For over 40 years, Kudzu Antiques, now Kudzu Antiques + Modern, has been famous for its legendary 24,000-square-foot showroom in Decatur, Georgia. The store has even won awards and been featured in national media. What began in the 1980s as a mom-and-pop antiques store evolved into a beloved destination and eventually spawned a sister store in Sandy Springs.
In 2012, Peggy Horne was working at the antiques store, making the trek from her home in Sandy Springs to Decatur twice a week. “I live in this area and kept saying there’s nothing like Kudzu here. We should bring the concept to Sandy Springs,” she says.
The owners, Kate and George Lawes, agreed, and Horne set to work opening the new store, Kudzu & Company. While the core concept of offering high-quality antiques and unique furnishings remained the same, it quickly became apparent that the Sandy Springs demographic differed from Decatur’s. The market wanted something fresh and contemporary with more emphasis on design. She decided to adapt the store’s approach and broaden the offerings to include new furnishings alongside the antiques, as well as art, lighting, jewelry, home accessories, rugs, apparel and gifts. “I’m really grateful Kate and George just let me run with it,” she says.
Horne’s extensive background in retail made her the perfect fit to steer the store’s updated vision in its new location. With a degree in pre-law, she began her career as a paralegal but soon discovered the retail world was where her true passion lay. While she raised her children, Horne transitioned into retail apparel, opened several stores and eventually became a buyer. This experience gave her the skills to blend art, design and retail in a way that would eventually make Kudzu & Company a success.
Today, Kudzu & Company in Sandy Springs occupies 18,000 square feet and has become a favorite shopping destination for homeowners and designers alike. The store blends traditional antiques with modern furnishings, offering something for every taste and style. Horne and her staff have built a reputation for helping clients curate spaces that combine old and new seamlessly. “One piece, even a pillow or a lamp, can change the whole look of a room,” she says about the store’s design approach. “We still import traditional antiques from Belgium, France and England, and we can show you how to blend old and new for a timeless look. That’s what we do best.”
In addition to a few antiques, Kudzu & Company offers a wide variety of quality new furniture. The store’s in-house designers create room vignettes to demonstrate how customers can incorporate a mix of pieces into their homes. For many, this is one of the store’s most appealing features. “You’ll see lots of different things in the store, and it changes daily,” says Horne. “There’s something for everyone.”
One of Kudzu & Company’s most popular services is helping clients update traditional interiors with a modern twist. Horne regularly advises people who want to keep their beloved antiques but update their homes for a new chapter. “So many people say their kids don’t want their antiques,” Horne says. “I tell them to keep the best of the best of their antiques and blend them with new furnishings. We’re seeing darker furniture come back into fashion. Give it space, and your kids will change their minds someday.”
Kudzu & Company prides itself on being a welcoming destination for everyone, not just professional designers. “We’re not just catering to designers,” Horne says. “We’re a great source for them, but we also want the everyday shopper to come in and envision how they can use our pieces in their own homes.” The store’s approachable atmosphere and diverse product selection make it an inviting place for all types of customers.
One of the store’s key offerings is its selection of custom upholstery provided by leading American suppliers, including CR Laine, Lee Industries, Rowe and Robin Bruce, and Norwalk. Staff can help you choose from hundreds of fabrics, including performance fabrics, and styles to customize sofas, sectionals, beds, sleeper sofas, chairs, swivels, gliders, love seats, settees and ottomans.
“With these vendors, I know they make quality pieces at a fair price,” Horne says. The store aims to make high-quality furniture accessible to a broader audience, including younger customers just starting out or those working with limited budgets. “You can find beautiful things everywhere, but the prices may not be for everyone,” she adds. “We carry high-quality products that are affordable for more people.”
The upholstery suppliers at Kudzu & Company offer a range of options to suit almost any situation. CR Laine and Lee Industries are known for their premium craftsmanship, including hand-tied cushions and custom options. Rowe’s products, including Robin Bruce, and Norwalk offer great value and design at a competitive price point, while Gabby’s new upholstery collection adds fresh, modern designs to the mix.
Kudzu & Company isn’t just about furniture. The store has expanded its offerings to include a curated selection of art, lighting and gifts, making it a one-stop shop for design enthusiasts. Horne takes a hands-on approach to sourcing art, frequently collaborating with local artists to offer a mix of styles and price points. “We have a hard time keeping art on the walls,” she says, noting that original works are especially popular with customers.
Lighting is another area where the store excels. Kudzu & Company boasts one of the largest selections of chandeliers and pendant lights in Atlanta, with unique and one-of-a-kind pieces from popular brands like Currey & Company, Regina Andrews and Gabby. “We have a lot of ceiling space, so we can hang a lot of chandeliers here. You have a lot of options,” Horne says. “We’re happy to special order, but it’s hard to beat the instant gratification of buying lighting off the floor.”
Of course, you’ll want to style your shelves and tables to put the final touches on your home, and the store has every accessory you need, including books, mirrors, pillows, candles and unusual items to create exciting shelves and tablescapes.
Kudzu & Company’s newly expanded gift area has also become a hit, especially for customers seeking wedding, baby, hostess and friend gifts. “We’ve become a destination for gifts, which has been exciting,” Horne says. “We created a whole room dedicated to gifts, so it’s easy to browse.”
The company’s active Instagram page is constantly updated by the in-house designers and features new items on the showroom floor, cozy vignettes, tablescapes, linens and seasonal décor.
As Kudzu & Company continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: the commitment to offering a wide range of high-quality products, exceptional customer service and a design experience that combines the best of the past with the present. Horne’s vision for the store has turned it into a beloved destination for casual shoppers and professional designers, and the future looks bright as Kudzu & Company continues to grow and adapt to the needs of its customers. The store is open daily, so whether you’re looking to furnish an entire home, update a few key pieces or find the perfect gift, Kudzu & Company is the perfect place to visit for timeless design and modern elegance. *
Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.