ABOUT ME

“I’m from Mississippi; we’re taught not to be self-promotional,” says Summer Loftin with a laugh. So don’t fret if you’re not already privy to her talents. The Atlanta-based designer, antiques dealer and jewelry collector in her 30s has built a reputation as a traditionalist in an era when such styles have gone the way of chintz fabrics and checkerboard floors, Deco dog statues and diagonal stripes.

With a bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Mississippi, Summer, who says she “likes to look at things from every angle,” also studied appraising at the University of Georgia. But it was her adventures around the globe while managing an art and antiques gallery that would cement Summer’s love for the generational history of quality pieces.

Summer Loftin Antiques opened in 2010 and quickly became a hot spot for those looking for the unique and inspirational. Today, Summer sells items she culls from trips to Europe and U.S. auctions online through Chairish and 1stdibs.com, and she’s a sought-after speaker who hopes to serve as an ambassador of antiques.

When referencing her design work, Summer's love of antiques is on full display with a decor scheme that marries traditional style with a myriad of witty collections, whimsical and fine art, and funky Americana-style relics. She specializes in curating her clients’ collections and making them work in their space. “I feel like anyone can make a room look pretty. But I love challenges. I want to take these collections and make them feel new and fresh in their home.”

Attracted to her unique mix of classicism and eclecticism, approximately half of her interior design clients reside in Buckhead, while the rest are distributed as far afield as Savannah, Nashville, Birmingham, New Orleans, Milwaukee, and Seattle.

“I decorate for entire families: daughters, mothers, sisters. It’s fun to get to know the whole bunch,” says Loftin, who is big on textiles and upholstery but remains especially sensitive to—and sentimental about—treasured family heirlooms. She champions quality but is never one to treat her acquisitions as so precious she needs to walk circles around them. Instead, she incorporates them into daily life. "It is precisely their patina, history and collective wear-and-tear that make them so prized." Loftin points out.

Summer’s "Grand Millennial" design aesthetic has caught the attention of many in the industry. She’s participated in several show houses and has been featured in magazines, including Traditional Home, House & Garden, LUXE, Forbes, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Atlanta Magazine, Flavors, and Simply Buckhead.

Summer is also passionate about giving back to the artistic community. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Paradise Garden Foundation located in Summerville, Georgia. The greatest legacy of Baptist minister and folk artist Howard Finster, Paradise Gardens is now a dedicated artsite that draws thousands of visitors annually. Summer also designed the Garden’s guest cottages, which can be booked through AirBnB.

TESTIMONIALS

Folk Art Church, Paradise Garden_edited_edited.jpg

Summer Loftin’s creative design has provided a beautiful and unique environment for Paradise Garden’s three artist residencies. Our two one-bedroom units and the new two-bedroom Bungalow were designed by Summer to enhance overnight artist and guest creative experience. Top 4% in the nation, Paradise Garden artist residencies and Airbnbs have earned the highest Host ratings with hundreds of 5-star guest review ratings. Summer’s unique designs provides an artist or guest permission to leave the everyday trends for an eclectic, yet warm, embracing environmental experience. Not only does Summer push the design limits, her project management style delivers timely and under budget. Summer listens, interprets, then delivers a confident design worthy of national recognition often with cost savings as we experienced with three projects. We simply would not have the success and recognition of our three artist residencies and Airbnbs without Summer’s magic.

Tina A. Cox

Executive Director

Paradise Garden Foundation

SUMMER LOFTIN'S ANTIQUING POINTERS

As published in Simply Buckhead

~ When shopping for antiques, seek pieces that show consistent wear over the entire object. If a table’s base is very worn while the edges of the tabletop are very crisp, it is probably a “married” piece, which means it consists of two parts with different histories that were eventually joined together.

~ If you purchase antiques that reflect your personal style, you will have a connection to them that goes beyond their monetary value. Even if you discover at a later date that the piece is not as old as the appraisal suggested, it will remain precious to you.

~ Don’t be afraid to “use” your antique furniture. These items have already survived through generations of use—and other people’s children, for that matter.

~ Celebrate textile designs you love by displaying them as works of art. Costumes, scarves, quilts, hats and embroidered linens, for example, all make colorful and whimsical conversation pieces.

~ If possible, I always try to salvage or restore vintage and antique wallpapers. They cost a fortune to replace, and most motifs seem to come back in fashion eventually anyway.