Unexpected Guests: Lara Rossignol.

Today, we're headed to the genteel south...Atlanta, Georgia to be exact, to the home of photographer Lara Rossignol of the blog Piewacket. Which in some ways, is quite appropriate as I am headed south through Atlanta on Friday, and then on to Savannah! You may recognize Lara's beautiful home, as she was the winner of Domino's Readers Choice Award last year, which is where I first fell in love with her home. Her place is so colorful and eclectic, and just oozes that Southern charm. Lara is a commercial photographer, and sometimes a celebrity photographer at that - what a fun job, huh? Lara is now based in Atlanta after growing up in Los Angeles and then living in NYC for over fifteen years. She likes to collect, decorate, travel, play pool, read, cook, garden, write and dream. You can find out more about Lara on her Piewacket blog, her online photography portfolio, and her etsy shop, specializing in vintage finds and photography. Let's check in for some southern hospitality, shall we?

What city/neighborhood do you live in?
I live in Atlanta in a neighborhood called Grant Park just south of Midtown.


What is your idea of a perfect day in your city?
Spring, 68º and everything blooming.

What don't you leave home without?
My Kindle & iPhone.

What are some of your favorite local shops?
Star Provisions, Kudzu Antiques and Super H Mart.


What is your most treasured belonging?
My painting of my Grandmother. It was painted by a family friend who was a scenic painter for MGM, apparently he fell for her, while painting it and refused to give it, as promised, to my Grandfather when he finished. Over 30 years later, after he died, his daughter called out of the blue and gave it to them.



What's on your wish list?
A Canon Powershot G10.

What's your favorite bargain find or product?
I paid $1 for two little vintage tiles at an estate sale. I had no idea what I would do with them, then I leaned them up behind my bathroom faucet and it was just the perfect touch.


What is your biggest interior design nightmare?
I had a leak in my NY apartment from the tenant above me that my landlord refused to fix. After a messy fight with them, I ended up moving to a sublet, it was a cool apartment but the furniture was a weird eclectic mix, some good, some horrible. I had already sold most of my own big stuff and with what I had left, I just somehow made it work. The nice thing was when I moved to Georgia, I had a pretty clean slate to start with and was able to find incredible stuff. It is all about the hunt!


Who is your favorite artist? And why?
Director, Terrence Malick. Badlands and Days of Heaven are two of the most beautifully photographed films of all time.

What is your greatest indulgence?
Bentos! Both collecting and making. Some of my friends joke that I am really a 16 year old Japanese girl in disguise.



Where do you find inspiration?
Music, movies (especially silent or from the 70's), old photos, books... I find inspiration everywhere.


Who do you admire and why?
Diane Arbus, she was fearless, very prolific and carried her camera with her everywhere she went. Efren Reyes, the best pool player to ever touch a cue and a very humble man.


Do you collect anything?
It might be easier to list what I don't collect! My most recent obsessions include; vintage planters, metal boxes, shell pottery, pyrex and asian pieces. I am always looking for interesting old cameras, books and linens.




What's your favorite feature in your home?
My sun room, which is also my studio/dinning/laundry room. It is tiny but good light and a little space is all I need.



If you could photograph anyone in the world, who might that be?
Cate Blanchett and Meryl Streep are on the top of my list, they both have such amazing faces and bone structure. I almost got to photograph Meryl once, I was told by the editor, I was her "choice" but her PR person talked her into someone "safer".

Who would you like to sit down to drinks with?
Amy Sedaris or Ricky Gervais, I would marry either one!


Do you have a guilty pleasure?
True Crime shows and diet Cheerwine.

What's souvenir did you bring back from your last trip?
I always try to hit little obscure, out of the way, antique shops when I travel. There is one, I have seen in Pendleton, SC that looks interesting but is always closed. Last trip up, it was open to my surprise! I found two lovely little hand painted plates and a great old book all for under $10.

What is your favorite place to visit/travel to?
Viva Las Vegas! I long to travel to Europe though, especially the British Isles.


What is your idea of living hell?
A town with no pool hall or Trader Joe's.

What are some of your favorites websites/blogs to visit?
Aside from yours, which I do enjoy. I also love Ricky Gervais's blog, which is simple, truly his own accounts of his day to day life and hysterical. I also love the True TV Crime Library, very addictive.

*All photos © Lara Rossignol. Please do not use without permission.