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ART CONSULTANT COLLEEN LANE TALKS SHOP

PICKING THE PIECE

Colleen Lane launched her eponymous art consultancy, Colleen Lane Art Advisory, in 2018, but her first artistic calling was ballet. She trained with the Nashville Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Chautauqua Institution, where she nurtured an appreciation for artistic lines. She went on to major in marketing at Miami University in Ohio and earn a master’s in public administration for nonprofit management from Georgia State University, pursuing her arts interest from the business perspective. As a docent at the High Museum since 2015, her training in visual thinking serves as a foundation for her goal to help clients select the ideal piece of art for any space. Simply Buckhead chatted with the Buckhead resident and mom of two about the art cultivation process.

When should homeowners work with an art consultant? Art is an investment, albeit a very personal type of investment. Looking for a piece you love that also complements the space may seem daunting. Determining value can also be intimidating. When working with clients, I share my expertise while helping them feel comfortable in the fact that there is no wrong answer when it comes to art.

What can clients expect through the art selection process? The key is determining what type of art inspires the client. My model is similar to that of an interior designer. After spending time together to understand client preferences, I source several works that could work in the space and remain within budget.

What advice can you give for buying art? This process starts with asking questions and getting curious about your preferences. What do you like? Why do you like it? Which elements of art strike you—color, shape, line, texture? How does a piece make you feel? Are you intrigued by the artist’s process? When would you suggest a commission? Commissions can be tricky because you do not want to inhibit the artist’s process. If you really want to purchase a piece from a particular artist for a specific space, a commission may be the only option, especially if there isn’t a suitable size in the inventory.

What about placing art? When placing art, it is important to notice how a piece enhances a space. Be sure to leave space in the room for the eye to rest. Every wall doesn’t need to be a showcase.

Photos: Laura Negri Childers

What are some of the best ways to teach kids about art? Let them have an opinion. If they think they can replicate a work, let them try. Visit the High Museum. Bring pencils and paper, and let them sketch. Get curious about three works that you or they want to see. The best toddler class in town is the Toddler Thursday at the High. The interactive children’s spaces are so much fun. n colleenlaneart.com

DESIGN NEWS

n Buckhead-based interior designer Melanie Turner has released her first book, Inviting Interiors: A Fresh Take on Beautiful Rooms (Rizzoli, March 2021, available on Amazon). She shares tips on creating “understated, sophisticated and functional rooms.” Since establishing her interior design firm in 2009, Turner has become known for her timeless designs that use clean lines, custom furniture and curated art. She has studio locations in Atlanta and Charleston, as well as the Melanie Turner Home store in Big Sky, Montana.

n In 2020, Harry Norman, Realtors donated more than $135,000 through the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. The effort, which began with a goal of raising $90,000 for local organizations, was part of its 90th anniversary commemoration. To surpass its goal, the real estate firm engaged all Harry Norman offices around the state. harrynorman.com

n Thomas Deans Fine Art welcomes a mini exhibition of the works of Chicago-born Deedra Ludwig. The show runs at the Miami Circle gallery from April 16 to May 15 and showcases Ludwig’s fine art works, which document observations of the natural world through the mediums of oil pigments, ink, soil and other nontraditional materials. thomasdeansfineart.com

PRODUCT

SPOTLIGHT

Add a rustic, European touch to your dining space with the Sienna Cane Back Dining Chair from Acquisitions Interiors. Part of the store’s in-house ACQ Collection, it’s made in Italy and available in multiple finishes and fabrics. It’s pictured here in “Bright Lime White” with a performance linen fabric on the seat. Available for $598. acquisitionsinteriors.com

Mimi Woodruff embraces everyday elegance at Beverly Bremer Silver Shop Worth Its Weight

STORY: Amy Meadows

Every night, Mimi Woodruff sets her dinner table with her favorite sterling silver flatware and water goblets. She and her family enjoy their meal, and she then places the forks, spoons, knives and cups in the dishwasher so they can be used again the next evening. It’s a practice most people wouldn’t consider, relegating heirloom silver to special occasions. However, Woodruff credits her mother, Beverly Bremer, with encouraging her to use her fine sterling silver on a daily basis. It’s the same advice Bremer gave to all of the customers at her eponymous store, a Buckhead landmark since 1975.

When Woodruff assumed the role of president of Beverly Bremer Silver Shop after her mother’s passing four years ago, she aimed to provide the same exceptional customer service for which Bremer was known. She had seen it firsthand as she worked in the store growing up. And though she set out on her own as an adult, working at such renowned institutions as Sotheby’s, she happily returned in 2013 to the place she knew so well, officially taking over the shop in 2017. Today, she revels not only in helping customers locate the perfect items but also to discover their own love of silver.

What did you learn from your mother about the silver business? She had a lot of nuggets of wisdom. She was no-nonsense, and she would tell people, “Don’t wait around. Use your silver and enjoy it.” She loved what she did, and she passed on that love of finding the right fit for the right people.

DO: Rinse off any food before placing it in the dishwasher; leftover food can cause corrosion.

DON'T: Wash your sterling silver with stainless steel—a chemical reaction can occur that will leave marks on the silver.

DON'T: Use detergent with lemon, citrus or phosphates.

She was very astute. She took careful notes, and she listened more than she talked so she could really home in on what somebody needed. She was 100% honest with people, and she built this business one customer at a time.

How do you describe the shop? We sell anything that is sterling silver. Our most frequent request is for flatware—knives, forks and spoons. Many people grew up with silver and have a set they want to complete, and we can help them do that. We have everything from tea sets and hollowware to beautiful bowls, trays and centerpieces. These are the things that every household had at one time. Most of what we have is from the 19th and early 20th centuries; we buy from individuals, estates and auctions. We do buy some new goods, but in many cases, these are items that are no longer made. The things in our shop are lasting treasures.

What is the most rewarding part of working with customers? It’s always wonderful to see something come together that a customer can use and enjoy. Someone may have a flatware set but lost the salad forks, and it’s a pleasure to fill in and make something complete. We want to offer that beautiful everyday elegance to a future generation. Also, the things we sell are for happy occasions—baby showers, traditional holidays, first birthdays. It’s a pleasure to be part of something that’s an heirloom for someone’s family.

What do you love most about silver? Silver is always very aspirational. It brings that little bit of elegance and whimsy to your everyday entertaining.

What key silver items should people consider for their own collections? Some people start with a flatware pattern and build from that. If you entertain, you always need beautiful serving pieces. n

BEVERLY BREMER SILVER SHOP

3164 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.261.4009 beverlybremer.com

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