Finally, a new look for MWDA online!

I am painfully aware that I have been lacking in the posting department but we are just super busy here at MWDA which we are very thankful for! One thing that I was working on like a mad person last month was getting our new website up and running (just in time for our 4 year anniversary!) We finally have it done with photography of all the projects from the past 4 years as well as some of our favorite completed a while back. It's a new look, and a re-vamp for MWDA, we hope you enjoy it!

www.markwilliams-design.com

MWDA says Thank You!

Mark Williams Design Associates is honored to have been selected as Jezebel Magazine's "Best Interior Designer" for 2011. We are so thrilled to be included in this years issue along with many of our favorite vendors and colleagues. Jezebel's Best of Atlanta issue is on stands now and we are on page 76 or you can see it online here.

We are also excited to have been included in a short article on how to make an impact when designing in small spaces, featuring one of our projects in the same issue. Flip to page 118 or click here!

Thank you so much to Jezebel Magazine and those who nominated us!

MWDA gets Trend-y again

We are always thrilled when a magazine approaches us about one of our projects, especially a national publication like Trends. Trends magazine has been good to MWDA over the years and featured us several times and when they picked up a kitchen renovation/relocation we completed for some friends we were thrilled. Our clients had a totally wasted sun room and a really tiny kitchen, so we flipped them! Look at the sectional sofa and imagine that being your kitchen...yeah, I know. You can read the article online here!

Make a Splash

Let's discuss back splashes for a moment. HGTV has sufficiently covered the fact that it is an easy and relatively inexpensive (compared to gutting your kitchen) way to update your kitchen. There are zillions of fantastic options made of a million kinds of different materials so your choices can be overwhelming. Some things to consider that might help you make your decision:

1. Size: Playing with scale and using large or small tiles can make a big impact depending on a few factors. Smaller tiles are going to look more lively, even if it is a simple shape/color/material. Something to consider carefully if you are using a very active or modeled counter top material. Larger tiles are going to read in a more singular statement and look a bit more fluid, which, if you have a more modern space will add to that sleek dynamic. Or you could go super large with sheets to back painted glass, which is something I LOVE to do.


Tiny tiles, big impact.


Or go super large with back painted glass sheets (in this case, stripes)


2. Color: Use this to your advantage. If you have a very simple color scheme going on, punch up your space with some color. If you have lime green counter tops (see image)that this opportunity to let your other areas of interest to be the star and go with a neutral, more simpler option for the back splash.


Pop with color on your back splash OR


on your counter tops...BUT NOT BOTH!


3. Maintenance: What does it take to keep your chosen material clean? If you are the type who uses your oven for extra space for your sweaters, you could probably pick something that would be a little less practical then the budding Nigella Lawson, who will no doubt be scrubbing with 409 on a regular basis. If you hate fingerprints, metal tiles or sheets would probably not be the best option for you.


Windex is your best friend and all you need.


Glazed ceramic is easy to clean, with 409, Windex, Fabuloso (my favorite) or whatever.

NeoCon 2010

It had been 3 years since Mark and I ventured to The Windy City for NeoCon. For those of you not familiar, it is a big contract furniture show at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Not that we are doing a lot of contract work lately (or that anyone is for that matter) we have been fortunate enough to get involved in some University & Educational work--super fun! Mark and I both were feeling like our contract options were a bit stale and luckily this was a very refreshing trip (even worth being suck in Chicago for an extra day.) Here are some highlights and fabulous product that we found and that I can't wait to use!!!



This art installation in the Haworth showroom blew me away. Permanent showrooms typically go all out but this installation really killed me (in a good way!)




I also thought that this planter installation was fantastic at Herman Miller. It had all of my favorites, succulents & white orchids! I want this to be my filing cabinet at MWDA!



LOVE this super cute daisy ottoman configuration. This company is actually a foam vendor but he can also create custom items...he's my new secret weapon!



One trend we saw all over the place was this concept of lounge-ish meeting configurations. Everyone seemed to be pushing the "more relaxed = more productivity" argument. This new conference collection from Coalesse exhibits that while still looking very clean & tailored with a bit less formality. I also LOVE the way they disguise the power outlets in the table...super clever!





I really only took this picture to show the outlet cover being used to hold pens...I swear it wasn't because of the hot guy at the end of the table.





This "Chairless" chair from Vitra confuses me but I think it's cool at the same time. It's basically a nylon strap that allows you to sit comfortably without a chair...the girls in the picture said they had sat in there the entire day and they were fine and totally comfortable.





I must say that this table from Izzy is probably my favorite thing and the most applicable to the type of work that I do. It's incredible how excited I get over something as simple as a dry erase table top but I can't help it!

I can do traditional-ish...

Here are the MWDA we pride ourselves on having a versatile style which we can apply to the most modern or traditional of palettes. Always keeping texture, contrast and scale in mind we like to blur boundaries and mix styles to create our own look. That being said, when the client screams traditional, we like to think that we are able to give that to them, in the classic and tailored MWDA fashion. This project was just that and we are incredibly proud of it. Mostly interiors with a small guest bath renovation, this client has become one of the sweetest we have had the pleasure of working with and we were thrilled to create this space for her.

Color in the Kitchen

Here are MWDA we try to be really good about photographing our work for our website and portfolio (about to be updated thank God!) I just did an all day shoot with my friend Sarah and documented our latest kitchen renovation. It's a bungalow in VA Highlands and it was done for a lovely couple and their 2 little boys. They wanted it to be light and bright and lovely, different from the once bachelor pad where the room that is now the kitchen was home to a pool table. Don't get me wrong, I love a good game of pool, but this is much prettier to look at.

Quarter of a Century

This is my 100th post, YIPPIEEEE! Today's is short because I am super busy right now yet Mark thinks it's a great time for a "company retreat" so we are all headed to.........DOLLYWOOD!!!!! That's right, we are going to the Doll's house for some good old fashioned family fun, me and 5 homosexuals, it's going to be AMAZING! I am terrified of my looming deadlines but I can't help but be excited! This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Dollywood and there will be plenty of celebrating. Fingers crossed that we will get to meet Mrs. Parton but who knows, full report next week upon our return. MWDA takes Dollywood tonight!

Interior Architecture

To us here at MWDA, interior architecture is just as important as the furniture in any space. For this project we worked with architecture firm, Lord Aeck & Sargent to renovate an existing apartment building in Midtown Atlanta. We were not able to execute our furniture package on this project, but we were able to do the architectural interiors and finish selections. Using a vibrant color palette, very carefully, we were able to marry ceiling, wall, and floor elements to designate different areas of space and function. From an architectural standpoint we are thrilled with the outcome and so happy to have partnered with L.A.S. again!

























photography by Sarah Dorio