Blogging, Business & Bites

While at AmericasMart, I decided to give my tired feet a rest and attended "Blogging, Business & Bites" panel discussion featuring four prominent design bloggers and moderated by University of West Georgia professor Barry Leach. So I'd like to introduce you to them and to their blogs, if you don't already follow them.


Jennifer Boles was born and raised in Atlanta. After 10 spent in the business sector, Jennifer decided to pursue her passion for interior design and the decorative arts. Her website focuses on design trends, historical homes, history of design, and all things design related. Recently named "blogosphere darling" by Departures magazine, Jennifer has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, Town & Country, Elle Decor, and Array. In 2007 Jennifer became a contributing editor to House Beautiful, and she recently completed her first book, House Beautiful Fabrics for Your Home.


Brian Patrick Flynn is a television producer turned self-taught decorator/designer. The moniker "Decor Demon" comes from Brian's fast-paced weekend routine of furiously raiding garage sales and flea markets for one-of-a-kind pieces with which he creates edgy-meets-elegant spaces. In addition to being as an associate producer, Brian is also the set decorator and on-air design talent for the TBS series, Movie & A Makeover.


Barry Leach followed his true passion--interior design--following a successful career as an advertising creative director. Some may know him better as "Blue," the scholarly voice of the sometimes contrarian but always considered design history blog The Blue Remembered Hills.


Niki Papadopoulos is an interior designer based in Atlanta with a degree in fine arts. She works on a variety of projects from residential and commercial spaces to educational buildings. Niki and her work with Mark Williams Design Associates has been featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Top 10 Under 40 for 2010 (along with Mr. Flynn).


Claire Watkins is an Atlanta based interior designer. After interning with Lee Brian Interior Design and Ivan Allen Workspace, both in Atlanta, Claire began her design career at a high-end textile company, Ulster Textile Mills. Following her stint there, she spent 3 years working on commercial photoshoots as a food, prop, and fashion stylist. Since beginning Claire Watkins Interior Design in may 2009, Claire's interiors have been shown n HGTV.com and she has been quoted in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles magazine.

Enjoy! We'd like to hear what you think of their blogs...