Worth the Wait

Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Steve Roberts | Interior Design by Nabers Interiors

Karen Garner’s dream home was a long time coming. Although she’s been making her Magnolia Homes customers’ residential dreams come true since 1987, she built her own “forever” home only about a year ago.

Garner, the founder and president of Magnolia Homes, lived in her previous residence for 17 years. That fact makes her somewhat of an anomaly in the construction world, as home builders usually move regularly. In the process of raising two children and building over 1,000 Magnolia Homes around the Mid South, Garner’s own new home kept moving farther and farther down on her “to-do” list.

The eye-catching hues blend seamlessly with an overall design aesthetic Nabers describes as “eased elegance.” He says, “It’s classic European; elegant, but very livable.” Garner says that her own home checks all the boxes of her “four Ts”—the design elements she seeks in every home Magnolia builds.

It was only after Garner’s husband, Steve Davitt, recovered from a major health scare that the couple decided to make a new home a priority. Garner called on architect Jeff Bramlett to design a floor plan with her large, blended family in mind. Bramlett delivered a layout that flows gracefully to accommodate crowds, whether the couple is entertaining relatives or hosting one of the frequent parties Garner loves to throw. 

She turned to a long-time friend and business associate, Steve Nabers of Nabers Interiors, to come up with the perfect interior furnishings to complete the design of the home. The two have worked together to stage Magnolia homes for years. “I love selecting everything, but he has my taste. I told him I wanted to start at the very beginning of the home working with him so that we could make everything work together,” Garner says.

No ordinary client, Garner is well-versed in design and has definite ideas about what she wants. “Steve (Nabers) and I worked together and he let me use some bold colors because he knows that’s my personality. I had to push him a little to get that!” she recalls with a laugh. In fact, Garner brought a peacock feather with her to the initial design meeting with Nabers and told him she wanted its colors for her new home’s palette. The designer indulged his client; vibrant blues appear throughout the home, from cabinets to wall colors to accent pieces.

“It has to be Timeless, Traditional, Transitional and withstand the Test of Time.”

— Karen Garner

One of the first design decisions Garner and Nabers made was to use cut bluestone in both interior and exterior spaces. “It’s definitely a peacock color,” she says. Paired with handsome hardwood beams and floors, slurried brick accent walls, decorative iron work and a custom limestone mantel and vent hood, the details create an Old World feel.

The sophisticated dining room design evolved from drapes Garner noticed on a visit to the Gray Canary in downtown Memphis. Nabers found similar fabric for the drapes and used the gold trellis theme to inspire the rest of the room. Local artist Judy Vandergrift gave the walls and light fixture a custom finish to complete the ambiance. Garner commissioned local artist Jesse Nabers Alston, who also happens to be Nabers’ daughter and a member of his design team, to create original artwork. The abstracted impressionist-style works feature the peacock tones the homeowner so loves.

The Nabers team also includes Mickie Nabers, who is Steve’s wife and Jesse’s mother. She recalls Garner’s wish for her dream home’s master suite. “She wanted anybody who saw her bedroom to say, ‘Wow!’” It’s clear that the designers delivered on her request. Multiple windows give easy views of the home’s parklike backyard. Sumptuous furnishings, anchored by an ornate bed, are showstopping.

In the master bath, elegance combines with technological innovation to create indulgence. Inside the spacious shower stall, a Moen U Smart Shower unit replaces valves; over the two sinks, sleek mirrors with built-in LEDs provide task lighting that’s often hard to arrange below vaulted ceilings.

Nabers guided Garner in choosing all new furniture and accessories for the new home she’d waited so long to complete, but he also incorporated meaningful pieces from her mother, who lived with her for 22 years before she passed away. Lighting up the bar area is a neon “Sue’s Bakery” sign. “My parents opened a bakery on Beale Street about the time I was born,” Garner explains. “My middle name is Sue, and they named it after me.” The sign brings back memories of Garner’s childhood growing up in the business, especially of one frequent customer who loved Sue’s jelly donuts and later went on to become the King of Rock and Roll.

After years of dreaming, eight months of planning and a year of construction, Garner is thrilled with the home that she so often back-burnered to tend to Magnolia customers’ needs. With her experience in the industry, she assembled an all-star cast of professionals to design and construct the home and it shows. She says, “I think that’s really what this home is all about—all of this talent brought together.”

Connecting People with Art : Amanda Goetze of Goetze Art & Design

Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Ross Group Creative

“My mother jokes that I sell art out of the back of my car, but I’m really a gallery on the go,” says Amanda Goetze of her business, Goetze Art and Design. “I don’t have a brick-and-mortar situation; I will have a pop-up show or an open house occasionally, but generally I work with individuals.”

Her clients, most of whom become repeat customers, value the concierge service she provides. “Someone might approach me and say, ‘Come over to my house and let me see what you think might work.’ We talk, because art can be really intimidating to people. We look at the space and we look at their price point. Then we get a feel of what they’re interested in, what they connect with, and we go from there. I really love the matchmaking. I love that ‘aha’ when it comes together.”

New Orleans-based artist Ida Floreak is fascinated with specimens of plants and insects. The remarkable realism in her work has the ability to bring nature indoors. Her work refers to a centuries-old tradition of botanical and animal illustration but is thoroughly modern in feel. While at home in this beautiful traditional interior, her paintings add a modern touch, and the arrangement of these paintings in a graduated pyramid adds to this contemporary feel.

Goetze currently represents a variety of artists both domestic and international. She keeps a few works from each artist in her home as examples so potential clients can see their styles. If customers don’t find a connection, she goes beyond her represented artists to find the perfect match. “I really enjoy the hunt—finding an emerging talent,” she says.

Access to artists nowadays is virtually limitless, thanks to the internet, says Goetze, “The social media world has changed how artists work. They can sell directly to the consumer, but a lot of them don’t have the time to do it or the know-how to do it, so that’s what I try to do. I try to connect people with the art.”

"I really pride myself on being able to work within my clients price point. Art should be accessible; finding a piece that speaks to you doesn't need to cost a million dollars” says Goetze. Goetze started her own collection at a young age (“At my house we bought art before we bought furniture!”) and encourages others to do the same. “I love the idea of being able to tell the story of a painting as part of a family’s lore: ‘I bought that for myself when I got my first promotion.’ or ‘We found that in Charleston in a little place.’” 

This piece, The Exhibitionist, created by modern naturalist Adam Batchelor seems made for the space. It’s an incredible triptych that fits beautifully over the side board.

The wallpaper is an important feature in this dining room, and the client was reluctant to hide or detract from it. So it was crucial that the chosen artwork complemented rather than competed with the space. Batchelor’s work was a perfect choice.

This client’s home is filled with beautiful antiques and traditional spaces. This Adam Batchelor piece, Le Petit Jaune Mobil, is right at home with its traditional techniques and subject matter, but I also love Batchelor’s addition of modern elements, such as the abstract shape of the red string and the unusual posture of the bird itself. We framed it simply, letting the movement of the bird take center show.

This bedroom features a tall ceiling and is both soft and light-filled. The task was to source artwork to occupy a difficult space above the bed. The color and subject matter of this commissioned series by John Matthew Moore echoes the softness the room and provides a serene focal point of interest. By floating the work in the frame, the art appears almost suspended in the space.

Goetze’s personal story as an art lover started before she can even remember. Her mother was part of a group of artist friends who had a studio in Midtown and both her parents were avid art collectors who instilled the love in their daughter. “As a child, I was fortunate to get to enjoy art. I went to classes at the Memphis Academy of Art and I loved mixing colors. My mother used to put pictures of famous paintings on the refrigerator down at my level for me to enjoy.”

