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On January 9, I spent my Saturday wandering through the creative labyrinth that was the Gift, Home Furnishings & Area Rug Markets at AmericasMart in downtown Atlanta, a whirlwind tour of pop-up booths, inventory-packed showrooms and exciting new product introductions spanning dozens of floors of three monolithic buildings. After a fruitful day—in heels—I hobbled to a flight of escalators to make my evening exit when I happened upon the temporary booth of Thomas Paul merchandise and alike brands, which Thomas Paul, dapperly dressed, was manning himself. But the designer—a darling of the indie blogosphere as much as the high-end boutiques known for carrying his stylish pillows and boldly patterned rugs—offered the greatest pick-me-up when he gave me a guided tour of his latest collections before their retail debuts.

Thomas Paul

Thomas Paul

And even as I await their arrival in Atlanta stores, there’s yet another Paul venture on the way. It may come as no surprise that Duralee has had incredible success with its first book of Thomas Paul-licensed fabrics, which is why I was so delighted when I received an e-mail this morning announcing the official release of Thomas Paul 2, the designer’s second edition of modern fabrics for the to-the-trade-only company. From a graphic take on pagoda, to a contemporary Chinoiserie bound to upstage even DwellStudio’s, to cool must-have nautical motifs, the fabrics—available locally at Atlanta Decorative Arts Center suite 423—are certain to be hits with designers and their clients alike. My favorites from the new collection below:

This mod pagoda pattern invites limitless possibilities.

This mod pagoda pattern invites limitless possibilities.

This would be super for a flowing window treatment. Just imagine the sun streaming through!

This would be super for a flowing window treatment. Just imagine the sun streaming through!

I would love to make this into a seat cushion for a vintage cane chair—or maybe a PierceMartin number in wicker or bamboo.

I would love to make this into a seat cushion for a vintage cane chair—or maybe a PierceMartin number in wicker or bamboo.

This cheery floral would be brilliant as a duvet cover.

This cheery floral would be brilliant as a duvet cover.

For the non-designer readers among us (myself included), Calico Corners also carries a number of last season’s Thomas Paul designs on retail (I bought the Stockholm pattern in berry for some flanged pillow covers at my own home). And thankfully, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles readers can get 15 percent discount on any Calico Corners purchase by using a coupon from our spring Luxury Savings Book, arriving in mailboxes—and online at AtlantaHomesMag.com for convenient printing—in mid-February.

PLUS! See how Keith Summerour incorporated a Thomas Paul print into the master bedroom of his Meriwether County home by visiting the story, “The View From Here,” at AtlantaHomesMag.com.

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On Friday, I attended the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market. That’s where shop owners from around the globe go to buy things for their stores and showrooms, and it’s great place to see upcoming trends for summer and even fall. One of the best things about Market is getting to see and meet the guest speakers who attend. I really enjoyed hearing New York Designer Brad Ford speak about his design work, as well as his own blog, Design Therapy. If you aren’t familiar with his blog or his work, check out his Web sites! I first saw his design work in person this summer when I attended the Hampton Designer Showhouse. Ford had designed a room there and it was my favorite. (I want those sconces…and that rope mirror!)

Throughout the day, I ran into numerous folks from the Atlanta design community, including designers Valerie DeRoy, Bill Peace, Bob Brown, Matthew Quinn, Dixie Peoples, as well as shop owners Barbara Heath of The Mercantile, Bill Hudgins of Lush Life and Nancy Duffey of Scout. I can’t wait to see what they buy for their shops and clients!

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