Interior designers Angela Means and Danielle Carney celebrate their boutique’s first year.
Angela Means and Danielle Carney of Means Carney Interiors came into design after having successful careers in other industries. Brookhaven resident Means had been in finance, and Buckhead resident Carney in nursing consulting, until a chance meeting changed everything for them. Both had started design businesses on the side after leaving their main gigs. They were looking for a creative outlet and were asked to decorate friends’ homes. “I had a staging company, and Danielle was selling something on Facebook. That’s how we met,” Means says. The duo, who have worked together for nine years, opened Means Carney Home last year within their design studio on East Andrews Drive. Shoppers can find everything from Hillary Jackson and SJ Bailey Co. jewelry to light fixtures by Visual Comfort and Palecek.
Here, they share why they chose to open a store, what makes it different from others and what to expect this season.
Why open a boutique?
DC: We fell into retail. We weren’t looking to open a store. We shared a space with an architect, and she ended up selling the space, so we had to find a new home. It felt right when we walked into our new space [on East Andrews Drive in Buckhead], but the property manager said we had to include retail space with it. We looked at each other and said, “Are we really going to do this?”
What makes it different?
AM: It’s a creative space. We are focused on things that are unique, and people will need to come and discover them here because they won’t see them everywhere else. We want it to be a bit of a discovery and creative experience for the shopper. DC: Buckhead is big, but it’s also small. We wanted to make it the kind of place where we go out of our way to know someone’s name and what they are looking for, and to learn about their story. We’ve seen a lot of repeat customers. We want them to come in and say hello and see what’s new.
What has the last year been like?
DC: It’s been a learning experience. We thought it was going to be more designers coming in to use us as a resource for upholstery for clients and taking stuff on approval, but it’s been about half [designers] and half [retail shoppers]. It’s been fun. A lot of people walk in and buy something small, and some come in, and we end up helping them with a couple of rooms.
What’s been most popular?
AM: The art has been surprising. We didn’t anticipate it being as big a part of the shop as it has become, but it’s been fun for us to partner with other creatives to bring in unique things. People love it. We feature artists from all over the country: California, Texas, Alabama and local artists like Morgan Shrader, Elena Ferguson and Blayne Macauley. We’re always discovering new talent to keep things fresh.
MEANS CARNEY HOME
404.394.3704
meanscarneyinteriors.com
@meansandcarneyinteriors
@meanscarneyhome
PHOTO: Joann Vitelli
