Compass of Greater Atlanta Launches Regional Luxury Division

Compass of Greater Atlanta Launches Regional Luxury Division

Compass of Greater Atlanta officially introduces its regional Luxury Division to the Atlanta market. The regional Luxury Division was developed with a discerning consumer in mind, elevating all aspects of elite properties through enhanced aesthetics, emboldened exposure, and an unparalleled network of top brokers. The Atlanta division also provides an extensive suite of exclusive resources to Compass agents working in the high-end market.

“Atlanta’s luxury real estate market is particularly unique and requires an elevated approach, focusing on a captivating and memorable experience to market these properties,” said Alex Page, the Senior Luxury Marketing Lead for Compass of Greater Atlanta.

Read More

MAKING YOUR WORK-FROM-HOME WORK

work from home alex page fashionado

As we are finding ourselves adapting to new living and working environments, it is important now more than ever to create an indoor aesthetic that is both positive and comforting. Finding that balance varies from person-to-person, however many have found that adding live greenery and organic accents to a space can change an atmosphere entirely. Keeping the mindset that a space has now become your office might be new and somewhat challenging for you. Consider reorienting the furnishings and adding light to flip the vibe of the room so that you are able to adjust your mental position. 

Christie's International Real Estate's 'Luxury Defined' blog recently published an article on "home office design" and "working from home". The article highlights several well-known interior designers and their perspectives on adding nature-inspired colors, textures, and motifs to create a stronger connection with the outdoors.

Integrating elements of nature into your home office design might not be a new approach—it’s been a trend in well-designed office spaces for years—but it has benefits you might not be aware of. Google’s Zurich headquarters famously introduced one of the first indoor gardens into its workspace, and credited a boost in creativity to the increased light, greenery, and oxygen.

Now, as the current public health crisis means we’re spending both work and leisure time at home, there’s no better time to apply this aesthetic to your own surroundings.

The most achievable, and obvious, way to do so is simple: add some plants—requisitioning pot plants from elsewhere in your home or ordering them online if necessary. But, while the sense of calm that greenery can bring to a space is not to be underestimated, it’s just one of many ways designers weave natural elements into their interiors. Read on for their expert tips.

Frame the View

Follow the advice of Studio L, a London-based interior design company that specializes in creating beautiful homes, and draw attention to what’s beyond your window. Whether your home office overlooks greenery, the urban landscape, or water, you can take simple steps to frame the view.

“At Studio L, we tend to paint window frames in colors that enhance whichever vista may be outside,” explains creative director Laura Marino. “We’ve used shades of green, blue, gray, yellow, and charcoal to bring each view into focus.”

“I’d advise getting a delivery of paint samples (VOC-free to avoid fumes), brushes, and wallpaper lining. Paint large samples onto the wallpaper lining then tape them to the window architraves to see how you’d like to frame your view.”

You can also achieve a similar result with a set of curtains. “We always use window treatments to link and enhance the view outside,” says Marino. “By layering textures and playing with heights and decor you create a visual hierarchy that draws your eye to what’s outside.”

Integrate Natural Materials and Textures

Nature-inspired colors, textures, and motifs create a stronger connection with the outdoors. This is the approach taken by Elicyon, an award-winning interior design studio known for residential projects across New York, Los Angeles, London, and Dubai.

“In the Blossom apartment we designed at Chelsea Barracks in London, we brought reference to the outdoors through an abstraction of floral motifs and materiality,” says Charu Gandhi, founder and director of Elicyon.

“This was expressed in the ceramic textures of table lamps, a rug that’s reminiscent of a flower unfurling, and a chandelier in which seed pods are imagined as frosted light fittings on a brushed brass stalk.”

To achieve this look, try integrating items in hues and textures that remind you of the environment outside. Sometimes this can draw on the personal connections you have with a particular place.

“Bringing in natural materials and textures immediately sets a tone for the space,” Gandhi explains. “Rattan is a lovely element to weave in for a sense of the outdoors. It reminds me of my childhood in India and the Far East, when outdoor rattan furniture was de rigueur. Space-making is about evoking memories and emotions.”

Reorientate the Room

Home Office Designs-Fashionado-Christiesrealestate

Parisian firm Jouin Manku has designed the interiors of private residences, retail spaces for brands such as Van Cleef & Arpels, office environments including Paris’s Ministry of Defence, and Alain Ducasse restaurants worldwide. The agency’s founding partner, Sanjit Manku, believes reorientation can be key to bringing a sense of the outdoors inside.

