Talk Shop: Lathem Gordon & Cate Dunning // Gordondunning Interior Design
ABOUT LATHEM & CATE
GordonDunning is an Atlanta-based boutique interior design firm founded by Lathem Gordon & Cate Dunning. The intention behind their work is always to honor the story of their clients as well as the homes themselves.
GordonDunning tends to those who believe in the future, those who honor the past, and those who pay respect to the joy in life that comes with a home that reflects a lived experience. They engage with clients who trust their team to morph their stories, lifestyle, and dreams into bespoke interiors that reflect their unique spirit - both aesthetically and functionally. The resulting spaces serve as the backdrop of memories and are tailored to each client - who they are and how they want those moments to feel.
GordonDunning is proud to be House Beautiful Next Wave Designers, members of the prestigious Design Leadership Network, and to be recognized as one of the Southeast’s firms to watch by ADAC. Their work has been featured in House Beautiful, The Washington Post, ArchitecturalDigest.com, and more. They are Sustaining Members of the Atlanta History Center and Heritage Contributor Members of the Georgia Trust and are passionate about renovating and restoring historic homes. Enjoy our latest installment of our Talk Shop series!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Reflect. The. Client.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Grandmothers! We say that not exactly for an aesthetic (although we love a grandma floral!) but mostly for an overall approach to life and curation that does lead to a collected aesthetic that includes antiques, classic elements, and a few quirks.
Memories. We often say that we are thankful for the privilege of creating the backdrop of memories for our clients. Having that approach and sensitivity really makes us drill down on our clients’ stories and lives, and we work really hard to make sure we are specifying textures, materials, and patterns that reflect who they are and what they want to reflect about themselves - for their families and for friends/guests. For us personally, we think this leads to our homes being filled with florals, stripes, classic tile, collections, artwork, and some modern surprises along the way.
Travel. Apart from humans themselves (and their stories) and precedent, the greatest influence for both of us is travel. We gain so much inspiration (from the heady kind to the practical, applicable side) from being in other cultures, inside buildings - new and hundreds of years old, and generally outside of our daily comfort zones.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
We met working at another design firm and quickly synced. We started our firm approximately a year after we met and have never looked back. There are so many things we love about having our own firm, but some of the best are:
Having a firm that is built on teamwork. We each have a partner that we can bounce ideas off of and support one another when our brains are fried or life gets crazy. In that same vein, having a team that is genuinely motivated, funny, and supportive of each other is beyond our expectations and truly makes each day a joy - even when it is a tough one.
The freedom to work with who we want to - clients and vendors alike. Our number one rule is that we only work with nice people.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
We are very lucky to be in the Atlanta design community; there are so many talented designers in this city. We are also privileged to be members of the Design Leadership Network and the House Beautiful Next Wave Community. As a result, near and far, we are lucky to have mentors as well as talented peers that are truly generous with their knowledge, time, and cheerleading. A few are: Melanie Turner, Historical Concepts - Kevin Clark, Nina Nash Long, Niki Papadopoulos, Shophouse, Noz Nozawa, Cathy Austin, Heather Dewberry
What is your favorite thing about working as a team?
Is there one favorite thing?! One is definitely that the joy is shared and the bad is halved.
What does your home say about you:
SO much. Our homes are both extremely sentimental. They are filled with pieces from our family - big or small, fine or silly, these elements really reflect who we are and where we have come from. They are constantly changing galleries. There are very few things in both of our homes that we acquired or purchased for solely aesthetic reasons.
Where do you find inspiration:
Travel. Stories. Real-life books. History.
Who are your style icons:
Interiors: Ashley Whittaker, Alexa Hampton, Miles Redd, Tilton Fenwick, Ben Pentreath, Historical Concepts
Fashion: Does everyone say Jackie Kennedy? Also, Audrey Hepburn? Iris Apfel? If so, we agree.
Also, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Michelle Dockery, Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong’o, Jennifer Lawrence, India Hicks, Michelle Obama, Stacy London, Jennifer Lopez
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Everybody together and happy…and a place to put your drink no matter where you sit.
Do you collect anything:
Hahaha! YES!
Lathem - art, books, textiles, baskets, pottery, china, seashells, silver holloware, boxes, jewelry
Cate - teacups, books, tiny bowls, china, random old shit, seashells, wrapping paper, satin ribbon, and has a passion for old phones
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
We are terrible at this!
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Proportion is probably the answer to both.
What are you working on right now:
We are working on a couple of historical renovations right now, and those are always our favorites; we love to design from studs to pillow tassels, and the addition of a house with a story makes our hearts even happier.
We have a collaboration line with Dillard’s that is in stores now, and that has been such a fulfilling and exciting experience.
Wardrobe staples:
Lathem - White jeans, pattern-forward dresses, heels, winter white - all the things, fur, coats, loafers, statement sleeves, sneakers
Cate - Black dresses, Ball caps, heels - especially with ankle straps, d'Orsay pumps, leopard hair on hide, leather leggings, white button downs, red lipstick
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Lathem - Can you say de Gournay as a blanket statement for wallpaper? Fabric - I’m currently carrying Pierre Frey Greuze in my bag.
Cate - Pyne Hollyhock and other ‘tree of life’ patterns and chintz
Best interior advice you ever received:
Bunny Williams - If you love it, buy it. It will work. - Cate
Cry once. - Miles Redd - Lathem
Best career advice you ever received:
Work hard and be nice to people.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in: Upholstery, Case Goods, Pillows, Rugs
Save on: Anything you think your taste may change about over time.
Your greatest extravagance:
Lathem - Travel
Cate - Entertaining
Favorite places to shop for home:
Chairish, Local antique stores, Cabana, 1st Dibs, Replacements, SCAD Art Sales, Pooky, Furbish, Etsy, Gramercy Home
Most prized possession and why:
Lathem - Our Saarinen Tulip Table. I have always loved this classic shape, and this particular one has a really long, fun story. While sourcing a vintage one for a client, the vendor had a vintage base that had been purchased from The High museum when they were cleaning house in the 80s. I immediately called my husband and told him that I wanted this for Christmas. “A half a table for Christmas?!” he asked. “Oooookay!” The next Christmas, I asked for the top. It was a hoot.
Cate - Engagement Ring - It was my grandmother’s, and she was very special to me.
Your interiors motto:
If you love it, buy it. It will all fall into place eventually.
Your life motto:
Lathem - See the best.
Cate - Everybody together and happy.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Subscribe to interiors magazines! Start with whatever you love - a book cover a shoe, a friend’s outfit, whatever!
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food:
Lathem - rare filet
Cate - cheese
Drink:
Lathem - AM: coffee with creamer PM: from Memorial Day to Labor Day - Chardonnay or Gin and Tonic – Labor Day to Memorial Day - Bourbon and Ginger or any big red wine
Cate - Bloody Mary
Film:
Lathem - Moulin Rouge
Cate - It’s a Wonderful Life
Hotel:
Lathem & Cate - Anything Kit Kemp.
City:
Lathem - Barcelona
Cate - New York
Bedding:
Lathem - Matouk
Cate - Peacock Alley
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it):
Lathem - Coffee with a significant amount of cream
Cate - Coffee (with half cream)
Playlist:
Lathem - Man, I love country music.
Cate - 90s country or pop music from the early 2000s…or French cooking music
Weekend Activity:
Lathem - Traveling whenever possible. Getting outside. Getting inside a theatre. Hanging with my hubby and girls.
Cate - sleeping.
Design Book:
Lathem - How do you pick one?!?!
Cate - British Designers at Home