It's 5:15 in the morning here in Atlanta. We have a busy day today, but I wanted to share all of the fun we are having with you! After our trip to Scott's Antique Market, Steve, Holly (Things That Inspire), Angela from Washington and I headed down the hill to visit Mark Sage at Love Train Antiques.
If you ever travel to Atlanta, Love Train is a definite "can't miss". Even if you aren't going to buy anything, I'm sure you will find the visual eye candy inspirational. No one has a better eye than Mark. He finds the most amazing and unusual antiques on his journeys around the world.
One of the many displays at Love Train is comprised of several mannequins and old leather luggage. The vintage photographs has such character.
Mark has a soft spot for worn, aged leather pieces, like this satchel and trunk...
and this quirky tufted chair.
These blue/black antique leather Swedish chairs are coming to Los Angeles. They'll replace the ones I bought from Mark on my last visit that I sold a few weeks ago.
Mark has a fantastic collection of old wooden tools, spoons, and bread boards. A few of those are coming home with me too.
Mark also has a whimsical collection of horses. This one sits next to one of the many Swedish Tall Mora clocks in the store.
This horse found a temporary home in front of a series of framed vintage Swedish clothing.
I should have asked Mark the history on these two little guys. They would add interest to any shelf display.
Wouldn't these be great in a man's library? I think I may have to go back to buy them.
Most of the colors in Love Train are pretty neutral. But every once in a while there is a pop of color, like these bistro tables with a checker board top. They are so much more unique than the average game table.
Swedish furniture with a beautifully aged patina is stacked all over the store. This daybed with a red striped cushion caught my eye. Isn't that leather chaise divine?
A pale blue chair sits on top of a pretty Swedish chest.
Muslin chairs with a black wood frame are displayed in front of large clock face.
Mark also had a wonderful collection of scales. I found this one on an industrial shelf below some vintage clocks in the front room.
Mark has a way of combining the rustic and the industrial in an artistic way.
I really have no idea what these things are. Wooden gear molds? Whatever they are, they have a sculptural quality when displayed on the wall. Is there anything better than the patina of old wood?
A grouping of beautifully aged wood barrels.
Oversized mercury jugs sit in front of the French sign that I bought for my kitchen.
This pair of mercury jugs really pop against the slate gray wall. An old black metal garden chair is perched on a table made from an old Pirelli sign.
I saved the best for last. How cool is this rocker! I don't think there is a kid (or adult!) who would like to go for a ride.
It's just so much more beautiful than any other garden rocker that I have ever seen!
Mark isn't drawn to heavy, serious antiques, which is why a trip to Love Train always puts a smile on my face.
Even the articulated model is having fun!
And who wouldn't have fun hanging out with this guy? Yes, that is the one and only Mark Sage. I think Holly would agree that it was well worth braving the cold to get to chat with Mark and spend a little time in his beautiful world.
We finished our visit with just enough time to go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. We were meeting Holly and one of my all time favorite designers, Suzanne Kasler for dinner at Abattoir, the latest delicious restaurant by the owners of Bacchanalia. I think Suzanne chose the restaurant not only for its scrumptious menu but also because she knew that Steve and I would enjoy the interiors. I fell in love at the front door, a tall steel sash beauty! Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the restaurant, but hopefully that will just entice you to check out Abattoir for yourself!
We had a wonderful relaxed conversation over dinner. Suzanne's openness was so refreshing. I was excited to hear that she has been hired by Ballard. Like several other catalogue companies, Ballard recently realized that they were going to have to improve the designs of their products if they were going to survive in this economy. I can think of no better way to do this than by asking Suzanne Kasler to style their catalogues and design new beautiful products. I can hardly wait to see what she has in store for us catalogue shoppers.
Suzanne is also getting ready to create more pieces for her Hickory Chair furniture line. It is actually one of my favorite lines of furniture. Although some of her designs are inspired by her own antiques, Suzanne creates classic pieces with a fresh updated feel.
I adore the rounded over-scaled back of The Nanette Chair...
The Woodward Bench was inspired by Suzanne's own French Louis XVI bench that sits at the end of her upstairs hallway of Suzanne's home that recently completed. I love this piece too!
The dinner conversation also included details about the home that Suzanne is designing with Holly. Yes, that's right, Suzanne Kasler is Holly's Interior Designer. Isn't she lucky!!! Actually I think they are both fortunate. As those of you who read Holly's blog, "Things That Inspire", already know, she has a fantastic eye for beautiful interior design and architecture. Although they are only at the floor plan stage (which is one of Suzanne's many design talents) I loved hearing about some of the ideas they are working on in coordination with Holly's architect, the incredibly talented Stan Dixon.
Steve and I were having so much fun that we hated for the evening to end! I could go on and on, because I really am Suzanne Kasler's number one fan, but I have to get ready for our last full day in Atlanta. Stay tuned....
xo
Brooke
