Tuesday, April 21

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.

33 comments:

erin said...

everything about this post and this house is lovely. i want to be like lara when i grow up!

Kate said...

I really enjoyed reading this post and the photos of the home are beautiful, it looks so friendly and welcoming!

x

Laura. said...

what a fabulous house! i like all the details a LOT. i am inspired to hunt and collect more.

La chica said...

love all the lovely details, so charming!

Laély said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laély said...

It´s very so beautiful!...
Hi, i´m brazilian and i love your blog!
Kisses!

our little love nest said...

I may have to move in! That is the most perfect home I have ever seen! A little swooning going on here.

LINDSAY said...

I love all her patio seating! What a bunch of goodies.

Char said...

that house is sooooooo kitchy cool Atlanta style. I love it. great interview.

Rachel said...

I'm green with envy over her vintage finds. I'm just starting my collection and can only hope it will look as beautiful and eclectic as yours and Lara's. *sigh*

Alessandra Cave said...

Lara's home looks like heaven to me :)

c*liz said...

wow! so pretty!

Anonymous said...

I love this home. Beautiful pictures and colors.
-Arya.

Kelly said...

This slays me! Wonderful, warm & creative.

jamieofalltrades said...

what a beautiful home. love how she displays all her glasses.

Olivia said...

Just lovely! Hmm...I wonder if they need a lodger :)

Sarah said...

I've been using the picture of the living room as inspiration ever since I first saw it on Domino's website. Thank you so much for more detail! I really love this style.

Erin said...

That house is unbelievable. I love that it is a mixture of eclectic and vintage pieces. Seems so personable. That is slowly the look I am going for. Some great inspiration.

shanon said...

I've always loved her place, ever since I saw it during the Domino contest. Thanks so much for featuring so many gorgeous photos so that I could revisit it. =)

melissa loves said...

How fantastic! I love her home, so colorful, lovely and warm. And I ADORE this series and with so many photos too! Heaven!
xo
Melis

hi, smitten. said...

ohhh, I have that beautiful blue butterfly lampshade!!

kneesee said...

i'm in love with her place and with grant park!

love from atlanta
xoxo
kneeseespieces

Waxy said...

Her home is so fabulous! I wish I had a porch with a bench - looks like a nice place to chill at the end of the day!

Unknown said...

Oh my! There are soooo many gorgeous colors and color combination! I love it. :)

aliceinparis said...

Way to go Lara! Terrific feature:))

Kathy @ Carys and Charlie said...

I know this was probably answered in some post long ago, but i would love to know the paint color in the living room!!

Anonymous said...

It was a Lowes custom blend my landlords ordered. (Yes, I rent!) I would say a light warm kaki color, best describes it. Very close in color to a pair of kaki pants from the Gap I use to have.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments and visits to my blog and especially the wonderful sfgirl!

onecraftysecretary said...

Victoria,

Thanks so much for posting Lara's lovely lair! I discovered her one day when she was known as Honeywest on LiveJournal and I was thrilled to learn she now has a blog. Yours is the only blog I check on a daily basis, and I am never disappointed!

Cori

Jamie Welsh Watson said...

WOW, I absolutely adore her style! Thanks for such a great profile!!

Celia said...

Lovely mix of styles

Alexandra said...

Wow, her house is absolutely amazing. I'm in love with the way she mixes vintage and functional.

Home Sweet Dwelling said...

Thank you... I'm in love with this home... what an inspiration!

Monnie said...

OMG! I'm so in-love with this house, especially the living room. It is so wonderful with its lively and attractive colors. Thank you so much for this blog. I really did appreciate it.