To get inspired, Chris Hardy used to sit and sketch in the Atlanta showroom of Design Within Reach. Now, Hardy’s striking and sculptural tables are part of the store’s modern offerings.
The founder: Born in Houston, Chris Hardy studied industrial design at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and went on to pursue a master's degree from the School of Design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. After he returned to the United States in 2009, Hardy worked as a freelance designer, collaborating on industrial and graphic design projects. In 2010, Hardy started his design firm in Atlanta.
The goods: Helix coffee table ($2,200-$2,400) and Helix side table ($1,400). The walnut and brass tables use an odd number of legs — five for the coffee table and three for the side table. A glass top is available in three shapes: round, oval and square.
Designer touch: Hardy's signature is stamped into the bottom of the brass arm.
Other favorites: Wig Pendant Lamp for FontanaArte ($2,980). Providing direct and ambient illumination, the lamp is a composition of curved petals in white and glossy varnished metal with adjustable steel support cables.
Big break: Licensing a college design project to the iconic Italian design brand FontanaArte and launching it during the 2011 Salone Del Mobile in Milan.
Where to buy: www.chrishardydesign.com and www.dwr.com. In Atlanta, Design Within Reach is located at 2451 Peachtree Road.
Chic chandeliers
New Orleans native Julie Neill worked for many years as an interior designer before launching her collection of NOLA-inspired lighting.
The company: Julie Neill Designs creates custom, handcrafted lighting for residential and commercial spaces. The New Orleans company is well known for its hand-painted and hand-applied finishes.
The founder: Neill graduated with a fine arts degree from Agnes Scott College in Decatur. She worked for several years as an interior designer and decorative painter before she began to design custom furniture and lighting. In 2000, Neill opened her design studio and retail shop in New Orleans, where she grew up.
The goods: Custom chandeliers ($1,500 and up), scones ($650 and up) and lanterns ($1,500 and up) in signature finishes and materials, ranging from iron and crystal to wood and plaster. Neill describes her lighting styles as modern interpretations of classic forms — and definitely New Orleans inspired.
Hot lights: Drum-shaped chandeliers, including the Ingrid, Meme and Quinn. Also the best-selling empire-shaped crystal chandeliers (Isabelle and Alynne). The French-inspired wood chandeliers with iron arms and wood tassels also are popular.
Recent (and fun) project: Created the lighting for the newly renovated Brennan's Restaurant in New Orleans' French Quarter. "Creating the birdcage-like lanterns for the restaurant's bird-themed bar was an especially fun part of the project," Neill said.
Big break: Being featured in Veranda, Elle Décor and Luxe magazines. Also designing lighting for high-profile locations, including Brennan's, the Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans, the House of Blues in Dallas and the Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta.
Where to buy: www.julieneill.com. When you are in New Orleans, visit the showroom at 3908 Magazine St.; 504-899-4201.
Designer genes
North Carolina’s Whitney Caudle learned to appreciate design at an early age. Her mother is an interior designer. Later, Caudle studied textile design at college. After graduation and bursting with design ideas, Caudle teamed up with her mother to start the Piper Collection in 2013.
The company: Based in Charlotte, Piper Collection is a sophisticated pillow line that is known for mixing textiles and textures with unexpected color combinations.
The founder: Whitney Caudle grew up in Charlotte and graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in apparel and textile design.
The goods: Pillows ($150-$350) in various materials, ranging from linens and velvets to "vegan" leathers and metallic linens.
Haute pillows: Metallic linen pillows, but there are colors, fabrics and styles to suit any decor.
Other favorites: Antler pillows.
Fun request: Hot pink antlers appliqued on a pillow.
Big break: Asked to design a line of bags for Bags & Bows by Deluxe Corp. Also partnered with Kashee & Sons rugs to do design and color forecasting.
Learn more: www.piper-collection.com
Where to buy: In the Atlanta area, find pillows at various shops, including Peridot (simplyperidot.com); Stanton Home Furnishings (stantonhomefurnishings.com); Gramercy (shopgramercy.com); and Huff Harrington Home (huffharrington.com).
Best of the South
Do you have favorite finds from around the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, send your suggestions to: lljerkins@gmail.com. Also find more Southern-made products, featured in the AJC, at Southernfinds on Facebook or twitter@southernfinds1.
