

THE MAN OF THE HOUR:
Dior's Legacy Comes to Atlanta
LIFE + CULTURE
THE BOYS OF BUCKHEAD: 35 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIPS
ARTS + CULTURE
JOE GRANSDEN'S SALUTE TO TONY BENNETT'S 100TH
HOME + DESIGN
SHARING SPACE: IRIS AND OAK'S DESIGNS FOR HIM AND HER
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LIFE + CULTURE
THE BOYS OF BUCKHEAD: 35 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIPS
ARTS + CULTURE
JOE GRANSDEN'S SALUTE TO TONY BENNETT'S 100TH
HOME + DESIGN
SHARING SPACE: IRIS AND OAK'S DESIGNS FOR HIM AND HER


Your home deserves window treatments as unique as your style. Our expert design consultants offer personalized guidance to craft solutions that complement your vision. Schedule your consultation today and discover the art of luxurious living.






Brookhaven’s modern neighborhood steakhouse just got a new upstairs obsession. Upstairs Bites is our upstairs-only menu of bold, shareable plates and signature favorites — from the Arnette’s Wagyu Burger to the Astrea Caviar Doughnut, Pork Belly Bao Buns, King Salmon Avocado Roll, Spicy Bluefin Tuna Maki Roll, and a towering raw seafood selection. Available only in the upstairs bar at Arnette’s.
Refined ingredients. Rebellious spirit. Remarkably welcoming vibe.

Once upon a time, a baby girl was born into a family with four boys who were older than her by 6 - 12 years. She was adored, cherished, and loved completely. While they didn't play with her much growing up, the brothers were always sweet and attentive, inviting her to climb up on their laps or finishing her lima beans at dinner. She would press her face against the living room picture window, watching for them to return home from college and bask in their warmth and energy. Now, with one lost to AIDS, three brothers continue to surround their baby sister with unconditional love and support. I'm the luckiest girl in the world!
This month, we salute the men in our lives and honor those who celebrate Father's Day.
Enjoy our 14th annual MEN'S issue, chock full of amazing guys and the stories that interest them.
All my best,

SUE G. COLLINS, EDITOR @BUCKHAVENCITYLIFESTYLE
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Jim Newman | jnewman@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Sue G. Collins | scollins@citylifestyle.com
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER
Karyn Slovin | karyn.slovin@citylifestyle.com
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Karla Wilkinson | Karla.Wilkinson@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Summer J. Robinson | summerjrobinson2@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Bob Mackey
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas




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Opened last year, The Perlant is a private social club centered on wine and community. The design-forward space unfolds across multiple rooms for dining, working and gathering throughout the day. Executive Chef Jordan Sanchez’s seasonal menus pair with a 1,000-bottle cellar led by Wine Director Elizabeth Dames, featuring 40 by-the-glass selections, tastings and classes—making wine education integral to the experience. ThePerlant.com




The Eating With Erica Supper Club is an invitation-only dining experience founded by Erica A. Thomas. Known for her signature blend of elevated hosting, curated menus and intentional tablescapes, Erica has built a brand rooted in the belief that home entertaining is an art. With over 50 curated dinner parties hosted in three years, this members-only collective has become Atlanta's most intimate gathering where exceptional food, atmosphere and connection are always on the menu. EatingWithErica.com

From concept to completion, we’re your full-service partner for transforming your space. Whether you’re dreaming of a stunning kitchen, a luxurious bathroom, or fully custom closets, we’ve got you covered. With 13 cabinet lines, 25+ custom closet colors, and an extensive selection of countertops, tile, and flooring, we offer options to suit every budget and every style. Let us help bring your vision to life - and turn your house into your dream home.
The Designery Atlanta 404.999.4585 | TheDesignery.com 6080 Sandy Springs Circle NE | Atlanta, GA 30328



The Brookhaven Chamber welcomes Giovanni Boccia as Board Treasurer. In an exciting step toward growing and sustaining economic prosperity in the local community, the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce has appointed Giovanni Boccia as its new Board Treasurer for the 2026 fiscal year. Giovanni has an extensive background in wealth management and a passion for community development.




Celebrating 35 years of friendships.
In the late summer and autumn of 1991, Atlanta witnessed a baseball miracle.
The Braves brought home the National League pennant, cementing their place in history as the first team to go from last place one year to first place the next. Buckhead bars were packed with fans, all cheering (and drinking) madly for the team that climbed from worst to first. The win united rowdy revelers, including a group of guys who would spend the next 35 years together, celebrating each other’s watershed moments with deep friendships that took them all by surprise.
“From 1991 to around 2007, we were close. We ran together and had the time of our lives. Then something funny happened,” says City Lifestyle publisher Jim Newman. “We started getting married, having kids and shifting our party thoughts to marriage and parenthood. With those kinds of changes, many groups of friends drift apart as they move away or just move on, but we had something special. We realized our friendship was not just one of convenience. We truly respected and
loved each other, and knew this was something special and worth holding on to.”
Those glory days included meeting up at joints like Rio Bravo, Rupert’s, World Bar, Lulu’s Bait Shop, Tongue and Groove, Mako’s (remember the swing?) and, of course, Frankie’s. “On summer weekends, we all went to Lake Lanier. Who could forget Cocktail Cove and all the boats tying up together,” recalls Jim. The guys would party together, but also lean on one another through life changes, big decisions and career pivots.
Jim’s band of brothers includes Mike Baker, Stephan Gosh, Phil Kitchens, Zack McElroy, Bijon Memar, Glen Messner, Jim Newton, Stuart Swanepoel, David Vandiver and Mike Marsh.
The crew started traveling together to Las Vegas, St. Simons, Cabo, Destin and other bachelor-friendly destinations. Their annual trip to Destin for Memorial Day meant 12 guys sharing a five-bedroom beach house rental where a Saturday night party would ensue. “We’d clear the furniture out for the party and invite

“
We truly respected and loved each other, and knew this was something special and worth holding on to.







friends and new friends. If any of this sounds a little sad and desperate, you are correct, but we were too happy to know it,” says Jim.
Now, the men are captains of industries, builders, venture capitalists, attorneys and business owners. Among them, they have been blessed with 13 children and a handful of grandchildren and have weathered divorces, weddings, births and deaths together. Many live in Buckhead and Brookhaven and still get together for birthdays and anniversaries and they all meet for an annual Christmas lunch at Chop’s.
For men to have such strong and long-lasting friendships is rare. “I know these guys will be with me for the rest of my life,” says Jim. “And it all started 35 years ago in a bar and a chance meeting that led to one of the most important additions to my wonderful life.”

ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BOB MACKEY
“Rarely do a husband and wife share the exact same functional hopes.”


For Tasha Moody, founder of Iris and Oak Interiors, great design is often part aesthetic and part marital counseling. As a highlight of the Inaugural Chastain Park Conservancy Home & Garden Tour last month, Tasha’s latest project offers a masterclass in blending the his and her homeowners’ tastes and whims.
“Merging male and female styles, opinions and personalities, ensuring both parties feel seen and heard not only in our discussions but also in the finished spaces,” says Tasha. “It is our job to find that area where their two style circles intersect - the old Venn diagram at work!”
The home—a charming, light-filled ranch rather is a testament to how spaces can evolve alongside the people who inhabit them. Tasha began working on the interiors over a decade ago when homeowner Lisa lived there alone. However, when John moved in a few years ago, the directive shifted: the home needed to reflect a shared life.
“It is our job to find that area where two style circles intersect,” Moody explains. “Rarely do a husband and wife share the exact same functional hopes. My goal is

that when the room is complete, no one person ‘won.’ Instead, they both have wins on the things that mattered most to them.”
To bridge the gap between Lisa’s established style and John’s aesthetic, Tasha infused the home with rustic, casual elements and a heavy emphasis on natural materials. The result is a tactile journey through oak, stone, iron and jute. John and Lisa even commissioned original art together, replacing solo pieces with works that captured their collective vision—a challenge Tasha embraced to ensure both felt seen and heard.
Lisa has a keen eye for detail and loves home interiors and appreciates the mix of old and new, Tasha notes. Her team recovered or refinished many of her pieces, creating a curated look that comes from buying and refining over time.
Some of Tasha’s favorites include the stained tongue-and-groove ceiling she added in the family room, the deep-color-drenched vibe of the formal living room, the statement light fixtures, and the overall experience that comes from the emphasis on both comfort and beauty throughout the furnishings.


What’s Tasha loving in 2026? “There is a big move back to comfortable, collected interiors that tell a story. The stark, modern leaning we’ve seen in recent years is melting into more traditional, comforting interiors that have a sort of lived-in appeal,” she says. Look for lighter Scandinavian wood tones to be replaced with rich walnuts and manmade quartz has given way to natural stone.


“Grays are turning to varying shades of taupe, camel and chocolate. Formerly, museum-style tabletops are now adorned with elements that tell a story of the people who live there. And I have to say, I’m here for all of it!”
Iris-Oak.com












long before dyefree became a trend. Even the color choices are curated for visual harmony; if an assortment feels too heavy on one shade, a flavor like Mint Julep might be dressed in a brilliant blue shell to keep the box balanced.
The operation is remarkably intimate, with Jocelyn maintaining a “one-woman show” in production. Her Chamblee workshop is a blend of culinary art and practical grit, utilizing air guns and compressors sourced from the local hardware store to manage everything from delicate seasonal batches to large-scale corporate orders.
This dedication to craft extends to her sourcing, both global and local. High-quality chocolate arrives from certified B Corps in Ecuador, France and California, while fruit is often bought from local markets at its peak and preserved to capture the essence of the season year-round.
In the world of fine confections, JARDÍ Chocolates stands as a testament to the idea that luxury can be homegrown. Led by owner and pastry chef Jocelyn Dubuke, the Atlanta-based chocolatier has spent years proving that “all-natural” is more than a marketing buzzword — it is a culinary mandate.
For Jocelyn, every hand-shelled bonbon begins with a “flavor-first” philosophy. While the glossy, hand-painted exteriors are visually arresting, the design follows an intensive process of layering house-made jams, silky ganaches and buttery caramels.
The vibrant, “cosmic” hues are entirely dye-free. JARDÍ utilizes colored cocoa butter to create a modern aesthetic that remained ahead of the industry curve
For those seeking a signature taste, the “People Pleaser” assortment remains a staple, featuring the dark chocolate 80% Hologram and the Maple Caramel Almond Butter bar. Whether you are a local resident picking up from the Chamblee facility or an out-ofstate enthusiast utilizing nationwide shipping, JARDÍ Chocolates offers a small-batch experience that defines the modern Atlanta palate.
Learn more at JardiChocolates.com
makers are what the
or

refer to as

Chef Todd Richards joins the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead as Executive Chef, orchestrating all culinary operations at the Forbes 4-star hotel, including the property’s on-site restaurant Brassica, signature tea service, in-room dining and banquets. Richards, a celebrated Atlanta-based chef, award-winning author and four-time James Beard Award semifinalist, brings a nationally recognized voice, deep cultural storytelling and a guest-centered approach to one of the city’s most distinguished destinations. Richards joins Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead following an impressive career that has shaped Atlanta’s dining scene and left a mark beyond the city. He previously served as

the opening chef for One Flew South at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where his team made history as the first airport restaurant to contend for a James Beard Award, and he is the chef and part-owner of popular soul food spot, Soul: Food & Culture, at Krog Street Market. A twice-published author, his debut cookbook, Soul: A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 Recipes, won the 2019 IACP Award for Best American Cookbook and was named one of the Best Cookbooks of the Year by Grub Street and Food52. Roots, Heart, Soul: The Story, Celebration, and Recipes of Afro Cuisine in America, released in 2024, further cemented his role as a leading culinary storyteller and inspired his podcast of the same name.
“After years in restaurants, returning to luxury hospitality felt like an unexpected and exciting next chapter,” says Executive Chef Todd Richards. “What drew me to Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead was the opportunity to cook with real intention and freedom. The entire team encouraged me to shape a dining experience that reflects both this city and my Southern perspective. The food is seasonal, expressive and technique-driven, while still delivering the sense of refinement guests expect. It’s exceptional hotel dining with a strong sense of place, seen through my lens of Atlanta.”
IN THE KITCHEN WITH CHEF TODD RICHARDS Best knife for a home cook to up their home-cooking game? I would recommend Misen Knives. They stay sharp and clean very easily.
Kitchen appliance worth spending the big bucks on?
A well-seasoned cast-iron pan is a must. It’s the most versatile and naturally non-stick.
Most expensive or rare ingredient you’ll be cooking with this summer at the Waldorf? Georgia Lamb. Most people use lamb from Australia or Virginia, but Georgia lamb has plenty of flavor and is less gamey than others.
BrassicaAtlanta.com
Chef Todd Richards brings a rich culinary history to the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead
ARTICLE BY BUCKHAVEN CITY





The Savannah College of Art and Design is thrilled to announce Dior: Crafting Fashion now open at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film.
Curated by Hélène Starkman - exhibition curator for Christian Dior Couture - and organized by Rafael Brauer Gomes, creative director of SCAD FASH museums, Dior: Crafting Fashion has been created exclusively by Christian Dior Couture in collaboration with the university and will be the first museum presentation of the House of Dior in the Southeastern United States.
Designed to unfold over seven thematic sections, the exhibition brings together a series of narratives that shine a contemporary light on the House of Dior’s heritage. Each section offers a different perspective on how this heritage is formed, passed on and transformed, while never losing sight of the original vision. These sections include creations by designers from Christian Dior to Jonathan Anderson; toiles that speak to the first masterful contributions of the petites mains ; expressive gardens; Lady Dior handbags revisited by American artists; and looks from dramatic fashion shows and red carpet events, where style and spectacle meet.
Christian Dior initially dreamed of becoming an architect before running an art gallery and ultimately becoming a couturier, originating a body of work that embodies the connection between memory and creation. Dior’s early inspirations are the focal point of this ensemble of more than 100 historic pieces, with some presented for the first time. The exhibition brings into focus an identity shaped by time, precise craftsmanship and a succession of creative visions that have always celebrated the intuition of the House’s founding designer. Running throughout the exhibition, the threads of transmission, imagination and expertise weave a thoughtful framework for understanding the world of Dior.


Dior: Crafting Fashion will be on view at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film through August 23, 2026. ScadFash.org









Jackson Fine Arts is delighted to announce its spring exhibition, Gordon Parks: The South in Color, organized in partnership with The Gordon Parks Foundation and curated by acclaimed American photographer Dawoud Bey.
The exhibition celebrates two important milestones - the 70th anniversary of the landmark publication of Parks’ images of the segregated South in Life magazine and the 20th anniversary of the founding of The Gordon Parks Foundation. The
exhibition will present more than thirty photographs from the artist’s Segregation Story series and debut a brand-new portfolio published by the Foundation.
The South in Color will feature images not previously shown in the gallery, alongside some of his most acclaimed, to offer a new perspective into the creative genius of Gordon Parks.
3122 E Shadowlawn Ave NE JacksonFineArt.com



Offer expires June 12, 2026.
*Rebate requires purchase of qualifying items between March 9, 2026 and June 12, 2026 from a participating Lennox® dealer. Contact your local participating Lennox® dealer for promotion details. Qualifying items must be installed by June 19, 2026. This offer applies to residential installations only. Rebate claims must be submitted (with the Dealer’s invoice to the homeowner listing all models and serial numbers) to www.lennoxconsumerrebates.com no later than July 19, 2026 11:59:59 p.m. ET.
Rebate is paid in the form of a Lennox Prepaid Mastercard®. Use your card anywhere Mastercard is accepted. This card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. The Bancorp Bank, N.A.; Member FDIC. This is not a gift card. This card is issued for loyalty, award or promotional purposes. Please note that prepaid cards are subject to expiration, so pay close attention to the expiration date of the card. Conditions apply. See www.lennox.com/termsand-conditions for complete terms and conditions. **Offer available between March 9, 2026 and June 12, 2026. All applications are subject to credit review and approval. Not all applicants will qualify. Requires purchase of qualifying Lennox® system. No down payment required. If you qualify for this promotion (“Promotion”)and elect to participate, Finance Charges (interest) will not accrue for the first twelve months (Promotional Period), and you will not be required to make payments during the Promotional Period. If you pay the entire amount financed on or before the last day of the Promotional Period (Promotional Expiration Date), you will not have to pay any Finance Charges. However, if you qualify and elect to participate in the Promotion and do not pay the entire amount financed on or before the Promotion Expiration Date, you will be charged Finance Charges starting the first day after the Promotion Expiration Date at an annual percentage rate (APR) of 11.95%, and the balance will be payable in 120 scheduled monthly payments of $14.30 per $1,000 of the amount financed. No prepayment penalties. Minimum and maximum amount financed of $3,000 and $100,000, respectively. Late charges may apply. Complete terms and conditions and Truth in Lending disclosures will be set forth in the Retail Installment




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ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS
To celebrate Tony Bennett’s 100th birthday, Atlanta's Joe Gransden has produced a musical tribute that will open at Lincoln Center in August. Lucky for us, the show comes to The Strand Theatre on Marietta Square on August 14. Joe and his band will swing through the life and career of Tony Bennett, one of the greatest performers ever of the American Songbook. "Tony Bennett’s tone, phrasing and feel were second to none," says Joe. "He can really sell a song and tell the story so well. It's such a pleasure to be influenced by his music."
Songs such as “I Left My Heart in San Francisco," "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "Because of You," "Fly Me to the Moon," and "When Joanna Loved Me" are just a few favorites on the program.
Joe has performed worldwide and released 19 CDs under his own name. Renowned first for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, Joe's voice is silky smooth.
“Music has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember,” reflects Joe. “I can remember practicing with my father, and eventually he took me along to sit in at jam sessions. Early on, I developed a respect for individuals like my father, whose lives revolved around music. While still in high school, I knew that music was the life I would choose.”
Now, he celebrates his musical hero, Tony Bennett. Lead trombone player, Wes Funderburk, wrote all the arrangements for this show, fresh new takes on classic songs. "Wes took into account all the nuances of my band and came up with a great show."
The Joe Gransden 16 Piece Big Band stays booked and is one of the busiest groups on the jazz scene. Originally formed in 2009, Joe and the guys have continued to build momentum and are performing numerous shows around the country. “The Big Band truly has its own sound and really swings,” says Joe. It’s such a pleasure to front a band of top musicians that can interpret Wes’s arrangements perfectly! These guys are the best!”
Save the date for the August 14 show in Marietta.
JoeGransden.com




AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”


“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson

Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.

JUNE 2026
JUNE 5TH
Summer Concert Series
Newtown Park | 7:00 PM
Yacht Rock Schooner at Newtown Park. Concerts are rain or shine! In the case of rain, attendees are welcome to bring umbrellas. No pop-up tents, please. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
JUNE 6TH
Brookhaven Farmers Market 1375 Fernwood Circle | 9:00 AM
The Brookhaven Farmers Market is your Saturday go-to, rain or shine. Stroll through a lively lineup of local farmers and makers offering fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and handcrafted finds. Live music. It’s the perfect way to support local, discover seasonal favorites and spend a laidback Saturday morning in Brookhaven.
JUNE 18TH
is


Cathedral of Saint Philip Gould Room | 7:00 PM
Buckhead Heritage Speaker Series: Jennifer W. Dickey discussing her book, There is A Lot to See in Georgia, provides a history of the Peach State's historic sites, including a brief history of each site, the process by which the sites were preserved and restored and became part of the state historic site system and information to guide visitors. 404.467.9447 Buckheadheritage.com





