May 8, 2017

Meet Charles Nevinson of Architectural Accents in Buckhead

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Nevinson.

Charles, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Having left London after fifty-four capital developments completed in two years in Central London, I commenced working on the Faneuil Hall project in 1979 and then decided to open Architectural Accents in 1981. The company started by leasing a small house on the corner of Maple Dr. and East Paces Ferry; the other notable inhabitant having been Dick Van Dyke. Within a year and a half, we needed something bigger and so we moved into the 30,000-square foot building we are in now, sitting on three acres in Buckhead.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We initially had to move into a derelict building that an appalling landlord had stripped of anything that could be scrapped. There were holes in the roof, paneless windows and rubble everywhere.

Once the roof was dealt with, at 6 pm each day we would work on the building. Working on a section of the building at a time, we managed to slowly make progress; at the same time, all income was plowed into inventory purchases, which we then process in the workshops before hanging and displaying in the newly restored showrooms.

Please tell us about Architectural Accents.
We are known for mainly 17th, 18th 19th century look. All items are taken back to their original state and then restored perfectly. We are known for hardware, light fixtures, doors, mantels, trumeaux, columns and glass. We are a little different from anyone else, in that we can take a salvaged architectural item and completely refurbish, refinish and have it ready for installation without the client having to go anywhere else for fittings, etc.

We have our own glass shop, joinery and carving shop, UL approved wiring facility, polishing, hardware and refinishing shop. Very unusual in this business to have it all. We also have a design service, with tall drafting capability, done in the 18th century manner – by hand – because that’s the only way for us to cover the detail.

We offer our own designed reproduction wrought iron light fixtures and accessories as well as our own cast stone mantels and statuary items. And as far as new hardware is concerned, we represent all the top European manufacturers as well as their US counterparts.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Walking around London looking at chimney-pots against the night sky, with my parents.

Contact Info: