Collector Mark Edge’s Beautifully Curated Home

Curate: to select, organize and look after items in a particular collection. Beyond Merriam-Webster, it takes place over time and with intention. When it comes to our spaces, it’s tempting to plop pre-selected collections and immediately fill empty bookshelves, walls and coffee tables. Dust off our hands, it’s done—we can settle in. But chances are good that someone else had the same idea, saw the same collection and exercised the same decorative plop. You’ve found yourself in a little-boxes syndrome of home decor—no personality, no distinction.

Mark Edge is anything but indistinctive. From his immaculately styled homes around Atlanta to his current Brookhaven abode, designed by the fabulous Amy Wikman of Bjork Studio, no one ever attends a dinner party at this house and says, “I have that same thing.”

In his first apartment, he asked a friend who worked for an interior designer for some advice on how to decorate the walls. Said friend suggested he go to the museum gift shop, buy three large reprints of famous paintings, put them in acrylic frames and hang them up. Edge didn’t go for this—and thank goodness. Instead, he embarked on a self-taught exploration into the world of antiquing, art collecting and dressing his walls (and shelves, tables, mantel, you name it,) only with unique items he really loved. It happened a little at a time before he developed a knack for it, but patience is key—today, he’s the owner of a surprise Picasso, several Mose Tollivers and pieces by New Orleans artist David Harouni, to name a few.

“I’ve been collecting art since college, but my fascination began much earlier,” Edge says. “As a child, I would visit my grandmother’s home, where she had works of art from an artist named Nellie Norell. I thought it was the most magical thing to watch her bring art into her home and life, and I think that planted the seed in me.”

“Collecting art and antiques is more than just a hobby—it’s a source of joy. There’s an incredible euphoria I feel when I find something that resonates with me, and looking at these pieces every day continues to inspire my work as a jewelry designer. The hunt is the best part and is magical to me.”

He added, “Among many treasures, I have around 12 works by Mose Tolliver (aka, Mose T), one of the country’s most beloved folk artists. I first encountered his art on a visit to his home in Montgomery, Alabama, and was immediately drawn to his bold, mod style—a mix of Picasso-esque abstraction with a Southern folk sensibility. His pieces were affordable at the time, but I could see his brilliance from the start. Today, his work has skyrocketed in value, and I’m proud to own so many pieces, but, for me, it was never about the price. It was about feeling a deep connection to the art and knowing I was collecting something destined to be celebrated.”

Every room in Edge’s home tells a story with its fun pieces, be it eclectic paintings, intricate sculptures, old books, vintage candlesticks, repurposed furniture and more. Some came from high-end antique shops, others from Scott Antique Market and one particularly fun piece (an Elvis head) came from atop a pile of debris on the side of the road. The bull-shaped metal chair in his living room starts many a conversation, while the adjacent crushed velvet sofa offers memories among friends.

“Of course, there’s the iconic photograph of a DC-4 [airliner] flying over New York by the legendary Margaret Bourke-White,” Edge adds. “I found it at a gallery in New York City. Bourke-White, a pioneering photojournalist, was the first female photographer to capture the heavy industries of the world, and owning such a historical piece is truly an honor.”

Point to any one object in any room and he’ll regale you with a tale of how it was acquired—evidence for why his dinner parties are so lively. The story of his home entertains guests, but here’s the thing: it also inspires them.

Good news: it’s never too late to start building your own collection and Edge offers a few tips to begin your own journey.

1. Don’t worry about trying to “match the couch.” If you stress about what matches when you’re out collecting, you’ll doubt yourself into an empty shopping bag every time. Edge says that if you love a piece, if it speaks to you, you’ll find a place for it (maybe one that’s unexpected) in your home.

2. Buy more than one piece from your favorite artists. You don’t have to practice any sort of restraint when it comes to collecting art—five minutes in Edge’s home will prove this mindset works.

3. Mix old and new, expensive and inexpensive. What makes styling with art unexpected is blending together what you’ve collected. Edge turned his traditional dining room into a gallery, but no two pieces were sold as a set. Together, though, they create a moment within four walls full of vibrant, creative energy.

4. Move things around. Nothing makes a room come alive more than shifting colors, textures and patterns throughout your home. You might notice something in a new light that makes you love it more.

5. Fakes are unfortunately more prevalent than ever, so use caution. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, Edge says. Thanks to tools like Google image search and online platforms like 1stDibs and Chairish, researching and verifying works has never been easier.

6. Where to Go: Scott Antique Market, Lakewood 400 Antique Market, flea markets, estate sales (Edge advises to shop estate sales in reputable neighborhoods to ensure quality finds) and local shops selling vintage goods. “The key is to act quickly, especially if you’re competing against dealers. I’ve learned to trust my instincts and pounce when I spot something I can’t live without,” Edge says. 

Wearable Art

Mark Edge is also famous for another collection: his jewelry line. An intricate line of one-of-a-kind bracelets, necklaces and earrings crafted from coins, charms and medallions he’s gathered from all over the world make a serious style statement. Shop the collection at markedge.com