As a new college graduate, Goetze wanted to put her freshly minted art history degree from the University of Richmond to use in a Washington, DC, gallery. “I lived on someone’s couch, literally, and pounded the pavement trying to find a job,” she recalls. Eventually she left a resume in Sen. Bill Frist’s office, which led to a job offer. “I got a call later that day and they said, ‘We’ve got a great job for you operating the elevator in the US Capitol. My father said, ‘You better take that job!’ so I did.”

A chance conversation in that elevator with then-senator from Mississippi Thad Cochran led Goetze to a job in the government relations office of the Smithsonian Institution, where Cochran was a regent.

The lifelong aficionado was in heaven in a work environment where there was so much art that it couldn’t all be displayed—”There was art hanging over the copier!” she recalls. “It was the ultimate job for a 23-year-old.”

It was here that Goetze’s penchant for matching the right piece with the right person got its start. “The Smithsonian would work with officials at Capitol building to place art in congressional offices, so it could be seen by people. I would coordinate with congressional members to help them select artwork for their offices, which was really neat,” she remembers. For example, Goetze assisted a Missouri member of congress in borrowing peace pipes that were indigenous to his congressional district.

Once she moved back to Memphis, word of her “matchmaking” expertise got around. “Just on the side, people would come to my house and say, ‘I wish you’d help me find this or that,’ so I did,” Goetze says, and her business was born. In addition to helping clients select new works, she also sells art on consignment. "If you have a piece of art that you inherited or that no longer speaks to you, I try to find it a new home.  It's a great way to pass art along and turn it into someone else's heirloom."

We commissioned Charleston-based artist Katherine Dunlap to paint this work, which is inspired by a family photo (see right on shelf). The acrylic on board painting is an absolute fit, bringing personality and joy to the space.

She encourages clients to consider more than just the aesthetic value of artworks they purchase. “It’s important to think of art as an investment. Tastes change. A piece of art doesn’t have to be the heirloom forever. Of course, you want to love it, but it is truly an investment you enjoy, as well.”

An Enlightened Home

Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Annabella Charles

Years of planning result in a light-filled home in which beauty and practicality mesh seamlessly.

The owner of this East Memphis home says she has always been inspired by natural light. “It’s just uplifting,” she explains. That love played heavily into the plan when the couple turned to David Anderson, a Memphis architect who specializes in custom homes, to create the house where they are raising their family.

Lots of light was at the top of the must-haves they gave Anderson—a long list compiled over time and with much thought. “There was an existing home here that my husband had originally lived in, and we were living next door. We planned for probably seven years, just kind of dreaming and planning and sketching out ideas and making wish lists,” the homeowner recalls. “Then finally, we decided to take the plunge. We bulldozed the house that was here. [Construction] took about a year and a half to complete, start to finish.” Lockwood Griffin of Griffin Homes was the builder. 

 “We wanted so many windows in the home. David has this knack for windows,” says the homeowner. “He really delivered on just where to put the windows so light would filter in but we’d still have privacy.”

“We’re living in this house. We want it to be nice and neat and have a charm to it without the pressure of perfection.” 

— Home Owner

Nowhere is the emphasis on windows more evident than in the home’s dining area. Situated at the front of the house, adjacent to the open kitchen, a double-height set of windows backs a banquette that spans the entire length of the space. The windows continue around the corner to the room’s west wall, allowing even more light to flood in. 

Every aspect of the dining room, from its size and scale to the furnishings, is the product of careful consideration. “When we built the house we knew we didn’t want an enormous footprint on everything so we tried to consolidate and work with David on making the most of a space without it being so grand. Palladio built the long bench and we decided that since we were having a banquette, it would be easier when we’re having multiple guests over, as they’re sitting on the banquette, to have a table that would split for the ease of getting in and out. 

That “light-filled-and-not-enormous” aesthetic continues into the adjacent kitchen. Explains the homeowner, “With the floor plan being so open, the area kind of turns into one big living space. I didn’t want it to read so much as kitchen.” To that end, she decided to forego wall cabinets and  selected a refrigerator that didn’t require a front vent. Even the barstools that border the kitchen island are upholstered, for a “softer look,” she says. Although the white fabric on the seats looks refined, it’s also easy to clean, a must with seven-year-old twin sons in the family.

