Tammy Connor Interior Design

Lyric Theatre

tammy — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:20:56 +0000

As I’ve said before, the state of Alabama is full of hidden gems that are contant sources of inspiration not only for my work, but also for life itself. I was recently invited to tour another one of these such gems right down the road from our office here in Birmingham, and I want to share it’s story with you.

As a member of the Grants Review Committee for the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, I had the pleasure of visiting The Lyric Fine Arts Theatre not too long ago. Built in 1914, and as the sister theatre of the famous Alabama Theatre, the Lyric is a part of Birmingham’s downtown historic district. Originally built for vaudeville shows, the Lyric has hosted quite a few legendary stars including Will Rogers, Milton Berle, Mae West and the Marx Brothers. I can only imagine the atmosphere in theatre back in its heyday with people like Will Rogers gracing the stage!

One of the things that makes the Lyric so special is that it was specifically built to maximize the acoustics and close seating needed for vaudeville-type shows. So, the theatre boasts an 80-foot stage and seating for 1,500 on the main floor, plus has two steep balconies as well as two opera boxes. One of my favorite elements of the theatre is the gold leaf hand-painted stage curtain. Above it, is a stunning mural on the proscenium entitled “The Allegory of the Muses” done by local artist Harry Hawkins.

During the 20s, most people attended shows at the Lyric Theatre on Monday nights. Tickets ranged in price from 25 to 75 cents! The Lyric was also one of the first places in the South where blacks and whites could watch the same show at the same time for the same price. The Civil Rights Movement and Birmingham’s history are greatly intertwined. And, while the entrances were unfortunately separate, I love that this theater included everyone when others did not.

Over the years, the Lyric has fallen into neglect and has not been in use for decades. However, recently an exciting campaign to “Save the Lyric” was formed. With support from the city of Birmingham, public and private organizations, and individual donations, I hope to see the Lyric theatre restored to what it once was.

The restoration process is going to start with the theatre lobby. The idea is to showcase the entry-way to the theatre as a potential for what the remainder of the Lyric could become again, given that there are funds to complete a full renovation. Plans for the lobby to become a venue for parties and events are in full swing. And, what a spectacular setting for hosting a future soiree!

The ultimate goal is for the full renovation to be completed in time for the theater’s centennial which is January 14, 2014. I am excited about the potential for this theater in the heart of Birmingham’s cultural district, and I hope those of you with an interest in Birmingham, theater, historic preservation, or soirees will become involved!

A Year in Review

tammy — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 17:18:36 +0000

I can hardly believe that 2012 is now behind us. It seems like just yesterday that I was heading to LA for the Design Blogger’s Conference. Two more trips to California later, and the year has come to a close. 2012 was a year I will not forget for many reasons, but as I look back on the experiences and opportunities I have had in an industry that I love, I feel incredibly grateful. It is a true blessing to have a career that allows me to work with trusting clients, travel to interesting places with inspiring people, continually learn about history and exceptional craftsmanship, and explore my the depths of my creativity daily.

2012 got off to a rather unexpected start when I received ELLE DECOR‘s Blogger’s Choice award for Up-and-Comers in 2012. What a huge honor that was to be recognized for such an award along side some of my favorite designers and friends!

Next, I was off to Los Angeles for a week of seminars and lectures on blogging and social media at the Design Blogger’s Conference. While my tendency for privacy will not allow me to consider myself a real “blogger” there is something special that happens when you gather a group of individuals with that amount of creative energy and similar interest into a ballroom. And, common interests become the catalyst for natural friendships.

In February, I was the recipient of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art‘s Shutze Award for Interior Design for a project I completed a few years ago Atlanta. I was not only really excited by this honor, but also really surprised! The Southeast Chapter of ICAA founded the Schutze Awards in 2006 as a tribute to the late Philip Trammell Shutze who was one of America’s finest classical architects.

