Who we are
Gordon Dunning is an Atlanta-based boutique interior design firm founded and led by co-principals Lathem Gordon and Cate Dunning. Honoring the stories of their clients and the homes themselves is a hallmark of the firm’s work. With a profound appreciation for narrative and history, Lathem and Cate craft layered, soulful interiors that authentically reflect their inhabitants.
Cherishing the deep significance of “home”, Gordon Dunning tends to those who cherish the past, embrace the future, and value the joy of personal spaces that embody lived experiences. The firm engages with clients who entrust their team to translate their needs, lifestyle, and wishes into bespoke interiors that capture their unique essence — aesthetically and functionally. Putting equal emphasis on how a space looks as well as how it feels, the end result becomes the canvas for cherished memories, meticulously tailored to each client's identity.
Cate and Lathem are adept at reimagining historic homes while also infusing new spaces with meaning and sense of belonging. With careful consideration of setting and scale, their team crafts wholly original plans for each project. Irrespective of the desired design genre or look, the common thread is a timeless and classic approach.
Gordon Dunning was named to House Beautiful’s Next Wave rising stars list in 2020. They are members of the prestigious Design Leadership Network, Sustaining Members of the Atlanta History Center and Heritage Contributor Members of the Georgia Trust - displaying their passion for renovating and restoring historic homes. Their work has been featured by House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Luxe Interiors + Design, Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, among others.
Gordon Dunning works on projects nationwide with a soft spot for the southeast.
Our people
Cate Dunning, Allied ASID, Founder Principal Interior Designer
Known for: CFO, Atlanta history know-it–all, hostess with the mostest, and baseball cap wearer
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.
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
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
Lathem Gordon, MFA, Allied ASID, Founder Principal Interior Designer
Known for: grammar police, chauffeur, traveler, obsessive gallery wall hanger, consistent earring wearer, carnivore, dancer, Pure Barre enthusiast
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
Favorite Pattern: overscaled floral, stripes
Favorite Food: steak and chocolate covered pecans from Greene’s (Decatur, GA)
Favorite Beverage: from Memorial Day to Labor Day - Chardonnay or Gin and Tonic – Labor Day to Memorial Day - Cabernet or Bourbon
Favorite Place on Earth: The Lowcountry or wherever the next adventure is taking me
At Bat Song: Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
Stance on Net Lights for Christmas Decorating: Pro
Marciana Rafada, Allied ASID Associate Interior Designer, Project Manager
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: With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.
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: It’s a tie: 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: Ch-Check It Out - Beastie Boys
Stance on Net Lights for Christmas Decorating: Con
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
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)