant room – without breaking the bank.

 With Sam’s help, you can go from here….

 …to here.

Her first love is art, art and more art so there’s nothing that makes her happier than placing a painting first and then redesigning a space to make that art shine beautifully. (For a sampling of what Sam’s capable of, click here to a blog we recently did that was all about finding the perfect painting for that tricky spot over the mantel.)

She’s terribly humble, so she never photographs befores or afters (for which we are constantly nagging at her), but one of us was in dire need of “Sammification” before an intimate and swanky benefit dinner – and remembered to take photos.

So, Sammy to the rescue! The bedroom, which has good bones and nice lines, really just need a little fluffing and Sam took care of that in a flash.

Before…

Of course, a couple paintings from the gallery had to spend the night and what a difference they made.

After…

A new duvet and a work by Jeffrey Terreson add a pop of color to the serene space.

Bedroom corner with Melissa Payne Baker’s Harvest I

In the master bedroom foyer, you’re greeted by Angie Renfro’s You Still Feel Like Home.

The next area screaming for attention was in the library where Sam had the brilliant idea of unfolding the drop-leaf table, adding a substantial and gorgeous lamp and spontaneously arranging baskets and jugs underneath. The coup de grace: an ironware bowl filled with fresh green apples and some sprigs of boxwood. So simple and yet so good.

Before…

And after…

Svetlana Shalygina’s Conspiracy is the perfect fit above the artful table vignette Sam arranged.

A sweet arrangement of flowers in front of Liz Barber’s Water Rings IV.

This Huffington had also begged Sam to help with floral arrangements and centerpieces for the dinner – and of course, she did not disappoint. She knows I love anything green and from the garden, so she created a mini potager for each table. Portobello mushrooms, eggplants, asparagus and artichokes all starred front and center and looked just perfect, fresh and natural.

The dinner party spilled over into the kitchen and living rooms, which have also been “Sammified” in the past. Remember this blog about searching for the perfect thing for over the mantel?

Sam’s not just our secret weapon – she actually stays incredibly busy with design jobs and floral work and she’s got a huge cadre of fans and clients. But we adore her and appreciate her enthusiastic passion for art and her unwavering love for all things beautiful. In fact, there’s just nothing better than getting “Sammied,” which has now become a verb at the gallery.

And, Sam’s favorite haunts? She won’t even tell us because we’d probably take one look and keep driving. But she’s got an eye for the diamond in the rough and her vivid imagination (and a can of some yummy Farrow and Ball paint color) works absolute miracles.

Farrow and Ball Colors (French Blue, Cooking Apple Green and Blackened) all at http://www.farrow-ball.com/

We’ll keep hounding her for befores and afters so we can share them with you. And, if you’re local in Atlanta and need a little “Sammification” of your own, just let us know.

Ta Ta…

M.

For the Artful Makeover, Sam’s fees are billed as follows: The first hour of consultation is complimentary, and she charges $50 per hour after that. We actually can’t count the number of our clients who have told us it was the best money they ever spent! We hope to have some Artful Makeover before and after photos to share with you soon.

Happy Fall, Y’all!

Top 20 things we love about Atlanta in October:

Ann

1. The weather: Would you believe day after day of gorgeous, sunny, cloudless days with 70 degree temperatures during the day and a nice nippy breeze in the evenings? It’s just unbelievable. This little Huffington, who grew up in the greyest of grey cities in Europe and pretty much never saw the sun from October to March, now drives a happy convertible and pinches herself every day that she spends with the top down, breezing through Atlanta in the perfect month of October.

2. College visits. OK, again this is personal, but since I have a senior in high school, October is the “family road trip” month to area colleges and what fun it has been! I don’t know if it’s special because every moment is precious or because it’s so fun to be on a college campus and to take in all the incredible opportunities that are available to beloved children. How many times has my husband said, wistfully and enviously, “I could go here!” – and I know he would! October is filled to the brim with college visits and we’re loving every one (unfortunately!).

3. It’s almost fondue time! Our little family loves to cook and eat wintry foods, starting with luscious soups made with fall veggies, and culminating with our Fondue and Raclette traditions around the Christmas holidays. So when the leaves start to change color, and the evenings are brisk enough for fires and sweaters, we immediately pull out the soup casserole and simmer away. Yummy!

4. The JDRF walk. We’ve been doing this for years and each year, we think it gets better. Now located at Centennial Park, the Walk attracts huge crowds of wonderful people who are all there to support a loved one with Juvenile Diabetes. The marvelous energy is contagious and it seems like it’s always a sunny day, even when it’s not. October wouldn’t be October without the JDRF walk. Of course, we all pray that the Walk will go away, with a cure for Diabetes. But meanwhile, raising over $1.5MM is a great goal – and certainly one that brings us all together like a big family on a wonderful October day.

~~~

Meg

5. Evenings on the back porch: about ten years ago, we added a wonderful porch with a fireplace to the back of our house. It survived the rebuild and to this day, is our very favorite hang out spot. On cool fall evenings, we light the fire, enjoy a yummy dinner and relish the fresh air.

6. Halloween: our neighborhood is home to dozens and dozens of kids and it’s so fun to see them all in their spooky, silly or sensational Halloween regalia. It’s a no-holds-barred time for outdoor decorations, which range from Party City fun-n-tacky to elegant displays of pumpkins, wheat sheaths, hay bales and tasteful scarecrows.

7. I’m with Ann: a big pot of butternut squash soup is the be-all and the end-all of fall cuisine.

8. Pull out the sweaters: this summer, we sweated and sweated through endless days of 90+ degrees. Now we’ve got no humidity and cool temps…it’s so refreshing!

~~~

Sarah

9. College football: My fall social calendar is ruled by football games, and to be honest, I’m ok with that! I obsessively check the BCS rankings as much as any guy does. I love entertaining and spending time with friends, and watching football is the perfect way to combine these two activities.

Yes, I went to Vandy, shame of the SEC. Love the SEC in general!

10. Boots: Growing up riding horses, tall leather boots have always been a key component in my wardrobe. While I’m not showing anymore, I still enjoy wearing boots almost every day in the winter, either with skinny jeans and a sweater, tights and a dress, or leggings and a tunic.

Hermes jumping boots…in my dreams!

11. Pumpkin: I love anything and everything pumpkin. When the first cans of Libby’s pumpkin appeared on grocery store shelves (by far the most superior pureed pumpkin out there), I literally went to 4 different Publixs and cleared out their inventory. When my mom makes her first batch of delicious pumpkin bread, I know fall has arrived.

~~~

Linda

12. I love listening to Classical Music while watching the leaves float to the ground.

13. I love the palette of Fall! All the oranges red and golden hues.

14. Soup! There is nothing better on a crisp fall day than a warm bowl of hearty chili.

15. Friday night high school football! I love watching my older son, Jack, play under the lights on a crisp fall evening while wrapped in a blanket sipping hot cocoa!

~~~

Sam

16. Central Park in fall - I snapped this photo this weekend after having brunch on the patio at Sarabeth's. The weather was perfect and I swear everyone we passed had a smile on their face in anticipation of a perfect fall. Well, except for the one cranky cab driver, but I over tipped him so he would feel guilty and I like to think he drove away with a smile.

17. Scarves - It's like getting a hug every time you wrap the scarf around your neck and it feels so cozy. If you have a scarf, often you don't even need a coat even in cold weather. It's a lot less hassle and can be tied in about a hundred ways. What's your favorite way?

18. Down Comforters - Nothing beats snuggling into bed under a down comforter. NOTHING!

19. Corn Chowder - It just seems to taste better with a bit of chill in the air.

~~~

20. And finally, every Huffington’s top twenty favorite thing about October in Atlanta?

The 20% off PARTNERS CARD!!

We’ve been big fans of the Partners Card for years, saving up our purchases over the summer so that we could benefit from the 20% off at dozens of wonderful local retailers while equally benefitting a wonderful cause.

This is the first year that we’re honoring the Partners Card at Huff Harrington and we’re proud to be a part of such a worthwhile event. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the card purchase supports Camp Twin Lakes, a not-for-profit organization that helps kids with serious illness, disabilities and other challenges.

The event runs through Sunday, October 31^st (we’re closed Sunday so through Saturday, October 30^th for us.) We’re selling the $60.00 cards here at the gallery, too, so it couldn’t be easier. Click here to see our participating artists and we hope you’ll join us for this win-win-win event!

Tata!

HH