Parisian design firm Jouin Manku uses "soft, organic, curved formations" to evoke the feeling of a natural environment—even where there's no outside view.

“Our work is very much nature inspired,” he says. “We aim to create spaces that reflect the natural environment, an environment that is sculpted by forces of nature into soft, organic, curved formations.”

To begin, ask yourself how you can alter the space to find calmness. “We find a sense of peace when we’re in a natural space,” Manku elaborates. “Being able to breathe deeply with a view creates a feeling of calm. It can take a small change, such as orientating your seat next to a window, so you have a beautifully long-term view. These kinds of things can help you feel grounded in the relationship to the exterior.”

Finding the right layout is then a simply matter of trying things out. “Take rooms that are filled with light and move the furniture around,” he advises. “Use it as a test to see how it affects you. Spaces are not just about decor—they’re not just about what things look like. There is power in space because it affects what you feel. To make the most out of your workspace, explore the effect reorientation has.”

FASHIONADO

My NYFW Fall 2017

I made my return to New York Fashion Week this season and I couldn't be happier. Gone are the long days at Lincoln Center and I'm very okay with that. Hello Manhattan! It was fabulous to hop around the city, with my partner Alex, from show to show. 

On the first day that we arrived to NYFW, timing got the better of us and we missed the Jill Stuart presentation. (So) we gratified our hunger and then hit the streets. Later in the day we attended some of the Art Hearts Fashion shows at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, followed by our support of a couple of Art Institute of Atlanta students who were showing at a smaller venue. By then end of the night, Alex and I were whipped from travel and runways and decided to turn in... of course, not before enjoying some NYC thin-slice pizza! (Don't worry, we walked nearly nine miles that day!)

The next day, Sunday the 12th, we started out at the Pier 59 Studios where we caught a glimpse of Fern Mallis and a couple of runway shows. (See runway finale videos above.) VERDAD, made its NYFW debut to a roaring crowd and Custo Barcelona shimmered with metallics and lames. These were both very exciting, chic and modern runways. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you, that on the first day, as we were "Lyfted" to our hotel - ROW NYC, very very noisy place, don't stay there! - I spotted a pair of designer pumps clacking down the sidewalk to a limo. As my eyes wandered upwards, it was la fabulosa Nina Garcia! The celebrity designer sightings continued with Alexander Wang walking out of Barney's as we were walking up and a priceless visual of Queen DVF herself holding court on a white leather club chair at her showroom. Across the street from DVF is Jeffrey, so of course, we stopped in. We met up with Jeffrey Kalinsky and chatted for a bit. He is celebrating 25 years of Jeffrey Fashion Cares in Atlanta this August - kudos!!!

Monday morning began with an appointment at the Frye Corporate offices. Their offices are on the 60th floor and there was a wind advisory in effect... Yikes! So what that the building was swaying...this was one of my fave stops on my NYFW tour! The Frye Company's Director of Marketing & PR is a super genuine, gorgeous and lovely person who carved out a very generous hour+ to meet with us and show us around. The rich leather scents throughout were fabulously intoxicating.

By late afternoon, our next runway was Sherri Hill at Gotham Hall. Famous for her prom and pageant-wear, the designer presented evening looks that sparkled with sequins, beadwork and glam. Real Housewife, Lisa Rinna and hubby Harry Hamlin walked past me after the show. I recognized the razor cut hair and signature LIPS. The front row for Sherri Hill looked the the cast of Pretty Little Liars and Mean Girls.

We ended our evening back at the Art Hearts Fashion shows. I stood next to the jewelry designer for Rich by Richie Rich and had a fun chat about him and his show which I had an invite to but I wasn't up there yet.

February 14th rolled in. It was Valentine's Day and our flight was at 4:45PM. We made a decision to skip fashion shows and enjoy a day to ourselves. After checking out of the hotel, we took a car to Little Italy where we feasted on authentic pasta dishes and red wine. Happy Valentine's Day to us! To walk it off some, we wandered into Crate & Barrel where I noticed a ridiculous line of teenagers waiting to get into a showroom - there was a huge freakin' line with bouncers and security as all this teen spirit eagerly awaited entry into Kylie Jenner's Pop Up Shop... whatevs. Alex and I went somewhere better and with no line - the Acne Studios showroom.

NYFW came to end for us - though it's lives on through my collection slideshows! I'm already dreaming of NYFW September...

fashionado