Southern Home Home Style #3 2019

If traveling on vacation with someone is a good way to get to know them, Ohara Davies-Gaetano might contend that an even better method is to design a vacation house for them. Such was the case for the Laguna Beach-based designer when she was entrusted to decorate a coastal getaway in Southern California for Houston couple Laureen and David Demshur. “Laureen and I had a connection from our very first meeting,” says Davies-Gaetano. “She hired me before I could even put a formal proposal together.” The two quickly discovered they shared a similar aesthetic: an appreciation for antiques, a love of a light and airy palette, and a preference for texture and timeworn patina over attention-grabbing pattern. Factor in their easygoing-but-get-it-done personalities, and the result was a creative collaboration and friendship.…

Existing homes that have potential, particularly older ones, are often said to contain “good bones.” What’s commonly understood with this lively description is that although a house may be dated or rough around the edges, it possesses enough attributes and sound features to translate into an improved, better-than-ever makeover. And sometimes, a full-fledged overhaul is in order. Such was the case with this Atlanta Craftsman bungalow and adjacent guesthouse/garage. Built in the 1920s, the home and guesthouse reflected a time when tight, compartmentalized rooms with limited access to the outdoors were the norm. To undo this awkward arrangement and bring life back into both structures, the homeowners called upon well-known architects Frederick Spitzmiller and Robert Norris. Having worked with the owners on a previous residence, the architects welcomed the opportunity to…

When it comes to renovationg a house, most people have intentions of updating the structure to give it a more modern look. But for these Birmingham, Alabama, homeowners, the idea of a successful renovation meant transforming a rather contemporary home into a more traditional one. Because the husband works downtown, the couple decided to move closer to his office, even if it meant downsizing. Although the house they settled upon was small, with only three bedrooms, its open configuration seemed appealing for entertaining—an asset the couple greatly appreciated. The property also had a pool and a pool house that, with some modifications, would serve as a prime spot for summer gatherings. Although the residence had been refurbished about 10 years prior, its modern design didn't work for the owners. Moreover, the…

One of the highest compliments an interior designer can receive is a repeat client. Such was the case for Ashley Goforth when a Houston family called on her a second time to furnish their brand-new home. “My clients moved to a larger house in a more kid-friendly area,” says Goforth. “It’s a home that better accommodates their growing family of three young children.” The house was a builder spec home, so Goforth’s first task was to create a more custom look. “We repainted everything, mostly in a fresh greige palette,” she explains. “We switched out the hardware and light fixtures, and we ripped out all the darker granite kitchen counters and replaced them with white marble.” In addition, the designer wallpapered the dining room in grass cloth, replaced an ornate carved…

Sandi and John Hart have always enjoyed mountain vacations, especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. John’s work as an executive for Major League Baseball has led the Harts around the country, but they ultimately landed in Orlando, Florida, where John serves as President of Baseball Operations for the Atlanta Braves. “We love our main residence in Florida,” says John, “but we also felt a pull toward the mountains of Western North Carolina.” Early in the development of the Lonesome Valley community, the couple visited the area and felt an instant connection. Situated on 800 acres, the property is dedicated to conserving and preserving the integrity of its natural surroundings. “We came around a bend and saw this wonderful house perched on high ground and looking out over a…

At this point in their relationship, interior designer Jane Hoke and her client Dorothy Fletcher speak in a shorthand of sorts. After all, the women have worked on four houses together—two in Birmingham and two in North Carolina—and have developed an enviable ease and like-mindedness. “Jane and I have the best time together, and we are drawn to the same things,” says Fletcher. Both share a love of the hunt, which is evident throughout the rooms in their latest collaboration that shows off antiques, artwork, and special objects at every turn. “Dorothy is decisive and knows what she likes,” says Hoke. “I can give her a shopping list when she is going to Europe, and she’ll find the most beautiful things, like the marble busts in the dining room, for…