Just the other night, a friend joined my husband and me for dinner at our house, and over a meal of pasta I made using a hand-cranked machine, we caught up. He commented about our rustic wood dining table, and I was proud to tell him that we worked with a local woodworker to craft the 10-foot dining table as well as a sideboard, coffee table and entertainment credenza. There’s something special about knowing that we have invested in one-of-a-kind pieces that will become family heirlooms, thanks to the artisans behind them.
That same spirit is behind this “Artisan Issue,” highlighting homegrown products and handmade goods. Our cover feature introduces you to Jeff Banks, the man who elevated the ice that comes in many of your favorite cocktails around town; Jenifer Gine, a Dunwoody- based potter; Szana Marr, a local who saw a need for a multi-functional, go-anywhere piece of clothing and launched her own company to sell it; and others.
Beyond the cover, this issue is packed with features aimed at inspiring and informing. Managing Editor Giannina S. Bedford writes about her recent staycation at the new Hotel Phoenix Atlanta, a stone’s throw away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Writer Chelsie Butler interviews experts for tips on how to avoid situations where pets are likely to bite (a perfect read before your next dog park visit). In her “Foodie Tastemaker” profile, Carly Cooper interviews Pano Karatassos, who represents the third generation of the legendary Buckhead Life Restaurant Group hospitality empire.
As spring turns to summer this month, we hope this issue of Simply Buckhead will motivate you to get out and explore—and maybe find a locally made good to add to your own home collection.
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
Senior Contributing Editor
