Hi there: we had another blog planned for today (a good one about living with antiques) but we'll save it for another day. The situation around the country and around the world is much more important. There's a lot of uncertainty - and with that comes suffering and anxiety. We don't take it lightly and we are dealing with it too.
What a crazy week. From having to cut short our Paris buying trip, seeing our clients (and Ann and Linda) safely on flights back to the U.S., cancelling the book signing with Catherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, worrying about our wonderful employees and clients at the store and the gallery, worrying about our elderly parents (now in lockdown at their retirement homes or facilities) and finally, trying not to panic personally or professionally, we're all exhausted and stressed. And that doesn't even count trying to find toilet paper! Everyone is dealing with so much, but for heaven's sake, that was one long week.
Paris rooftops.
Ann took this photo a week ago. Our hearts are breaking for the whole world right now.
This morning, though, my clouds had a silver lining: I'm lucky to live in a really beautiful, in-town neighborhood and my hour-long walk through it was filled with a visual feast. Spring is blooming all around us here in Atlanta so the daffodils, tulips, cherry trees and azaleas are all bursting in the most gorgeous way. I walked past my favorite houses and checked out a couple that are under construction and whose progress I follow every time I pass them. My walks are pretty much one of my favorite times of the day - I can empty my mind, enjoy nature's beauty - and even redecorate my living room in my head.
There's nothing more gorgeous than springtime in Atlanta.
I get to walk by beauties like this in my neighborhood. I've been watching this one for a while - it just wrapped up a couple months ago. My very favorite builder, Michael Ladisic of Ladisic Fine Homes, was the builder and the talented Yong Pak was the architect. Drool, drool.
When I'm out walking, vignettes like this (from designer Betty Burgess via Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles) get my mind racing. How lovely is this? (photo: Emily Followill)
Who knows how this whole thing is going to play out - or what the next few days even look like, but I can assure you of a few things: Huff Harrington Home and Fine Art will both stay open (until we can't); we've got our sanitation squad constantly wiping surfaces down; we're incessantly washing our hands and staying home if there's even a sniffle - and we've become experts in air-kisses.
And if you don't want to come to us, we can come to you via our website and online shopping. We'll be keeping you up to date with new arrivals via our Instagram account (@huffharrington). And, thanks to Marlon Copeland, our warehouse manager, we now have our very own delivery van (cleverly nicknamed by Sam Jones as the "Van-Go", get it?!) so we can bring goodies right to your door. Or, bring them to you while you wait curbside.
Our design team is working remotely and if you're stuck in the house, this is a great time to start planning your spring fluff. We can help with that! We feel passionately that our homes are our refuge and they should be comfortable, functional and beautiful. Are you working from home these days? Check out some of these beauties that Schumacher featured on their blog today - and tell us what your home office is like. We'd love to hear.
Our good friend Paloma Contreras's office. One thing that's for sure: no-one will ever photograph Ann's and my office at Huff Harrington!
Brian J. McCarthy's design studio/office. I'm jealous.
In the meantime, we're available at Huff Harrington Home and Huff Harrington Fine art by phone and email. We're putting the health of you, our clients, and our dear employees first and foremost.
Stay healthy - and wash your hands!
Ta ta,
Meg and Ann
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What happens when two committed Francophiles, art lovers and design junkies get together over a bottle of red wine? A fine art gallery with a little je ne sais quoi is born, followed a few years later by its home furnishings and décor sibling.
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Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. We must all focus on the positive. Stay well!
Thank you for a great blog this morning, I loved and needed it. Along with the new intense protocol we’re now living with it’s also important AND ALLOWED to keep our bright spots present and thriving in our lives. Beauty and it’s creation are firmly planted here and take their place as mandatory and necessary for those of us who can bring this gift to the world. Inspiration is always needed. Thank you for acknowledging the legitimate importance of silver linings. Ta ta 😊
Dear Huffingtons,
Love this post… I have been thinking of you all week, as have many of us from last year’s Paris trip. During a time of such uncertainty, thank you for providing pretty.
A votre sante!
PS That favorite recently renovated house; it’s one of mine, too. I spent many a years babysitting and house sitting there for its previous family.