Doubling Down

RETAIL DEMAND REMAINS STRONG in the Atlanta market, and Buckhead staple Mathews Furniture + Design is charging forward with expanded partnerships and a fresh renovation. “When COVID-19 started, our business was still great. It even increased,” says Nina Nash Long, who is an in-house designer for the retailer that has been serving Atlanta for nearly 40 years. “We decided to do the renovation now. When everything reopens, we will have this beautiful, shiny new store, ready to go,” Nash Long says. A spring completion is projected, though the 15,000-square-foot showroom has remained open through the three-phase renovation (“It’s a little like musical chairs,” she says). Regulars will notice new floor-to-ceiling custom windows and steel doors for more natural light, sleek new concrete floors, updated architectural trim and more. Look for an expanded partnership with Chaddock Furniture Workroom, including a range of pieces designed by Mark D. Sikes, from skirted upholstery to urn-topped pedestals. “It’s easy to make mistakes purchasing online,” Nash Long says, reiterating the advantages of being able to touch, feel and try furniture and decor before buying. “I think in-person, when it comes to the home, is better.”