Despite the absence of upper cabinets, this kitchen offers plenty of storage, from drawers in the oversized island, to the sizeable pantry just behind it, a feature the homeowner describes as a happy coincidence. “When we were working with David on revisions, we were, again, trying to keep the footprint from being so large. We had to make a change in the powder room and it ended up enlarging my pantry. I was so glad because I went from a little broom closet to this pantry that has storage, a nook for keeping track of lists and even a little dog food spot.” The clever addition of barn doors allows the owners to close off the pantry when entertaining, transforming the area from a utilitarian necessity to a passthrough leading guests to the powder room. “We wanted to have seating enough for friends and family,” says the homeowner, “but we also knew this room would be lived in. The kids are going to have their pillow fights in here so it’s all furniture we can use.” Pieces range from a coffee table the family had in their previous residence and a well-loved leather chair to a new sofa, chairs and accessories selected specifically for the room. 

Along with an abundance of light, a sense of tranquility permeates the house, thanks in part to the neutral color palette that runs throughout. The oak floors are finished with a simple classic gray stain, the walls are washed in a soft white, and the furnishings range from light-toned woods to soothing beiges, grays and taupes. “I like a calm in my life. I didn’t want to have too much going on everywhere and I wanted things to flow nicely,” says the homeowner. “We’re living in this house. We want it to be nice and neat and have a charm to it without the pressure of perfection.” 

The downstairs master suite is a serene retreat. A tall ceiling in the bedroom creates a roomy feel which the homeowner loves, although she admits her favorite touch is out of plain sight. Flanking the room’s window alcove, full-length drapes hide a wall-mounted TV when it’s not in use. The curtains can open to let in the natural light the couple so loves or close completely for privacy. Elegant, yet completely livable, the master bath exudes a spa-like feel with a free-standing soaking tub and clean white fixtures dressed up with gold accents. 

A generous guest suite completes the home’s first floor, but upstairs is the domain of the children. At the top of the staircase a rec room holds all the toys two busy boys could need, plus a TV and a cozy window seat—the perfect spot to read a book. Originally conceived as attic space, the room came to be as part of the effort to minimize wasted space. “Basically all the hallways. That’s why we have this little area outside the boys’ bedrooms,” says the homeowner.

Brilliantly designed with twins in mind, the two children’s bedrooms are almost identical and each has its own bath. The wall that separates them is more aperture than barrier, a large cased opening with barn doors. Says their mother, “With twin boys, we didn’t know. Right now they love sharing a bedroom, but maybe one day they’ll want separate bedrooms, but would still want that feeling of being together. Or if they had sleepovers, it’s an area that could have the feel of a suite. They can close the barn doors for privacy, or if we have extra family come in it can serve as a second guest room.”

Just outside the boys’ bedrooms and open to the downstairs, a study loft holds two desks for homework, topped by built-in bookcases laden with family treasures. “Things that were my husband’s parents’. Things that were his. It’s sweet to have a little spot where you can put those mementoes.” And, spoken like a true mom, she adds, “With it being in the loft area I can still kind of hear what’s going on. I can take a peek up and make sure they’re at their desks.”

When it came to their home’s exterior and outdoor living, the owners applied the same detailed thought process that went into the inside spaces. “With a new construction home, we didn’t want it to look brand new; that’s why we chose reclaimed brick. We debated on every single detail about it...how far apart we spaced the bricks to the color of the mortar. We put samples up and looked at new brick that was supposed to look like old brick. We were lucky to find this old, old brick that helped give the house that instant patina and charm.”

Even the fence was the subject of careful planning. “We didn’t want it to feel like a barrier, but just something to help contain two little boys and a dog. We wanted it to feel homey.”

Out back, a cozy covered porch and an inviting pool promise sun-filled days and family memories waiting to be made. Like the rest of the home, the T-shaped pool design was intentional, with children and their safety in mind. “I really wanted a shallow end that the kids could play in,” says the homeowner. “I always pictured a basketball or volleyball game going on in the shallow end.”

