My friend and fellow blog pal Becky wants to take us away to her part of the world for a moment to show us around her hood in Atlanta, Georgia. She will return later this summer to blog about design reality television so stay tuned to read more from the Beckster in the near future. Are you to ready to meet her?

Hi, my name is Becky. A small number of you may know me from another blog I write called Hatch. I’d like to thank Holly for inviting me to contribute to decor8 from time to time. It’s a blog I’ve thoroughly enjoyed checking in on every day for a few years now! I used to badger Holly to host discussions after all the design TV shows, and because she will be leaving this summer for Germany (no American trash television over there), she’s going to let me lead future design TV show discussions here on decor8 with my personal observations. I think Top Design starts this summer so I’m looking forward to chatting with you all about the episodes.

First I thought I’d introduce myself by giving you a glimpse into my beloved neighborhood, Virginia-Highland. It is located in the City of Atlanta, and it’s named after the intersection of Virginia Avenue and North Highland Avenue, which is my block. It’s full of charming Arts and Crafts bungalows and Victorian homes, as well as unique retail stores and restaurants. I can walk to go pick up anything I need, and this neighborhood is a perfect example of “old urbanism.” Old urbanism is what we had back at the turn of the century, and is what planners now call “new urbanism” when they emulate it today (see also “Seaside Florida” and “Smart Growth”).

The neighborhood is full of popular restaurants and shops. Unfortunately, it’s become such a popular destination that many of my favorites (I sorely miss Metropolitan Deluxe, 20th Century Antiques and the record store) have been forced out due to skyrocketing rents. I only hope that the Dean and Deluca-ing of Georgetown and the Abercrombie-ing of Harvard Square do not happen here. It’s getting to close to the point where the independents can’t afford to stay and only The Gap can afford to move in.

On the bright side of this extreme gentrification, in the past year or so a few independent home emporiums have moved in, and I’m so glad to have them. Having all this inspiration a skip away makes me feel extremely lucky, and I thought I’d share some of it with you.

On a typical morning, I’ll walk up to the Post Office to drop off eBay packages, stop by The San Francisco coffeehouse for my morning brew, and drool over the windows at Amour and Company shown above. This shop, owned by Jayme Leffler, is full of gorgeous furniture, perfectly curated accessories, and a selection of books I believe another favorite blogger of mine, The Peak of Chic, would have on her shelves. Pieces vary from a large branch sculpture to Jonathan Adler light fixtures, from Corbusier wooden models to a yellow Hollywood Regency desk. Every time I stop in I feel thoroughly inspired and return home determined to give my own home the rich but light feel of the shop.

Down the street we have another new neighbor, Urban Cottage. This shop owned by Jessica Silverstein, has moved from Buckhead Betty territory and taken over a house right in the middle of the Va-Hi intersection. They manufacture all of their own furniture and they will completely customize it for you.

What I love about Urban Cottage is the huge range of items and the way they are arranged in the different rooms of the house, including the bathroom! In a black and white Regency-style bedroom, there is a selection of clothing from soft T’s to a silvery sparkly dress. In another room they showcase local artists, like Carla Kaiser’s pinch pots and David Kallman’s color photography, as well as beaded necklaces from The Akola project (100% of the proceeds go to African women in need). On the lower level, there are intricately carved wood and iron antique Spanish doors available. This is definitely my favorite one-stop shop for all sorts of gifts – I can scoop up a unique gift, have it wrapped, and purchase the perfect letter press card to top it off in about 15 minutes flat.

Another recent addition is an outpost of South of Market. This store will custom upholster all kinds of furniture, stocks an array of beautiful throw pillows and mirrors, and most importantly it is chock full of unique French antiques that are mind-blowing. Unfortunately, most of them would blow my budget as well, but if I were going to pick one eye-popping piece to invest in and surround with my own flea market goodies and IKEA pieces, this is where I would go max out my credit card. The website is extensive, but nothing compares to the experience of visiting the store.

So decor8 readers, if you do happen to hit my ‘hood, all of this shopping is going to make you tired (I haven’t even mentioned the great clothing boutiques like Mitzi and Romano, Moondance, Honeybee’s and Dakota J.’s). It’s also going to make you hungry. Here are some of my favorite eateries, you just have to check out:

Noche – For the best silver margaritas on the block. Don’t have more than two though or you’ll wind up doing something you’ll regret (or not, depending on how cute he is). Definitely do not shop or attempt to try on clothes afterwards! The tapas are delish as well. If you like annoying huge crowds of drunk people in tube tops, stop by on Sunday afternoon for cheap Dos Equis and Sangrias. Wahoo!

Moe’s and Joe’s – An old original Atlanta beer bar (their license is for beer and wine only). Stop by for PBR on tap and a grilled cheese. I also recommend the chili fries and the sliders.

The Highland Tap – Martinis and steaks done to perfection, in a cozy cellar. Upstairs, Fontaine’s has oysters, hush puppies, an extensive New Orleans-inspired menu and a bunch of pick up artists at the bar.

Murphy’s – Everything from light plates to amazing entrees. The staff KNOW their extensive wine list, and the desserts are to die for. A good place to go when one’s parents are in town and they are picking up the check.

Finally, the heart of the neighborhood, and perhaps the most convenient and eyesore ever, is El Chev, a.k.a the Chevron Station. Last May when out to dinner in Manhattan with the ladies from Dwell Studio, as I was describing my lack of domestic and culinary skills, Ashley from Texas said “Girl, tell me you did not just say you go grocery shopping at the Chevron station…HaHaHa…God, I miss Chevron stations!” What can I say, they stock a few oversized bottles of bad wine, lottery tickets, The New York Times and T.G.I. Friday’s frozen mozzarella sticks and loaded ‘tater skins. What more does any neighborhood need?

Thanks for having me everyone! – Becky

23 Responses to “My Atlanta”

1 Fifi Flowers commented:
May 30th, 2008 at 10:35 pm

LOVE LOVE the table four photos up… x table I will call it… fun little outting to find treasures!
2 Jennifer Ramos commented:
May 31st, 2008 at 1:37 am

WOW, LOVE THAT SOFA WITH THE FUBKY FABRIC…HOW MUCH?
Jen Ramos
‘100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards & More’
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
3 decor8 commented:
May 31st, 2008 at 1:58 am

Jen – I don’t know how much this store sells it for, but a store next to me in NH sells it for $3,500!
4 Jenn commented:
May 31st, 2008 at 3:05 am

What a FUN post! Adore that funky sofa!! I used to live in Virginia Highlands FOREVER ago and I miss it tons. LOVE that Moes and Joes is still around:):) I worked in a little boutique “Simply Elegant” on N. Highland…wonder if it is still there…
Happy weekend to you!
xox…jenn
noodle and lou studio
5 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
May 31st, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Welcome Kelly! What a great post! Lots of great shops, awesome sofa!
xo
Melissa
6 paola commented:
June 1st, 2008 at 3:22 am

Ooh, ooh, ooh!!!! PLEASE can we be really trashy and talk about Design Star too?
What a FABULOUS idea.
Pxx
7 decor8 commented:
June 1st, 2008 at 3:32 am

Paola — Good news. Mz Becky agreed to blog Design Star, I think it starts soon right?
8 I'm a Va-Hi girl commented:
June 1st, 2008 at 3:41 am

I live and work in Va-Hi, and I am equally in love with our special little “small town in a big city”. A bit of good news for you Kelly, 20th Century has moved into a space in the back of Bill Hallman’s shop, so they will continue to have a presence in the neighborhood. There is also a cute new shop where the cigar store used to be called LuLu Blue’s. Several of us that work in the shops on the corner have already gotten in the habit of walking down in the afternoon for our daily dose of cupcake.
9 decor8 commented:
June 1st, 2008 at 3:54 am

Hi Everyone — QUICK NOTE: Her name is Becky not Kelly. I don’t want anyone to get confused. I’m sure she has been called worse though. ;) Right Becky??
10 i'm a va-hi girl commented:
June 1st, 2008 at 3:54 am

Ooh, my apolgies Becky. I read “Kelly” in a previous post and proceeded to call you by the wrong name. Sorry and embarrassed…oops!
11 Jessica commented:
June 1st, 2008 at 5:06 am

Hey! The sofa at Urban Cottage is $2900! It is AMAZING!!!
12 Ursie B commented:
June 1st, 2008 at 5:11 pm

I am in love with that chair in the SOM window. Do you know where I can get fabric like that online? It looks like white cotton duck but much nicer than the stuff I have seen in the stores here (in St. Louis.)
Thanks!
13 layersofmeaning commented:
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm

Thanks for the guide! I live in GA,(not in ATL)I can’t wait to check out those spots!
14 becky from hatch commented:
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm

Hi Everyone! I’m so glad you enjoyed my first decor8 post. Paola, I’ve missed dishing about TV with you! The writer’s strike really got me off my bad TV habit (as I sit here with John Stewart blasting in the background…)
Va-Hi Girl – I love the name Kelly. It was my fake I.D. name for years. I think it stems from playing Charlie’s Angels and always being stuck playing Sabrina when I wanted to be Kelly!
Ursie, I’m not sure about the fabric, but SOM’s website is quite extensive and they are very helpful over there. Also note that Urban Cottage has big plans to expand their website in the next year. I’m sure the move over here has been taking up most of their energy as of late!
Can’t wait to dish on the shows! I need to look up when they all start again, as I can’t believe it’s June already. Time is flying!
Becky
15 jeanette commented:
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:34 pm

What a shocker to see my neighborhood in this blog! Too funny. Great little guide to a great little neighborhood.
16 paola commented:
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm

Fabulous! I’ve missed you too…
Design Star premieres on Sunday June 8th. Just sayin’
Pxx
17 mermer commented:
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm

you missed George’s! their burgers are the best!!
18 Toshiko commented:
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:11 pm

My fave little shop in Virginia Highland is Highland Gifts. They have really cute unique pieces. I love that you guys have covered my favorite part of the ATL. We are there once each year and I am always excited. Check the link below for more pix of the area.
http://www.neublack.com/art-design/highland-gifts-for-men-no-1-grip-bag/
19 Violetsrose commented:
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 am

Thank you so much for posting this – I visited Atlanta a few years ago and visited the virginia-highlands area twice during my stay and it holds some wonderful memories for me – including meeting a very cute bartender at Murphys and running frantically through lanes of traffic to grab a taxi to get back to the airport for my flight home as I’d spent too long here looking at the lovely shops!!
Mooncake was my favourite but I also loved the Junkmans Daughter – is that still there?
20 becky from hatch commented:
June 4th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

Hi Violetsrose, yes Moondance is still right on my block and Junkman’s Daughter is about 1.5 miles away in Little 5.
Toshiko, if the Highland Gifts was on the corner and had mostly gifts for men, it’s recently bitten the dust, which bums me out!
Mermer, George’s used to be my favorite, but I just can’t handle the temptation of the big fat greasy onion rings I love so much. Also, I always seem to forget about all the sweaty joggers that congregate there on Wednesdays to chug pitchers of beer after their group run, go on a Wednesday, and then completely lose my appetite from too much B.O. inhalation.
I should add to anyone visiting the area, this is a great place to stay as all of the shopping and eateries are within walking distance – MUCH more fun than staying in dreary and dead downtown Atlanta, which is only 2-3 miles ($7 cab fare) away. Two fun places to stay are The Gaslight Inn on St. Charles and the North Highland Inn on North Highland.
21 cait commented:
June 5th, 2008 at 1:03 am

Sigh. I just moved out of this neighborhood 2 weeks ago (to DC). My weakness was shoes at Mitzi’s shoe box and gelatto at Paolos (the rosemary gelatto it quite good).
22 becky from hatch commented:
July 28th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

Cait, I’m so sorry you had to leave the ‘hood. It’s the greatest neighborhood I’ve ever lived in, in spite of the homeless people camping in my backyard! the nutella gelatto is pure heaven too – I love Paolos! Mitzi’s does such a good job of finding relatively reasonably priced hot shoes and bags – the clutches by HOBO are my absolute favorite. I want one in every color!
Becky
becky from hatchs last blog post: OH. MY. GOD.
23 Red commented:
December 14th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

It is mooncake not moondance however we do a lot of dancing
in store at times. Thank you for loving the store.
Please come by and check out the holiday windows this
year.
Peace out Red

When you comment…

Please feel free to comment, whether you agree with the opinions found on this blog or not, your voice is important to other readers who share this space. Constructive criticism can be useful if left in a tone meant to help and not to shock or overly offend. However decor8 reserves the right to delete any comment that is abusive, profane, rude, or considered spam.

Comments are the sole responsibility of their authors. decor8 is not responsible, nor will be held liable, for blog comments. For more, please read the full disclaimer.