Ingram Style

I only recently came across this article in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles about the wonderful Bill Ingram's pied-à-terre in Midtown Atlanta. And, goodness, it is perfection.

Isn't it such a masterful collection of old and new, shiny and textured? There is so much to look at but in no way is it busy. What else could be expected from Mr. Ingram. So talented!

Photo via Mark D. Sikes

His Birmingham office in Mountain Brook Village is so pretty, yet unassuming. The trellis work on the door is such a neat touch!

View from inside the office - via Mark D. Sikes

That handsome young blur outside the window is Jimmy Laughlin, who works with Mr. Ingram. He and his equally handsome other half Jacob bought this (now) beauty in Forest Park, which was featured in Southern Living:

This was just down the street from where I used to live, so my dog and I would walk by there all the time. When the work started and the whitewashing began, I knew something good was happening. But, when they added that light fixture by the door, I knew there was an expert at work.

Pottery Barn Porthole Sconce

I wish you could see it better in the picture. It looks sort of like this one but bigger and cooler. Ha!

I always say that Birmingham is a small town disguised as a city. Everyone knows everyone just about or, at the very least, there's that whole six degrees of separation thing going on. I met Jimmy and Jacob once in Avondale nearby and they were so nice. We talked about their house and I remember them commenting then on the size of project they had taken on with it. I remember them talking about how if they could just get the kitchen finished, it would be smooth sailing. Jacob added that then, maybe, they could finally get a dog.

I'd say it looks like it all worked out in the end.    :)

I hope you all are having a great week!

A great, big Southern "hello"!

Driveway to Furlow Gatewood's Georgia home - Courtesy Veranda

Well it has been WAAAAAAAAY too long since I've posted! How has everyone been? My life has been all over the place. I'm not a huge country music fan, but I think a Keith Urban quote is apropos here: "I got no money in my pockets. I've got a hole in my jeans. I had a job and lost it, but it won't get to me." Hee hee! So that about sums up my last few months. I worked with a professional organization and design firm here in town and it just "didn't work out", as my ex-boss said. Oh well. :)

But, it won't get to me, because I can get back to some super fun posts for y'all! So, here are some lovely interiors from "the prettiest country from Georgia to Tennessee". Enjoy!

Dining room in Birmingham home of Melanie Pounds

Piedmont Driving Club bar by Jackye Lanham

Quiet simplicity in foyer by Texan John Phifer Marrs

Thoroughly eclectic living area by Atlanta-raised Miles Redd

Come on, you all knew I was going to have to throw in some Miles Redd in a Southern mix! Yes, I am a little obsessed.

Seating area overlooking kitchen in home of Birmingham architect Bill Ingram

Bill Ingram is a prominent architect around these parts, but his interiors are also quite beautiful. His homes (primary and vacation) have been featured in House Beautiful (photo above), Southern Accents, and Cottage Living. They are generally masculine, but have a soft, earthy feel to them.

Living room with hints of pink by Tracery Interiors

I had the lucky privilege of attending the Independent Presbyterian Church's home tour this past Christmas season (a tradition for many here in Bham). I particularly enjoyed getting to see the Tracery-designed Birmingham Home & Garden Inspiration Home, as well as the actual home of Tracery designer, Doug Davis. Tracery interiors are always warm and especially elegant, but I love that there always seems to be the tiniest undercurrent of playfulness. Like the flashes of hot pink above or the large needlepoint of deer hanging on the wall in the Inspiration Home, they deftly insert touches of the unexpected in all their designs.

Bedside vignette by another Texan, Richard Holley

Love the black, love the objets, love the chest, love the drooping greenery.... This is just such an interesting layout to look at.

Living room in Georgia home of Furlow Gatewood - courtesy of Veranda

And last, but not least, the living room of Furlow Gatewood, John Rosselli's associate and antiques buyer in the South. This house, every room, is magnificent. If you did not get to see it featured in Veranda (May-June 2011),  you can see some of the pics here.

I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon and, I must say, it's good to be back!


 

Americana

Dining room by Wendy Meredith

The weekend before last I went to Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta (which is fabulous, by the way), and, although there were beautiful antiques of myriad backgrounds and styles, it was the early American and English antiques that grabbed my attention.

Maybe it's because my interest has been piqued by this style recently (think Darryl Carter and Bill Ingram) because I was working on my traditional, masculine study (pictures to come), but, either way, I have a new and growing appreciation for the classically blended, English-inspired "American" look.

So, today, I thought I would pay homage to that style with some photos of homes that are modern incarnations of classic American design (where Windsor chairs and Wedgewood abound). Enjoy!

Bedroom by Eddie Ross



Breakfast area by Phoebe Howard

So much character in such a small space (with the beadboarding perfectly punctuating the style). 

Grand foyer by Diamond Baratta Design

The formality of this grand foyer is played down by breaking the space up into smaller seating areas and by using durable, unpretentious materials like the embroidered pillows and the braided rug (which was an early American staple since carpets from Europe and Asia were not available - or affordable - to colonialists).

Den by Tom Scheerer

What a cozy but fun seating area: the bold coral of the upholstery against the white walls and wood accents. It is modern without seeming overtly so (especially when Scheerer throws a sculptural high back Windsor and pair of bobbin corner chairs into the mix).

Bedroom by Stephen Sills

Again, another cozy room, this one complete with fireplace, quilts, and those lovely black-and-white lithographs. So warm and serene.

Photo courtesy of Country Living

Classic, a little cluttered, but comfortable!

Bedroom by Chad Eisner

Love the stripes, love the quilt, love the trunk.

Dining area by Windsor Smith

What a lovely room. I am not usually a fan of the Windsor chair, but, here, it is the perfect, graphic counterpoint to the clean white walls. The rustic wood table and interesting artwork so casually propped on the mantle, all handsomely complement this delightful space.

Here's to a great week ahead, everyone!