If you want quirky and a style that injects classic elements with color, talk to Atlanta’s designers Lathem Gordon and Cate Dunning, the high-energy founders of Atlanta-based GordonDunning.

Designers & background:

LG: Grew up in Aiken, South Carolina, and graduated from Presbyterian College with a degree in visual arts. After working in politics and college admissions for a few years, I realized that interior design brought together my two greatest passions: art/design and people. I then earned a master of fine arts in interior design from Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah.

CD: The Lawrenceville native earned a degree in interior design from Georgia Southern University. As a fit-pitching toddler, I was placed in front of a wall of wallpaper to calm down. Since those days, I have been pouring over design magazines, rearranging furniture and relishing in my passion of design and architecture.

First job together: A renovated bed and breakfast that had recently become a client's residence. The client had/has exquisite taste. We still do design work for her.

Known for: Telling our clients' stories; layers of color and pattern with classic pieces; being lovers of old things; and "grandma injected with color."

Big break: Designing the loggias, terraces and pool deck at the Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens in Atlanta in May. Also being invited to be a member of the exclusive Southern Living Designer Network.

Design pet peeves: Rugs that are too small; drapes that are too short; tufts without buttons; when trend trumps individuality; poly-fill pillows; and matchy matchy décor

Current design obsession(s): Abstract art textiles; blue and white; bamboo; malachite; animal print; and anything local, especially artwork.

New (or re-emerging) designs we like: Wallpaper; brass; navy velvet; and tassels.

… and looks we are glad to see go: Neutral on neutral on neutral and chevron.

Biggest design mistake we have made: Talking while measuring! We now make a separate measuring appointment because we like our clients too much.

… and biggest mistake homeowners make: Investing too much money before calling a designer.

Every room needs: A piece with story, a place to put your drink, and at least one "boom-pow" pillow.

Favorites

- Atlanta-area home/design stores: Steve McKenzie's; Antiques & Beyond; Decades Antiques & Vintage; Nandina Home & Design; and 14th Street Antiques & Interiors.

- Blogs/websites: Emily Henderson; Lemon Stripes; and La Dolce Vita.

- Instagram: southernlivingmag; theeverygirl; emilyjmccarthy; atlantahistorycenter; schumacher1889; dearkeaton; simplifiedplanner; nashvilletash; bpatrickflynn; and cassiesugarplum

- Places for unusual (or great finds): Dear Keaton, a new online boutique. Also Thrift with Tyler. Atlanta's Tyler Lynch leads a fabulous trip/fundraiser twice a year to hidden antique and thrift shops.

About us

Our home style:

LG: Collected, colorful and traditional with modern punches. Oh, and a layer of kiddo books and toys.

CD: Ditto. I like my home to feel like clean sheets: fresh, clean and cool while completely cozy and inviting.

Favorite pieces in our homes:

LG: Saarinen Tulip Table that my husband gave me. My grandmother's brass lamps, plus original abstract paintings by John Ishmael, Ashley Hizer and my grandmother. A framed rug that my husband bought on his deployment in Iraq. And a collection of antique French bird prints that I purchased from a Scott's vendor (Nostalgia Fine Art) over time.

CD: Orange mohair bamboo vintage club chairs that were an impulse buy at Scott's that took my living room in a whole new direction. The doggie bed/window seat/storage piece that my husband and I designed and constructed in our living room. My phone nook. We live in my grandmother's house where my mother grew up. I love imagining her sitting on the floor beside it waiting for dates to call. And over our sofa, an original painting by a college friend of our family farm. We got married there, so it has such significant meaning for us.

What we collect (or can't stop buying):

LG: China; blue and white; antique bird prints; original artwork; and globes.

CD: Pillows; blue and white; family letters; and table linens.

Recent projects: Launched on our website The Loggia Collection, a curated collection of outdoor parasols and pillows inspired by our spaces at the designer showhouse. Also an e-design program called Room In Your Inbox.

Dream project: Historical home renovation, from space planning to final drapery details.

Find GordonDunning at:

- Website: www.gordondunning.com

- Facebook: GordonDunningInteriorDesign

- Instagram: gordondunning

About the Author

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP