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Nathan Zucker.
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Nathan Zucker.
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Nathan Zucker.
In December of 2019 the Atlanta-based exterior design group Kolo Collection opened its doors at Nashville Design Collective.
And while the timing may not have been ideal (“we always say we opened just in time to close because of the pandemic,” jokes co-founder Greg Martin) the location was. Nashville was in need of a high-end outdoor furnishings outpost, and with their lineup of esteemed brands; a chic space that shows off everything from chaises, lounge chairs, and tables to rugs, fire pits, and umbrellas; and helpful design experts who provide complimentary in-home consultations to walk clients through each step of the process, Kolo Collection was just what Music City was looking for.
We talked to Martin, his co-founder (and wife) Michelle Larrabee- Martin, and store manager Brian “Tango” Terry to get all the details on this outdoor design destination.
Nashville Lifestyles: How did the idea for Kolo Collection come about in the first place?
Michelle Larrabee-Martin: Kolo Collection was born from a need Greg and I saw in the U.S. market for high quality “non-disposable” furniture. We were traveling [internationally] and fell in love with how the outdoor spaces were cherished and treated with respect. Even the smallest of spaces was filled with the exact right planter or piece of furniture and the quality was shockingly good. I had no idea how much the United States threw away until I really started paying attention to furniture in other countries. We never saw anyone in Europe shop for “cheap/I’ll only keep it a few years so who cares?” furniture.
Greg Martin: It was a chance introduction to a representative of a Danish line of teak furniture and a summer trip 2002 trip to Europe for a wedding that got us thinking of opening our own showroom. We opened our first showroom on the then-barely known Westside in Atlanta in 2003. As we grew our brand and awareness, we also grew the number and quality of lines we carried. It was not long before we had assembled an impressive lineup of outdoor furniture manufacturers from both the United States and Europe.
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Nathan Zucker.
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Nathan Zucker.
NL: What made you want to expand into a new market? And why did you choose Nashville?
GM: Our reputation with clients, both end users and designers, grew and sales outside of Atlanta grew as well. Nashville quickly became our number one market outside of Atlanta with retail customers looking for quality, high-design furniture and accessories. At the same time, sales to the Nashville design trade were strong for many years. However, to truly grow the Nashville market we knew we needed a physical presence. Since 2015, we looked off and on in Nashville for a location that fit our personality as a company. Finally, in 2018, we were approached by our friends and owners of Design Galleria, Ric Parrish and Mathew Quinn. They pulled out the plans for a small new design center they were working on in Nashville called the Nashville Design Collective. We were 100 percent onboard and would have signed a lease then and there if they had one!
NL: What was it about the Nashville Design Collective that appealed to you?
Brian “Tango” Terry: The NDC is amazing. It is Nashville’s first design center, and it is beautiful! We love our NDC family, and Robin Raines Antiques and Interior Design; Textures Nashville; Circa Lighting; Peacock Alley; Renaissance Tile; Artistic Tile; Francois and Co.; Bennett Home; Design Galleria; and Christopher Peacock are just that—family! Plus, it’s located in an area that is bustling with great restaurants, coffee houses, and great places to relax and unwind with a cocktail.
GM: The NDC was the best place for Kolo Collection to open in Nashville. We could have opened in a center with a boutique, a food and beverage component, and hip office space, but without synergy it was a no-go for us. Synergy and collaborating with like-minded businesses are what we knew we would have with the NDC and we have not been disappointed. Now we have a place for customers to see, touch, and sit in the furniture. This is the difference between buying with confidence and buying with hope.
NL: What trends are you loving right now?
GM: Mixed materials continue to drive the look and trends in outdoor. The number one new material in the last couple of years is ropes of all different widths, colors, and weaves.
BT: The mix of materials—woven and teak, powder coated aluminum and teak—all have given rise to a sleek and durable outdoor living space that is easy to maintain, beautiful, and will last for years. Have fun with your space and do not be afraid to select pieces you love for a curated look.
MLM: Dekton. I love it so much that we just put it on our [own] kitchen counter tops!
NL: What are you most looking forward to as you build your Nashville clientele?
MLM: We love telling our story. We love that our Nashville customers get the opportunity to purchase from manufacturers all over the world that work toward a zero-carbon footprint as well as take care of their employees and our planet. We tell the story of every line we sell because we believe in them. Our vendors are constantly teaching us about new materials and new ways to live outdoors, and we love sharing what we learn.
BT: To me, it is all about relationships and that our clients are happy and have created the ideal outdoor space to enjoy with their family and friends.
GM: [In Atlanta] it is rare for us to have a week where we don’t work with clients that we’ve sold furniture to in the past. It is the ultimate compliment to sell to the same people over and over again. We are looking forward to building those long-term relationships with our Nashville clients.
(510 Merritt Ave., Ste. 110, 629-702-2893; kolocollection.com)