OUR STORY
GordonDunning is an Atlanta-based boutique interior design firm founded by Lathem Gordon & Cate Dunning, two lovers of story and history. A hallmark of their firm is 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, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, HGTV Magazine, The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ArchitecturalDigest.com, Charleston Magazine, and Atlanta Magazine. 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.
THE TEAM
Lathem Gordon, MFA, Allied ASID . Founder, Principal Interior Designer
Known for: grammar police, chauffeur, killer mobile online shopper, obsessive gallery wall hanger, consistent earring wearer, carnivore, dancer, traveler, tennis amateur, pattern obsessed
Educated by: Savannah College of Art & Design Interior Design Program (MFA - CIDA Accredited), Presbyterian College – (BA) Go Hose!, Stirling University (Stirling, Scotland), EF Spanish Language Program (Barcelona, Spain)
Mantra: Life has two speeds – high and off.
Interesting factoid: I sleep on the “protector side” of the bed.
Favorite Color: Blue & White
Favorite Season: SUMMER (all day!)
Favorite Pattern: gingham, overscaled floral, stripes, chinoiserie
Favorite Food: It’s a tie: steak and chocolate covered pecans from Greene’s (Decatur, GA)
Favorite Beverage: AM: coffee with creamer and Sugar in the Raw PM: from Memorial Day to Labor Day - Pinot Grigio or Gin and Tonic – Labor Day to Memorial Day - Bourbon and Ginger or any red wine
Favorite Place on Earth: The Lowcountry
At Bat Song: Emotions by Mariah Carey or Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
Stance on Net Lights for Christmas Decorating: Pro
Cate Dunning, Allied ASID . Founder, Principal Interior Designer
Known for: official navigator, CFO, Atlanta history know-it-all, baseball cap wearer, hostess with the mostest, party planner, adorable feet
Educated by: Georgia Southern University Interior Design Program (BS - CIDA Accredited), specifically Patricia Walton, Designing Women – Thank you, Sugarbakers.
Mantra: Everybody together and happy
Interesting factoid: I was once a child actress bound for All That. #nickelodeon #amandabynesstolemylife
Favorite Color: navy velvet
Favorite Season: all but winter
Favorite Pattern: Pyne Hollyhock by Schumacher
Favorite Food: chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with hot fudge, and Mexican…Moe’s, tacos, sour cream
Favorite Beverage: AM: Bloody Mary PM: Scotch…wearing an oversized fisherman’s sweater and riding boots…strolling through a misty field in The Highlands
Favorite Place on Earth: a screened in porch with a glass of wine or a cup of hot tea talking about feelings with the ones I love
At Bat Song: Me Too by Meghan Trainor
Stance on Net Lights for Christmas Decorating: Con
Krista Koskey, Director of Operations
Known for: Getting what’s mine, #1 Howard Stern fan, skinny straw advocate, easily offended by the most preposterous things (green text bubbles, black tennis shoes with black soles, cheap paper, Pepsi products, etc.), love a good coupon, Bravo historian, receipt tyrant.
Educated by: University of South Florida
Mantra: If I can’t buy it online, I don’t need it.
Interesting factoid: I rarely use the AC while driving. I love a hot car.
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Season: Summer, for sure. You can take the girl out of Florida, but…
Favorite Pattern: Garden Party by Jim Thompson. It reminds me of home.
Favorite Food: Pizza. Never met a slice I didn’t love.
Favorite Beverage: AM: Bloody Maria PM: Margarita
Favorite Place on Earth: Paris and/or the Delta Sky Club in the B Terminal of Hartsfield Jackson (preferably before Paris)
At Bat Song: Work it – Missy Elliott
Stance on Net Lights for Christmas Decorating: Con (also offensive)
Marciana Rafada, Associate Interior Designer
Known for: Always having a coffee in hand, having the fastest box breakdown time on this side of the Mississippi.
Educated by: Jacksonville University - BFA
Mantra: The way you do anything is the way you do everything.
Interesting factoid: I grew up on a farm in Florida. Proud First Generation American. Retired ballerina & retired doula.
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite Pattern: Jokang Tiger Velvet
Favorite Food: The spicy varietal
Favorite Beverage: Coffee if I’m paying. Mitchters 10yr single barrel rye if you are ;)
Favorite Place on Earth: Paris
At Bat Song: Int'l Players Anthem - UGK
Stance on Net Lights for Christmas Decorating: Con
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Beth Mercer, Procurement Manager
Known for: Curator of tablescapes, organization, always having a home project in the works, family movie night, and family walks
Educated by: Agnes Scott College, (BA)
Mantra: Kindness can change the world
Interesting factoid: My first job was pulling nails out of heart pine lumber so that it could be recycled for flooring
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Season: Spring - There is nothing like spring in the south when everything starts to bloom.
Favorite Pattern: Anything block printed - I took printmaking classes in college, and I love the process.
Favorite Food: Dark Chocolate and Mexican especially Jaliscos at Peachtree Battle Shopping center
Favorite Beverage: Coffee and Sweet Tea
Favorite Place on Earth: Scenic view of the rolling hills in my grandfather's pasture
At Bat Song: It Takes Two - Rob Base
Stance on Net Lights for Christmas Decorating: Con