Welcome to Locklear. Passion. Vision. Inspiration, We're
ready to inspire you.
Gail
Locklear
President
Interior Designer |
Atlanta interior designer Gail Locklear, the founder and
president of Locklear Interiors, Inc., and the youngest
of six children, comes from a family of artistic designers.
Her parents, Braddie and Janie Locklear, pioneered a
successful family-owned and operated business in North
Carolina. Their custom cabinet and kitchen design business
continues to be a successful family-owned and operated
business today. A graduate of University of North Carolina
at Pembroke State University, Gail's first taste and
desire for design materialized in her parent's shop and
burns evermore brightly today.
In 1987, Gail relocated
her interior design business to the Atlanta area. Working
from her home office in Tucker with a vision and a creative
desire for interior design, Gail's business flourished.
In 1990, Gail met and was joined by one of Atlanta's
most talented designers, Valerie Smith. Soon after, Gail's
sister, Brenda Locklear, relocated from Raleigh, North
Carolina to become her Vice President.
However, as Gail began to acquire design business from
builders and developers in the metropolitan Atlanta area,
she realized the immediate need for a full-service interior
design firm in the fast growing North Fulton area of
Atlanta. The firm would specialize in the designing needs
of the commercial and residential markets.
Today, Locklear Interiors, Inc., is home to a team of
degreed designers benefiting the greater metropolitan
area of Atlanta. Gail's vision and creative desire for
interior design not only meets the needs of the local
area, but includes the United States and many international
clients as well. According to Gail, "With
God, (vision and dreams) all things are possible."
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Akesha
Locklear Patterson
Senior Designer
Director of Purchase and Design |
Akesha Locklear Patterson, purchasing and
display manager for Locklear Interiors, Inc. graduated
from American Intercontinental University. She began
working at Locklear Interiors as an assistant to Gail
Locklear, as well as visual assistant creating the store
displays. She later had the opportunity to work on projects
with senior designers. Akesha gained experience by observing
the senior designers and helping organize and manage
jobs while in college.
For three years, Akesha formulated the design plans and
has been an integral part of the design and construction
of eight New Avenues furniture stores. She has worked
with architects, contractors and the corporate office
to design and prepare specifications of materials and
develop space plans. She was also the buyer for all furniture
and accessories for the New Avenues stores and oversaw
their build out and installation. She was also actively
involved with all advertisement and marketing strategies
and had the opportunity to design and participate in
commercials for New Avenues.
Akesha believes it is important to take a particular
idea from its beginning concept to final installation.
Some of her talents and skills include space planning,
color relation and fabrication. Akesha has extensive
experience in several computer-aided design (CAD) software
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Brenda Locklear Potts
Senior Designer & Design Coordinator
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Brenda Potts, is the vice-president and design
coordinator for Locklear Interiors, Inc. and is also
Gail Locklear's sister. As third oldest of the Locklear
children, Brenda assumed the responsibility for the smooth
operation of the family. Brenda specializes in starting
companies from the very beginning, making them run smoothly
and operate successful. It's not surprising that Gail
asked Brenda to be a partner of Locklear Interiors, Inc.
After graduating from Pembroke State University, Brenda
taught school and coached a successful basketball team.
At the age of 27 and with her father's encouragement,
Brenda started her first company. Brenda successfully
owned and operated a wood stove, fireplace and stone
products company in North Carolina, which continues today.
Later, as a real estate broker she teamed with a developer
in Raleigh. Brenda successfully handled the general brokerage,
designed the sales office, and assisted in the design,
construction and sales of new homes. Brenda also developed
and handled the sales of the Presbyterian Retirement
Center in Carey, North Carolina.
In the early summer of 1991, Brenda relocated to the
Atlanta area to assist in the Street of Dreams Project
and the opening of the North Fulton Design Firm of Locklear
Interiors, Inc. Brenda not only acts as manager and liaison
for Locklear Interiors, Inc., but also coordinates designers,
advertising, marketing and various design projects.
Brenda thoroughly enjoys participating in various organizations,
entertainment, parties and community activities. She
also enjoys the fine beauty of art, theatre and the symphony.
Brenda is flexible and participates in most anything
creative. As Brenda anticipates, "I dream of a day
when I'll be able to relax on the coast with my husband,
enjoy good books and give my time back to the community."
Locations – Brenda Locklear Potts Interiors
Senior Designer
Salisbury, MD
410-603-7420
410-859-8495-Fax
Brenda@LocklearInteriors.com
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Valerie Smith
Director of Design
Retail Buyer
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Valerie Smith, director of design
and retail buyer for Locklear Interiors, Inc.,
graduated from Georgia State University in 1971.
During her college years, Valerie began working
at the Davison/Paxton Department Store at Lenox.
Ira Moore, store manager, hired Valerie as a
visual assistant creating the store displays.
She later became the senior interior designer
and executive administrator. Valerie was responsible
for 11 junior designers and the complete oversight
of the design department. Because of Valerie's
love for design, she changed her major from journalism
to interior design. In 1968, Valerie married
the love of her life and has three beautiful
children.
Love of design began at an early age as Valerie
always expressed an interest in color and form.
She believes in design as the art of making rooms
more beautiful and comfortable. Valerie firmly
believes while reflecting the clients' tastes
and interests, the designer has a responsibility,
no matter the extent of the job to: 1) consider
the clients needs; 2) offer a solution based
on principles of good design within the budget;
and 3) deliver what is promised. Valerie loves
accessories and uses them extensively to create
harmony in the room. Her favorite Bible verse,
to paraphrase is, "whatsoever
things are beautiful, dwell on these things." What
a better place to start than in one's own home
or workplace.
In 1984, Valerie opened Magnolia's Antique and
Interior Design Studio. She maintained the studio
until 1990, when she met Gail Locklear and they
became friends. In the fall of 1991, Valerie
dissolved Magnolia's to work with Gail and Brenda
on the Street of Dreams and assisted Gail in
opening Locklear Interiors, Inc., a design firm
in the North Fulton area. Valerie is the design
coordinator and retail buyer and is loved by
her many customers, clients, friends and associates
of Locklear Interiors, Inc. |
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Bonnie Fedele
Interior Design Project Coordinator |
Bonnie Fedele worked for Bellsouth for 25
years in the accounting/project management field keeping
projects and budgets in line for over 60 engineers. In
addition, she managed a group of 11 clerical employees.
In 2002, Bonnie took an early retirement incentive plan
to pursue her dream of becoming a designer. Bonnie's
mom is an artist and her dad, a lithographer, making
this artistic ability and love for art and design very
prevalent in her family. Bonnie then secured her design
education at the Art Institute of Atlanta, and completed
many design programs offered by Perimeter College, Kennesaw
State, and Chattahoochee Tech to earn her design degree.
Bonnie has been married for over 33 years to her high
school sweetheart! Her husband, Tom, owns a heating and
air conditioning business that has been successful for
over 20 years. Together they have a son, Jason, who is
currently working for the family business. He is a graduate
of Clemson University and now attends HVAC school to
secure the service skills and licenses needed. Looks
like he will follow in his dad's footsteps!
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