The New Southern | A Guide to Pantone’s Color of The Year: Ultra Violet

January 29, 2018 in The New Southern, Nashville TN, TNS Round Up, Gift Guide

Visionary, original, and thoughtful — Ultra Violet is everything that The New Southern stands for. We’re all about a fresh aesthetic and we focus on being in the moment, living our best lives right now with the things that we treasure. Color is one of those intricate details that can take you there. It has the ability to evoke emotion, convey meaning, and set the mood from the instant you step into a home...Which is why we turn to Pantone for colorful inspiration as the new year kicks off. Selected on more than simply what is trending, Pantone’s color of the year is decided as a reflection of what we need in our world right now.

Ultra Violet is a nod to what is yet to come. Its contemplative and mysterious nature feel as though it is a color out of the cosmos. A reminder of the endless night sky, the limitless adventures we have yet to stumble upon, and the excitement of all that is waiting for us. It’s symbolic of experimentation and pushing boundaries through creativity. It speaks to The New Southern collective of forward-thinking designers, artisans, creatives and entrepreneurs who are pushing boundaries through our imagery, our styling, and the stories our projects tell.

Let’s incorporate Ultra Violet into our homes and lives throughout 2018 as a way to imagine the unique mark that we can leave on the world.

Photo ©AlyssaRosenheck Design Lindsay Rhodes Nashville, TN — Photo ©AlyssaRosenheck Design Lindsay Rhodes *Nashville, TN*

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck Design: Stone Textile Austin, TX — Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck Design: Stone Textile *Austin, TX*

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck Design: Austin Bean Tulsa, OK — Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck Design: Austin Bean *Tulsa, OK*

Natural

Amethyst stone — You can use this healing powered crystal as a bookend, coffee table accessory, coaster, or centerpiece. Ultra Violet is historically attached to a mystical, spiritual vibe and amethyst is a stone of this color used in energy healing and chakra balancing. Maximize the presence of these healing properties for both the body and the home by keeping it on display wherever and whenever you can.

Collected

Books — TNS loves a good hand-me-down that’s approachable and sentimental. Find violet colored books or journals that are bright and expressive of the narrative you want to share in your space. Explore your local flea market or ask your friends if they have one to pass one on. It will be the perfect balance of collected and new in your home.

Casual

Planters and lighting — Stick to The New Southern imperfect and organic aesthetic by finding purple candles, ceramic planter, or glass blown vase. In the art of Feng Shui, color is vibration and purple corresponds with abundance and nobility. The more the merrier!

Clean

A staple chair — Return to the basics with clean lines and unfussy materials like rough-hewn wood matched with soft materials or natural linens dyed in Ultra Violet. Do away with untouchable stuffiness by adding violet into a cozy space meant for gathering to energize and inspire connection

Tangible

Blankets, pillows, accessories, or flowers — Add texture and warmth to any room with a purple throw blanket, rug, or beautiful bundle of fresh violet flowers. Colors affect us both physically and mentally. Violet in particular has an uplifting, calming effect. It encourages creativity and offers a sense of spirituality. Perfect for being in the comfort of your home!

Layered

Artwork — It comes in two forms in the home: what you place on the walls and what you lay on the floors!! Art for me is synonymous with prayer and meditation...Art takes focus, great intention, and results in exceptional flow and inspiration. Purple tends to be associated with mindfulness practices which are especially necessary in today’s over-stimulated world. Whether it be a gift from a loved one, a shop on Etsy, a drawing from a little one in your life, or a vintage find — a purple art piece will serve as a meditative at-home reminder to always be present and live with intention.

©AlyssaRosenheck The New Southern feature in Elle Decor with Designer Katie Hackworth and Alyssa Rosenheck Seattle Washington

Elle Decor Feature: Eclectic Functional Home in Seattle Washington

January 25, 2018 in The New Southern, Elle Decor, AR Photography, AR Home Tour

In this Seattle home designed by Katie Hackworth, eclectic and cool reign supreme. Katie is truly a grassroots designer, lending a hand from the beginning phases of architectural planning and seeing it through till we both fluff the last flower arrangement on the shelf. I so admire when a designer is multi-talented, and like so many other New Southerners, Katie truly brings so many skills to the table as she helps her clients build homes from the ground up.

