{atlanta creates}
In the spirit of holiday shopping (and supporting local makers), we are excited to share a peek into this Atlanta creative’s work space! Interior designer Kari Fisher brings together fine linens, hand-carved block stamps, and colorful paints and pigments to create some of the happiest throw pillows we’ve ever seen! These pieces are the perfect way to add original art in the form of luxurious textiles to any living space. We think they would be lovely wrapped under a tree!
Name and age: Kari Fisher, 31
Current neighborhood: Virginia Highland
Hometown: Newtown, CT
What brought you to (or kept you in, or brought you back to) Atlanta?
I came to Atlanta in ’08 after getting my masters in Interior Design from FSU for a design job and quickly fell in love with the weather, the people, and the creative culture here.
How do you pay the bills? What is your “slash”? (i.e. teacher/ amateur cupcake baker)
I’m a textile designer/interior designer/drapery workroom/occasional babysitter
What do you create?
hand-blocked and hand-painted 100% linen textiles. Aside from a couple vintage wood blocks from India, I design and carve the linoleum blocks I use to print on plain linen. Mostly, I make pillows out of my textiles, but have also been doing a lot more table linens.
What do you collect?
I like to collect unique one-of-a-kind and vintage textiles. I love studying them and imagining how & when they were made.
Your favorite artist now and as a child:
When I was little I loved everything Mary Engelbreit, her illustrations were so vibrant and colorful. Lately, I’ve been studying more closely the works of Matisse. I have a thing for vibrant color, but I love learning about the stories/inspirations behind his paintings.
Last memorable home-cooked meal:
My fiance recently made us burgers with fried eggs & sweet potato fries that could rival most restaurants. Mmmm, still thinking about how simple & decadent that meal was.
An only in Atlanta moment:
A trip to the Claremont Lounge is a unique Atlanta experience that everyone must do once.
A favorite local business:
I’ve been a fan of Monday Night Brewing since attending one of their weekly brews in their garage years ago. It’s been really special to watch them grow their business to what it is today and be able to drink Eye Patch whenever I want! Their brewing space is so modern and fun that my fiance and I booked it for our wedding reception.
Favorite way or place to unwind:
The best place to unwind is out on or by the water in Panacea, FL. It”s peaceful, beautiful and full of fresh seafood!
Longest plane ride:
I’m a terrible flyer and the furthest I’ve flown is to Las Vegas. But, we’re planning our honeymoon to the Amalfi coast, so I’m trying to wrap my head around that long of a flight.
If you were a color in the biggest crayola box, which would you be?
I’ve always been a Razzmatazz kind of girl
Latest great adventure:
This whole “starting your own business” thing has been a great adventure for sure!
Favorite US city? Favorite international city? (And why?)
Charleston. I love everything; the proximity to the ocean, the food, the architecture, the food, the people, and the culture. Bonus, it’s also where I got engaged!
If you had to move to another country, which would you choose, and why?
Italy. On several occasions, I’ve looked into getting a visa, looked for jobs, applied for an artist in residency program, thought of hiding in someone’s suitcase, etc. It’s probably going to happen at some point in time.
Coolest thing you’ve ever been for Halloween:
I was a loofah last year with a friend. We had so much fun making our costumes and even more fun wearing the layers upon layers of tulle.
What is your favorite artifact, heirloom, or art piece in your home?
I really cherish my vintage jewelry from my grandmothers and that has always won out until my fiance gave me his grandmother’s engagement ring. It’s incredibly special and cool to have a piece a jewelry that someone has already had a lifetime.
If you could have your own photo session anywhere in Atlanta, where would you choose and why?
I really love the character of The Goat Farm and would love to have a fun quirky session there.
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“Atlanta Creates” is a project intiated by Buffy Dekmar Photography to build creative community and share the faces and personalities behind creative businesses in Atlanta.
Follow this project on Instagram (@buffydekmarphoto + @dekmarfilms + #atlantacreates) and Pinterest. You can also send us your nominations for creative people you’d like to see featured here!
Buffy Dekmar Photography Nikon F5 // Kodak Portra 800 // Richard Photo Lab