Even the detached garage is well thought out and useful for the entire family. In addition to room for two cars, the garage has plenty of storage and even a “kids’ garage” for the boys’ bikes and gear. Above, a studio space provides room for the homeowner to create art, a passion she put on the back burner while her children were younger. And, of course, it has great natural crosslight, she admits. “It has windows on the front and back walls, so it’s a great space.”

With a degree in graphic design and a love for fine art in general, it’s no wonder that the homeowner fell in love with the design process—”the options and the studying and research and building a layout of just want you want.” Through deliberate planning and with expert professionals carrying out that plan, she created an inspired and light-filled nest where her family can thrive.

Winter Wonderland Party

Written by and Photographys courtesy of Jim Norton

What could be better than a beautiful birthday dinner for a beautiful friend with a pretty table and delicious food? Not much if you ask me! Recently, I hosted one of these dinners for our sweet friend, Singer/Songwriter Kelly Lang. From my table to the food I wanted everything to be perfect and that included the guest list! Laughter flowed all evening with stories from Kelly’s husband, Country Music Legend TG Sheppard, along with Priscilla Presley, Jack and Leighanne Soden, Pat Kerr Trigrett, Dr. Jonathan Ellichman and his wife Nicole, Dianne Norton, and Robert Walden.  

Guests arrived around 7:00pm and were escorted back to the bar to start the party off with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.  About an hour into the party I asked guests to follow me to the dining room to be seated for dinner! With it being winter and pretty chill here in Tennessee I wanted my table to reflect that. I decided on a Winter Wonderland themed table with tall crystal trees, flocked evergreen, and touches of soft purples to bring in a little color. One of my favorite touches of the evening were the menu cards I made for each guest. Easy to make and definitely beautiful, I purchased the glitter card stock at a local craft store and cut it to the desired size. I printed the menu on a pearlized paper, cut it a tad smaller that the glittered piece and glue it on top. To finish, I attached elegant snowflake stickers to add color and depth. Time consuming? A little. But well worth it as every lady at the table asked if they could take theirs home. 

To start the evening I served a guest favorite, my Filet of Halibut atop Cream Cheese Grits with Country Ham topped with Wild Mushroom Marsala Broth. One of the guests, who has eaten at restaurants around the world, said he had never had a better halibut course. Next, I served a delicious Mixed Greens Salad with Granny Smith Apples, Dried Cranberries, Red Onion, Candied Pecans, and Goat Cheese topped with my homemade Sweet Blush Vinaigrette. For the entree I made Prosciutto and Sage Wrapped Pork Tenderlion with Buttered Shallots, Creamy Mushroom Risotto, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Applewood Smoked Bacon. Needless to say, I don’t like for my guests to go home hungry! 

Dessert was the showstopper for me! For the birthday girl I didn’t want to do anything expected. So, instead of a traditional birthday cake I had a little fun! I made each guest a hollow white chocolate ball, about four inches in diameter, and embellished it with edible flowers I dusted in pink and yellow edible dusting powder. To top them off I used melted white chocolate as glue and attached beautiful dragonflies made of edible wafer paper...the birthday girl loves dragonflies. Hidden under each embellished ball I placed a tower of decadent carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Once a dessert had been placed in front of each guest I circled the table with my hot butterscotch glaze, pouring a liberal amount over each ball causing them to melt and reveal the hidden dessert beneath. 

We finished the evening with a delicious port to accompany the dessert as Kelly opened her birthday gifts. It was the perfect evening and I think everyone had a wonderful time. Especially me as I love nothing more than having guests around my dining table. 

Past and Present Perfect

Interior Design by First Fruit Collection | Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Sélavie Photography

On a recent tour of the 2019 Vesta Home Show’s Kelmscott Manor with designers Ashley Toney and Patty Michaelis, words like “airy,” “dressy” and “pretty” peppered the conversation. The opinion is echoed by thousands—literally. The majority of the over 18,000 people who attended the show last October voted for the house as their favorite, making it the People’s Choice winner. 