In April, I headed to Morocco for the Design Leadership Summit with some of my dear friends and design colleagues. We explored the ancient tombs and medersas of Marakech and shopped in the soukes. And our outing to see the Majorelle Gardens was spectacular. Traveling with this exceptional group always proves to be educational, inspiring, hilarious, exhausting, and really just a lot of fun!

This year I was also honored by being named one of 2012′s New Trad designers! Thank you Traditional Home for recognizing the tremendous efforts my staff and I pour into our projects and for liking the results! The TRADhome issue launched in April and featured a gracious write up from friend, Ronda Carman and photos from a project of mine on Kiawah Island.

As a part of the 2012 New Trad class, I attended a party in New York City hosted by Traditional Home to honor the winning designers. While I was in NYC, I also attended the beautiful Art and Antique Dealers League of America‘s Spring Show. My appreciation for timeless details was certainly enhanced after the show by having seen so many intricate objects in one place!

In the midst of Spring and a hectic work schedule, I made a quick trip to Connecticut to attend the Trade Secrets show to absorb lovely antiques, some fresh air and beautiful scenery. It was my ideal way to spend a sunny Saturday morning, and I highly recommend the weekend trip to everyone I can. Bunny Williams, the founder of Trade Secrets, was kind enough to give us a private tour of her own gardens while they were being photographed by Flower Magazine . They are perfectly imperfect, and a natural manifestation of her creative talent.

Next, Tobi Fairley asked me to write guest post for series she was working on for her blog. I wrote about patience being a part of the creative process– something I need to be reminded of on a daily basis!

This past summer, the office was busy planning, designing and preparing for the Traditional Home Hamptons Designer Showhouse. We really enjoyed working in the Hamptons and with the talented team at Traditional Home. And, to make the experience even more fun, we partnered with Serena & Lily, using many of their fabulous products in the design of our guest bedroom.

The fall started with and invitation to be one of the Tastemakers at Birmingham’s annual Antiques at the Gardens to benefit the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. I was asked to curate a booth around the theme, “Let There Be Light,” which featured some of my favorite lamps, custom designed iron fixtures and many beautiful shades.

In October, I made a quick trip to High Point, North Carolina for the fall market. My favorite part of the trip was getting to see a sneak peak of friend Ronda Carman’s new book, Designers at Home: Personal Reflections on Stylist Living! I am excited to be included in her first collaboration with Rizzoli which will be released this Spring.

I packed my bags again in October and headed for sunny California to explore Santa Barbara. The trip was sponsored by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and gave us an in-depth look at early-to-mid 20th century Southern California-style architecture. I can’t say enough good things about the experience, but one of the highlights was a personal tour of a house designed by John Salandino.

2012 came to a close with two Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles-related happenings. One of my favorite projects- the redesign of a Philip Trammell Shutze house, was featured in the November issue of the magazine. Then in December, I participated in the AHL Christmas House and designed the Gentleman’s Study.

And mixed into all of that, I was fortunate enough to have been able to spend time in Charleston, my favorite US city, and to visit Blackberry Farm (read my post about the trip here), my favorite weekend retreat. I always enjoy learning more about the artisanship and natural beauty of both of these places, and I look forward to visiting both again soon!

Most importantly, I can’t forget to mention the residential and hospitality projects I’ve been working on this year. I scoured countless showrooms and shops in Birmingham, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Charleston, Nashville, and New York City searching for one-of-a-kind pieces for various projects. And, I spent countless hours collaborating with gifted architects, and contractors on the many details that result in individual homes for our clients. From a beach house on Kiawah Island to a contemporary apartment in Manhattan to the restoration of an old Georgian home right here in Birmingham, we’ve been all over the place! I’m so very thankful for my wonderful clients who allow me to work on such incredible projects, a staff that supports my creative inspirations, an industry that inspires me daily, my supportive family and friends, (including all of you still reading this never-ending post) and the gift of creativity!

Cheers to 2013!

