Chris Socci, an award-winning Atlanta designer, believes great design can enhance one’s life – aesthetically and functionally.
Designer & background: Socci grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus Technical College with a graphic design degree and went on to earn an interior design degree from Gwinnett Technical Institute. He had a college internship with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) as assistant to the chapter administrator. After graduating from college, he started out as a junior designer, working for Atlanta designer Bo Waddell.
First design job: At age 16, worked in the visual department at Parisians, making all departments look fresh and brand specific.
My company: Atlanta-based C. Socci Inc. Interiors started in 2002. The company's tag line: Design is creativity with a strategy.
As seen in: Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles; Modern Luxury/Interiors; and Atlanta magazine.
Awards: A 2015 and 2016 bronze winner of a Design Excellence Award by the Georgia Chapter of ASID.
Best thing about my job: Turning a house into a home; cultivating relationships with clients; and helping people love their space.
Ways to quickly transform a room: Declutter, for sure, paint and add lighting.
Design pet peeves: Heavy faux floral arrangements; accent walls; fluorescent light bulbs; and matching furniture sets.
Homeowners should splurge on: Custom pillows, lamps and furniture you can reupholster years from now.
… and save on: Sisal rugs and accessories.
Current design obsession(s): Un-lacquered brass and white kitchens.
New (or re-emerging) looks I like: Mixing metals, especially gold and iron, burl wood and acrylic.
… and looks I am glad to see go: Overstuffed sofas with giant arms; gray and linen everything; and balloon valances.
Most unusual request: Use bold floral wallpaper and a crystal chandelier on a laundry room ceiling.
Best design advice: Add something black to ground the space.
Biggest design mistake I have made: Not inspecting custom pieces that arrived damaged that I was responsible for.
… and mistake(s) homeowner's make: Hanging drapery panels that do not reach the floor or not hanging draperies high enough to bring the eye up; rugs that are too small for the space; lining up furniture against the walls instead of bringing it into the space.
Every room needs: Personality, including art, accessories and furniture pieces that have a personal meaning.
Favorites
- Blogs & websites: Design indulgence; la dolce vita; and the glam pad.
- Instagram: Designers Brian Patrick Flynn; Kelly Wearstler; Sherry Hart; and Pam Sessions.
- Atlanta area home/design stores: Briarcliff Frame Shop; Ballard Designs; Stanton Home Furnishings; Westside Market; and at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC): R Hughes, Up Country, Kravet and Lee Jofa.
- Places for great (and unexpected) finds around Atlanta: Americas Mart; Sarah Cyrus Home; Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors; Hill Street Warehouse; The Board of Trade; Target; and estate sales.
About me
My home: I live in Sandy Springs with my wife Jenna, son Sawyer and our dog in a traditional southern colonial home that we have updated with a bit of funk, including brass and gold, bold colors and transitional furniture pieces.
Household issues I am particular about: Always having the bed made; every light on a dimmer; no toys out of place; and keeping the pillows fluffed karate-chopped.
Favorite household pieces: A vintage chair, inherited from my great grandmother, that is now upholstered in Jim Thompson's "Enter the Dragon;" a pair of framed starfish found on our honeymoon; an oil painting of Lady, our Cavalier King Charles spaniel, hanging in our foyer; our French 1950s headboard found at a consignment shop the day after returning from Paris.
Collect (or can't stop buying): Vintage barware and coffee table books.
Latest project: New construction in the Southern Living community of Old Town in Columbus.
Up next: In October, Socci becomes president of ASID's Georgia chapter.
Find Chris Socci:
- website: csocci.com
- facebook: csocciinc
- Instagram @: csocciinc
About the Author