Toney, owner of First Fruit Collection on the Collierville square, and Michaelis, her design partner and manager of the store, teamed with builder Dave Moore in a year-long labor of love to bring the house from concept to completion.

Moore describes the home, located on Chapel Woods Cove in Germantown, as traditional English country in style, but packed with every amenity a modern family could need. The exterior is a handsome blend of stone and brick. A formal garden to the right of the front entrance, highlighted by a traditional fountain, lends a decidedly dressed-up air. An arched covered entry welcomes visitors through double front doors painted an eye-catching cornflower blue in a foreshadowing of the interior color palette.

Just inside, the entryway, which Michaelis describes as a “showstopper,” opens to a two-story stair hall that draws the eye immediately upward. The floors, however, are worthy of equal attention; stately in a stunning diamond pattern. Created by Danny Benard of Mid South Flooring, the light-stained oak runs throughout the downstairs, an elegant foundation for the decor. 

Impressive paneling furthers the English country manor feel of the entry. “We loved the idea of having some paneling,” recalls Toney. “Our trim carpenter from Navarro Brothers Finish Carpentry did even more than we imagined!” An important aspect of First Fruit’s design strategy is to let artists be artists, she explains. “That’s kind of our thing. We like to figure out what we want and then let the experts go with it. When you give them too many constraints they’ll do the work, but it ends up being something less than it could have been.” That strategy paid off in spades again when it came to the “jewelry” of the entryway, the stair railing, created by Willie Kelley of Absolute Iron. “We showed him a picture of something a lot simpler,” remembers Toney, “and he came up with this and we loved it! The matte finish actually has a little shimmer to it.”  

“We took traditional and updated it, modernized it.”

-Kelmscott Manor designer Ashley Toney of First Fruit Collection

The dining room’s uncomplicated, open layout offers minimal wall space on which to place furniture, but the one piece Toney selected for the niche alongside the table and chairs came to be a foundational choice for the home’s overall design scheme. “We found the sideboard at market and kind of based the room around it. We knew we wanted a blue palette for this house and that sideboard, which is a replica of an antique, is a great anchor for the room,” she says. 

Coffered ceilings, subtle chinoiserie-patterned curtains and a distressed wood chandelier make the dining room feel formal, yet not fussy.

“This is probably our favorite den we’ve ever done,” admits Toney. “We love the open windows, the symmetry of the room.” That symmetry comes most noticeably in a pair of built-in cabinets under matching windows flanking the fireplace. The trim on the cabinet doors replays the diamond pattern of the entry floor, while the stone tops add a chic accent that keeps the room’s decor on the transitional side of casual. 

Adds Michaelis, “We definitely wanted it to be a little dressy, but still feel lived in. We don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t sit on the sofa. We’ve had guys coming in here sitting in these chairs and saying they are the most comfortable chairs ever.

The den opens to a gourmet kitchen in which each feature outshines the one before. The cornflower blue first introduced in the front doors and the dining room sideboard makes a bold comeback in the cabinets. “It’s pretty, but unexpected,” says Toney. “In a design palette that’s otherwise simple, this is the pop of color.”

Traditional pecan-colored wood on the barstools and in custom ceiling beams from Burrus Co. brings warmth to balance the cool blues, and the vent hood created by Christie Cut Stone is a statement piece. Gold-tone faucets and hardware here and throughout the home are at once of-the-moment and timeless. No conversation about the Kelmscott’s kitchen is complete, however, without a mention of the adjacent wine room. The glass-encased alcove is the perfect home for a connoisseur’s collection, temperature- and humidity-controlled, and centrally located. Vesta attendees clearly agreed, voting the room their favorite feature from among all the innovations in the show’s six spectacular homes. 