We worked seamlessly together, and that working relationship translates to the subtly thoughtful moments tucked throughout these beautiful images. It was as if we spoke the same language, allowing for calmness and creativity to really flourish in the prep days and months before the shoot. And perhaps calmness is what I love best about Katie's spaces. While there's color, pattern, and playful items integrated throughout, Katie exemplifies a key element of The New Southern aesthetic—every room satisfies and soothes through balance.

Balance of the old and the new, as seen in her use of contemporary and vintage pieces. Balance of neutral and color, like crisp white walls and linens offset by funky shades and shapes of tile or patterned wallpaper. Balance of scale, seen with the use of both large scale artwork and delicate but striking accent pieces. It was such fun styling and shooting Katie's space, which so embodies the eclectic side of the New Southern that I often see from coast to coast.

To see the entire home, visit ElleDecor.com! And many thanks to team ED for featuring! Xx

Alyssa Rosenheck's The New Southern Shop Spotlight with Bradley Odom, Dixon Rye of Atlanta, GA

The New Southern | Shop Spotlight: Bradley Odom, Founder of Dixon Rye

January 22, 2018 in The New Southern, TNS Spotlight

Makers, designers, and artists are the heart and soul of every city. It is from these visionaries and creatives that a place becomes a living, breathing thing full of passion, expression, and connection. Bradley Odom, the sensation behind the beautifully curated Dixon Rye, is an admirable precedent for this — breathing life into Atlanta and setting the new standard for retail. He has reimagined his deep Southern heritage with undying support for local artists and a strong eye for the old and new. Humble, hungry, and unafraid to speak his truth. His artistic energy is something that every city could use some more of.

The New Southern was created to champion creative pioneers that have a hand in paving the way for a new generation. It’s a community of creators that are fearless in business and tap into the present moment in such a way that they are able to live their best lives. Bradley is intentional not only in curating moments for his store but also in the way in which he lives his life. He fills his space with expertly-curated pieces of art, accessories, fine antiques and interesting vintage finds while his world has been built on values of closeness, positivity, and breaking boundaries. It is this deeply personal attention to detail in out and out of his work that is a true testament to his art. One which deeply inspires me and reminds me of the richness that can be found in connecting to your craft.

Some things in the South are constant but some things in the South are new. Bradley has taken what’s beloved, inherent, and honored in Southern culture and design and given it his own fresh twist. Remembering the power of a handwritten note, a good friendship, and making everyone feel welcome — without sacrificing the desire to “do you!”. It is for this that I feel truly honored to stand with him as a part of The New Southern movement.

We caught up with Bradley for more on his business and taste in design — hoping to harness every bit of the inspiration that he has to offer.

Alyssa Rosenheck: Tell me about yourself.

Bradley Odom: I was a bit of a late bloomer, having gone back to school later in life to earn a degree from Savannah College of Art and Design. I was born in a small, rural town in Mississippi and have lived in several distinctly different Southern towns: New Orleans, Birmingham and my long-time home, Atlanta. The rich heritage of the South informs not only how I design, but how I work with clients — family first, entertaining, outdoor/indoor living, lush greenery, inviting spaces and personal stories reflected in everyday objects. Though rooted in the South, my time in retail allowed me to visit, and be inspired and informed by varied pockets of the U.S. These experiences, alongside my history of working for small startups and reimagined brands with an entrepreneurial mind-set, fed and fueled my desire to create my own brand.

AR: Dixon Rye is filled with visual inspiration from room to room...How has the shop contributed to the modernized Southern style?

BO: Dixon Rye has provided us a platform to experiment with mixing different styles, but more importantly, different materials. Our environment leans industrial as it’s a 1943 building that served as an Iron Foundry, with soaring ceilings, and the original crane and pulley systems. Because of this we are uniquely positioned to play with the juxtaposition of humble materials like blackened steel, with luxe materials and antiques — ones that could easily be reminiscent of inherited pieces found in homes all across the South.

AR: What innovative trends are you seeing with The New Southern style across the country?

BO: I’m enjoying the use of innovative, and sometimes minimal, finishes on unexpected pieces. The use of a fuming process on walnut floors is always a win for me — it lets the wood be the hero, focusing less on the finish, showing the character and history of each individual plank.

