Lee Kleinhelter is the owner of Pieces, a unique home furnishings and accessories boutique in Buckhead. She is also a sought-after designer, known for her clean, well-edited spaces.
Background: Grew up in Greensboro, N.C. Attended College of Charleston as an art history and studio art major. Later attended the Art Institute of Atlanta for interior design and worked under some of Atlanta's top interior designers, including Dan Carithers.
My company: Pieces opened in Atlanta in 2004. The company now includes a design firm.
Designer vs. store owner: Owning a brick-and-mortar store was my focus for the first five years I was in business. Since then, my team and I have renovated a few homes (my husband is a builder) and taken on more select design projects. Being a designer and store owner work well together. Having a shop has been a great platform for inspiring people and exposing them to my design sense.
What my store offers: A lot of the store's furniture is one-of-a kind vintage pieces that we've restyled. Also Kelly Wearstler's home accessories; Tom Dixon accessories and lighting; an assortment of Assouline books; and custom-made pillows with designer fabrics. Last year, we added our own candle line. We also offer high-end design services for residential and commercial projects in town and out of state.
My design style: Clean lines and a well-edited space. I think people assume I always have a pop of color, but I've done many projects that are all black and white or just white. It's about layering and editing — and knowing when to stop.
Where you've seen my work: Many national and local magazines, including Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Lonny and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
Quick fix for a room: Paint. I wish I had a unique answer, but it's true.
Favorite design tricks: Since art can be expensive and a commitment, I love to find creative ways to fill walls with 3D sculptural objects, like grape vines or papier-mache bowls.
Every room needs: Conversation pieces. It could be a cool light fixture, patterned wallpaper or an interesting object used in a not so normal way.
Favorite space to design: Children's rooms are always fun. I like making them more chic and less obvious kid-like, but still playful.
Hardest space to design: Some say small spaces are hard, but I actually like them because you are required to figure out how things will function. The grander the space, the more challenging. Scale is key with everything. A room can eat up furniture if the scale and layout is off.
Biggest mistake I have ever made: I painted my previous house three times before I was happy with the color.
Common design mistakes homeowners make: Always using pairs of things; and feeling every wall or a surface needs something on it.
Design shopping sources: 1stdibs.com for sourcing all styles and periods. At the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC): Schumacher, Travis & Company, and Lee Jofa.
Favorite space at home: The main living area in our new Brookwood Hills home opens up to the loggia and feels like an indoor/outdoor California-like space.
Favorite household possessions: For cleaning, my Dyson and an oversized lint roller. This is what happens when you are OCD and have black sofas and a white golden retriever — who doesn't get on the sofas but just walks by.
Product I would like to design: Lighting
Most recent project: A beach house on Kiawah Island and a condo in New York.
Up next: An upscale clothing boutique in Rosemary Beach, Fla.
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