Out and About with Leah Atkins

The accomplished interior designer reveals her go-to spots in Gwinnett

BY LISA MOWRY

O

n any given day, Lawrenceville-based interior designer Leah Atkins could be working to beautify a dozen or so houses all over metro Atlanta. You might recognize her from features on HGTV.com or the pages of Modern Luxury Interiors Atlanta; she’s also an American Craft Council designer known for her cozy rooms at Christmas at Callanwolde.

Atkins's home office puts her in the heart of Gwinnett’s vitality. “I love our location, because we are close to both big shopping centers (we’re right down the street from Mall of Georgia) and downtown Atlanta resources, but we’re also near the more rural areas,” she says. “I am a country girl at heart, but I also love the big city, so this is the perfect location for us.”

This five-year Gwinnett resident tells us a few of her most stylish destinations for home decor, clothes, and dining.

HOME BASE

Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors This warehouse-sized antiques mall in Buford has hundreds of booths just waiting to be explored. “It’s a huge place, so it takes a while to look through everything, but I find some great pieces here,” says Atkins. “Mixing antiques into a modern design gives a house so much more character, and this is the place to find fun accessories for your bookshelves.” Some of her recent finds include unique vases and vintage brass animals.

Creative Enterprises Thrift Store “This is truly a hidden gem,” says Atkins about this Lawrenceville destination. “It’s a tiny little thrift store off the beaten path, so it takes visiting often to find the best items. It carries an abundance of baskets at fantastic prices, so I always check this place first if I want to create a basket wall.” She also appreciates that it’s part of an organization helping people with disabilities find employment.

LOOKING GOOD

Personify Shop “This is my absolute favorite clothing store in Gwinnett, located in downtown Duluth,” she says. “They also offer a variety of great home goods, gifts, and accessories, with wonderful customer service. It’s a beautifully curated store founded by a mother-and-daughter team.” As for store decor: “The shop is bright, playful, and colorful,” Atkins adds. “I would give them an A+ for good design!”

Clothes Mentor This secondhand clothing store in Buford is on Atkins's radar for unusual and vintage finds. “My fashion look is defined by clean and simple lines, along with classic pieces, but I also love bright colors and bold patterns, so I like having a variety to choose from,” she says. “With a versatile closet, I can dress how I’m feeling each day.”

Good Word Brewing & Public House

WINING & DINING

Parkside District This popular destination in Lawrenceville gets high marks from the designer for both food and decor. “I love the industrial lighting, exposed brick, and gorgeous wood finishes,” Atkins says. “It has a really cool vibe, partly from the stark contrast of black and white used in the space.”

Good Word Brewing & Public House “This place definitely gets high marks for interior design,” says Atkins. “They do a great job of mixing industrial style with trendier bright colors. I’m always impressed with the selection of local beers, cocktails, and wine. My personal favorite is the in-house Double IPA called Virtual Reality.”

Fun fact: When Leah Atkins was in second grade, she wrote that she wanted to be an interior designer. Look for her on an upcoming episode of HGTV’s House Hunter’s Renovation. She lives in Lawrenceville with her husband, Curtis, and an energetic standard poodle.