AR: Do you have any tips on how to master the growth of a store?

BO: I wouldn’t say that I’ve mastered it by any means, but we continue to learn and grow. Being able to plan and implement quickly is so important, but being able to quickly adapt to change and move on from ideas that you’re emotionally attached to when they aren’t working is perhaps even more important.

AR: What’s one piece of advice that you wish you had heard when you were first starting out?

BO: You do you! — Focus more on your vision and less on what others are doing. You’ve also got to surround yourself with others who are operationally and financially sound. Be willing to learn and gain an understanding of this side of the business because at the end of the day you own the results.

AR: What’s your life motto?

BO: Ask for forgiveness, not permission. But above all else, just be a good person.

AR: How do you continue to differentiate yourself in the marketplace?

BO: You know, sometimes I think the push for brick-and-mortar shops to innovate to keep up with e-commerce is overthought and overcomplicated. It seems like the most innovative thing that we can do is to honor the legacy of the small shop owner. We build relationships, we serve beverages, we send thank you notes, and at the end of the day, we make friends who are our biggest brand ambassadors.

AR: The one shade that changes everything? Tell us what mood it evokes and when/how you’ve used it.

BO: Farrow and Ball Hague Blue, of course. My love for that color began when I painted my bedroom, creating a warm, cocooning, and calming haven, and ultimately inspiring the branding of Dixon Rye.

AR: The place you go to get inspired?

BO: The mountains or anywhere that I can successfully disconnect. It’s so important to find places where you can be present with your quieter thoughts and ideas that are sometimes drowned out by the noise of technology and the day-to day duties of owning and operating a small business.

AR: The key to making a house a home? What does a home need more of and less of?

BO: I love this question! Less television and more shared meals. New surroundings need to be accompanied with new memories and experiences to solidify a relationship. My advice would be to start throwing the parties, having friends over for dinner, and creating new memories set in your new surroundings.

AR: Who are some of your favorite artists/makers? What do you love about their work?

BO: Paul Schneider is one of my favorite makers that we’re honored to represent at the shop. His unique lamps come in hand-thrown shapes and custom glazes, and they are perfectly scaled. We also work with artisans in Morocco to create beautiful pottery with an enigmatic quality. Each piece is made by hand and follows the ancient Moroccan tadelakt process – the result being our beautiful vase collection. I love watching artisans take something from a simple sketch, injecting it with their skill and finesse to create a beautiful end product that’s better than the raw idea.

AR: My momma always said...

BO: “Tell someone when their zipper is down or when they have something on their face. You would want them to tell you.”

AR: Design book you’ll always have on your shelf?

BO: Domestic Art.

AR: What’s your next dream or business venture?

BO: The next big focus within this year is to expand our online offerings to a full e-commerce site. A dream and long-term goal is to have a separate design office where we can design products and interiors to expand assortment and capacity for our customers and design clients.

Alyssa Rosenheck's The New Southern Artist Spotlight with Renée Bouchon, Artist + Painter of Atlanta, GA

The New Southern | Artist Spotlight: Renée Bouchon

January 15, 2018 in The New Southern, TNS Spotlight

There is something about females who toss out all of the rules and choose to pursue something which gives their lives more substance that stirs my soul. Renée Bouchon is one of these women — having found her passion through art and learning to thrive off of it. An artist with a beautiful eye for the imperfect, impressive abstract portfolio, and a true understanding of what it takes to make that pivot from what is expected to what speaks to your soul. Continuing to live out her truth, Renée is a living testament to The New Southern’s idea that we should cultivate our own paths to make each day better than the last. As someone who has gone from corporate to creative myself, I am thrilled to champion her as a part of this movement.

With every brushstroke Renee is tending to a dream which sparked a fire within her at an early age in New Orleans. Her work is authentic and full of life, as she powerfully mixes bold hues, soft pastels and neutral tones, alongside her signature charcoal lines. Evoking a sense of freedom, exploration, and adventure. Known for a movement of color and depth of personality in every piece. She speaks a powerful message to other creative entrepreneurs that are looking for the inspiration to one day get there: “The time is now!”.

