Italian motorcycle compliments of Barber Vintage Sports Museum

We would like to welcome the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) to Midtown.  They are located across the street from the High Museum of Art and just a short walk from the Atlanta Botanical Garden and our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast. 

Be inspired by all things designed from architecture, interiors and furniture, graphics, fashion and much more. You will become aware of how design plays an important role in our everyday lives.  The Museum of Design Atlanta’s first exhibit in their new home is Passione Italiana:  Design of the Italian Motorcycle. View eleven Italian motorcycles that span five decades, from vintage to contemporary.  You will learn how the intricate design of the world’s most sought after motorcycles relate to fashion, industry and furniture of the time.  Some of the masters of their craft are MV Aguste, Decati, Bimota and Moto-Morin. This exhibit is in cooperation with the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

Each Thursday evening the museum is open late, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Design & Drinks.  Indulge in a spirit and be entertained while  learning about the museums current exhibit. Hope to see you this Thursday!

Atlanta artist, Maggie Hasbrouk displays fourteen original paintings, twelve that were created just for the Orchid Daze exhibit.  She uses her own signature  “photoencaustic” process of beeswax and resins, followed by a fusion of oils, dry pigment and varnish.  Her photos come to life and have their own inter glow.

If you have ever wanted to try your hand at growing orchids, do not miss the Orchid Market Weekends on March 5th and 6th and April 2nd and 3rd, 2011.  Mingle among the growers and have your every question answered on how to grow that perfect orchid. The Orchid Society Show will take place on March 11th thru the 13th, 2011. Hundreds of orchids and supplies will be available for you to purchase.

The afternoon of March 13th I will be at the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Vanilla Sunday. Tempt your taste buds with a delicious vanilla sundae and an afternoon of cooking demonstrations by Garden Chef Christina Curry. I am looking forward to the Vanilla Crepes with Minted Fruit Salad. On your next visit to our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast indulge in one of our vanilla specialties.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History; Photo by Joe Beris

Looking for a little help in planning that perfect Romantic Atlanta Getaway for Valentines Day. Pack your bags and wisk her off to our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast. Plan on arriving around 3:00 p.m. on Friday where you can wander around the inn and relax in your suite. Don’t miss our Afternoon Delights served around 4 p.m.

Then it is time to put on your dancing shoes and head off to Martinis & IMAX Valentines Celebration at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. You can sip on a cool cocktail and relax to the music of the Kayla Taylor Quartet, all under the watchful eye of the world’s largest dinosaur.  Sweetheart Packages are available that include dinner.  We have wonderful restaurants within walking distance of the inn, if you prefer.   Then it is off to see one of the unique films at the IMAX Theatre.

Saturday morning sleep in and then indulge in a scrumptious breakfast.   After breakfast its off for a little boutique shopping at some of my favorite neighborhood hautes.  Be sure and come back early and relax in your room before heading off to the Atlanta Botanical Garden from 7 – 11 p.m. Enjoy cocktails and dancing at the most romantic spot in Atlanta, the Orchid Daze Liquid Landscapes.  Thousands of fragrant orchids, warm candlelight and the sound of trickling water will mesmerize you and inspire you to design that special someone their very own custom fragrance with BLEND (you must schedule an appointment in advance).

Sunday morning indulge in Debbie’s World Famous Waffles before heading home. We hope you have enjoyed making memories this Valentines Day.

 The Eagles are following in the footsteps of the Dave Mathews Band, the Allman Brothers and Sir Paul McCartney.  This successful band sold more than 29 million copies of “Their Greatest Hits” in the early 70′s.  A few of my favorite tunes are Hotel California, Tequila Sunrise and Love Will Keep you Alive.  The funds raised by the Eagles will help to maintain historic Piedmont Park and the new 53 acre expansion, while promoting environmental sustainability.  This celebration of sustainability is a carless event.  So, please use MARTA, walk or bicycle to the concert. 

Tickets go on sale today and are $55.00 for general admission.  There also a limited number of VIP tickets available for $250.00. This concert is presented by AT&T and other major sponsors.

A few of our other Atlanta attractions that you don’t want to miss while you are here are the Dali Exhibit at the High Museum of Art, the newly opened Tree Canopy Walk at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and of course, the Georgia Aquarium. 

Hope to see you the evening of October 15th in the meadow at the Piedmont Park Green Concert!

Shellmont Inn is featured in the June,2010 issue of North Georgia Living Magazine

We are thrilled that our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast was featured in North Georgia Living Magazine’s June Issue, titled “Just for Two” article.You can click on this link to view the article Just For Two As many of our previous wedding and honeymoon couples know, June is the favored month for weddings and anniversary celebrations. Garden Weddings with all of our fragrantly scented flowers and trees abound and signal the start of a new beginning and making wonderful memories.

Many of our guests are surprised to learn that Shellmont was built by Dr. Perrin Nicholson as a wedding present for his bride. It was described in the Atlanta Journal Constitution as ” the wedding of the south”, with the most eligible bachelor marrying the popular and beautiful socialite, Elizabeth Crane. One of the inns highlights is the ornately carved staircase, framed by a two story set of five panels of Tiffany Stained Glass and the foliated wedding bell at the bottom of the staircase.

So when planning your next romantic getaway visit to Atlanta remember Midtown has wonderful restaurants with-in walking distance of our inn. Unique attractions to get lost in such as the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, The High Museum of Art, Piedmont Park and the Georgia Aquarium. Or, if you are like Ed and I, just sit back on one of our verandas and listen to softly playing music with water cascading in the ponds as hummingbirds cruise the gardens and watch the world go by.

Imagine yourself here on Shellmont's Rear Veranda

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

One of our favorite date nights out away from our bed and breakfast in Atlanta is to walk up Peachtree Street from the Fox Theatre to the Woodruff Arts Center.  Along bustling Peachtree Street you will pass some of our favorite restaurants, Baraonda Caffe Italiano, the Bakeshop, Oceanaire Seafood Room and TAP.  TAP is a great place to sit outside and people watch.

At the Woodruff Arts Center you will find the Alliance Theatre, the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Symphony.  The Atlanta Symphony  is celebrating 65 years of dazzling music making.  It is the foundation of artistic excellence in Midtown.  They have produced 6 recordings with Grammy awards.  This cultural and artistic fabric is the face of Atlanta.

For the last 9 years Robert Spano, the Music Director, has invigorated and expanded the Orchestra’s repertoire and is recognized internationally as one of the most imaginative conductors.  A few of the effects he may use are film and images synchronized with music, art installation, lighting effects and staged performances.

During his tenure Mr. Spano and the Atlanta Symphony have performed over 100 contemporary works, 13 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra commissioned world premieres and 3 additional world premiers.

Parterning with Mr. Robert Spano in leading the Atlanta Symphony is Principal Guest Conductor,  Mr. Donald Runnicles.  Conductor Donald Runnicles is well-known for his opera and symphonic repertoire.  Together they have created a bond with the musicians and the community.

A few of our favorite upcoming Atlanta Events are:

• March 27th, 2010 – Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchesta
• April 8th-10th, 2010 – All Tchaikovsky, All Powerful
• April 30th-May 1st, 2010 – On Broadway with Marvin Hamlisch
• May 13th-May 16th, 2010-Love Blooms: Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 2
• May 20th-May 22nd, 201-Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

The much anticipated 40th Annual Decorators Show House opens on April 17th. til May 19th, 2010.  This Atlanta Symphony fundraiser features a house in the prestige area of Buckhead that  interior designers decorate and open to the public.  They also have a gift store and cafe.

On your next visit to Atlanta between an Atlanta Braves game and a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, don’t forget to immerse yourself in music with an evening at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Tower of Flowers salutes urban living and the downsizing to smaller homes and gardens featuring columns and vertical walls of colorful and fragrant exotic orchids.  Tres Fromme of Mesa Design Group has designed the exhibit with orchids becoming vibrant wallpapers climbing the walls, reaching for the sky and surrounding you with sweet scents.  The orchids are supported by mosaic 4 x 6 frames.  Hanging plants and transparent and solid planting columns also support the collection.
Vibrantly colored harlequin phalaenopsis, miltonic, dendrobium and cattleya orchids are framed by lush green and silver foliage with their intoxicating scents.

Our bed and breakfast guests love the monthly events held during the Tower of Flowers.  The Marketplace and Orchid Care Clinics allow  you to try your hand at growing orchids or give advice to experienced gardeners.

Or you may prefer to just stroll through the gardens with your Atlanta Botanical Garden Map to guide you and see the exquisite orchids the judges from The Orchid Society Show have selected as their favorites.

Our favorite event is ”Valentines In The Gardens” on February 13th, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.  You can dance away the evening to live music while sipping cocktails in the gardens.  What says love better than decadent deserts and cappuccinos under warm candlelight and the fragrant scent of exotic orchids.

When that springtime fever alludes you at home, give us a call and make your romantic Atlanta getaway reservation at our bed and breakfast in Atlanta,  and stroll up to the Atlanta Botanical Garden:  Tower of Flower.  We hope to see you soon!