Serenbe: Could this be the new South?

Home sweet Serenbe.Earlier this past month when I attended the Interior ReDecorators conference in Atlanta, a highlight of the event was a trip to Serenbe, a community located just 30 miles outside of the city.  It could be a continent away.

 

The New York Times calls it "Sonoma for the New South."

 

It's name means serene place to be.  There is no doubt that you leave the stress of the outside world behind when you enter this refuge of new urbanism. Its 900 acres are in the heart of the Chattahoochee Hill Country's 40,000 acres that are protected with a master plan that calls for 80% green space.  Imagine that.  It was a perfect field trip for myself and my fellow visitors because this professional group of decorators has been practicing green principles and sustainability since it was founded.  

 

Owners and developers, Steve and Marie Nygren are well-known Atlanta restaurateurs and believe that a community is a living part of the natural surroundings and not something to be built at nature's expense.  They told us they have designed Serenbe based on traditional values and the belief that quality of life is more important than simply a place to live.

 

It is almost eerily quiet.  My good friend, Pamela O'Brien and IAntique shop: Closed on Monday! walked around hoping to meet some residents and we finally found a homeowner who is the owner of these beautiful dogs.  She is selling her  home and told us that it is a great place to live and that you don't ever want to leave.  Yet, she is. We found art galleries, an antique shop, had a great lunch at the Blue-Eyed Daisy, the community gathering place (beware of the chocolate chip cookies!).  There is a farmer's market, a restaurant that uses hand-picked produce, jogging trails, a croquet lawn, stables, fishing pond, a guest house, a wedding pavilion, gourmet grocery and boutiques.

 

A dog's life at Serenbe.Homes and businesses are nestled into the natural landscape.  Communities consist of cottages, townhomes, live/work spaces and estates.  The developers explain that from the ground up, they are building a community that is "environmentally responsible, organically healthy and spiritually and aesthetically stimulating."  The forward-thinking developer and the obvious commitment the residents have to the environment and sustainability, should inspire all of us, no matter where we live.

It was a "Beautiful Day" in Atlanta: Design Meets Rock & Roll

The good news:  I was just in Atlanta for the Interior ReDecorators Conference.

The really great news:  U2 was performing Oct. 6 at the Georgia Dome.

The bad news:  The only seats available were in the rafters.

The good news:  It did not matter.

Rock and roll met spirituality last Tuesday night  at the U2 360° Tour.  And although Bono, renaissance man and godlike creature that he is, was front and center of this almost religious experience, the 170-ton, four-pronged stage is really the star.  It is truly a design miracle.  The show which is presented in-the-round, provides an intimate connection along with intellectual stimulation mixed with moments of pure emotion.   Bridges link from the main stage to a revolving walkway that put the group close to the audience.

Beginning with "Beautiful Day,"  they performed 22 songs and encores that included "Breathe," and "Get on Your Boots" from the new album "No Line on the Horizon."  And then, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."  Is there a more perfect song?

The stage's 7-story video screen is mesmerizing with special effects, art and commentary for the group's expected political statements.  Bono referenced "President Obama's sister is in the house," and paid tribute to jailed Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

And at the end, during one of the five encores, Bono sang "Amazing Grace." I felt that I had almost found what I was looking for...a truly great concert.  I just didn't want it to end. 

Off to Atlanta for decorating and U2 Concert

It's a big day.  I am heading for Atlanta for the Interior Refiners 8th annual conference, "The Freedom to Succeed, "at the Ritz Carlton in Buckhead.
 
This organization is made up of more than 100 professional interior decorators and refiners from all over the U.S. and Canada.  We were all trained and certified by the organization's founder and well-know designer, Lauri Ward (see photo).  You have probably seen Lauri's best selling book, "Use What You Have Decorating," and possibly seen Lauri (see photo on right) on Oprah and many other national TV shows.  She is the pioneer of the concept of using what you have as the foundation to create a new look for your home.  Lauri was so forward-thinking with this concept and completely changed design forever by making it affordable.  And luckily

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