We loved sitting down with this creative Atlantan whose art has quickly gained national exposure among a network of acclaimed interior designers and respected galleries. Knowing not just her style but her story, too, she’s an artistic tastemaker that we are honored to raise our glass to in this new year.

Alyssa Rosenheck: Tell me about yourself.

Renée Bouchon: Oh boy, where do I begin! I was born and raised in New Orleans before moving to Charlotte for high school. I then found myself at the University of Georgia majoring in advertising through their journalism school and finally landed in Atlanta post-graduation (where I have been ever since). Throughout it all, I painted. Always. It was my stress-reliever during my years in the fast-paced ad world, and the thing I looked forward to come home to. I would set up shop in my big bathroom—yes, bathroom—because I had a roommate and I didn't want to take over any of the common space. It wasn’t until about 6 years ago that a college acquaintance commissioned me to do a painting for her, and her hubby’s GORGEOUS new Savannah home. I’d say it was right about then, that things took off...and they have only skyrocketed. After 10 years in some of the top advertising firms in Atlanta, I arrived at a crossroad...keep straddling the line between ad exec and artist, or take the leap. Risk it all and walk away from a great paying job and stability to follow what my heart was screaming at me to do. Well, I followed my heart and I have not looked back. Not once. I loved my years in advertising, but I truly believe they were setting me up to follow my dream, market myself in the right way, and catapult me to a full-time artist. It’s been an unbelievable ride, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds. So many exciting things are on the horizon!

AR: How are you modernizing / updating Southern style with your art?

RB: I break the rules...all the time. I mix mediums that are traditionally not paired together to create mixed media compositions that tell a story. I don’t like art that’s perfect. I want it to have flaws and beautiful imperfections. It’s hard to find a piece of mine that does not have charcoal line work. It’s raw and usually the favorite part of any piece.

AR: What innovative trends are you seeing with Southern style across the country?

RB: Moody, sultry interiors.

AR: What are your favorite hometown design boutiques?

RB: Scott’s Antique Market takes the cake!

AR: Favorite shade of white and black paint color?

RB: “Pitch Black” by Farrow & Ball and “Great White” by Farrow & Ball.

AR: What’s your life motto?

RB: GO. FOR. IT! I’ve always said, you get one shot at this thing called life. ONE! Just do it. Don’t look like back 5,10, 50 years and say, “I wish I would have followed my heart, taken that trip, left the job, etc.” The time is now. For real, folks!

AR: The one shade that changes everything? Tell us what mood it evokes and when/how you’ve used it.

RB: Black! There is something about including black in artwork that brings all of the other colors out more. It’s the perfect juxtaposition to a colorful piece and adds interest and sophistication.

AR: The place you go to get inspired?

RB: New York City. Oh boy, does this city get me going. I typically make a trip there every other month. I can’t not visit when I get the itch. The people, the culture, the art, the food, the grit, the music...you name it. This city evokes so many ideas and has me racing back to my studio to put my brush to the canvas. Last time I visited, I spent hours at the Museum of Modern Art. I can honestly say, it’s my ultimate happy place.

AR: The key to making a house a home?

RB: Make it a reflection of what makes you come alive! That painting that you bought from the 80-year-old man selling original art on a bridge in Paris, the pillow you made from vintage fabric you found at an NYC flea market. Less fluff and more meaning! Make it eclectic and interesting.

AR: Life advice you’ve gotten that made all the difference both personally and professionally?

RB: Don’t get hung up on the small stuff. It’s so easy to forget the big picture.

AR: Who are some of your favorite artists/makers? What do you love about their work?

RB: Wayne Pate. I love his simple yet detailed works and his color selection. Ashley Longshore is another favorite—I adore her carefree approach to life...her art is pretty killer too.

Artist: Renee Bouchon, Photo: © CatMax Photography — Artist: Renee Bouchon, Photo: © CatMax Photography

AR: What’s your favorite housewarming gift?

RB: A Jo Malone candle.

AR: What’s your dream project/client?

RB: Collaborating with Kelly Wearstler or Suzanne Kasler.

AR: What’s currently on your nightstand?

RB: Six issues of Architectural Digest.

© 2020 alyssa rosenheck