Nearby, the laundry area is a study in practicality plus beauty. White cabinets with Silestone tops pair with wooden open shelving created by Navarro Brothers. Several new shades of blue appear, from sky blue paint on the walls to navy decorative accessories. Lockers and baskets provide a place for each member of the home’s future family to organize, and there’s even a special spot for man’s best friend—a glass-enclosed dog bath, complete with a feeding station built in underneath. Don’t limit the space to canine use, though, suggests Michaelis. “It would also be great if you had to hose something off… maybe a muddy child!” she laughs.

The design team couldn’t be happier with the way the master suite turned out. Just as with the den, Toney describes the bedroom as luxurious, but liveable. Furnished in serene tones, the restful bedroom retreat leads into a classic white bath, with an unexpected touch. Burrus’s birch ceiling beams soften the tone without detracting from the spa-like feel. Through the bathroom, the huge master closet does double duty. Cleverly dressed up with the custom trim work that is one of the home’s hallmarks, a solid steel door marks the space as a certified safe room/storm shelter. 

Along with three more bedrooms and baths, the Kelmscott’s second story features a media room, but the light-filled space is a far cry from the home theaters that first appeared in houses 20 or so years ago. White walls, multiple windows and light carpet create a sunlit ambiance. When it’s movie time, though, the space transforms into the ideal setting for viewing. Custom shades block out all light for ultimate enjoyment of the built-in projection TV system.

Although the 5,000-square-foot home is a showplace, its builder admits that his favorite part of it is outside its walls. “I’m an outdoor person, so I love the outdoor room and the backyard,” Moore explains. It’s easy to see why: an inviting pool and hot tub await, next to an inviting outdoor living room, complete with bluestone flooring, a vaulted and beamed ceiling, a stone fireplace and two TVs, one of which is visible from within the hot tub. “No one will ever have to miss a play,” says Toney. 

The Vesta Home Show website describes the Kelmscott as a combination of the best of the past with the best of the present time. Thanks to the efforts of the team that created, constructed and furnished it, this house will surely provide the best of the future, as well, for the family that soon calls it home.

50 & Fabulous Soiree

Written by Angela Mazanti | Photography by Jamie Sue Johnston

Jennifer's husband, Frank, contacted me to plan a surprise birthday party for her 50th. He decided early in the planning process that he was going to need her input on some things and let her in on the secret, but wanted to leave as many details as possible as a surprise. 

Set the stage. 

The setting for the party was at their beautiful, historic home. Jennifer recently took her daughter on a graduation trip to France, and I was inspired by that, as well as the English Tudor-style home. She has a love of antiques, beautiful French colors and patterns. I used those things as inspiration for the decor that included watercolor linens in greens, blues and yellows that mimicked the tones in a Monet painting. 

The Decor:

The flowers looked as though they were hand gathered from an English garden. Jennifer’s favorite color is yellow, so I incorporated it with French blue for the flowers, cake, linens, invitations, etc. I enlisted the help of Lindsey Cross at Mrs. Post Stationery to help pull together the perfect invitation. 

The Menu:

The cake was designed by The Flour Garden and was a mixture of chocolate and yellow butter cake with toasted Pecan Bavarian filling. The menu was artfully presented by Wade & Company Catering. It consisted of a fresh fruit and cheese display, bacon-wrapped artichokes with parmesan parsley dust, honey smoked salmon with candied citrus zest and sun dried fruit, Mediterranean chicken salad baguettes, beef tenderloin sliders, asparagus and peppers with lemon aioli, warm New Orleans crab dip, summer orzo salad and apricot-glazed chicken kabobs.

Special Details:

Jennifer and her guests enjoyed dancing under the stars to the Memphis Allstars Band. In lieu of gifts, she requested that donations be made to Southern Reins in honor of a special friend. 

Host Your Own:

If you want to throw your own party for someone special, whether you go for a surprise or not, try to make sure all of the details are inspired by the guest of honor. Use their favorite colors, flowers, food and music to create an atmosphere that truly reflects who they are and your guests will leave feeling like they were at an experience that was unique and inspired. 