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Christmas Showhouse

tammy — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 04:06:01 +0000

This time of year is always particularly busy. Between the parties, gift giving, and merrymaking… it’s enough to make the whole month of December feel like a whirlwind! But, seeing a house decorated with fresh greens, lush flowers and rich textures never ceases to make me stop, take a deep breath and soak in the beauty and renewal that Christmas brings. While there are still greens to be cut and wreaths to be hung in my own house, I had the recent pleasure of designing a room in the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Christmas Showhouse. While unfortunately the Showhouse has closed its doors, I hope you’ll enjoy getting to see a glimpse of the room here on the blog!

I was asked to design a room off of the Foyer as a gentleman’s study. The inspiration for the room was a gracious Georgian plantation that has evolved over the years. It is a space that has the distinctive craftsmanship of old natural elements one would expect to find, but with a touch of polish. I wanted the space to be layered with old and new, but overall timeless. My starting point was Farrow and Ball’s Olive color, which I used in a high gloss finish on the walls and trim work. I offset the sleek lacquered effect with a more rustic grass cloth paper that we applied to the ceiling. And, the fabulous curtains that I designed with Coleman Taylor Textiles were also a big part of my room inspiration. They are velvet panels that were custom painted in a bronze color. I worked closely with them to tweak one of their exiting patterns to make it a bit more masculine for this space. They were super to work with and I was thrilled with the results!

I typically select the paint color last when designing a room, so this process was out of the ordinary for me. But, once the shell of the room was decided, I visited some of my very favorite sources and shops in Atlanta to select individual pieces for the space. I made my selections based on my desire for the room to seem as if it had evolved over time and for it to have a good balance of levels of formality and texture. My friends at Parc Monceau, Edgar Reeves, English Accents and Roebuck & Co. were gracious enough to help me find just the right pieces.

R Hughes – Green stool and desk chair

Foxglove Antiques – Accessories

Keivan Woven Arts – Antique rug

HG Robertson – Silver accessories

Eve and Staron – Grass rug

Ainsworth Noah – Accessories

Waterworks – Bath accessories

In order to accomplish a more casual/less polished aesthetic, I selected accessories made of natural materials like leather, wood and bone. And, in an effort to avoid being too predictable, I incorporated a mid-century desk, and an unexpected piece of art by Maggie Hansbouck to finish it off.

I hope some of you were able to visit the showhouse, I would love to know if you did!

We’re Hiring!

tammy — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 18:50:18 +0000

It’s been a hectic season here at TCID and we are in need of extra help around the office! We’re looking to add a talented, experienced designer who can join our team in Birmingham, Alabama. Check out our Pinterest board for more information or the job description below.

Title: Lead interior designer

Tammy Connor Interior Design, a boutique firm specializing in high end, comprehensive residential and hospitality projects throughout the United States, is looking to add a lead interior designer to their team. We are seeking someone with at least 4 years of experience as a residential interior designer. Applicants must be organized, efficient, self-starting, detail oriented and work well with a team. In addition, they must also be capable of managing several projects at once. This position requires a broad knowledge of sources, antiques and textiles and a passion for refined traditional design and timeless detailing. Ability to travel frequently for projects across the Eastern US. Advanced experience in Microsoft Office, Studio Designer and AutoCAD is necessary.

We offer competitive compensation and a relocation reimbursement package if needed.

All submissions are confidential. Please email all resumes and cover letters to Lindsey at lindsey@tammyconnorid.com.

The Business of Design

tammy — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 08:00:19 +0000

I realize that is has been too long since my last post, but October was an extra busy month! Between a trip to High Point for market, an amazing tour of Santa Barbara with the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art and just completing our installation at the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Christmas Showhouse, I will have a lot to journal about over the coming weeks. But for now, I am excited to share with you some events coming up in the design industry. Friend and colleague, Keith Granet has been instrumental in planning and arranging these events and I am gladly championing his cause!

Keith, along with Meg Touborg, is a founder of Leaders of Design Council. I am honored to be a member of this organization whose mission is “to be an exclusive educational organization of design leaders from all disciplines, working together to elevate and enhance the value of design.” This is accomplished through networking, workshops and some industry focused retreats to exciting destinations such as Berlin in 2013.

