Over the past few months, I’ve been fortunate to see stunning examples of southern design in the form of Showhouses. From Atlanta to New Orleans, and soon the Junior League of Chattanooga Designer Showhouse in Chattanooga. Recently I participated on a Southern Bloggers Panel in New Orleans as part of the Southern Style Now Festival sponsored by Traditional Home. The center of the design events was the Showhouse, an 1895 Queen Anne Victorian transformed into the design equivalent of a modern day Cinderella. From a total cottage renovation to re-imagined spaces in the main house curated by 27 talented designers, of whom have redefined traditional design in infinitely refreshing and innovative ways.
The exterior of this grand ole southern charmer still maintains it’s historical integrity, with a sweeping front porch, beautiful wrought iron, stained glass windows & one of my personal favorites-fish scale siding. The interior revealed rooms with classic New Orleans nuances updated with modern twists, from the bold “traditional-rich” dining room by William Rankin McLure IV to the classic glamour & sophistication of a bedroom designed by Houston-based Paloma Conteras.
Luckily there is still time to visit this brilliantly decorated home because the Southern Style Now Showhouse is open until June 12th, 2016. For more information visit www.southernstylenow.com.
The home is filled with ideas for decorating your own “southern style” space, and if you aren’t in the area I hope you are inspired by my pictures which show how Southern design is being reinterpreted in 2016, one beautiful showhouse at a time.
Designer/ Paloma Conteras-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Paloma’s design was inspired by the idea of a young southern debutante. “She is well-mannered, genteel, charming & educated…”
Designer/ Paloma Conteras-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
A stunning iron bed anchors this elegant space layered in sumptuous monogrammed bedding from Leontine Linens…
Designer/ Paloma Conteras-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The walls were wrapped in the most exquisite custom DeGournay wallpaper, painted by hand with 12-carat white gold and aluminum on a silk ground. Truly a piece of art…
Designer/ Paloma Conteras-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The relaxed linen drapery provides dressmaker detailing & a feminine touch to this sophisticated space. I love the seamless blending of old with new, from the Louis XVI seating to the modern, clean lines of the bedside lamps.
Designer/ Ware M. Porter-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The color palette for this room was born from the striking custom dhurrie rug from Lisa Fine & Richard Keith Langham. The bedroom is a skillfully curated mix of period styling with modern-day riffs.
Designer/ Ware M. Porter-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The centerpiece of the space is an Empire bed from Bunny Williams highlighted with a striking canopy of Quadrille fabrics.
Designer/ Ware M. Porter-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Bengal striped chairs add an “old-money” Southern panache to the room. I love the classic touches throughout such as the Staffordshire dogs….
Designer/ Ware M. Porter-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The custom rug in shades of brown, ivory & coral is the perfect contrast to the mix of antiques and modern elements.
Designer/ Laura Burleson-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The combination of the unexpected creates dazzling beauty in this upstairs bathroom by Florida designer, Laura Burleson. She “juxtaposed” wallpaper from Angie Hranowsky (see a previous feature on Angie here) with a custom chandelier by Julie Neill, an iron shower stool by Lucy Smith Designs, a Roman shade by Nicolas Chambeyron of Paris with a Lucite pedestal sink by LuxHoldups in New York.
Designer/ Graci Interiors-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
This bathroom combines turn of the century sensibility with old world southern charm. All layered in refined details from the Whippet statue to the cascading window treatments.
Designer/ Brian Patrick Flynn-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The perfect combination of Southern traditional with modern touches define this den designed by Atlanta’s own-Brian Patrick Flynn. This stylishly casual space is skillfully layered in a neutral palette of white, navy & dark brown with boldly patterned pillows. A wall of carefully curated artwork by Celery Jones provides a sense of fun & effusive”hipness.”
Designer/ Brian Patrick Flynn-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The den is infused with subtle nods to the south, from the traditional lines of the occasional chairs to the fabrics from Thibaut.
Designer/ Catherine Brooks Giuffre-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The grand windows in the sitting room retreat are accented with luxurious glazed linen by Kerry Joyce Textiles. Seagrass rugs bring in texture, while lucite chairs provide a sense of chic sophistication and modern style.
Designer/ Catherine Brooks Gioffre-Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
A quiet corner, the perfect spot to sit and enjoy this southern sanctuary…
Very special thanks to Robert LeLeux, who produced this extraordinary event, and is also the brilliant visionary behind the Southern Style Now Festival.
Until next time.
LIVE A LIFE WELL CURATED.