Starting Point

Written by Terri Glazer | Photography by Ross Group Creative | Interior Design by Kimberly Bacon Interiors

Jeri and Pat Winters purchased their 40 acres of pastureland in Coldwater, Mississippi over 25 years ago. While residing in a temporary home on the property, the Winters constructed a home themselves from a Southern Living House Plan. 

Since children and grandchildren live nearby, it was time to undertake a major renovation. They contacted Kimberly Bacon Interiors and the chemistry between Jeri, Pat and Kimberly was instant. “Listening to Jeri and Pat’s objectives was extremely important to make this project a reality. Jeri loved color and Pat wanted every aspect of the renovation to flow together,” says Bacon. This was the beginning of an amazing relationship. Pat gave Jeri and Bacon free rein to select the elements for the home.

One of the objectives was to not only update the look of the house, but also to improve the flow. “We have a front door, but no one ever uses it,” laughs Pat. The main entry is a side door, which originally opened into a laundry room. Bacon relocated the laundry room to a more central location in the house. She then reimagined the space as a stylish mudroom with rustic shiplap walls, custom sink and ample storage for Jeri, a master organizer.

Once inside, a gracious family room awaits to the left. Maximum seating was important for large family gatherings. Bacon paired two large sofas with an existing sofa which was reupholstered. She designed a custom 5 foot square antique oak coffee table for the space. A pair of poufs nestled under the table provide extra seating.

The newly designed kitchen stands to the right of the entry. Every design project needs a “starting point,” an initial element that sets the tone for the entire venture. No matter the scope of the undertaking, there must be an initial decision that drives all the subsequent choices. “Jeri fell in love with a Cambria quartz with turquoise accents that would become the main focus in the kitchen and dictate the direction of the design,” recalls Bacon. The existing pantry was relocated under the stairs allowing for the reconfiguring of the island which provides additional seating. Jeri’s love of color is reflected in the island custom paint color which is paired with stained cabinets. All flooring was removed and replaced with tile for durability and ease of cleaning.

For the Winters project, Bacon designed a large custom coffee table fabricated by a local architect. During a visit to the workshop, she spotted a wooden piece perfect for the table centerpiece. She had it fitted with antique mirror as the base. When she presented the piece to her client, she was surprised that Pat knew exactly what it was. “I had no idea there was a story behind it,” recalls Bacon. “That came off a dredge boat, and it turns out that the dredge captain and I have crossed river paths numerous times over the years.” says Pat, whose work with Thompson Caterpillar often involves powering the watercraft on the Mississippi River.

The kitchen opens to the dining room, where the soaring ceiling and a wall of windows provide abundant light to the space. The room is a tribute to the family and its Mississippi roots from the much-loved farm table and ladderback chairs, to the McCarty pottery and cotton boll accents on the shelves, to the commissioned painting by Charles Guess. “My grandparents on both sides were sharecroppers, so that painting reminds me of them,” says Pat. The room has a 20 foot vaulted ceiling providing the backdrop for the staircase to be a focal point in the room. The original structure was removed, and solid cedar posts were installed creating an open feel. The structure itself features custom iron and millwork designed by Bacon. The fireplace feature was updated with the outside bluestone and rustic boards above a new cedar mantle.

Past the dining room, the newly positioned laundry room is out of the flow of traffic and adjacent to the master suite. Bacon updated the bedroom with new furniture and bedding. The master bath received a substantial facelift. A barn door now separates the two areas with less obstruction. Two closets flank the entrance with new custom cabinets, tile floors, distressed subway wall tiles, river rock accents and granite countertops. A freestanding cast iron soaker tub, chandelier and sconces add a feminine touch to the room.

The project continued outside. With no original steps out the back door or the master bedroom door, the plans for a covered porch were a must. A large covered patio, outdoor kitchen, and seating area were added. The feature of the area is a swimming pool which is a favorite of the grandchildren.

 “This is Jeri’s house and I wanted her to get what she wanted,” Pat says. “It fits us well.”