Keith has just launched an interview series “Inside the Business of Design,” which features a stellar line up of one-on-one interviews with highly respected design professionals, exploring the business side of prominent architecture and interior design practices. The series will be an excellent way for those of us involved with the design community to learn and grow our businesses. The series runs over the next six months so plan in advance to go to one or two (or all if you live in NYC!) of the lectures.

The series continues with Robert A. M. Stern on Wednesday, December 5th. Upcoming interviews in the series also include Charlotte Moss, Thomas O’Brien, Mark Ferguson and Bunny Williams. Tickets are available for purchase on their website.

In addition, Keith is the authour of the recently published The Business of Design. If you are a designer and are not familiar with his book, this is your lucky day! It is an invaluable resource for all design professionals aiming to succeed in the business of design.

There are so many good “take aways” and I am certain it is well worth your time….I have read it cover to cover, more than once!

Enjoy!

Sneak Peek

tammy — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 03:54:43 +0000

We have been busy working on our Antiques at the Gardens lighting booth, and it is FILLED with some beautiful one of a kind pieces from many of our favorite sources!

If you reside in Birmingham or feel up for a weekend visit, come and see us. We are expecting a beautiful October weekend, and the show promises to be worth the trip!

Antiques at The Gardens

tammy — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:27:37 +0000

As the whirlwind of summer comes to a close, I’m excited and energized for the projects we are working on this fall. I am happy to announce that we are one of the twelve “Tastemakers” featured at this year’s Antiques at The Gardens, hosted by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The event is set to take place the first weekend in October and kicks off with a black tie Gala on Thursday night.

The Tastemakers chosen show are some of Birmingham’s most talented architects, designers and landscapers, and I am honored to be included in such an outstanding group. Each of the Tastemakers have been asked to curate a themed area such as “Weekend Getaway,” “Secret Garden,” and “Beach House” with goods selected from local Birmingham vendors as well as from sources across the country. I was asked to curate a booth around the theme, “Let There Be Light,” which will feature some of my favorite lamps, lighting pendants and custom designed shades. It will also include some custom pillow designs and additional accessories.

One of a kind and custom lighting is something that is very important to my interiors. Since I try to limit the number of accessories I place in an interior, the lamps, pendants, sconces and their shades become a priority for me. I treat them like the icing on the project that can take it from good to great! The items in our booth will be hand selected and/or designed by me for this special event with a great cause. Best of all, everything is for sale!

Be sure to check out the wonderfully designed Antiques at The Gardens Catalogue for more information and details on participants. And, I will be sure and keep you updated on the project and share lots of pictures. I hope those of you who are in Birmingham or are up for a weekend trip will join us!

As a short addition to last week’s posts on the Hamptons Designer Showhouse, I wanted to acknowledge and thank the bloggers who recently featured our showhouse room on their blogs. It’s a validating feeling when other people appreciate the efforts that go into our design work. If they are not included already, please add these blogs to your daily reads and visit the links below for more pictures of our room.

Hamptons Designer Showhouse: Part 2

tammy — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:23:40 +0000

Putting together a room for a Showhouse always takes a great deal of effort and energy, not to mention a lot of teamwork to make it all come together seamlessly. Serena & Lily was the primary partner for our room, but we also collaborated with several other wonderful companies- Farrow & Ball, English Country Antiques and Keivan Woven Arts.

I have really enjoyed incorporating Farrow & Ball paints and wallpapers into my projects over the years. Their quality is excellent and their color pallet is exquisite. I knew that when I began the designs for this room, I wanted to use a striped paper in alternating directions, and Farrow & Ball’s Closet Stripe paper was the perfect solution! I had the paper hung so that the stripes alternated on the walls from horizontal to vertical. The result: a relaxed interpretation of a more traditional stripe.

