Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens
Master Bedroom by Tristan Harstan photo by David Christensen
Note: 2024 Showhouse information is at the bottom of this post.
Just walking up the driveway of the 2017 Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens is both calming and exhilarating - it's so, so lovely. And then, once you walk through the front door, your eyes have a difficult decision to make - "oh! do I look at the exquisite entry hall and the antiques and that floor and the staircase detail . . . . or do I look through the little arched doorway out to the infinity pool and beyond?"
Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine has done it again - more than 25 designers from the southeast came together with 20 separate moving trucks, and in less than a week created a showhouse that feels like a home. Jackye Lanham is honorary chair and designed the perfect entry mentioned above. Many of you know that I work with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles on their showhouses, but I am not as involved these days, so I was able to experience the delight of surprise when I had a sneak peak right before they opened.
The ideas and the inspirations - they live in every single space of this home. It's impossible to share everything in one post, but if you are in Atlanta during her most beautiful season (spring) and are able to visit the showhouse, please take time to stop in. Here I've listed several themes and thoughts that I found throughout.
Jackye Lanham's exquisite entry hall
photo by David Christensen
I was able to spend a lot of time wandering through the many rooms and I'm not sure I would have noticed some of these things without that time spent. And on that note, did you know that if you purchased your ticket on Eventbrite or give them your name when you buy your ticket at the door, you can come back on that ticket!
Phoebe Howard's Family Room - love those little chairs photo by David Christensen
Chairs
It was so interesting to me to notice all of the single chairs (see the two little ones in Phoebe Howard's Family Room above) and how they are being used in ways other than to simply sit upon. And those that do have that primary purpose are so varied - I love them all! Wood - upholstered - antique - new - slipcovered. (and do not miss the chair details in Gordon Dunning's art space!)
Gallery walls
Doesn't everyone either have or want to have a gallery wall? And if not, we all certainly have drawers or boxes or a computer filled with photos that deserve to be framed and admired. Throughout the house gallery walls were redefined and executed. Below you see Her Office by Margaret Kirkland and The Library designed by Chad James.
Margaret Kirkland's gallery wall in Her Office
Chad James' gallery wall in The Library
coffee table books
I know -- everyone has coffee table books on design. But I saw so many titles that I had never seen and once again, saw them displayed and used in unexpected ways. (look for a future post on the coffee table books from this house - where better to get book ideas than from southern showhouse designers?!?)
checks
Fabric with checks - who doesn't love THAT? Lauren Deloach's Breakfast Room and Tristan Harstan's Master Bedroom.
The Breakfast Room by Lauren DeLoach Interiors photo by David Christensen
light
New perspective on how light changes a room. We all know this, but the examples of both adding and reducing light are throughout.
upstairs - downstairs
There is so much to see in this house and the docents will be there to guide you, but make sure you see the third floor guest suite -the way that Paige Schnell designed this space was such a surprise to me. Even though I barely have a guest room much less a suite, I loved these ideas.
Also upstairs, but above the garage, Cindy Ingram for Ethan Allen created a cozy and beautifuly livable guest suite.
Downstairs you will find a Man Cave (that's the official name) like no other. It even has windows, doors and outdoor seating! I think that when architect Yong Pak, builder Michael Ladisic and designer Bill Peace created this lower level space, they each had THEMSELVES in mind!
Man Cave designed by Bill Peace of Peace Designs photo by David Christensen
And also downstairs is the wine room and Boxwood's pop-up shop.
The Outdoor Kitchen styled by Haverty's photo by David Christensen
Outdoor spaces
My favorite part of any home is usually the outdoor living area as that is where I choose to spend most of my time. Happy days because in this house you can make that plural - outdoor spaces: the Pool Porch, the Covered Porch (right, by Huff Harrington Home), the pool itself, the outdoor kitchen (above) and various other sitting areas to sneak away, hide and relax (or, throw the biggest party you can imagine) -- whatever your mood that day!
Huff Harrington's bar on their Outdoor Covered Porch
The 2021 Showhouse is April 29-May 3, 2021. Based on past experience I recommend going when they are having a book signing or cocktails - you can find all of the events here. Tickets are $40 and proceeds benefit the Atlanta History Center - you can purchase tickets here.
Have fun!
Back yard of the Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens
