Al Dunn, the owner of Interior Illusions in Woodstock and one of my favorite downtown merchants, has unfortunately decided to close his doors. Originally from New York where he worked for a high end furniture retailer as their display manager and decorator, Al admits that he “fell in love with the people and climate” on a trip to Atlanta and decided to move. When he decided to open a place of his own in 2006, he found his “cute little building on Main Street” when he was on a design call at Bradshaw Farms. “It has a great vibe,” Al says of the store. “In fact the whole area has a great vibe and even more potential.”

Al has become well known for his total design services, specializing in custom window treatments faux finishing. Interior Illusions has also offered very unique items such as original paintings by the local artist Soraya, jewelry by local Sandra Lee, Sergio Gutierrez’s liquid metal jewelry (a favorite of Hollywood stars), and the highly collectible Parisian Lampe Berger lamps and home fragrances that, although beautiful, also have a practical purpose–they remove 68% of household odors and airborne bacteria.

A particular favorite of visitors of the “Friday Night Live” festivities, Al can be always be found passing out beverages (sometimes of his own making) and playing B-52′s for his loyal customers. “My store has kind of become a gathering place for a lot of local residents,” says Al. “Sometimes my clients just come to say hello, and that’s cool. ”