Meet the Successful Sisters Making Classic Silk Scarves More Modern
Grey and Page Hall are the two Bonnie sisters behind Grey Hall Design—the line of exquisite modern silk scarves, charming cocktail napkins, pocket squares and gifts.
Stephanie Smith
Atlanta Female Entrepreneur Makes Olives Sexy Again
Nikki Seaman is an Atlanta female entrepreneur and the CEO and founder of Freestyle Snacking. She’s making olives sexy again. Freestyle currently is disrupting the olives industry and is a low carb, low calorie snack.
7 Things to Do This Spring Around the South
There are so many things to do this spring around the South. With this list, you can indulge both sides of your personality—go a little high brow one weekend and down home the next.
5 New Hotels Around The South To Love
I don’t know about you, but new hotels get me excited about exploration and experiencing new things. Across the South, new hotels are booming. Here are five that recently opened and a couple on the horizon. All of these new hotels give me hope for a post-pandemic travel extravaganza. There’s something about the southland in the springtime… amirite? In other words, let me know in the comments which one of these five new hotels you want to book first.
Cashiers, NC
The Adirondack chairs still overlook a sprawling lake, hiking trails and a granite-sided mountain. The floor boards, the creaky front desk, the grand four-sided fireplace, some of the cabins and the layout are all pretty much the same too. But that’s about all regulars will recognize at the century-old High Hampton Resort in Cashiers. The team behind Blackberry Farm in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains rehabbed the old beauty and reopened doors in April 2021. In fact, it’s coming up on its one-year anniversary this spring.
Moreover, cottages were all redone in lovely leather, pops of red and plaid. Therefore, the inn’s guest rooms have doubled in sized and expanded to add exquisite marble bathrooms and claw foot tubs. Handwritten hotel registries framed in the hallways recall olden days, while the quaint spa upstairs in an attic space is the utmost luxurious indulgence. This foodie is most excited about the Winter Culinary Experiences and The Sip Series they have on the docket right now. Much looks different at High Hampton, but the hospitality and coziness is still paramount. Oh and the signature red rocking chairs are still perfect for happy hour on the porch.
Rooms from $595 off-peak, highhampton.com
Atlanta, GA
In December 2021, a new 201-room property opened in tony Buckhead near Atlanta. It’s mere steps from some of the city’s best shopping, dining and nightlife, but it’s the Southern modern vibe of its decor that everyone is loving the most. That, and the rooftop pool. Above all, grab reservations at Dirty Rascal, chef Todd Ginsberg’s newest Italian hot spot. Locally owned by The Loudermilk Co., Southern charm exudes from every corner. The private membership club knowns as Tesserae is an exclusive lounge that everyone is trying to get into right now.
Rooms from $306 to $550, https://loudermilkco.com/portfolio-item/thompson-buckhead-hotel/
Greensboro, NC
I’m beyond excited about this unique opening in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. The BYB property is female-owned—owner Natalie Miller is a Carolina native with deep roots in the area—and opened the doors in January 2022. The luxe interiors are colorful, happy and bright. The historic hotel famously hosted African American guests and celebrities (think James Brown, Ray Charles, Tina Turner and Gladys Knight) and is one of only four original Green Book sites still in existence in the state. Furthermore, the mid-century modern decor of the four gorgeous guest rooms could be found in any luxury interiors magazine. It’s a small boutique hotel with an adorable on-site restaurant and beloved Sunday brunch. But above all, it’s truly a living piece of history.
Rooms from $220 to $305, thehistoricmagnoliahouse.org
COMING SOON…
Nashville, TN
After staying at SoHo House 40 Greek Street in London and Soho Farmhouse out in Oxfordshire, I became a die hard SoHo House fan for any overnight stays out of town. All the properties have a boho chic vibe and the coolest decor. Therefore, I’m thrilled to see what kind of local vibes they will capture in this new Music City property. Opening in February 2022, SoHo House Nashville has 47 bedrooms all with furnishings made my local artisans and peppered with vintage accoutrement. Formerly a May Hosiery factory, the building was where workers made the socks that astronauts wore to the moon.
Only bookable by members and friends of members, $200-$655, sohohouse.com
Franklin, TN
Speaking of Soho Farmhouse, if you’re looking for something similar, but Stateside, Southall is going to be as close as you can get. Surrounded by nature on 325 acres, the property is about wellness and connection to the land. Sixty-two guest rooms and 16 cottages will dot the rolling hills of Tennessee outside of Nashville. The spa promises to be exquisite with treatments based on natural elements. After all, a restaurant led by chef Tyler Brown will incorporate ingredients grown, raised and foraged on Southall’s surrounding land. We can’t wait for this stunning property to open doors in June 2022.
No room rates posted yet, southallfarms.com
If you want to check out some of my other favorite hotels that feel Two-Sided Southern, see Old Edwards Inn, Grand Hyatt Nashville and Broadmoor’s Cloud Camp.
Best New Jewelry Store in Atlanta Owned by Luxury Veteran
Don Purcell is the owner of the best new jewelry store in Atlanta. His eponymous shop is called Don Purcell and peeks out over the outdoor dining area at Le Bilboquet in Buckhead Village District. It’s prime real estate. But it’s a far cry from small town Ridgeway.
Top 10 High Brow and Down Home Dishes in Atlanta
I put together a tasty list of the top 10 dishes in Atlanta that go from down home to high brow and back again.
Wondering What the Top 10 Blogs of 2021 Were? Find Out Here.
Here are the top 10 blogs of 2021 on Two-Sided Southern. It’s a fabulous mix of profiles, recipes, restaurant rounds ups, reviews and more. It’s about being upscale and down home. Five-star and dive bar.
Is Preston Wilson Jr. an Atlanta influencer? Fashion designer? The Answer May Surprise You.
At first glance, Preston Wilson Jr. looks like a fashion designer, Atlanta influencer or creative director of an ad agency. In other words, he looks like he does something fabulous for a living. And he does. Chalk that up to his fierce sense of style and an aura of a refined Southern gentleman. But ask him about his career and you may be surprised to discover this dapper Atlanta man is not a right-brained creative. He’s an engineer and scientist.
Every City Deserves a Thought-Leader Like the Founder of Art Meso
Jennifer Sutton moved to the South 16 years ago from Lorain, Ohio. Thank goodness. “It’s the international city,” she says. It’s the diverse hometown she shares with famed novelist Toni Morrison. “Growing up, I was raised with so many different people from different nationalities.” That childhood foundation cemented her love of bringing cultures together. Its mirrored in her popular Art Meso exhibit, on display now through January 2, 2022. The fashion and art extravaganza is in the former Tom Ford store in Buckhead Village, underneath Gypsy Kitchen.
Meso means in the middle or between. In other words, Art Meso is the place “where creativity and imagination meet.” Jennifer created the title “to put all the elements I embrace into one name. It’s the middle place where everyone can meet,” she says.
That was definitely true of the opening night event, which was chockablock with Atlanta VIPs. A portion of ticket sales went to Children Helping Children, One Arte and Make-a-Wish Foundation. The celeb attendees mingled among luxury vehicles like a Rolls-Royce Phantom from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Above all, it was a splendid evening full of fashion, food and luxury. “People were excited to get out and experience something… other than what we’ve been experiencing,” says Jennifer with a sigh. In fact, many of the fashion designers are showing for the first time in the states. Additionally, a lot of the artists on display are Atlantans.
The Art Meso exhibit is open six days a week (closed on Monday). Expect special events such as the Art Meso Mixer with more of a party atmosphere. Additionally, expert panels will be coming in to discuss art and fashion. The exhibit is partnering with Jimmy Choo, Canali and Make-a-Wish for other events this season. But Meso Marketplace is sure to be a holiday shopper’s fave. It allows guests to come back and shop various retailers, designers and artists from the actual show. Also, there will be more retailers that aren’t on display. Check the website for those details.
“I did have a culture shock a bit,” admits Jennifer, about moving to Georgia 16 years ago. “Not until you get into the city is it a melting pot.” So this former retail visual director and wardrobe stylist moved to Midtown about eight years ago. “I found a great community that shares a love of art and food. A true inner circle.”
She eventually started Art Meso in 2015 with the support of that artistic community. Art Meso was a popular, crowded exhibit in downtown Atlanta for many years. Jennifer’s extensive background in retail, fashion and the arts all came together to make it happen. “I am a lover of all things creative,” she adds. Art Meso held some virtual events during the pandemic, but when it came to putting on a live event again, Jennifer decided to try something new. She wanted to provide something that people could come visit at their leisure and not have to crowd together. “We don’t have to stuff people in. The exhibition is airy and spacious and it’s going on until January. That gives people a chance to come out and see it on their own time.”
Including a charitable component in the exhibit was also extremely important to Jennifer. “Giving has always been implemented in my family and comes from my grandmother,” she shares. Art Meso has been partnering with incredible nonprofits for some time. “I love making a kid’s dream come true.”
Above all, Jennifer is building bridges outside of the Midwest and the South. She recently connected with Myron Johnson, Film Entertainment & Culture Arts Manager for the New York and New Jersey Port Authority. Through various relationships, she’s thrown herself into the New York art and fashion community. Therefore, Art Meso will have an exhibition in the Avenues of New York in July 2022. All I know is, this former New Yorker-by way of Atlanta can’t wait to see what Jennifer Sutton has up her sleeve for that event.
4 Southern-Made Gift Ideas I Love for the Holidays
Two-Sided Southern is here to help you with a few southern-made gift ideas to help get your friends there a little faster. Here are a a few high-end but still down home—gift ideas to help you get your friends and family the perfect present. They’re at different price points, for all different kinds of folks and all inspire joy. With the holidays approaching, Southern-made gifts always have terrific stories and talented artisans behind the work.