English Country Antiques and their fantastic antique shop in Southampton helped us find several antique pieces to place in the bedroom. The store has an extensive collection of English antiques that are carefully curated by the owner himself. While I have shopped their inventory on 1st Dibs, I had no idea how diverse their inventory actual is until I visited the shop in person. The Bobbin Corner Chair, Bamboo Occasional Table and Chest of Drawers, all from English Country, added a vintage layer to the room when coupled with the Serena & Lily pieces.

As a frequent client of Keivan Woven Arts in Atlanta, I called on them to find an antique rug that would be suitable for a home in the Hamptons. What we selected was an antique Kilim rug that was hand-woven in Turkey. I love this rug because it’s a flat weave rug which allows for it to become well-worn over time.

Check back soon for the last post on the Hamptons Showhouse! I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day!

Hamptons Designer Showhouse: Part 1

tammy — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:35:04 +0000

As many of you know by now, I had the privilege of participating in this year’s Designer Showhouse in the Hamptons. Despite the planning and logistics it took to get everything to New York in a short amount of time, it was a fun and vastly rewarding project! I partnered with the West coast textile and home furnishings company Serena & Lily to outfit the bedroom which was specifically designed to be the guest bedroom. I was excited to hear that Serena & Lily was interested in partnering with me on this room, as I have become very familiar with their line while recently working on a new plan for my son’s bedroom. He is 2 years old now, and considering that his room still has flower curtains from its prior guest room designation, I think it is time! So, with the Serena & Lily brand in mind, and my desire to create an inviting, relaxing, not too serious Guest Room retreat, here is the result:

Working on the guest bedroom, I knew that I wanted to create a space that was flexible when it came to use. And since it was one of the smaller rooms in the house, I wanted to maximize the space I had by using twin beds. So, the anchor of the room became a pair of Harbor Cane twin beds, which exude the sort of natural, “sandy-feet are welcome” feel I wanted for the room.

The linens I selected for the beds were a part of Serena & Lily’s Ventura bedding collection that debuted earlier this summer. I folded the duvets at the end of the beds and chose to top the Gobi Embroidered sheets with the Herringbone Bed Blanket instead of a coverlet, a lighter alternative for the warm summer nights.

One of the great things about Serena & Lily is that they sell their fabrics and textiles on their website for purchase by the yard. So I was able to use their Flax Linen Fabric to make the window treatments and vanity skirt in the bathroom.

We had a great time incorporating some of Serena & Lily’s fun accessories and decorative accents. I love the wicker South Seas Bar Cart for a coastal setting, not to mention touches of bone and marble from the Cyprus Bone Inlay Mirror and Jali Marble Bath Tray. And of course, a cozy Herringbone Throw for a finishing touch!

If you are searching for some reasonably priced but unusual pieces of furniture with an emphasis on natural materials, or beautiful linens in incredible colors, look no further than Serena & Lily. Here are some additional pieces from the S&L line that I think are great, and wanted to share:

When you visit the Serena & Lily website, don’t miss their “Make Your Bed” design tool. This handy application allows you to combine different products and patterns and make your bed virtually.

…..Hopefully my son’s beds will be made to look something like this one day soon!

More on my Hamptons Designer Showhouse room and inspirations to come. I would love to know if any of you made it to the showhouse and your thoughts on the rooms!

From Tobi’s Blog

tammy — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:55:35 +0000

I hope you’re reading this blog post while sitting underneath an umbrella on a sandy beach or from the comfort of your air conditioned home. Regardless of where you are, I hope you are soaking up the last bits of summer!

As evidenced by my lack of blog posts, I have been traveling for work more than I anticipated this summer. Between The Hampton Designer Showhouse, a NYC installation, and my typical site meetings, I am ready for a Fall vacation! In the midst of traveling, I did take a little time to write a guest post on my friend Tobi Fairley’s blog, on patience as a part of the creative process. I appreciate Tobi giving me the opportunity to share some things I have learned with her many loyal readers. And since I spent most of my summer managing large projects with deadlines, writing about patience served as a good reminder to me as well. I would love for you to take a minute to visit Tobi’s blog and to read my post. Perhaps it will give you just the encouragement you need!

Enjoy the remaining days of Summer!