Supper Club: Interior Design, Mentorship, Friendship and Food

A friend of mine from college, Heather Dewberry of Huff-Dewberry, a design firm in Atlanta, is part of a monthly supper club which claims as members many of Atlanta’s best interior designers. StyleBlueprint Atlanta editor, Katherine Snell, was lucky enough to attend last month’s supper club and report back on the magic of mentorship on display. As a strong supporter of the power of mentorship, we are thrilled to offer this post today and hope it inspires many women to seek colleagues in a support network.

Katherine:

The world of interior design can be quite competitive. Especially in such a fast-paced city known for it’s multitude of interior designers. But, for thirteen years, seven of Atlanta’s most well-known and respected interior designers have gathered in restaurants all over the city or in each other’s homes. It is a women-only group that is full of support, friendship and mentorship.

From left to right: Jamie Massey, Heather Dewberry, Liz Williams, Gretchen Edwards, Mary Holland, and Trente Ashton (7th member, Dolly Crafton, had to miss out this evening.)

The long running supper club really grew out of happenstance. In January 2000, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles named six young designers worth watching. Four of the six ladies got together at Buckhead Diner to celebrate, and with an addition of a few of their friends, the once-a-month supper club was born.

Each month one of the ladies picks a restaurant (a few of their go-to favorites: Empire State South, Goin’ Coastal, Local Three, Taqueria del Sol, The Optimist). And a couple times of year they gather for dinner at someone’s home. Heather Dewberry (of Huff-Dewberry) graciously hosted the May gathering.

Heather’s gorgeous living room. Her house is high up on a hill so she gets fabulous light and a beautiful view of the tops of mature trees.

Another view of the living room. Isn’t the painting fabulous? Heather and her husband found it at Tew Galleries.

The ladies planned a fabulous summer meal full of fresh, seasonal ingredients. And Heather set a colorful table with beautiful china and an antique centerpiece bursting with fresh flowers.  

Any occasion is the best occasion to pull out your crystal and china

Heather filled the small gold cups that served as her place card holders and the base of her flower arrangement with dried green peas.

Liz Williams prepared this stacked watermelon salad from Hugh Acheson’s new cookbook.

Salmon with a creamy dill sauce and oven roasted potatoes

Coconut cake from Piece of Cake in Atlanta.

We needed to show off this cake a little closer…

All of the women lead busy lives with demanding careers and family. (Heather hosted a Lego birthday party for her son just that afternoon!) But, busy lives are one of the many reasons they love their supper club. It’s the perfect opportunity to blow off steam, swap sources and ideas, share good books, and laugh about the past thirteen years.

Gretchen Edwards shares a laugh with Liz Williams and Mary Holland

Jamie Massey of Massey Studio with her French martini

All of the ladies have a wonderful sense of style that is not only evident in their beautiful work, but also in their sense of fashion.

Heather with a French martini and her fabulous necklace, a gift from her husband

I loved Mary Holland’s tortoise shell necklace against her orange top

Trente Ashton’s funky earrings

After thirteen years, the ladies have literally grown up together in Atlanta’s interior design community. But, it is evident that the group is about so much more than design. Heather remarked, “These days, we really enjoy just being together, and design is actually a secondary topic.”

For you next gathering, here is the French Martini recipe served at this gathering:

French Martini (1 serving)

• 1 oz Chambord
• 3 oz vodka
• 4 oz pineapple juice

Pour over ice. Shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass and serve.

Sources:

• A special thanks to Emily Followill for her outstanding photography! For more information about Emily and her work, visit her website: www.emilyfollowill.com.

• Centerpiece flower arrangement: Holly Bryan Design, www.hollybryandesign.com 
• Place cards: Maison de Papier, www.maisonpapier.com
• Coconut cake: Piece of Cake, www.pieceofcakeinc.com

Designers:

• Heather Dewberry of Huff-Dewberry, www.huffdewberry.com
• Trente Ashton of Trente Ashton Interiors, www.trenteashtoninteriors.com
• Mary Holland of Holland and Company, www.hollandandcompany.com
• Liz Williams of Liz Williams Interiors, www.lizwilliamsinteriors.com
• Gretchen Edwards of Gilstrap Edwards, www.gilstrapedwards.com
• Dolly Crafton of Vagabond Vintage, www.vagabondvintage.com
• Jamie Massey of Massey Studio, [email protected]