Southern Lady July/Aug: Southern Style Summer 2019

When Jennifer and Marvin Morris collaborated on a new home in a desirable Houston neighborhood in 2016, they didn’t intend to stay. Instead, the design-savvy duo planned for future residents, carefully balancing their personal taste and the potential wish list of “the client in our heads,” says Marvin, a cofounder of Morris Hullinger Design Build. Jennifer, the principal of Jennifer Fredette Morris Design, and her husband took inspiration from the architecture of Florida’s Emerald Coast, yet they were also conscious of the surrounding area’s established aesthetic. “We wanted to do something that was a little on the margin of [traditional style],” says Marvin. “So, we created this home that has some contemporary elements but still has the undertones of a classic Gulf Coast feel.” A monochromatic plaster exterior sets it apart from…

After years of living in a crowded subdivision where back porch views primarily consisted of neighbors’ dwellings, a busy Knoxville homeowner was ready for a more private place to call home. Teaming up with Merri Lee Fox and Brian Curtis of G&G Interiors, the trio worked to create a personalized haven with an updated look that allowed the owner’s story to shine through—from beloved butterfly prints near the entrance to a bright yellow counter stool presiding over a neutral kitchen. “The home is a beautiful representation of its owner—elegant and refined, yet welcoming,” Merri Lee says. “It is the perfect retreat from a busy life but also provides a lovely space to host family and friends.” With a job that requires extensive travel, the homeowner drew inspiration from houses she’d come across…

When Karol and Darren Woodling took a chance on a neglected property in foreclosure, Montgomery designer Ashley Gilbreath helped the couple transform the dark, dated house into a home with proverbial open arms. The bones of the brick Tudor were strong, but Ashley directed a complete interior renovation to give the Woodlings a refreshed and inviting place to entertain year-round. As soon as visitors cross the front threshold of the Montgomery abode, they are greeted by a stunning foyer awash in white. The budget-conscious homeowners didn’t care for the staircase’s wrought-iron balusters, so Ashley selected décor to distract from the metalwork, including a floor-to-ceiling sheer that partially hides the top of the staircase. “We needed something that, when you walked in that room, really commanded a presence and brought the whole…

Once a posh mini-estate that hosted a US president, this grand 1960s home had fallen into disrepair, with empty bottles floating in the pool, overgrown landscaping, and discards everywhere when designer Lori Cook rescued it. “You wouldn’t have wanted to move into the house in the shape it was in. It was that bad,” says Lori, owner of LFC Interior Design in St. Simons, Georgia. But she knew the large parcel with a pool and a tennis court was a great space for her family of four, which includes two teenagers. Not only was the house in terrible physical shape, but it was dark, with walls of deep red and gold, dull natural woodwork, outdated light fixtures, and mismatched flooring. The style had become disjointed after a series of owners each put…

It was a blue velvet sofa that did it. Scanning through the local paper, Atlanta homeowner Amy Marshall came across an article featuring GordonDunning designers Lathem Gordon and Cate Dunning, who mentioned their fondness for this statement furniture piece. The unexpected idea deeply resonated with Amy and led her and her husband, Scott, to a comprehensive overhaul of the family dwelling they’d enjoyed for more than two decades. “We love blue velvet, and Amy attached to that and reached out,” Cate says. “She’d known she wanted to hire a designer for their master bathroom, but then there was the discussion about getting a blue velvet sofa, which led to doing the whole living room, which led to doing the whole kitchen.” The list continued to grow. “As soon as one chapter…

From 1920s vintage to modern-day reproductions, a Houston family’s beautiful rug collection was at the forefront of their vision to redo their 1967 Tudor, and unexpected mid-construction discoveries added to the air of authenticity they hoped to maintain. The homeowners, who had lived in the house for five years, wanted to expand without jeopardizing the original structure’s charm. “On the inside, it was important for us to incorporate antiques with cleaner elements to create a mix and a fresh take on a traditional Tudor-style home,” says interior designer Marie Flanigan, who, along with the architect and builder, stayed true to as much character as possible during the renovation. Marie and the homeowners, a couple in their early 40s with a growing family, share an appreciation for architecture that informed many of the design…