16 The Ansley Paper
The lost art of sketching is important to me because
D rawing , sketching , and painting are such an integral part of my design process , and design philosophy in general . While I am competent in CAD and other computer programs , there ’ s just no way to convey a design idea better than drawing it by hand . That direct connection from mind to hand to paper keeps things fluid , loose , and , intentional . Presentation is so important to helping my clients see our vision for their projects , and the softness and character of a hand rendering reveal the spirit of a project in a way no digital presentation ever could . It ’ s also the tradition that ties us all back to the original geniuses of humanity - can you imagine if DaVinci had an iPad instead of a sketchbook , or Michelangelo with Photoshop instead of a paintbrush ?
The Power of Print
A s much as I love websites , social media , and
Pinterest , I still lean on printed material most for initial inspiration when designing a house . There ’ s something about holding a book or a magazine in my hands that is nostalgic and tangible . It ’ s a great way to really let inspiration sink in intentionally , as opposed to the quick and hurried scrolling on screen ... I collect architecture and design books , especially focusing on antique and out-of-print volumes ; there are currently over 1,000 in my library . A few of my favorites that I think should be required reading for anyone interested in design are : “ Southern Architecture Illustrated ”, “ Great Houses of the South ”, and “ The English Formal Garden ”. And I think the book “ Get Your House Right ” could very well have saved us from the plague of architectural ambiguity and incorrectness in new house construction had it been released thirty years ago !
Instagram accounts I follow for inspiration
@ DANDRIDGESTERNE - an amazing curated gallery of new and old American houses , all classic and timeless !
@ ATLSCOOP - always entertaining !
@ ATLANTAHOMESMAG - Atlanta homes and lifestyles does such a wonderful job bringing together the best of what ’ s going on in the design world in Atlanta and the Southeast . And their IG Account is always fresh and relevant .
@ OLDGEORGIAHOMES - A fun and inspiring glimpse at the amazing houses in those obscure little Georgia towns that we all too often know as just signs and exits on the road to the beach !
This designer ’ s work always inspires me
L ike almost everyone in Atlanta , I am always drawn to the work of our very own early twentieth century masters , like Shutze , Reid and Means . I particularly love the way Reid was able to evoke the feel of a certain architectural style with the subtlest of details – those quiet nods that whisper of historic precedents keep his work from ever being too academic . It ’ s so tragic that we lost Reid so early in his life ; I like to think about what other masterpieces we might have gotten from him had he lived longer . Being from South Georgia , I also love the work of Frank McCall and Edward Vason Jones , who so eloquently capture the spirit and humility of those “ non-Atlanta ” parts of our state .
I visit this store when I need a good day of retail therapy
I don ’ t venture too far out of the design world for retail therapy . I love a visit to garden centers , art galleries ( Anne Irwin and Gregg Irby are two of my favorites ), and of course , Scott ’ s Antique Market and Architectural Accents .
My favorite family spot
I love taking my kids to Georgia Tech sports events . I think the best ticket in town is a Georgia Tech baseball game - it ’ s the easiest , most entertaining way to spend a spring afternoon in the city . And what ’ s not to love about watching college football at Bobby Dodd Stadium with the Atlanta Skyline as a backdrop ?