From April 13 to 15, The Design Social unveiled the first-ever Design Social House at the home of Gregg Irby, founder of Atlanta-based Gregg Irby Gallery and Gregg Irby Home.

Marked by a masterful mix of color, pattern and texture, the Atlanta Design Social House featured select textiles, wallcoverings and home products from more than 15 of The Design Social’s roster of independent boutique brands in the inviting and intimate setting of Irby’s home. 

Like at previous Design Social Pop-up events, the designers and creatives behind these brands were present, providing guests with the opportunity to hear firsthand about their creative process as well as the influences that have shaped their work. 

Tent and porch areas adjacent to Irby’s home allowed for 12 additional brands—including Forbes & Lomax, Ferran, Sarah Von Dreele, Malmberg Studio, McKinnon and Harris, and Rhinne—to “pop-up and get social” with attendees.

Notable guests included Lathem Gordon of Gordon Dunning Interior Design, Isabel Ladd of Isabel Ladd Interiors, Heather Dewberry and Will Huff of Huff-Dewberry, Nina Nash Long and Don Easterling of Easterling and Long, Niki Papadopoulos of Mark Williams Design, Alexa Stevenson of Alexa Stevenson Interior Design and Jaimie Dewberry of Dewberry Studio. 

“For more than 25 years, I’ve found joy in representing our gallery artists and supporting their careers so they could thrive, making their art and developing their talent,” said Irby. “In much the same way, I loved working with The Design Social’s boutique creative brands and their makers, mixing their colors, patterns and textures and showcasing the craftsmanship of their textile, wallpaper and accessory collections in my own home design.” 

A conversation between Veranda editor in chief Steele Marcoux and renowned interior designer and Atlanta native Miles Redd set a fun and festive tone for opening night of the three-day event. More than 150 guests gathered outside as, in a presentation cast upon the big screen, Marcoux and Redd took attendees on a visual tour of some of his favorite projects and the inspirations in the house behind them.

Additional programming highlights included several panels on Friday moderated by Business of Home editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen. The first was a lively talk among interior and textile designers Mally Skok, Schuyler Samperton and Marika Meyer exploring their journeys from interior to textile design as well as the origin and evolution of their signature collections. Attendees also enjoyed a preview of their latest launches during a show-and-tell session at the end of the talk.

Later that day, Petersen led another spirited discussion with Irby, Alex Mason of Ferrick Mason and artist Lynn Sanders. The group discussed Irby’s vision for the Atlanta Design Social House and all of the products in play while exploring Mason’s expressive use of color as a unifying force throughout the home. Mason and Sanders also provided additional insight into their work.

The day closed with an afternoon Design Social Soirée with entertaining tips and designer sips from Los Angeles–based celebrity “entertainologist” Lulu Powers and Emmy-nominated actor Aiden Turner. As part of the festivities, Powers and Turner styled their own bar carts with products from J. Earl & Sons and Half Past Seven Home while mixing up their favorite cocktails featuring Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 

The final day of the Atlanta Design Social House featured a book signing of Think Like a Decorator with interior decorator and author Leslie Banker, artist demonstrations and shopping from a curated assortment of design-driven vendors, including Baybala, Massey Gordon, Anyon Atelier, Maison Maison Design, Gregg Irby Gallery, Half Past Seven Home and El Shoppo by Zoe Gowen.

“At Design Social Pop-up events, boutique textile, wallcovering and home furnishing brands shine via immersive experiences and engaging conversations among designers, editors and makers,” said founder Brooks Morrison. “In addition to offering expanded opportunities for connection between participants and attendees, the Atlanta Design Social House provided an inspiring visual landscape for attendees to experience these products in situ in the personal setting of Gregg’s home.”

The next Design Social Pop-up will be in Birmingham, Michigan, on Wednesday, June 7. Darien, Connecticut, and Newport Beach, California, are also on the list for 2023, followed by events in Charlotte, Palm Beach, Florida, and The Hamptons, New York, in 2024.