When Atlanta real estate brokers Trent Aldridge and Ivan Ludlow discovered their clients traveling to other cities to source contemporary European kitchen cabinetry and fixtures, they were inspired to launch a Buckhead design showroom offering just that and more. Recently opening to the public, European Collection is garnering rave reviews with its whole-home offerings that include furniture, lighting and flooring. The owners’ extensive construction experience is a bonus. “We set out to create a high-end, modern showroom that makes the selection and installation processes as easy as possible,” Aldridge says. “Along with offering complimentary design services, we can also manage installation.” Although the concept began as broadly European—Gaggenau and Miele are among its appliance brands—the business has embraced luxury Italian lines such as Legno Bastone, Modulnova and Scavolini. “We organically gravitated to the Italian names because of their innovation. Design is in the Italians’ DNA,” Ludlow explains. Exclusivity has also influenced their choice of partners, Aldrige says. “You won’t find many of these brands elsewhere in Atlanta.”
